You emerge from a job interview full of optimism and excitement. Everything went well and you’re expecting an offer. Then…nothing. You don’t hear anything from the potential employer. What does silence mean?
These situations can be frustrating and confusing. However, it’s important to remain strategic in your response. After all, here’s a message you probably won’t receive from a potential employer: “Oh, we were going to hire you but forgot to make the offer. Thanks for reminding us. You’re hired!”
Rather, you can assume the lack of communication from an employer is purposeful. The fact that you haven’t heard from them probably means they aren’t ready to deliver an offer. In that way, their silence is sending a message.
However, that doesn’t mean you should give up completely. There are a number of reasons a company might not reach out to you after an interview:
- They have a slow hiring process.
- A change in strategy has them reconsidering the position.
- The firm decided to make an offer to someone else.
When you encounter these situations, your goal centers around determining which of these situations has quieted the company. From there, you can determine how you want to proceed. Here are some steps to keep in mind when you haven’t heard back from a company following a job interview:
What To Remember When Not Hearing Back Post-Interview
Know Your Communication Goal
There is often value in staying in contact with a potential employer, even if they are slow in responding. This starts with the psychological reason. For your own peace of mind, it’s useful to understand why you haven’t heard back – this knowledge can help you move on.
Meanwhile, keeping up a conversation can create opportunities. You might be in line for another position. Or you could discover a chance to pick up part-time or freelance work. As you look to talk to the company, understand what you want to accomplish and guide your efforts accordingly.
Budget Your Effort
Not all jobs are worth an aggressive pursuit. After all, there are opportunity costs to consider. Any effort expended on this particular job limits the time and energy you have for other opportunities.
As such, avoid getting emotional about the process. Don’t try to chase down an answer just because you feel stung by being ghosted. Instead, assess the value of moving forward based on the quality of the opportunity and the chances that your efforts will lead to anything worthwhile.
Form a Plan
How exactly will you attempt to maintain communication? The details here matter. You can’t storm into the HR manager’s office and demand an answer. (Well, you can – but it might lead to an uncomfortable encounter with security, and a distinct lack of a job offer.) Rather, consider some of the possible tactics you can employ:
- Send a thank you following the interview.
- Check-in soon after asking for a timeline.
- Set a schedule for ongoing contact.
- Target a specific individual rather than blasting emails to a generic company email.
- Craft your message carefully to maintain a polite and professional tone.
Keep Your Job Search Going
Don’t let a slow response from a prospective employer — no matter how promising the potential role — slow down your overall job search. It may seem like the perfect position. But you don’t want to lose momentum waiting for an answer.
Keep pushing ahead with your job search. Apply for new positions that you find. Stay in contact with your network. Schedule any interviews that come your way.
Want Help Finding The Best Position For You?
Meanwhile, you can also accelerate your job search by connecting with a top recruiter, like Elby Professional Services. You’ll get the support and guidance you need to find the perfect position for you.
Contact Elby today to see how t they can help you in your finance or accounting search.
