Miss Manners: The company ghosted me after a promising interview

It is a frustration felt by job seekers everywhere: the post-interview silence. A recent college graduate reached out to 205focus.com with a tale of being ghosted after a promising interview held back in February.

The Waiting Game

The applicant initially made a great impression, with the employer expressing a clear interest in bringing them on board for the summer. Because the employer's season kicked off before the student finished their academic term, the two agreed to touch base once the semester concluded.

However, reality has failed to meet expectations. Now two weeks removed from returning home, the applicant has tried repeatedly to follow up via phone calls and office visits. Despite these efforts, they have been met only with messages from the secretary claiming the supervisor is constantly busy out in the field.

A Growing Trend of Ghosting

Frustrated by the lack of communication, the student noted that they find it difficult to believe the employer cannot spare two minutes for a quick update. While friends report encountering similar dismissive behavior from other companies, the core question remains: is it truly too much to ask for professional closure?

Judith Martin, writing as Miss Manners, notes that while modern employers often claim they are too short-staffed to handle standard correspondence, they are ignoring the long-term cost. Building a reputation for callous treatment does more than just alienate one candidate; it creates a negative narrative that spreads among others who hear of the experience.

Get in Touch

For those looking for advice, you can send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to dearmissmanners@gmail.com, or via postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.