Job interviews: How long after an interview to hear back?

You’re at the start of your career and have just interviewed for a job – congratulations for reaching such an important milestone! Now you’re probably wondering how long you’ll be waiting to hear back from an interview. 

In most cases, an interviewer will let you know when you can expect to hear back from them, but there may be instances where this doesn’t happen. It’s important to know that the wait is due to factors unrelated to you and out of your control. As nerve-racking as it is, the wait after an interview is a normal part of the process.

To put your mind at ease, this guide will help you navigate the post-interview period.

Company-specific factors that may impact communication 

So, how long does it take for a job to get back to you? The short answer is: it depends. There are many different elements that can impact the pace of the hiring process. One of the main factors that influence how long it takes to hear back from an employer is the size and structure of the company itself. 

For large companies with many departments, the hiring process can take much longer. To start with, there are more layers of approval and more stakeholders who need to be involved in the decision-making. Big companies also often interview more people, which can impact how long it can take for them to get back to you after an interview. 

Job role and seniority

Another factor that can impact response time is the job role itself. Once you’ve been working awhile, you may notice that it can take longer to hear back about more senior positions than it does for entry-level roles. This can be due to several different factors, like the complexity of the interview, the seniority of the decision-makers and the organisational structure of the company. 

Senior leadership roles often have a broader impact on the organisation as a whole, which can mean a lengthier recruitment process. Entry-level positions tend to be responsible for more operational tasks that require straightforward decision-making. This often means that the recruitment process for junior employees is a lot simpler, which can mean a shorter response time. 

Interviewer's availability

Interviewer availability plays a key role in the response time for job outcomes. If you recently attended a job interview, chances are you had to work with a recruitment agent or hiring manager to find an interview time that suited both parties. Now imagine scheduling a handful of other applicants too. Add in multiple rounds of interviews, potential delays and other commitments of a hiring manager, and you can see how the whole recruitment process can easily become drawn out.

Once the official interviews have wrapped up, there will likely be meetings among interviewers to discuss applicants and make final decisions. Interviewers may also need time to provide feedback and communicate with other stakeholders involved in the hiring process. Delays in communication among stakeholders can affect how long it takes them to get back to you after your interview. 

Urgency of hiring needs

While this might seem obvious, the urgency with which an employer needs to fill a role factors into response speed. When a position needs to be filled as soon as possible, hiring companies will fast-track certain aspects of the hiring process. When it comes to hiring for a critical position, the hiring manager may speed up the hiring process by:

• prioritising key steps of the hiring process, which can include resumé screening, interviewing and final decision-making,
• scheduling interviews immediately to minimise delays, and
• adopting a more agile approach to role negotiations.

You might find that you hear from a hiring company sooner rather than later if you’ve interviewed for a position that urgently needs to be filled. On the other hand, if the hirer is filling a non-urgent role, it may take a little longer to hear back from them. When there’s no time pressure, most hiring managers will carefully consider all applicants, rather than rush to hire someone new.

Communication expectations

While there isn’t much you can do to hear back from the hiring manager sooner, there’s no harm in clarifying next steps during the interview, so you can adjust your expectations. Asking when you’re likely to hear from an employer also demonstrates that you’re interested in the role and you’re taking a proactive approach to the hiring process.

Here are some things you can do to clarify the next steps of the recruiting process:

• Ask about the timeline. As part of the interview, hiring managers will often ask if you have any questions. This can be a great opportunity to ask about the next steps in the decision-making process and clarify when you can expect to hear back from them.
• Express your interest. At the end of your interview, don’t forget to reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. By expressing your interest in moving forward, you show that you’re still keen for the opportunity after learning more about it.
• Enquire about follow-up communication. Different organisations have different preferred methods of communication. It’s worth checking to see which communication channel they’ll use to reach out to you with news of the outcome. 
• Clarify contact information. Chances are you’ve already got the contact details for the hiring manager, but there’s no harm in double-checking that they’re correct. In the event you need to follow up after the interview, it’s essential to have the right details.
• Offer additional information. In some instances, organisations might need additional information to help with their decision. If applicable to the role, you can offer examples of your work or provide more personal references.

By clarifying these different points in your interview, you’re able to make a positive impression and set your expectations for the following steps.

Post-interview etiquette

The recruitment process con be lengthy, so it’s important to be patient. You don’t want to seem pushy or impatient by asking the hiring manager for a response too soon. Instead, respect their timeline and wait to hear back from them.

One thing you can do to be proactive is send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Use this as an opportunity to touch on specific points from your conversation and reaffirm your interest in the position. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and emphasise how your skills align with the organisation’s needs. 

If you said you would send through additional information or references, be sure to follow up with these promptly.

Average response time after an interview

In most cases, a hiring manager will let you know when you can expect to hear back from them and touch base with you within that time – but not always. As outlined above, there are several different factors that can affect how long it takes a potential employer to get back to you. Generally speaking, you should expect to hear something within one to two weeks of your interview. 

If it’s only been three days after your interview with no response, it can be worth waiting an extra couple of days before getting in touch. 

Following up

An appropriate time to wait before contacting the recruiter after a job interview is five business days. However, if they provided you with a specific time frame longer than that, it’s important to respect that and wait before reaching out.

Sending a follow-up email is usually the best way to get in touch after a job interview. In your follow-up email, thank the recruiter again for the opportunity and express your enthusiasm for the position. You can ask if there's any extra information they need from you or just ask directly if there’s an update on the status of your application.

Whatever approach you take, it’s important to remain polite. Keep your communication concise and positive in tone, as each interaction you have with the recruiter is an opportunity to demonstrate your maturity and professionalism.

Remember to be patient, wait for the employer or recruiter to get back to you, and keep all your communications polite. Even if you weren’t successful in landing the position, each interview is a learning experience that makes you more confident and better prepared for next time.