Why Does it Take So Long to Hear Back after Interviews?

Job seekers often ask me what employers are doing after the interviews wrap up. If you don’t hear within a week, don’t panic.

Here are 4 things that could be going on: 

1. The company is still gathering feedback. At mature companies, all interviewers have forms they need to fill out and turn in, and HR could be waiting.
2. Key decision makers could be traveling, whether on business or out on vacation (especially during the spring and summer, e.g., President’s Day, ski week, April vacation, spring break, and summer break).
3. You may not be the first choice and instead the runner up. Employers don’t want to turn you off by telling you that you’re their #2 choice while they are negotiating with the favored candidate in case they need to turn to you next.
4. The business or org chart may be in flux, and the employer can’t share.

To find out how long you have to wait before you can check in, see my January 11, 2015 post below.