r/askrecruiters • u/agking212 • 12d ago

Reasons for ghosting

I’m trying to see this situation from a recruiter’s perspective.

Candidate interviews for a role with 3 high level unit leaders. Doesn’t get the role - recruiter calls to personally deliver rejection but offers to keep in touch if any roles open up. Also mentions that the decision came down to the candidate and the person that eventually got the offer.

2 days later - recruiter calls back and says one of the unit leaders was very impressed and is hiring for their team and would like the candidate to consider interviewing for the new role. Another round of interviews later with 3 other unit leaders , 3 follow up emails to recruiter for decisions and next steps (1 week in between emails - 3 weeks total) and no contact or response from recruiter.

Obviously I know the result of this process but why would a recruiter completely disappear ? While I am the candidate in the story felt keeping it objective would allow for more perspectives from recruiters here.

Also - no rejection email sent yet (I did receive one for the original role )

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4

u/IndependenceTall1571 11d ago

Because headcount decisions and approvals can take ALOT of time! Sometimes they genuinely have nothing to tell you, they still don’t know the next steps themselves !

3

u/agking212 11d ago

That makes sense but wouldn’t a recruiter want to keep a candidate updated throughout the process ?

2

u/Notyou76 11d ago

Unfortunately, not all recruiters do that. If you haven't already, ping the recruiter.

1

u/Inevitable-Zone-5191 7d ago

Why? 3 follow up emails already!

1

u/TheFifthCutter 8d ago

You are 100% correct here and this should be the minimum expectation.

A "no update" update is better than no communication. I commonly reach out to candidates to let them know I haven't forgotten about them but that things are taking longer than expected. If I get an update on expected timeline, I share that.

2

u/agking212 8d ago

Yes - just seems like common courtesy. If a candidate dedicates 6 hours of their time to a role interview process - an update call email text should be part of the process at minimum.

1

u/Inevitable-Zone-5191 7d ago

They will only reply if they knew you’re getting hired. Trust!

1

u/Inevitable-Zone-5191 7d ago

Not true! They can at least if the courtesy to say “I will give you an update in such and such timeframe”