Suddenly ghosted by recruiter after interview process, verbal offer, and continuous email

Question

Disclaimer: Throwaway account, to not alert my current workplace, as well as potential future workplace.

My story started a couple of months ago, and it goes like this:

1. I see a very interesting job posting and I apply.
2. Company employed Recruiter contacts me, we set up an interview. It goes well.
3. Further interview process with multiple potential colleagues and team lead. All goes well.
4. Follow up talk with Recruiter where I am praised to the skies. I make salary demand.
5. Recruiter follows up a week later with a verbal offer that improves on my salary demand. Nice!
   • Recruiter says that some legal work needs to be done before they can send me a contract. Recruiter is detailed on the specifics of this and the reasons are plausible.
6. A couple of weeks goes by with no word so I email Recruiter. I promptly receive a response that a) reassures me that the offer is solid, but b) tells me there is further legal work to be done.
7. An additional couple of weeks goes by, and a similar exchange happens. This time I am given a time frame for when I will get a contract. The time frame is around two additional weeks.
8. A few days before the time frame expires I am suddenly contacted by a (hopefully) future Colleague, who wanted to say hi because Colleague has learned that I will be joining the company.
9. The day after (still before the time frame expires) I email Recruiter to ask whether the time frame is still realistic. No response.
10. The time frame has expired some days ago now, and I have still not received a response from Recruiter.

To be honest, I am not sure what to make of this. I am really keen on the job, but perhaps that makes me blind to the obvious.

Is there anything I can do to push for a contract? In that case, any suggestions? Perhaps I am overreacting and should be patient? Or has the company lost interest, decided to move on, and left me wondering?

I realize my guess is as good as yours, but I would appreciate viewpoints on my situation.

Answer 1

Is there anything I can do to push for a contract? In that case, any suggestions? Perhaps I am overreacting and should be patient? Or has the company lost interest, decided to move on, and left me wondering?

I suggest that (as mentioned in comments by Joe) try giving them a call this time, so you don't have to wait the email 'lag'.

The time frame they gave you expired recently,so perhaps consider waiting at least a week before starting to think things are strange.

I also suggest that you keep your options open and continue pursuing other offers that seem interesting to you, in case this offer does not become a reality (which, IMO, I think it's unlikely that will happen).

Answer 2

That company could be interviewing a number of people, they haven't decided yet, and they want to keep you available in case they decide that you're it.

From your side, never assume that the decision has been made until after you have a written offer in your hands (email is acceptable).

Until then, keep looking for other jobs, keep interviewing, behave as if they're just one out of many potential employers - because they are.

There is no reason for you to treat them more fairly than they're treating you.

Besides, giving promises and then not fulfilling them is a big red flag. Even if they offer you a job, you can count on them to behave like that in the future, in any other aspect. Effectively... you cannot trust anything they say; and if that is so, will it really be a healthy relationship?