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More than a year ago I was looking for a job and after accepting an offer, I received an invitation to interview with another company (1st round of a typically two rounds process). It was my first contact with them after sending my application. This came at a time when I was quite busy sorting the move, finding a flat, furnishing it, etc, and I completely forgot to politely decline the invitation. It was not a priority, but regardless I consider the polite thing to do do would be reply declining the offer. In effect I forgot / ignored them.

Shall I contact the company to apologize for my oversight? What are the odds that they keep track of former applications?

I only noticed their un-replied email this week while looking for an unrelated email in my email box. I would normally brush it off, but:

  • the sector I work in is quite small, and it is possible that in future, medium term, I might apply again.
  • it's a small sector, and even though I am not a household name, people know people.
  • The interview (skype) would be at a very high level with the CEO, CSO and head of division. (It's a small company)
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  • Doesn't ghosting imply ignoring multiple rounds of attempted contact? (i.e. not just failing to reply to a single email)
    – Jacob Horbulyk
    Jul 24, 2020 at 9:57
  • You are right @JacobHorbulyk. Ghosting is too strong of a word. I will edit the question.
    – fridaymeetssunday
    Jul 24, 2020 at 20:19
  • @JoeStrazzere: This would not be legal in the EU (and, I hope, in other developed countries).
    – guest
    Jul 24, 2020 at 21:06
  • @JoeStrazzere: Of course -- by GDPR you are not allowed to hold personal data longer as neccessary - it would be hard to argue why keeping applications of non-employees should be kept on file for years. Is it different in other countries?
    – guest
    Jul 25, 2020 at 11:45
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    Good point @guest, I had completely forgotten about that and I confirm this JoeStrazzere. I live in Germany and therefore it is likely that the company erased my application completely. It is possible that they would have keep emails, but who knows.
    – fridaymeetssunday
    Jul 26, 2020 at 11:51

4 Answers 4

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If it was essentially your oversight and a whole year has passed, I think I would just let sleeping dogs lie and hope they've forgotten your name by now.

It's old fashioned to imagine an employer (or his secretary) writing out a letter by hand, to a candidate they might realistically foresee retaining in a job for life, and holding a grudge for non-response.

Everyone knows emails today are flying around like a blizzard, and it would be extremely petty for the employer to have inferred (and also recorded, and recalled at the time of your later application) anything adverse from non-response to one interview request, months or years prior.

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  • 8
    Agreed, and I think the time component is key. If this was last week, sure, get in touch. A year ago? They will have forgotten.
    – BittermanAndy
    Jul 23, 2020 at 23:13
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I think you've answered this yourself because you've listed only positive reasons to contact them. Try something short, pleasant, and light on excuses: "Hi. Sorry I missed your email while I was preparing for employment at another company. I hope you found a great candidate."

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With my experience in hiring, at a medium-sized company. Interviews were covered by so many people and we read/sent out follow-ups to so many people we would never have remembered one not answered. The only thing that would remember is our hiring software that remembered people by email address.

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I once did this (one of the top-5 embarrassing things I've done in my life). I actually ghosted a job offer many years ago because I felt uncomfortable about it. A few years later, my company at the time actually merged with the company I ghosted.

I took the opportunity to apologize in person to the manager in question. He basically just shrugged, didn't care/remember.

In light of my experience, I recommend that you not bother contacting the company to apologize for the oversight.

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  • This doesn't answer the OP's scenario nor does it match their situation. Therefore, this is more commentary than an answer.
    – user82352
    Jul 26, 2020 at 22:51
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    I am pretty envious if this made it into the top 5 of the embarrassing things in your life.
    – guest
    Jul 27, 2020 at 12:02

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