How Long Should You Wait To Hear Back About a Job?

Updated July 31, 2023

The most difficult period of the job search is often the in-between time. You’ve polished your resume, written a cover letter and applied for the position. But now a few days or even a week has passed and you haven’t heard anything. You’re probably asking yourself two questions: How long should I wait? and What should I do while I'm waiting?

Unfortunately, the answer to the first question is: It depends. You’re not alone in facing this conundrum. In a recent poll, Indeed found that 48% of respondents said that waiting to hear back from employers is “highly frustrating.” ¹

How long does it take to hear back about a job?

The hiring process can seem to take a long time, but keep in mind that the timing for employers is not the same for applicants. While some companies fill certain positions very quickly, others move slowly. Depending on what’s happening within a company, the urgency to fill the role can vary. In fact, during a job search, people report a wide range of experiences:

44% hear from employers within a couple of weeks of applying
37% hear back within one week
Only 4% hear back within one day. ²

What to do while waiting to hear back

Though it can be nerve-wracking, you should remain patient when the hiring process takes longer than you want. Focusing on the second question—“What should I do while I’m waiting?”—will help ease your frustration. Here are some worthwhile activities to consider:

Write a follow-up email if you can

If you have the contact information of the recruiter or hiring manager for the role, reach out to them directly letting them know you’ve applied. Keep your email short and polite.

Here’s a simple follow-up email template:

Subject line: Job inquiry—[insert job title you applied for]

Dear [Recruiter or Hiring Manager’s Name],

My name is [Your Name] and I am a [description of your current job or professional aspiration]. I’m writing to express my interest in the [job title applied for] position at [Company Name]. Based on the job description, my strong background in [your area of expertise] is a match for the skills and qualifications you’re looking for. I am excited to learn more about the opportunity.

For your reference, I’m attaching my cover letter and resume. I have also applied online. I sincerely appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,
[Full Name]

Here's an example of a follow-up email:

Subject line: Regarding the Content Writer position
Dear Harper Jones,
Two weeks ago I applied for the position of content writer at Jasper Corporation. I would like to kindly ask if you could share with me your decision timeline.
I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join the team at Jasper, leveraging my 7 years of content writing and SEO editing to help you grow the company.
I've attached my application package for your convenience and can provide any additional information as well. I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Emily Grant
888-888-8888
emily.grant.@email.com

Continue applying to other positions

While waiting to hear back from a potential employer, diversifying your job search and applying to other positions will give you the best chance of getting a new job. Even if the one you’re waiting on feels like your “perfect” job, continuing to search will yield new opportunities—9.8 new jobs are added to Indeed every second.³ From a practical perspective, you remain a job seeker until you have an offer letter and contract in hand, so move ahead with new job searches and applications.

With an Indeed account, you can keep track of all the jobs you’ve applied to and the status of each application.

Practice self-care

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, take care of yourself. Not hearing back from employers can be disappointing. Take time to address your very real feelings of disappointment, but don’t dwell on them. However you define self-care—whether it’s spending time with friends and family, working out, volunteering or taking up a new hobby—find ways of making yourself feel good even as you job hunt.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that your efforts will pay off, though not necessarily within the timeline of your choice. Nurture yourself while you’re waiting for your next opportunity so you can keep a positive outlook and put your best foot forward when you do get that callback.

¹ Indeed confidence curve study conducted by Decipher/FocusVision (Base: n=500)
² Indeed confidence curve study conducted by Decipher/FocusVision (Base: n=500)
³ Indeed data (worldwide)

Frequently asked questions

How many follow-up emails can I send to an employer?

If you don't receive any notifications from the employer after one to two weeks, you can craft your first follow-up email. Remember to keep it concise, professional and respectful. If the employer doesn't reply within a week, consider sending a final email reminding them of the first one you sent. This ensures that you provide the employer with enough time to make their decision and respond to you.

How can I increase my chances of hearing back from an employer?

Customizing your resume to the job posting you're applying to and leveraging your professional network may increase the likelihood of an employer responding to your application. If invited for an interview, consider writing a thank-you note to the employer to express your gratitude for the position. A thank-you note allows you to establish your interest in the role and your desire for the employer to follow up with you.

Why do some employers take a long time to respond back about a job?

If the position is more competitive or has a higher number of candidates who applied, it may take you longer to hear back about the role. It can often take a while for recruiters to review and process individual applications. If the role requires several interview phases, it might be several weeks or even months before the employer notifies the candidates about their application status.