What Is the Average Response Time After an Interview?

The most difficult part of searching for a new job is waiting for the outcome after an interview. If you did not ask about the timeframe for feedback during the interview, you may get frustrated by not receiving a response after a few days.

In this article, we discuss the average response time after an interview, tips for what you can do while you're waiting, plus sample ideas for follow-up emails.

Overview of the hiring process

To understand the average response time after an interview, review the steps in the hiring process:

• The hiring process starts with a company advertising a position and accepting applications for the position.

• After this, the company will review the submitted applications using an applicant tracking system before the hiring manager reviews the selected applications.

• The hiring manager may decide to interview several candidates for the job. The interviews could be a single interview or multiple interviews.

• After your first interview, the company will let you know what the next steps are. They can schedule a second interview.

• After completing all the interviews, the hiring manager, the human resources representative and other team members discuss the candidates interviewed before making a final decision on the successful applicant.

During your interview, it is helpful to ask your interviewer if they can give you an estimate of when they may be making their final decision, or a time frame for their next step in the process. This way you can feel more confident as you wait for a response after the interview.

Related: 21 Job Interview Tips: How to Make a Great Impression

Average response time after an interview

The speed and urgency for filling a position differs between employers. Some companies fill positions quickly and others slowly.

Research has shown that the average time it takes for people to receive feedback after an interview varies:

• 44% get feedback from the employer within a few weeks of applying

• 37% get feedback within one week of applying

• Less than 4% get feedback within a day

The average response time after an interview is 24 business days, but it varies between industries. Some types of companies, such as electronics and manufacturing, may make an offer to the successful candidate in less than 16 days after an interview. Other industries, such as engineering, could take up to 30 days to make an offer. The hospitality and recreational industry takes even longer at 39.5 days. The government usually makes an offer after 38 days.

Factors influencing average response time after an interview

The most obvious reason that you don't get a response after an interview is that the company is not interested in hiring you. But there may be other reasons you have not had a response. Factors that can influence the average response time after an interview include:

• The company is still interviewing other candidates for the position. Your interview may have been one of the first they held and they still have other people to interview. The number of interviews and their scheduling affects the response time after an interview.

• A key decision-maker is on vacation. Hiring is a complex process and sometimes several people have to give input or sign-off before finalizing a new hire. If a decision-maker is on vacation, it could delay the hiring process.

• The company had to prioritize something else. The hiring manager may face a personal or company crisis or have a tight deadline for one of their deliverables. This could cause hiring for the position to lose priority.

• The company may just not be in a hurry to finalize hiring. There may be deadlines or projects that must be dealt with before hiring can take place.

• The hiring manager may have put the job opening on hold. Your application was successful but the timing was not right. Perhaps a manager left and they decided to first appoint a new manager before filling a position under the manager.

• Your competitors may be strong candidates that complicate the decision for the hiring manager. It may take longer for the hiring team to make a decision when there are several candidates to consider.

• The hiring manager is still busy running checks on you, including a background or credit check. The hiring manager may also check your references and resume. Putting together an offer for you may also take some time.

• The hiring manager may have checked your references and they may not have put you in a positive light. Another possibility is that the company checked your online profiles and found something inappropriate or undesirable.

Tips for what you can do while you wait

Use the following tips while you wait for a response following an interview:

Send a thank you note

Always send a thank you note after you attended an interview. In this note, express your gratitude for being invited to the interview. Reiterate your interest in the position and remind them of something discussed in the interview to show that you are interested. Most candidates will email this letter, so sending a hard copy via postal mail could make you stand out from your competition.

Related: Guide to Thank You Notes

Resist the urge to act prematurely

After you send your thank you note, avoid calling or emailing several times to follow up on the status of your application, as this may make you look desperate.

Send additional information

If the company requests examples of your work or more references, send them as soon as possible. The longer you take to send requested items, the longer you will wait for a response after an interview. Submitting these items quickly also shows that you are interested in the position and that you can act promptly.

Keep looking and follow up

Continue your job search and application process. It is never a good idea to count on getting any position until you have received a formal job offer.

If you have had no response 10 to 14 days after an interview, you may follow up with the company. If you can follow up and elaborate on something you mentioned in your interview, it could remind the hiring manager that you are the ideal candidate for the position.

Practice self-care

Not getting a response after an interview can be disappointing. Take care of your needs and do something that makes you feel good about yourself. This should help you stay positive throughout your job search process.

Example follow-up emails

Example 1: Between two weeks and one month

This is an example email you can send to the hiring manager if you have not had a response for two weeks or more after an interview.

Subject line: Checking in RE: [job title]

Dear Hiring Manager,

I hope you're well! I'm following up on the [job title] role. It was great meeting you and the team and I am looking forward to hearing from you. Please let me know if you need more information from me to help in the decision-making process.

Thank you,

Your name
Your phone number
Your email address

Related: Follow-Up Email Examples for After the Interview

Example 2: After one month

If you have had no response about a month after your interview, you can reach out to the hiring manager to stay in touch with the following example email:

Subject line: Staying in touch

Dear Hiring Manager,

I hope you are well. Thank you again for your consideration and time. I enjoyed my conversations with you and the rest of the team at Company Name. I found the details you shared about your career path very inspirational. As I am interested in building a career in the same industry, I would love to learn how you developed and used your skills.

I would appreciate 20 minutes of your time if you can spare it. Please let me know if you are available for a quick phone call or coffee chat in the next week or two?

Thanks again,

Your name
Your number
Your email address