One of the worst parts of the job search process is waiting to hear back after applying for a job. Most employers never respond to job applications, while others reply late.
And while waiting to hear back from their employer, the only thing that runs on every job seeker’s mind is how long does it take to hear back from a job application?
It typically takes several days to weeks to receive a response from your employer after submitting your resume or appearing for an interview process. In this article, we’ll discuss how long you can wait to hear back after applying for a job and what job seekers can do while waiting.
How Long Does it Take to Hear Back After Applying for a Job?
Some employers respond to job applications within a week, while some may take up to four weeks. The response time frame largely depends on the organization’s size and job priority. For instance, applications for an entry-level position may take longer to receive a response than other positions.
Sometimes an employer may call you after several weeks of your application or resume submission to give you positive news. This is most likely to happen when the hiring manager is busy with other office tasks.
Generally, you can wait to hear back from your employer for one to two weeks. But you can rarely receive a call after fifteen days.
Alternatively, if you think you are qualified for the position, you can write a follow-up email to your recruiter asking about your job application status.
What To Do When You’re Waiting to Hear Back About a Job?
You may get frustrated when you wait to hear back about your application. However, instead of getting disappointed, use the following methods to keep your anxiety in control as you wait for a response from your employer.
1. Express your excitement and interest in the role to the recruiter or hiring manager
If you are waiting for a response from employers and it’s been over one week, you can contact the recruiter and show interest in the role.
Tell the manager you are excited to work with the company and interested in the role. If you have anything specific to highlight about your job application or interview, share that with the employer.
2. Write a follow-up email if you can
The best way to get an update about a posting is by writing a follow-up email to your hiring manager. You can ask the employer if they are still considering your application and also take updates about the hiring process.
Also, let them know that you expect to hear back about a job posting. You may ask job-related questions to the hiring managers if you have any doubts regarding the job offer.
Below is a sample template you can use to take follow-ups from a company:
Subject: Inquiry about the Sales Executive position.
Dear Sharron,
My name is Alex Fernandes, and I am writing to follow up on my job application status for the position of Sales Executive at your company. Based on the job description, my professional experience in the field of Sales matches the skills and qualifications you want. I am eager to learn more about this opportunity.
I have applied online through your website and am attaching my resume and cover letter for your reference. I appreciate your time and effort and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Alex Fernandes
3. Check the company’s website or social media for updates on their hiring status
Companies usually post updates regarding employment opportunities and hiring status on their website. If you haven’t heard from your employer after a few weeks, you can visit the company website for the latest news. You can also check the social media handles like the company’s LinkedIn profile for updates on the positions.
Further, read the job description to find the closing date of the position and interview rounds.
4. Consider other job options if you haven’t heard back after several weeks
Most job seekers stop their job search after applying for a few jobs and appearing for interviews. However, not all employers need to consider your application. And relying on a single employer can be risky. So, you should continue your job hunt until an employer shares his final decision with you.
Additionally, by continuing your job searches, you may land better jobs while waiting to hear back from the previous companies.
5. Reach out to your network of contacts at the company for insight into the hiring process
If you don’t want to contact the company directly through email or phone, you can also connect with the company’s employers to get insights about your application. You can talk to other employers working in the organization and ask them about the hiring status for the position you are interested in.
However, while you talk to the employers, make sure not to sound desperate, rude, or disappointed for not getting to hear back from an application.
6. Stay positive and keep your spirits high
It is highly frustrating to keep waiting to hear back from a job you’ve applied to. But you shouldn’t lose hope until the closing date of the position passes or the employer rejects you.
Keep yourself motivated and stay positive instead of thinking about how long it takes to hear back. And if you face multiple rejections, try to analyze your mistake and improve your job search skills and application. You can also utilize your free time to develop a new hobby or learn a new skill that can be highlighted on your resume.
7. Be prepared for rejection
You may expect a positive response from your hiring manager after appearing for an interview, but the company might reject you. This could be due to a few factors like the company chose to make an internal promotion, other applicants were more qualified than you, etc.
Sometimes companies might even reject you without giving a reason. So you should be prepared to handle such situations. Don’t let rejections ruin your chances of getting a better opportunity, and prepare for the best and worst-case scenarios.
How to Get Responses Faster After Submitting Your Resume
There is no sure answer on how long it takes to hear back from a recruiter. But below are a few tips that can help you receive faster responses after submitting your resume and cover letter.
- Apply for jobs for which you meet the skills and qualifications the most. Do not apply for positions for which you aren’t qualified. This will save your recruiter’s time, and your chances of receiving an answer will increase.
- Avoid mentioning your salary expectations in your application, as this will make the employer judge you based on your qualifications.
- Many organizations rely on an applicant tracking system to shortlist qualified candidates based on the details mentioned on their resumes and directly send an automated email to reject unqualified candidates. So ensure that your resume is ATS-friendly to get it viewed by the hiring manager.
- Talk to someone in the organization or your network to refer you for the position. This can make your application noticed, especially when applying to large corporations that receive thousands of applications.
The #1 Factor In Whether You Hear Back: Your Resume Writing
Your resume is one of the highest factors that matter the most in receiving a reply from your recruiter. The way you tailor your resume affects the chances of getting your application selected for the interview.
Remember this – an employer receives hundreds of applications for one job. And your resume should be such that it gets noticed by the interviewer. So, here are a few tips to make your resume stand out from the crowd:
- Create an ATS-friendly resume.
- Use a standard format.
- Use readable fonts, and don’t get too creative.
- Include skills and qualifications that match the job description.
- Use common section titles and headers—for example, work experience, education, etc.
- Don’t write long paragraphs or try to accommodate all information in one basket. Use bullet points and highlight only the necessary details.
Overall, your goal should be to submit a resume that gets you invited for an interview.
Why Does It Take So Long To Hear Back From A Job Application?
You may expect an answer from your recruiter as soon as the hiring process ends. But understand that the employer might have several other tasks to handle along with the recruiting process. So, he may take longer to respond to your application.
Besides, if the number of applicants is higher, the manager will require more time to view the applications and hunt for the right candidate.
FAQ’s
How Long Does It Take to Hear Back From a Job Application on LinkedIn?
On average, it takes one week to get an answer for an application on LinkedIn. However, some organizations respond faster if they seek applications for a high-priority role. You can also boost your chances of receiving an answer on LinkedIn by connecting with the employer.
I applied for a Job and Haven’t Heard Back. Should I Call?
If you applied for a position but haven’t heard back after a week, you can call the organization and ask about the status of your application. Remember to be polite and professional throughout the conversation and express your interest in the opportunity.
Conclusion
That’s all about how long it takes to hear back after applying for jobs. As mentioned above, if you haven’t heard from your interviewer for two weeks, follow up to know the status of your application. You can also contact other candidates to get updates about the hiring process.
Besides, don’t stick to one employer. Continue your job search until you receive an offer letter and a final answer from an organization.