As adults, we’ve learned that when we ask a question, someone replies. When we need help, someone offers. If we hold the door open, someone walks through (and hopefully expresses appreciation). But in a job search, the reciprocity of effort, politeness and response is sometimes lacking. And it feels terrible.
A client of mine expressed it this way:
“I updated my resume [after leaving the military], researched companies, responded to job openings, reached out to my network for introductions, and felt solid as a job applicant. But I’m not hearing back. Not even a ‘dear John,’ thanks-but-no-thanks, note of appreciation for submitting, not a request to schedule an interview. Nothing.”
Ghosting is a big problem for job candidates today, and at a time when your confidence and enthusiasm might be particularly shaky, the feelings of rejection, frustration and confusion that ensue can be overwhelming.
Some Reasons Employers Aren’t Responding
A 2025 Candidate Experience Report by Criteria Corp. found that about 48 percent of job seekers said “they were ghosted by an employer in the past year,” compared to 38 percent who said they'd been ghosted the year before.
Recruiters and hiring professionals will tell you that the volume of applicants for every open role is like nothing they’ve seen before. In the past they might attract a hundred applications for one position, and today that looks more like a thousand.
Add to the volume issue the fact that many of the applications are not real (they’re actually bots or spam) or are the same applicant trying to game the system by applying numerous times, sometimes using a different name or qualifier, and the confusion employers are facing is tremendous.
Read More: Is That Job Posting Real? 10 Ways to Spot a Scam
Another explanation for the ghosting trend by employers is the popularity of ghost jobs. A 2025 Forbes article explains it this way: “Ghost jobs are listings for roles that companies don’t intend to fill, whether that’s to suggest publicly that the company is growing, or [because] the position has already been filled.” Research found that more than 80% of recruiters admitted their employers posted ghost jobs.
Is it a personal affront when they don’t respond to you? Likely it’s more a capacity issue. Even automated messages take time, and some companies simply don’t have it. Not an excuse for ignoring the time, effort and care you put into your application, but it’s understandable that recipients are overloaded.
What You Can Do
Short of setting up camp in the lobby of these companies, waiting to pounce on hiring managers headed to lunch, you can take proactive steps to reinforce your interest in the position and remain professional.
For example, see if you’re connected on LinkedIn to the hiring manager. Even a second- or third-level connection means someone you know could facilitate an introduction. If you’re able, express your interest in the position, remind them of the specific job (using the requisition number) and remind them of your specific qualifications that make you an ideal candidate. Even if the position has closed, you could make a good impression leading to future opportunities.
Read More: Email or DM? How to Communicate Clearly and Confidently in Online Job Networking
You could follow the company on social platforms. See what announcements or updates it posts, and respond with something interesting and valuable in the comments. Do not pitch your job candidacy or vent your frustration at the lack of communication, but show your interest in the company and add something interesting to the conversation. Someone in the communications department could see your comment and open a door for you to connect.
And don’t forget to follow up on the job status with the interviewers, recruiters or hiring professionals. Perhaps they thought they followed up, or their email got lost, or they just forgot. A polite inquiry as to the status of the job might earn you recognition and make a positive impression.
No one enjoys feeling ignored or rejected. Employers know that a job search is a tough process for the applicant, and their intention is not to make it harder. That said, patience, creativity and understanding go a long way to getting noticed by a company that may be trying to do the right thing but is struggling with capacity.
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