Ghosted after an interview? When and how to follow up on an application politely
The interview went well, the recruiter said “we'll be in touch”, and then silence. One week, two weeks, nothing. Being ghosted like this leaves many job seekers wondering: have I been rejected, may I ask, or will I look pushy?
Resmi.ID Team · 4 min read ·
Photo: Adam Satria / Unsplash
You're not alone. Greenhouse's “2024 State of Job Hunting” report, based on a survey of 2,500 workers in the US, UK, and Germany, found that 61% of job seekers had been ghosted after an interview. That data isn't from Indonesia, but job seekers here often describe similar experiences.
Why don't companies get back to you?
- Recruiters handle many roles and hundreds of applicants at once.
- Internal processes stall: budget not yet approved, a manager travelling, or needs changing.
- The company is still waiting for its first-choice candidate to answer an offer.
- Some companies simply don't make a habit of informing unsuccessful candidates.
Silence doesn't always mean rejection. But you don't have to wait indefinitely either. Following up politely is normal and professional. A short, friendly message can actually remind a recruiter of your application amid a pile of other candidates.
When is the right time to follow up?
- 1After applyingWait about 1–2 weeks before asking for a status update, especially if you applied by direct email.
- 2After an interviewSend a short thank-you the same day or the next.
- 3Past the deadlineIf the recruiter gave a timeline and it has passed by a few working days, ask for an update.
- 4Second follow-upIf there's no reply, wait about another week and send one final message.
- 5StopAfter two messages without a response, put your energy into other applications.
Example thank-you message after an interview
“Good afternoon Ms Ratna, thank you for your time in today's interview for the Administrative Staff position. I'm even more interested after hearing about the team's plan to tidy up the digital filing system. If any additional documents are needed, I'm happy to send them. Regards, Andi Pratama.”
Example status enquiry
“Good morning Ms Ratna, I hope you're well. I'm Andi Pratama, a candidate for the Administrative Staff position who interviewed on 14 October. I'd like to ask whether there's been any progress in the selection process. I'm still very interested in the role. Thank you for your time.”
Example closing message
“Good afternoon Ms Ratna, I'm following up on my previous message about the Administrative Staff position. I understand selection can take time. If the role has been filled, I'm still grateful for the opportunity and hope to be considered for other openings in future. Regards, Andi.”
A closing message like this keeps the relationship positive. Some candidates are contacted again months later because they left a professional impression.
Tips for writing follow-up messages
- Mention your name, the role, and the interview date so the recruiter can place you easily.
- Keep it short: three to five sentences is enough.
- Send it during working hours, not late at night or at the weekend.
- Use the same channel the recruiter used before.
- Avoid passive-aggressive lines like “it's been two weeks without any news”.
Don't ghost back
Candidates can ghost too, for example by skipping an interview without notice or disappearing after accepting an offer. If you decide to withdraw from a selection process, say so briefly. For example: “Thank you for the opportunity, Ms Ratna. After some thought, I've decided not to continue with this process. I wish you every success in finding the right candidate.”
On KarirResmi you can also use the attendance confirmation or request-another-time options on interview invitations, so recruiters know your plans without anyone having to guess.
Keep moving while you wait
Don't stop searching just because one process feels promising. Until you have a written offer letter, keep applying and taking part in other selections. If you end up with two offers, that's a strong position, not a problem.
On KarirResmi, you can track your application status on a timeline, so you know whether it's still under review or has moved to the next stage. Applications a company doesn't process are closed automatically with a notification, so you aren't left waiting without an answer. Also look out for the Responsive badge on companies that usually reply to applicants quickly.
Finally, don't measure your worth by a company's silence. Ghosting more often reflects a busy or disorganised hiring process than your quality as a candidate.
References
This information is general. For important decisions, check the latest rules at official sources or consult the relevant authorities.
