How Long Should You Wait for Interview Feedback Before Following Up?

If you haven't received feedback a week after your job interview, it is generally appropriate to send a polite follow-up email. While silence can be frustrating, it's rarely personal and often due to standard hiring delays. A well-timed, professional follow-up can reaffirm your interest without appearing pushy. This guide explains the common reasons for delays and provides a clear, actionable strategy for when and how to follow up effectively.

Why Might You Receive No Feedback After an Interview?

Understanding the hiring manager's perspective can help manage expectations. There are several legitimate reasons for a delay in communication that are not a reflection of your candidacy.

• The Recruitment Process is Ongoing: For attractive roles, recruiters may be managing a high volume of applications and interviews. A single round can take weeks to complete as they ensure every qualified candidate is fairly assessed. This is a standard part of the candidate screening process.
• The Employer is Waiting for Internal Feedback: In larger organizations or when using external agencies, feedback from multiple interviewers must be consolidated. The human resources (HR) team might receive this information days after your interview, creating a natural delay.
• The Position is Put on Hold: Unforeseen events, such as budget reallocations or shifting business priorities, can cause a company to pause hiring abruptly. In this case, the entire process is delayed until a new decision is made.
• The Recruiter is Unavailable: Especially in smaller companies where a single person may handle all recruitment, other priorities like an internal HR issue can temporarily take precedence.
• Your Interview Was Unsuccessful: While not ideal, silence can be an implicit rejection. Companies often prioritize contacting successful candidates first. You may still receive a formal rejection later, but it's prudent to continue your job search.

How to Follow Up on Interview Feedback Respectfully?

When the waiting period exceeds a reasonable timeframe, a strategic follow-up can reopen the dialogue. The key is to be polite, professional, and concise.

1. Time Your Follow-Up Correctly Based on our assessment experience, the optimal time to send a follow-up is typically five to seven business days after your interview. If the recruiter provided a specific timeline, wait until that date has passed. If you don't receive a response to your first email, you may send one polite reminder a few days later. If there's still no response, it's best to move on, considering the opportunity closed.

2. Craft a Professional Follow-Up Email Email is the most appropriate and professional channel for follow-up communication. Your message should be brief and focused.

• Subject Line: Use a clear subject line for immediate recognition, such as "Follow-Up: Interview for [Job Title] on [Date]" or "Checking on Interview Feedback."
• Body Content: Start by thanking the interviewer again for their time. Briefly restate your enthusiasm for the role and mention a specific detail from the conversation to jog their memory. Then, politely ask if there is an update on the feedback or timeline. Conclude by offering to provide any additional information they might need.

3. Maintain a Positive Attitude and Continue Your Search While waiting, continue applying for other positions. This not only increases your chances of success but also helps you avoid fixating on a single opportunity. If you receive another job offer in the meantime, it is perfectly professional to inform other pending interviewers of your changed status. This demonstrates respect for their process and can sometimes expedite a decision.

Knowing when and how to follow up after an interview is a critical skill in any job search. The most effective approach is to be patient, professional, and persistent without being a nuisance. A well-executed follow-up can keep you top of mind with the hiring manager.