Waiting to Hear Back on a Job Application? Here’s How Long You Can Expect to Wait

Job hunting can be tedious, and waiting to hear back after submitting an application is perhaps the toughest part. The hiring process takes time. You may not hear back right away, but there are ways to follow up to check the status of your application and make good use of your time while you wait.

Whether it's crafting a compelling follow-up email or taking proactive steps to enhance your skills, there are strategies you can employ to stay engaged and increase your chances of landing the job you desire. In this article, we'll explore some effective ways to navigate the waiting period and keep your job search momentum going.

Read more: If You Can’t Find a Job, Do This to Fix Your Search

On average, how long does it take to hear back after a job application?

The timeframe for hearing back after submitting a job application can vary widely depending on several factors that don’t necessarily have to do with your qualifications for the role, including:

• The company's industry
• The company's hiring process (whether they have a recruiter helping out in the search)
• The number of applicants applying to the role
• The urgency of the position to be filled
• The company's size
• How quickly they need to fill the role

In general, it's not uncommon for applicants to wait anywhere from a few days to several weeks before hearing back from a potential employer. Some companies may have a more streamlined process and aim to respond to applicants promptly, while others may take longer due to a high volume of applications or a more extensive review process.

Additionally, if there are multiple stages in the hiring process, such as initial screenings, interviews, and reference checks, the overall timeline for hearing back may be further extended.

While there's no set timeframe that applies universally, it's advisable to wait at least a week or two before following up on your application if you haven't heard back. This allows the hiring team sufficient time to review applications and move forward in the selection process.

Read more: Cold Emailing a Recruiter: 10 Example Emails That Get Responses

When and how should you follow up on a job application?

One week after submitting your application is generally an appropriate amount of time to wait before contacting the hiring manager or recruiter. In terms of how often you can follow up after that, read the room. Pinging the hiring manager daily or even every few days won’t help your case. Give them time to work through the hiring process.

“If you’re submitting to a person via email, I would suggest emailing a week later to confirm that they received your application—unless they already responded with a timeline for their search process or with instructions to not follow up until contacted for an interview,” career coach Cynthia Pong tells InHerSight.

“Emailing to reiterate your interest in the position or organization after another two weeks would be fine. Beyond that, use your judgment and your sense/read of the situation to determine whether it’s worth following up further.”

Here's a simple and effective follow-up email template:

How not to follow up on an application

Don’t indiscriminately reach out to any contacts you can find. Your follow-ups should be directed at a specific person who can answer your question.

“If you’re applying through a portal, it will likely be difficult to identify who to follow up with,” Pong says. “So, unless you have a connection to someone at the organization (via LinkedIn or through your friends or network), then you might not be able to follow up.”

If you get the feeling that you’re pressing too hard, listen to that. “In general, if you’re getting the sense that you are annoying the person and that following up will decrease your chances of getting an interview, then don’t!”

Read more: How to Make a Great First Impression, in 5 Parts

A few tips for following up after applying

• If you’re applying for a lot of positions, it can help to keep a spreadsheet that tracks all of your applications with the company, job description, date you submitted the application, and notes about follow-up instructions (or a request to not follow up).

• Keep your follow-up short and sweet: I’m writing to follow up on my application for the market researcher position. I’m very interested in the position and would love the opportunity to discuss.

• Don’t go trolling LinkedIn for a contact that’s not listed in the job description. Going over a recruiter directly to the hiring manager can come off as irritating—and you might not get the right contact.

Read more: What to Do When You Haven't Heard Back: 6 Dos and Don'ts of Interview Follow-Ups

How to make the most of your time while you wait

While you wait: Keep applying. Keep cultivating your network.

“Keep yourself busy with other applications and leveraging your network. Time will feel like it’s moving faster that way,” Pong says. “Much of job searching is a numbers game, and it’s increasingly important to see if you have any connections to an organization so that people can put in a word for you.”

Here are more ways to occupy your time while you wait:

• Develop your skills: Take advantage of online courses, tutorials, or workshops to upgrade your skills or learn new ones relevant to the job you applied for. This could include technical skills, software proficiency, or soft skills like communication and leadership.
• Network: Use this time to network with professionals in your industry or attend networking events both online and offline. Building connections can lead to potential job opportunities and valuable insights into the industry.
• Review and update your resume and cover letter to tailor them specifically for each job application. 
• Practice mock interviewing: Practice answering common interview questions and conduct mock interviews with friends, family members, or mentors. This can help you feel more confident and prepared when the actual interview comes around.
• Research companies: Research the companies you've applied to thoroughly to get a better understanding of their mission, values, culture, and recent developments. This knowledge will come in handy during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the organization.
• Develop your professional brand: Build and maintain your online presence through platforms like LinkedIn. Update your profile, share relevant articles, and engage with industry professionals to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
• Engage in self-care: Don't forget to take care of your wellbeing during this stressful period. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, such as exercising, meditating, or pursuing hobbies.

Pong also emphasizes the importance of using your network to land a new job. “The sad truth is that most people are still more likely to trust and hire someone who’s been recommended by someone they know, which means greater barriers of access for women, women of color, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks. That being said, if we don’t leverage our networks, then we stand to lose out to white men, who definitely will.”

Read more: 8 Realistic Networking Activities You’ll Actually Enjoy