How Long After an Interview Is a Job Offer Made?

You left your interview on a high note and thought you got the job. It’s been a few days, and you haven’t heard anything. Are they ghosting you? Did you not get the job?

Waiting for a job offer call can seem interminable, but it might not take as long as you think. Relax and read on because we’re about to answer the question: how long after an interview is a job offer made?

The Average Response Time After an Interview

You got on with the interviewer and thought it went well, but your phone isn’t ringing three days later. Relax; the average time between an interview and an offer is 10 to 14 days depending on the position. That time can be increased to six to eight weeks when applying for a government job.

There are many factors to consider here:

How skilled the position is. Filling a place for a neurosurgeon will take longer than hiring a cashier due to the number of background and reference checks.
How desperate the company is. Does the company need someone to start work immediately, or can they afford to be a little pickier and wait?
Must the company train you? Does the job require a particular skill set, or must the company train you? If you need training, it may affect how quickly you get a call back.
Are you a hot commodity? If you’re fielding several offers, or it’s challenging to snag someone of your skill level, the company is bound to act faster.

While some new hires might hear within a day or two, this is the exception rather than the rule. In such cases, these are likely entry-level jobs rather than highly skilled positions.

Signs That Might Be in Your Favor

How did the interview go? Did they speak about the company culture to impress you? Did they ask about the salary you might require or when you’ll be available to start?

These are all standard interview questions, but ones that interviewers might leave out to save time with unsuitable candidates.

Getting a call from the human resources manager a couple of days after the interview asking such questions is a great sign. So is checking back for references or calling to clarify something on your resume? These follow-ups usually mean that you’ve been shortlisted, and they’re weighing their options.

Here are signs you will get the job after the interview (assuming, of course, that everything checks out):

Can we run a background check?
May we contact your references?
Could you attend a second interview?
Do you have any medical conditions of which we should be aware?
Do you have transportation needs for which we should prepare?

Aside from that, any questions about the information they’ll need for a contract, like your preferred title. Knock this out of the park by answering promptly and politely.

What to Expect in the First Week After the Interview

Nothing. The most frustrating part of learning how long after an interview you should expect an offer is when you realize that there is no set schedule for any firm.

Don’t expect any communication in the first week. Keep in mind that each company has a hiring process it must follow, and human resources must get everything in order before they can make an offer.

Keep in mind that while the interviewer may stress the importance of filling the post, if they’re not in HR, they probably have minimal practical experience. They may not know how long it takes to get an offer after the final interview or may not even make the final decision.

HR has to:

Check your references
Confirm your credentials
Run background checks
Consider if there are any regulatory implications to dismissing other applicants

The hiring timeline after the interview depends on how quickly HR can access the information. To make things easier, check the numbers for your references and ensure they’re all up to date. Also, there may be further delays due to weekends and public holidays.

If you wish for a little more clarity, you can respectfully ask the interviewer how long they think it will take to hear anything.

Will They Perform Background and Other Checks?

Yes, almost any company will do this before you get an offer. This isn’t personal, it’s good business sense, and each firm has its hiring process after an interview. The business must protect itself from people with less-than-honorable intentions. If you are entirely honest, you have nothing to worry about.

Everyone optimizes their CV to a point, but don’t sharpen it so much that you can’t verify the information it contains.

The checks typically include:

General background: Do you have a police record, or are there infractions on your driving record? Companies in industries where trust is a significant issue may not wish to hire ex-convicts.
Credit check: Formerly reserved for companies in the financial industry, credit checks have become standard across the board. Offers from criminal syndicates may tempt someone who has financial difficulties.
Credentials check: Anyone with Photoshop and a printer can whip together a reasonable facsimile of a certificate today. HR confirms the validity of the qualification.
Reference check: This is to confirm your character and work ethic. Choose people who will be honest but will also speak of you well. It’s also a good idea to discuss putting them on your CV before you do so.

Does a Long Waiting Period Mean You Should Give Up?

As the second week after the interview closes, the question still lingers: how long after an interview is a job offer made? While the process can take as long as 40 days, companies eager to hire you will likely get in touch with you.

Read more: Interview statistics you should be aware of.

While it’s a courtesy to inform applicants that their application was unsuccessful, there’s no hard and fast rule to do so. If the HR person is busy or something on your application doesn’t check out, they might not get back to you.

Should You Follow Up If There’s No Response?

