📭 What To Do When You Don’t Hear Back After a Job Interview (2025 Follow-Up Guide)

Carmelita

Aug 29, 2025 — 3 min read

You prepared thoroughly. The interview went well. You hit "send" on that thank-you email.

Then… nothing.

If you’re wondering what to do when you don’t hear back after an interview — you’re not alone.

In today’s job market, ghosting happens. But that doesn’t mean you should stay stuck.

This guide will walk you through smart, professional ways to follow up and keep your job search moving.

🕒 How Long to Wait After an Interview Before Following Up

Most recruiters and agencies will say something like:

“We’ll get back to you by next week.”

But what if they don’t?

📌 Best practice:

Wait 7–10 business days after your interview to follow up — unless you were told a different timeline.

🎯 Pro Tip: Large companies or multi-round processes often take longer. Give them some buffer — but don’t wait forever.

📧 Send a Follow-Up Email (If You Haven’t Already)

If you haven’t sent a thank-you note yet, do that ASAP.

If you have — and it's been over a week — it’s time for a gentle, professional follow-up.

Example follow-up email:

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up and thank you again for our conversation on [date]. I’m still very excited about the [Job Title] role at [Company Name].

I’d love to know if there’s any update on the hiring process or next steps.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

🧠 Stay Polite and Positive

Yes, waiting is tough.

But avoid sounding frustrated or impatient — no matter how long it’s been. Hiring managers juggle multiple candidates and timelines.

🧠 Your tone matters.

Stay respectful, upbeat, and professional — it keeps the door open, even if this job doesn’t pan out.

🔁 Keep Applying — Don’t Put Everything on One Role

This is the #1 job search mistake we see:

👉 Putting all your hope into one application.

The truth? Even if the interview went great, delays and internal changes happen.

That’s why it’s critical to keep your job search in motion.

✅ Browse new remote jobs on OFM Jobs

✅ Set job alerts so you don’t miss better fits

👥 Reach Out to Your Network (Tactfully)

If you know someone at the company, it’s OK to ask if they’ve heard anything — but keep it casual.

Say something like:

“Hey! I interviewed with [Company] last week — just curious if you’ve heard anything about the hiring timeline?”

Avoid making it awkward. You're not asking for a favor — just looking for context.

🚪 When to Move On

If it’s been 2–3 weeks with no reply, and you’ve followed up at least once — it’s probably time to move on.

You may never get an official “no.” That’s (sadly) normal.

But don’t take it personally. Often, the silence says more about the company than you.

Keep going. The right role will respond.

🧭 Ask for Feedback — It’s a Growth Move

Didn’t get the job?

You can still gain value from the process.

💬 Send a quick email like:

Hi [Name],

Thanks again for the opportunity. If possible, I’d love any feedback on my interview that could help me improve moving forward.

Wishing you and your team all the best,

[Your Name]

Not everyone will reply — but those who do could offer valuable insight (and remember you for future openings).

💡 Final Thoughts: No Response ≠ No Future

It’s hard not to take the silence personally. But don’t let one quiet inbox stop your momentum.

Here’s what you can control: