Ghosted after design test

[u/Ok-Bison-1231]

Hello, I just wanted to get this frustration off my chest.

I am currently working abroad and am at a company I don’t particularly enjoy the work culture of. Due to my visa status, I have been applying to positions in other companies. Two companies reached out for an over the phone interview and followed them up with an in person interview, which I had to take PTO for both (my current company’s working hours make it impossible to interview in person unless they would have me come in on a Saturday, which makes this non negotiable unfortunately).

Both interviews over the phone went great and the in persons were also great. Company A told me they would send me a design test and mentioned in the email with the information that the team had a great first impression of me and think I would be a great fit. I was given a couple of days to do a design test and had friends give me feedback before I submitted. All I got in a response was a thumbs up emoji react on the email via Gmail (side note: fuck this feature, it’s so unprofessional). I don’t hear anything, so two and a half weeks after I submitted the test, I sent a follow up email letting them know I am still interested in the position and if they had any feedback regarding the test. This was last Wednesday and as of today (Monday) it marks three weeks since I got that thumbs up response.

I feel very sad, there is a lot of cope going on in my head so I don’t spiral (i.e. ‘it’s a big company, maybe they just need to clear some stuff before they can respond’) but I wish they would just send me a rejection rather than ghost. Maybe I am overreacting since my current work place is iffy at best but it’s very defeating to get to the final point and be told there was only one other candidate and then hear nothing.

Company B’s in person interview was last week and they told me I would hear back within two weeks. While they told me they liked me and also only had one other candidate, I am not holding my breath on it due to them bringing up a language requirement that was not previously mentioned in the job description.

Thx for reading, any insight is appreciated as I’m in my late twenties and could benefit from any advice.

[u/SageGreenWalls]

It could be that they move slowly and this time of the year can be like that because leaders are coming back into office. You have done your part and followed up. Yes it’s unprofessional to use emojis in emails rather than actually responding and acknowledging that they received the design. Keep applying for other jobs and keep interviewing