It’s good manners to send a thank you letter after your interview. Keep it simple and let them know you appreciate the opportunity and their time. You may also say that the position sounds interesting and you feel like you would be a good fit.

This is not only courteous but also shows enthusiasm and initiative. It will make your application stand out even more as a result.

Now comes the challenging part; you have to wait again. The thank you letter is not a magic elixir that will speed up the job offer timeline. You may still not hear anything.

Is It Time to Call It Quits?

If it’s been two weeks without a word and you’re starting to exceed the average time from interview to offer. However, you need not despair just yet.

Perhaps the company tried to follow up with you but used the incorrect number. Maybe the anticipated email landed in your spam folder, or perhaps it slipped someone’s mind.

Here you should send a second follow-up email. Say again that you enjoyed the interview and were wondering if the company had decided yet. Thank them again for their time, and wish them all the best.

Again, keep it polite and straightforward. You are merely following up, not trying to appear desperate. You’re jogging their memory, and someone will hopefully tell you what’s happening. Should they say that they haven’t made a decision yet, politely ask them when you should follow up again.

You could also ask them, “How long does it take to get an offer letter or a refusal?” Let them see that you’re interested without appearing desperate. You may make one more follow-up within the next two weeks but if there is still no answer, move on.

A company not willing to put a suitable applicant out of their misery may not be the best place to work.

In Conclusion

The answer to the question, “How long after an interview is a job offer made?” is much like the answer to the question, “How long is a piece of string?” In both cases, it depends on the circumstances.

If you’re applying for a high-level job with several applicants, you can expect a longer interview to offer time. If, however, the firm has an entry-level position to fill immediately, they may hire you on the spot.

As frustrating as the wait may be, the right job will come along eventually, so never give up!

FAQ

How long does it take for HR to approve a job offer?

The average time to get a job offer after an interview is 10 to 14 days. However, this can extend to over a month or even six to eight weeks, depending on the position.

Why does it take so long to get a job offer?

Firms must be careful about the contracts into which they enter. They must select their employees with great caution or risk the reputation or security of their companies, clients, and other employees.

Several checks and balances are in place to prevent HR from making costly mistakes. Ask yourself, “Do you want to work for a company that acts recklessly?”

How long does it take to put together a job offer?

Waiting for a job offer after an interview often seems interminable. However, you’re likely to have an answer within two weeks if you’re successful. Some firms might not tell you if you’re unsuccessful, but they’ll generally say something like, “If you don’t hear from us within three weeks, you don’t have the job.”

How long does it take to make a hiring decision?

Frustratingly there is no one rule here. The process depends on the number of qualified applicants, the time it takes to vet them, and how long it takes for management to make their final decision.

Firms with decisive management, efficient HR teams, and the need to fill positions quickly make decisions within days. Unfortunately, not all companies are as efficient.

What day of the week are job offers typically made?

Again, there is no set rule. However, you’re most likely to receive an offer on a Tuesday or a Thursday. Generally, you’ll get an offer during the regular business week rather than a weekend.

How long does it take to get an offer letter after a verbal offer?

The verbal offer is to see how you’ll respond to their written one and hash out any further details. Expect the letter within a couple of days.

What does HR do before a job offer?

The action behind the scenes stretches the average time from the interview to the job offer. It’s up to HR to confirm the veracity of the applicant’s claims and to ensure that they pass the background check.

The company might also require a credential and credit check and may wish to research what a fair rate of recompense is. They’ll want to offer an appealing package to land the right candidate.

Does a job offer mean you got the job?

The job offer means that the position is yours if you want it. It lists your:

– Position
– Responsibilities
– Salary
– Benefit package
– Reporting manager
– Start date

You must accept the offer or make a counteroffer to finalize the deal.

Should you accept a job offer immediately?

Congratulations, you received your offer letter after the interview or a verbal offer. Now what?

Well, first of all, you don’t have to wonder anymore how long after an interview a job offer is made. Second of all, never feel pressured to sign up without sleeping on the offer. A manager might call you and say you got the job. Even if you’re excited, don’t say yes just yet. Ask them to confirm in writing before you accept.

The danger of accepting a verbal offer or signing a document without reading it is that your expectations may differ from reality. You are entitled to make a counteroffer if you feel their initial offer is too low.

They will either accept or decline it, and then you must decide whether you’ll take the lower offer or walk away. This is a negotiation from both sides and should be mutually beneficial. If both parties are willing to be reasonable, this could start a beautiful working relationship.