How long after an interview should you assume you didn't get the job? (2023)

How long after an interview can I assume I didn t get the job?

As a rule of thumb, following up within a week is perfectly acceptable. If you don't hear back after an additional week, you can reach out again. However, if you don't hear anything after a second week, it's better to stay radio silent. Some companies have a long hiring process.

You can usually expect to hear back from the hiring company or HR department within one or two weeks after the interview, but the waiting time varies for different industries.

If you've received no response after a job interview (and you didn't hear back even after you followed up on your job application), it's safe to assume that you didn't get the position and should keep interviewing with other companies.

It's very common for job applicants to request feedback – employers usually take this as a sign you're interested and keen to improve on your abilities – so don't be nervous. But it is very important to be polite.

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], I hope all is well. I just wanted to check in and see if there's an update on the timeline or status for the [job title] position I interviewed for on [date of interview]. I'm still very interested and look forward to hearing back from you.

Why does it take so long to hear back after an interview?

It can take time for recruiters to get time on hiring managers' calendars, and then for managers to make those decisions. Further, if they're not satisfied with the candidates initially presented by the recruiter, the manager may want to see more, which could delay decision-making and the next round of interviews.

Even if you provide excellent responses to every question in an interview, you may not earn a job offer if the hiring manager doesn't feel that you're a good culture fit for the company. Sometimes your personality or professional values simply don't align with the way the organization functions.

How to Ask for a Second Chance. Although not all employers have the time or resources for a "do-over," if you think you flunked an interview, take the time to email the interviewer explaining your circumstances and thanking him or her for the opportunity to interview.

You'd rather not appear desperate or pushy, but you also don't want your recruiter to forget about you. It's a tough line to walk. But sending an interview follow-up email after two weeks is both customary and essential if you want to stand out from the pack.

HR professionals should keep these biases in mind; they should schedule a strong candidate first, perhaps the strongest candidate last and the weaker candidates in the middle of the process. Doing so will help hiring managers focus and find the best person for the job.

To some interviewers, it's a common way of saying "bye for now" or "see you later." It's normal that interviewers don't know who to hire until all the interviews are over, and there may have been dozens or even hundreds of interviews scheduled before and after yours.

At the end of most job interviews, the interviewer will say, “Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.” It's easy to brush off this statement as a mere formality, but in reality, it provides an opportunity to make a lasting impression on your potential employer.

In general, if you don't hear back from the hiring manager two weeks after they told you they'd be in contact, you can probably assume the company has decided to go with another candidate.

Employers in the United States do not have to give a reason for not hiring you. Many employers choose to send a standard rejection letter without explaining why you did not receive the job. However, even sending a rejection letter is not a legal requirement.

Should you follow up after job rejection?

Responding to a job rejection does the groundwork for future job opportunities, or even better, might find you another suitable role at the present. A follow-up to rejection email can be beneficial in case the hired applicant drops out, then a little effort can make you the company's second preference for the role.

But, don't assume that no news is bad news for your job search! You will probably not be told what happened, but don't give up on an opportunity too soon. Employers almost always need more time to fill a job than they believe they will.

It can take time for recruiters to get time on hiring managers' calendars, and then for managers to make those decisions. Further, if they're not satisfied with the candidates initially presented by the recruiter, the manager may want to see more, which could delay decision-making and the next round of interviews.

It's all right – and even expected – to follow up after the interview, but don't overwhelm your potential employer with multiple messages and phone calls. If you reach out too often, you're going to turn off the hiring manager.

A recruiter might ghost you if they don't think you're the best fit for the position or if they found a more qualified candidate who better matches their requirements. In more competitive industries with a higher number of candidates, the chances of recruiter ghosting might be higher.