A potential supervisor asked for a Zoom meeting, then didn’t show up. What should my next step be?

Question

A potential supervisor asked to speak with me over Zoom, and sent me a Zoom link. However, the day came and went, but they didn’t show up, and haven't replied to my emails (for about 5 days now, as of November 16).

What should the next step be?

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Previously, they had asked for a meeting, but after I agreed to the specific day they suggested, they completely disappeared for a month. They then emailed me to apologize, saying they broke their arm and were unable to answer messages. So now I’m just guessing that they probably have an issue with their arm again and can’t reply.

Answer 1

Anything is possible. They may have been hit by a bus. At this point, you have no way of knowing and I would avoid jumping to conclusions, especially if this is a job you think you might want. If this Zoom meeting was arranged in the usual fashion after some initial email discussion with a recruiter, someone in HR (human resources), or perhaps a department admin, I would reach out to them and report that the meeting was missed, your email has gone unanswered, and you're concerned that something has happened.

If you later learn the supervisor is just being very rude, I would take that as good to know and look for a job elsewhere. Good luck.

Answer 2

You asked "What is my next step?"

I would suggest contacting other people at the same place.

If there is an office, contact them. Otherwise look for somebody with a title like "secretary" or similar. As a last resort, contact another academic.

First try an email. KEEP THAT EMAIL SHORT. They don't want or need your life history. I suggest:

Hi!

I had a zoom meeting with prof X at DATE. They didn't show and I have been unable to contact them later. Are they all right?

Your name here.

I am not sure about how fast you should expect an answer or what your next step should be.

Answer 3

I live in a region where uncertainties are common and would consider some possibilities that others might not be quick to recognize. I would suggest that you tick these off the list before jumping to conclusions as to your potential supervisor.

Possible Reasons for Lack of Communication

• Their internet, computer, or power has failed. Even in Portland, Oregon, USA, thousands of people had a weeks'-long power outage this year due to an unusual ice storm and its aftereffects.

• Your potential supervisor experienced an unexpected medical emergency. For example, I had a sudden case of severe keratitis this year which prevented me from doing much of anything with my computer for a couple weeks (everything was too blurry to read).

As it seems highly unlikely that, in ordinary circumstances, someone would go to the effort of making a zoom appointment, communicating the time of the meeting, and sending you a link for it and then just not show up, it is prudent not to simply assume the worst. Try to learn the facts of the situation before making judgment calls relative to someone's character or motives.

You do not know what happened. You have no reasonable way to know why it happened. Until you have more knowledge about both of these, avoid making unwarranted conclusions.

Answer 4

Get in contact with that research group / department's secretariat, or other members of the academic staff as physically close to that potential advisor. Ask them if there's anything wrong with Prof. Whats-their-name. Either they say yes and you have your explanation, or they say no, and you tell them you were supposed to have a Zoom conversation but you haven't been able to get in touch with him. Don't sound accusative - use a more confused/worried tone, so that it won't appear as though you're going around complaining about them.