How long should I wait after an interview before following up?
The Post-Interview Wait: Navigating Job Application Silence
So you’ve sent in your CV for an apprenticeship or traineeship, attended an interview and you’re now eagerly awaiting the call to find out whether they’re going to offer you the position. But the phone isn’t ringing and your inbox is worryingly empty. Sound familiar?
If so, you’re not alone. Waiting for a prospective employer to contact you following an interview is often a difficult time for candidates, particularly when days or even weeks drift past. Sadly, some employers can be guilty of dragging their feet during the recruitment process.
Apprentices and trainees who are still applying for positions can find advice to help them optimise their CV and interview skills at Apprenticeship Central. Sign up to the site to access the Resume Builder function and templates, as well as a number of other apprenticeship and traineeship resources.
A recent Robert Half study revealed that a long post-interview response time is the most frustrating part of a job search for 57 per cent of people. Nearly one-quarter of respondents said they lose interest in the organisation if they’ve not heard back within a week, while 46 per cent are less enthusiastic if they have to wait up to two weeks.
CareerBuilder released similar research last year, with only 26 per cent of businesses saying they proactively keep candidates in the loop at each stage of the recruitment process. Meanwhile 41 per cent of applicants expect to hear back even if they weren’t successful.
Should you follow up?
While the above surveys were conducted in the US, they indicate how a poor recruitment process can damage relationships between potential candidates and employers. But what should applicants do to remedy the situation?
You don’t want to pester the company, especially if you think you did well in the interview.
Most recruitment experts suggest sending a brief email approximately 24 to 48 hours after an interview to thank the hiring manager for their time. How long should you wait before getting in touch again though?
First, if the employer provided you with a timeline of when they’d be making a decision, make sure this has passed before you follow up. You don’t want to pester the company, especially if you think you did well in the interview.
Standing Out: The Power of a Thank-You Note
Forget emojis and texts! After your interview, a handwritten thank-you note is a super way to stick out from the crowd. It shows the interviewer you’re polite and really interested in the job. It’s like giving them a high five on paper for the interview time. You can write about what you liked about the interview or mention a cool skill you forgot to mention. Since it’s handwritten, it shows you put in extra effort and they’ll remember you for it!
Beyond the Interview: Managing Your Anxiety During the Hiring Process
However, following up shows your enthusiasm about the position and there may have been a genuine mistake or hold-up that’s prevented them from contacting you. Once a day or two has passed after the deadline, reach out to the person who interviewed you for an update.
The company should hopefully be able to give you an answer or provide a new timeline if there has been any hiccups during the process. If you don’t hear back from the business after you chased them up once or twice, then it might be best to cut your losses and assume you’ve been unsuccessful in your application.
In Summary
Job applicants often get anxious after interviews due to a lack of communication. Surveys show both candidates and employers struggle with the recruitment process. While some suggest following up after a week, it’s best to wait until the timeframe provided by the employer has passed to avoid being seen as a pest. A follow-up email shows your continued interest and can prompt an update if there’s been a delay. However, if you don’t hear back after one or two attempts, it’s best to move on and assume you weren’t successful.
