SANDY ADAMS

If you’ve been job searching lately, you probably know the feeling -you send your resumé, you nail the interview, you even hit “send” on that perfect thank-you email… and then?

Silence.

No reply. No update. No closure.

It’s called professional ghosting, and I’ve heard this complaint from so many people I’ve coached. In fact, it’s one of the top questions I get: “Sandy, why do companies ghost me?” Professional ghosting doesn’t just happen in job searches — it can happen in networking, project collaborations, pitching ideas, and other professional situations. And here’s what I tell them — it’s not about YOU. It’s about clarity.

Why companies ghost
When a company ghosts, it’s rarely personal. There are usually a mix of messy, behind-the-scenes reasons:

• The hiring budget suddenly changed.
• Internal candidates appeared out of nowhere—or were there all along.
• Priorities shifted, roles got frozen, or leadership changed direction.
• The recruiter is juggling 50 open roles.
• Or someone simply forgot to close the loop.

But the bigger truth?

Many hiring managers — aka your potential next boss — aren’t trained in interviewing. And they’re definitely not trained in delivering hard conversations, even in email. So when they have to say, “We went another direction,” instead of hitting send on that email, they hit avoid.

That’s not professionalism. It’s discomfort.

And it’s a reminder that ghosting says more about a company’s culture and leadership than it ever says about you.

My personal experience
Honestly, I’ve been ghosted myself — even recently. An opportunity I was excited about… silence. I sent one follow-up email after the initial thank you. Crickets. Loud crickets. That sting is real.

But here’s what I learned: I didn’t lose value. Instead, I took the silence as data. I asked myself: What does this tell me about their communication, priorities, and leadership style? That reflection gave me clarity about the types of companies I actually want to work with. I also used it as a reminder to double down on my own visibility and expertise, so my next opportunity would notice me even before I applied. Ghosting became less about rejection and more about insight.

What ghosting really means
It reveals something about the company — fast. If they can’t communicate well in the interview process, imagine what that silence would look like once you’re on the team. If they leave candidates hanging, what does that say about how they handle feedback, leadership, or follow-through? That lack of communication is a red flag in disguise. You didn’t get ghosted — you got insight.

Here’s how I coach clients to handle it:

1. Follow up once. Then let it go.
   Send a thoughtful thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. If you don’t hear back, follow up a week later. After that — walk away. Chasing silence doesn’t make you look more interested; it drains your energy.
2. Don’t pause your search.
   I can’t tell you how many people stop applying after a “great interview.” Never assume it’s a done deal until you have an offer. Keep networking, keep applying, keep moving forward. Momentum is your best defense against ghosting.
3. Keep showing up online.
   While they’re silent, you stay visible. Post your insights, comment on industry conversations, and show up consistently on LinkedIn. Your next opportunity might see you before you ever hit “apply.”
4. Reframe the silence.
   Ghosting is rarely rejection. It’s redirection. It’s your reminder that you deserve a company that values communication, respect, and follow-through.

The mindset shift
When someone ghosts you professionally, you have two choices:

• You can take it personally… or
• You can take it as data.

Their silence tells you something about their communication style, their priorities, their leadership — and whether it aligns with how you want to work.

So instead of asking, “Why didn’t they want me?”
Ask, “Would I really want to work somewhere that handles people this way?”

Ghosting may sting, but it’s also clarity in disguise. It helps you filter out companies that aren’t ready for your level of professionalism, your communication, or your leadership energy.

I tell my clients this all the time: your value doesn’t disappear because someone stopped responding.

Every unanswered email, every silent interview, every “we’ll get back to you” that never happens — it’s clearing the path for something that fits.

So no, you didn’t get ghosted.

You got clarity.

You got confirmation that you’re meant for something better.

If you want to make sure you stand out and get noticed in your next opportunity, grab my free guide: 5 Simple Steps to Stand Out and Get Noticed.

So the next time you face the inbox void, remember: you didn’t lose out — they did.