Why do BB HR teams ghost instead of rejecting?

Made it all the way to offer stage - final candidate, start date agreed, everything. Then comp discussion came up and it turned out my current base was above their budget. I told them I was flexible and they said they’d “take it away and consider.”

After that, complete silence (it's been a month) . I even sent a follow-up email asking for an update - no response. The role has since been reposted. HR accepted my LinkedIn request (sent after follow-up), but I’ve never received a formal answer since the comp discussion.

I honestly don’t get why firms think it’s acceptable to ghost final candidates like this. If it’s a no, just say it - especially after running someone through the full process.

Can someone shed a light on why they do this?

3 Comments
 

HR here - you're the backup whilst they look for someone better/in budget range.

If things fall through with other candidates, you can expect to hear back randomly after a few months. 

They don't reply to keep the option open, its like Schrodinger's cat, there's no result if there's no observation. You're neither rejected or hired if they don't reply.

 

Nam libero atque nisi explicabo et cupiditate. Vitae recusandae eius ex.

Eos rerum sed iusto quidem sunt accusamus sit. Sit adipisci nobis et eius. Ut quo doloremque harum nihil.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”