The Waiting Game: Why Job Offers Take Time

According to a recent study, 54% of all small business owners are trying to hire again, flipping the trend of 2022 hiring freezes. But if that's the case, why does it take so long to hear back from a potential employer? The simple answer is time and money. In our current economy most hiring decisions are crucial for companies and a bad hiring choice can be costly and time consuming. Taking the time to thoroughly vet a candidate on the front end can save complications later.

The hiring process can take longer if the team in charge of making the decision is overwhelmed with other work tasks associated with the gap of not having someone in the role in question. Feedback can also take time if the company has changes in budget, staffing, or strategy. Finally, offers can take additional time if the decision-makers become ill, take vacations, or are out of the office for other reasons.

Our Best Advice For What To Do While You're Waiting

First and foremost, if you're waiting to hear back from an interview (or two), keep looking, applying, and interviewing. It's much better to get multiple job offers than to sit around and wait for an offer that may never come. Most importantly, try to stay positive!

Continue going on interviews and show genuine interest in each new position. Be diligent and follow up a few days post interview to confirm that interest. We have found the most effective way to do this is with a thank you email recapping things discussed in the interview and a reminder of why you're the best candidate for the role.

This strategy may not only help close the gap between you and other candidates interviewing for the same role, but will also solidify your continued interest in the position, and may even speed up the decision making process in the long run.