This month we conducted a LinkedIn survey running for one week asking: "How long do you think it's reasonable to wait for feedback on job applications?" with options of 1–2 days, 2–4 days, and up to a week.
The results showed the majority of respondents believe 2–4 days is the most professional standard. While we agree and encourage our clients to follow this timeframe, there are several reasons why things might take longer.
Why Feedback Takes Longer Than Expected
- Hiring Managers are busy people. They have their regular work to do on top of interviews, especially during busy times. Sometimes the process starts with HR, and that portion might be faster — making the rest seem slower by comparison.
- Large candidate pipelines. When you're hiring, you can receive a significant volume of applications. Without dedicated support or AI-assisted screening, going through all resumes can take considerable time. Once hiring managers have several qualified candidates in play, they may slow down outreach to avoid confusion.
- Late-stage candidate holds. If a candidate is close to receiving an offer, the process may pause for others. This is meant to respect everyone's time — if that candidate declines, things resume as normal.
What We Know From Our Side
There are cases that don't fit the usual pattern — companies change direction mid-search, communication drops off, or candidates are rejected without any feedback. As a recruiting agency, we don't always have control over these situations. At eCommerce Placement, we understand your frustration and do our best to be present for candidates throughout the process and honest about what's happening at every stage.