How Long to Hear Back After a Final Interview in 2023 (Timeline Infographic)

By Reid - July 18, 2023

How Long After Final Interview Until Offer

Does this sound familiar? You apply for a job, go to the interview, and are now patiently waiting for a response…..then a little bit later, you are still waiting….and waiting…and waiting.

Even when they go well, the gap between them seems to take weeks.

Understanding the process and timeline around your interview might help alleviate any associated stress. So, how long after an interview is a job offer made? The answers might surprise you!

How long does it take to hear back after an interview?

You can generally expect to hear back about a job offer within one to three weeks of the interview. Most fall within the two-week mark, but factors such as industry and job type all play a role in when an offer is made.

Follow the infographic timeline below for a breakdown of the time it typically takes to go from application to job offer.

Job Interview Timeline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhxh5I4B6MQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why Does It Take So Long to Hear Back After an Interview?

There are countless reasons for the long waiting period, but that doesn’t mean you’re rejected from contention. Here are a few potential reasons why you’re still waiting:

The company is still interviewing other candidates for the role (likely the case)
There was a budget cut, and the position was put on a shorthold
There was a project or “fire” that had to be put out, which delayed the hiring managers from making a decision
The hiring manager or recruiter doesn’t follow up with candidates who have been rejected (not ideal, but it happens)

Note: Keep in mind the hiring process is very complicated, with many moving parts.

How do you politely ask for an interview result? with Examples

“Dear (Recruiter or Hiring Manager)! I’m following up on the (Job Title) interview discussion we had (Date). I wanted to follow up about the progress of your hiring decision and the status of my application. I hope you have a great day! Thank you, (Name).”
“Hi (Recruiter or Manager)! Thanks again for taking the time to interview me on (Date). I wanted to follow up regarding my previous email to see if any progress has been made regarding a decision on the (Job Title) role. I hope you have a great day! Thank you, (Name).”

Is it okay to follow up after the interview?

The first step after an interview should be to send a thank you note to the interviewer and others who helped set it up. Look to get this done as soon as possible (ideally that same day)! Here’s a step-by-step guide to sending a thank you letter. Look to wait at least a week before following up after the interview unless they state a specific timeline or date.

Should I send a follow-up email after no response?

If you’ve politely followed up without a response and the ghosted weeks continue to build up, it’s safe to move on and look for something new.

Feel free to send one more message, but don’t overthink it. They likely found a candidate, and the answer is leaning towards a “no”. Do yourself the favor of putting that time and effort into something new.

Don’t take it personally and stay positive - being ghosted happens (which shouldn’t) all the time!

Related

Wrapping Up | How long to hear back after interview

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about the overall time it takes to hear back after an interview. There are a variety of reasons why it may take a long time to hear back, like the hiring process taking time, the employer is busy, they are still trying to make a decision, they are waiting for references, they are waiting for background checks, etc.

Ultimately, the length of time it takes to hear back can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the hiring process. It is usually a good idea to follow up with the employer if you have not heard back within a reasonable amount of time, as it shows your continued interest in the position and may help to move the process along.

Understand that the time it takes an employer to get back to you often has nothing to do with whether they are interested in you.

Instead of looming over the unchangeable, focus on generating more interviews while you wait for a response. Who knows - maybe you will receive multiple offers and have some leverage when discussing salary.

Best of luck!

Title: Job Interview Timeline (How Long to Hear Back After Interview)

Category: Interview

Infographic Text

Interview Timeline. Breakdown of the time it typically takes to go from application to job offer. Application to Offer | Day 1: You find and apply for a new job. Hopefully, the new one of your dreams! Within 2 Weeks: You hear back about a screening interview and phone interview. Within 3 Weeks: You heard back and have the first in-person interview scheduled. Within 4 Weeks: You fake sick and attend the first in-person interview. Don’t be late! Within 6 Weeks: You have the second in-person interview meeting with others at the company. Within 7 Weeks: You have the final interview meeting with the director and management-level employees. Within 8 Weeks: Boom! You finally heard back, and you were offered the job! Within 12 Weeks: Your first day on the job typically comes within 2-4 weeks after an accepted offer. Signs You Didn't Get the Job After an Interview.

Author: Reid is a contributor for theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile