The average wait time to hear back from a job application is 1-2 weeks, but this can differ depending on various factors such as company size, if there is a dedicated hiring manager or sheer volume of applicants.
Careers expert and CEO of Hiring Hub, Mark Rothwell has offered some clarity to job seekers on how to know if they have been ghosted by a hiring manager, or what they should do to get a response:
Timing matters: Early in the process, it’s normal for hiring managers to take time to review candidates. A polite follow-up after 4–6 days is usually sufficient such as a short email or call expressing continued interest and asking if there’s any additional information you can provide. This also shows how interested you are in the job and proves you can be proactive.
Later interview stages should be quicker: At later stages in the hiring process, particularly after final interviews, response times should be shorter. If you haven’t heard anything within a week, it’s reasonable to follow up directly. At this stage, demonstrating professional persistence can help keep you at the forefront of thei mind, but it’s important to remain polite and concise. If you haven’t heard back for more than a week, it may be that you have been ghosted. If more than two weeks have passed without any feedback, this may just be showing the level of professionalism of the company, and will be giving you an insight into how they run internally.
Strategic patience is key: On the other hand, it is important to think strategically about how you approach your follow ups. Avoid bombarding managers with repeated messages; instead, focus on timely, thoughtful follow-ups. For hiring managers, acknowledging receipt and providing realistic timelines prevents losing strong candidates due to miscommunication.
