We've all been there – had a smashing interview, and you know in your gut that you absolutely nailed it. Yet, radio silence from said company. Frustrating, isn't it?
Let us ease your mind and reassure you that most often, the issue is with the employer. You have already put in the work and worked out all the points in your control; now it's really up to the employer to get back to you. However, there may be a few things that you can perhaps avoid to ensure that you are never the issue and guarantee a call-back post-interview.
Here are a few reasons why an employer may ghost you;
Pandemic Blues
Not to attribute all our frustrations to the current pandemic. However, the obvious must be stated. Most businesses are struggling under the crippling economic situation due to the pandemic. Thus, the pandemic's effects are a very likely reason you would not hear back from an employer in the current context.
With the rising unemployment numbers, increasing the number of candidates vying for a single job, employers could be overwhelmed with applications. Thus, it would take much longer to scan through them all and make a decision.
Simply, too Busy
Perhaps your employer is trying to fill in multiple job positions simultaneously or is simply caught up with another project that is preventing them from getting back to you sooner. It may sound like a very basic excuse; being swamped for many reasons could very well be the reason why you would not have heard back yet.
Change in Direction
Although they may have seemed eager to fill in the job vacancy at the point of the interview, things could have drastically changed in the following days. Given the current situation, it is a likely situation. Perhaps, due to a lack of funds, the company is forced to go into a hiring freeze. Perhaps the vacancy is not an urgent one, or they simply could have decided to go in another direction and hire internally or revamp the job description to make do with existing resources.
Interview Process Ongoing
You and a hundred others, too, probably thought it was a great opportunity and swooped in to apply for the job offer. Thus, the employer is perhaps still weeding through the many applications and interviewing the candidates they feel are most suited for the role.
No Chemistry
You just didn't click. Employers do not only look at qualifications and experience; they are very keen to recruit people they feel would be an ideal fit for their company's culture. Thus, perhaps they thought that you just did not mesh with them well enough. Even if the employer feels that your personality would clash with some of their key personalities, this could also become a reason for silence after an interview.
There's No Real Reason
You were a good candidate; however, you may not have been outstanding. Your answers and demeanour would have been pleasing yet was lacklustre, and therefore not the best. In short, you didn't do anything wrong; however, you didn't quite hit the mark either. For an employer to explain this is difficult, and at the same time, for a candidate to hear this is demotivating. Thus, in order to avoid potential issues, employers might choose to stick to the silence is golden rule at this point.
If you really want that job, make sure to review yourself before you leap into the next job interview;
Did you follow all the instructions?
Make sure that you follow all the instructions on vacancy advertisements. Have they asked for references, for instance, and have you made sure to include them. Although this may seem like a minor slip to you, employers may read into it the wrong way and assume that if you cannot follow basic instructions at the onset, that you might have a problem following instructions once hired too.
Does the company culture suit you?
Do your research, and if you know anyone who works at the company you hope to apply to, speak to them, and find out what the company culture is like. What are their values etc., and if they align with yours? This is a vital aspect that employers look into, and so should you. Even if you like the job role, you might end up being miserably stuck in an organization that clashes with your principles.
Is your salary range reasonable?
Once again, research is key. Check what the market salary scales are for the particular job. And always situate your range within that scope. Even though you may think a specific rate is reasonable, some companies may not so make sure to have a good idea of the company's salary ranges and the usual market range for the said job posting.
Once you have ironed out your issues and considered the employers' problems, you may help yourself to a well-worded follow-up thank you letter, post-interview, to indicate your enthusiasm and interest in the job. If there is still no response after that, you may call the HR division for feedback. Inundating the employer with tons of calls and e-mails is a sure-fire way of not landing the job, so remember, be persistent, but not a pest!