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How to Handle the Waiting Period After an Interview

You’ve applied for the job, prepared for your interviews, sent your ‘thank you’ emails…so, now what?!

It’s no secret that the waiting periods are one of the most frustrating aspects of the job search process. In our last post, we discussed what to do while waiting to hear back after applying for a job. Now let’s discuss what you can do while waiting to hear the verdict after your interview. This time, you are probably asking yourself questions like…

How long until I know if I got the job?

Unfortunately, there is no magic number of days you will wait between your final interview and a response. It is important to remember that every company has a different hiring process and schedule. However, this question is extremely common, as timing is everything in a job search. A good way to proactively handle this concern is to bring it up to the hiring manager during the interview. At the end of each interview, be sure to inquire about next steps. If it is the final round, the interviewer will likely respond with details about who will be contacting you and when. Asking about next steps is a good way to demonstrate your continued interest in the position and ease your mind as well. Communication is key during this process!

…It’s been a few weeks since your interview, and you still haven’t heard anything. You’re probably feeling a bit nervous and starting to lose hope. This is understandable, as the harsh reality is that some companies do, in fact, ghost candidates. However, this is not always the case…

According to this article,

Jobvite’s 2021 Recruiting Benchmark Report shows a time-to-hire of 14-30 days for 54% of employers, with 70% of employers filling openings in less than 30 days. Glassdoor reports an average of 23.8 days to get an offer in the United States


What should I do if I haven’t heard back after an interview?

While waiting to hear back from a job, there are a couple things that you should do. At this point you are probably feeling disappointed and simply looking for closure. Try not to make assumptions or let your emotions get the best of you at this point. Here are some things you can do:

  • Continue Your Job Search

Even if you are feeling super confident you got the job, you never want to put all your eggs in one basket. During the waiting period, keep applying and interviewing for other positions. You won’t ever regret keeping your options open!

  • Send a Follow-Up Email

You’ve probably already sent a ‘thank you’ email after your interview, but a follow-up is simply meant to check in and prompt the hiring manager to respond with an update.

Worried it is too soon to send a follow-up? Consider the time it took to hear back after applying and after your preliminary interviews. Also, account for what the hiring manager said during the interview (if anything) regarding when you should hear back. Once you take all that into consideration and decide that a follow-up email is necessary, draft out a short message to check in on your status and stay in touch. Whether they respond or not, you will get clarity.

If you receive a response: remember that any update is better than no update, regardless of its nature! They may respond with a final decision, or they may say that they are still deliberating. In some cases, they will let you know when you should expect to hear from them.

If you do not receive a response: if you do not hear anything within a week after following up, it is unlikely you will get a response at all. Unfortunately, at this point it is safe to assume that you are being ghosted and have not been selected for the position. As upsetting as this can be, it will still provide you with the closure you need to move on in your job search.

Follow-Up Email Examples for After the Interview | Indeed.com

  • Relax & Unwind

It is easy to get down on yourself during times like this. You feel helpless and start overanalyzing everything. Now is the time to take a step back. Remember that you have worked hard and have done absolutely everything that you can do – you deserve a break! The job interview process can be very time consuming and mentally draining. It is important to remember to practice self-care. Take some time for yourself to do something that makes you happy.

10 Ways to Practice Self-Care During the Job Search – JobFlare