You were this close. You were already preparing your resignation letter in your head. You saw their smiles during the job interview and were sure you blew them away. You even sent the perfect follow-up message, thanks to ChatGPT. And, nothing.

No update. No rejection. Just silence. After spending hours tweaking your resume and prepping for interviews, it's frustrating when your effort is met with silence.

The unfortunate truth is that ghosting has become far too common in today's job market. But, some companies are more likely to give you the silent treatment than others, and knowing how to spot the red flags early can save you unnecessary misery and stress. Here are a few subtle signs to watch for before and during the interview process so you can avoid wasting time on the wrong opportunities for you.

While it might be tempting to apply for a role that reads like a great fit, the job description isn't the only thing you should pay attention to before you apply. You should also consider when the role was posted. Long-standing or recycled job postings can indicate indecision, slow internal processes, or a lack of urgency to hire.

In some cases, it could also mean they're keeping the role open until the "perfect unicorn" shows up, which might reveal that the company is unclear on what they need or unrealistic about who they need to solve their challenges. This can set the bar high for even the most qualified candidates. Even if you choose to apply anyway, proceed with caution. You could go through the entire hiring process only to realize they were just getting to know you, not planning to hire you or anyone for that matter.

If you're excited by the idea of joining a startup or building something new from the ground up, it's important to understand what you're walking into before you apply. Whether it's an early-stage company or a brand-new team within a larger organization, if they lack infrastructure or have a lean team, their hiring process could be informal, inconsistent, or fast-moving.

And more importantly, it could mean their priorities, budgets, and timelines can change overnight. This is how you could walk away from an interview feeling confident, with detailed insights about their initiatives, only to hear nothing afterward. Not to mention, sometimes, things can move so quickly that a company can choose to go with another candidate and forget to follow up, even if they never intended to leave you hanging. It doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue these opportunities, but be aware that if the company or team is fairly new, lacks systems or stability -- or if the team is stretched thin, communication can easily fall through the cracks.

If the job description is broad, vague, or reads like a mix of three different roles, this is a subtle red flag that you might be in for an emotional rollercoaster. Vague job descriptions signal that the company hasn't taken the time to determine what they specifically need from their next hire. It could also mean they're trying to merge multiple roles into one, which can make the hiring process taxing and difficult for both the company and the candidates.

That's why it's worth reading job descriptions carefully before hitting submit on your application. If the job description feels confusing or overwhelming, the hiring process might be too, and ghosting becomes more likely when companies aren't crystal clear on what they're looking for in the role.

Compliments are nice in interviews, but they aren't reliable indicators that you're going to be hired for the role, or that you'll even hear from them again. There are other things to pay attention to besides their smiles and praise.

For instance, can they thoroughly answer questions about what success looks like in the role, who you'll report to, and what challenges the team is currently facing? Do they say things like, "We'll be in touch," without offering clear next steps? Have interviews been rescheduled, canceled, or tacked on at the last minute? These are often signs that the company is unorganized, unclear on its hiring process, or not fully aligned internally. And, unfortunately, the more chaotic the interview process is, the more comfortable they may be disappearing without a word.

The reality is, you can be completely qualified for a role and still not hear back from a company. There are so many factors that go into hiring a candidate, and sometimes, they have nothing to do with you. Even the best companies sometimes need more time than originally anticipated to share updates or move the process forward. Patience is key in today's job market, but you can safeguard your time and energy by spotting these red flags sooner. Vet companies just as thoroughly as they vet you. It's one of the smartest ways to land the right opportunity for you.