After a week has passed since your interview for a job, you haven’t heard anything further. Just what does that include, anyway? Should you just let go already?

The time it takes to fill a position can be several weeks. It’s possible they’re not interested in having you join their team if you don’t hear back from them. Perhaps they found someone more qualified to accept the offer. If a certain opportunity isn’t suitable for you, then you should pass on it.

A successful follow-up communication is sending one that stands out from the crowd. Either inquire about their inability to respond or explain why you believe they would be an asset to your team. Also, before sending out any further interview requests, double-check that you have complete information on the qualifications you were seeking.

After two days of no response, consider other possibilities. Find a new job, either inside your current field or in a related one.

In this post, we’ll explain what to do if you are still waiting to hear back after an interview and offer advice on moving on and finding a new job.

The hiring procedure, including the interview and job offer

Once a job posting goes live, employers are flooded with resumes and cover letters. They must sift through all the information and decide whether to proceed with a candidate. This is where ATS systems come into play.

These tools allow recruiters to sort through the applications, flagging those that show interest and eliminating those that do not. After the initial screening, interested parties are sent to the next step of the hiring process, usually an in-person or telephone interview.

After the interviews, the hiring team decides whom to bring on board. If everything checks out, the candidate receives a formal job offer letter. Sometimes, however, some issues arise during the application process.

For example, a candidate may not meet the qualifications listed in the position description. Or perhaps the person needed to include more experience in the resume.

Either way, it’s important to remember that once a job listing is posted, many qualified people apply. Remember being overlooked discourages you from using it again.

How long should you wait to follow up after an interview?

The rule of thumb is to wait five business days after the interview. If the interviewer says they will contact you within three days, wait another week. But if the interviewer tells you they expect to reach out to you within seven days, give yourself some wiggle room.

You want to look like you’re not desperate, but you also don’t want to seem uninterested in getting hired. Here’s what I suggest: Send a polite, professional email thanking the person for their time and asking if there is anything else you could do to improve your chances of being considered for the role.

Then, wait a few days before sending another email. This way, you won’t appear overly eager but will still show interest without seeming pushy.

Reasons for Delays

You might be waiting longer than expected to hear about a job offer because of several factors. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that the job isn’t yours.

Here are some common reasons why you may find yourself waiting longer than anticipated to hear whether the job is yours:

1. Interviewing others. If the company has already interviewed applicants for the job, it may continue interviewing others while you wait. This could delay your hearing date even further.

2. A competing organization priority. Sometimes companies hire someone internally rather than externally because there need to be more qualified applicants. You may be waiting for the same reason.

3. Training. Companies often train existing employees on new equipment or processes before bringing in external help.

4. Retraining. When a company brings in outside talent, it may want to retrain current employees on new technologies or processes.

5. Business needs. Sometimes businesses must prioritize certain projects over hiring. For example, a retail chain may need to retrain store managers on new inventory systems before adding additional stores.

Tips for what you can do while you wait

The job interview process is stressful enough without worrying about how to act during the waiting period. Here are some things to remember when sitting around for hours or days waiting to hear whether you got the job.

1. Stay Calm. Don’t let negative thoughts creep into your head. You’ve done everything possible to make yourself shine in front of the hiring manager, so it’s important to remain calm and collected. If you start thinking negatively, you’ll end up sabotaging yourself.

2. Keep Your Cool. If you know you didn’t get the job, don’t take it out on the interviewer. Please don’t go off on them over something they did or didn’t say. Remember, you’re still interviewing for another position; they aren’t responsible for your failure.

3. Be Yourself. Show confidence even though you may feel like you failed. Make sure to smile and nod along with whatever the person says. This will help you seem friendly and likable, and it could win you points with the interviewer.

4. Ask Questions. Ask them if you have any questions about the job or hiring process. The more you learn about the company, the better prepared you’ll be for future interviews.

5. Take Notes. Even if you don’t think you’ll use them later, taking notes gives you something to refer back to if you need to ask follow-up questions. It’s also a great way to remember key information from the interview.

6. Write Down Everything. Whether you write down key phrases or complete sentences, writing down anything from the interview helps you recall details later.

7. Get Organized. Before leaving the office, set aside time to organize your materials related to this job search. That includes resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, business cards, etc. Having all of these items organized makes it easier to find them when you need them.

8. Have Fun. While focusing solely on the job search is tempting, remember to enjoy life. Go out with friends, walk, watch TV, read a book, play video games, etc. These activities will help you relax and avoid getting too stressed out.

9. Eat Well. Eating well can boost energy levels and improve concentration throughout the day. Try to eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dairy products. Avoid eating processed foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.

10. Exercise. Regular exercise improves overall health and boosts self-confidence. Find an activity that you enjoy doing and stick with it.

11. Rest Up. When you’re tired, your body produces less dopamine. The “feel good” neurotransmitter. So if you’re feeling exhausted after a long day at work, take advantage of every opportunity to rest. A nap, a quick shower, reading a book, watching television — whatever works best for you.

When is the best time to follow up?

The hiring process is typically a long one. Many steps involve multiple interviews, reference checks, background checks, drug tests, etc.

After receiving feedback about your application, it could take anywhere from 2 to 4 months before you hear anything back. Some companies have no set timeline for how long it takes to fill open positions; however, most employers give you a general timeframe.

You should always remember that the job offer is still pending, even though you’ve already been offered the position. You should never assume that you’ll receive a formal offer.

While it’s common practice among recruiters to ask candidates if they’d like to move forward with the offer, it’s important to remember that it’s ultimately up to the employer. If you are still waiting to hear back from an employer in the allotted time, it doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in you. They might want to see what else is out there.

In addition, it’s common for an employer to contact you again after making an initial hire. This is usually done to ensure that everything goes smoothly. For example, if the candidate had any issues getting along with coworkers, the employer wants to know if those problems have been resolved or need to be addressed.

Conclusion

You aced it in every respect. You did well in the interview and showed appreciation with a handwritten note. Then why is it that you have yet to receive a reply? It’s possible that the company is taking its time deciding or that your application didn’t match what they were searching for. Also, it’s likely that they just plain forgot to reply.

If this sounds like your situation, you need not fear. Let a few more days pass. They will get back to you once they’ve reviewed the applications from the next round. If so, give them a call to reassure them that you’re still accessible.

Last but not least, keep looking for work; keep applying for positions that excite you. In the meantime, polish your resume so you’ll be prepared to seize the opportunity of a lifetime. And remember, our professional resume writers are here whenever you need them.