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.

 

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