How do you know if your interview is rejected?
- The interviewer didn't express any interest. ...
- The interview was short. ...
- The employer cancels the interview. ...
- The recruiter mentions they're still accepting applications. ...
- You're unable to meet the requirements of the position. ...
- The interviewer doesn't sell you on the position.
- The conversation turns casual.
- The interview runs long.
- The interviewer shows positive nonverbal actions.
- They introduce you to other team members.
- They indicate they're impressed.
- They ask about your availability.
- The interviewer discusses perks.
It's always good to send a follow-up thank you email immediately following the interview — even an informational interview. Glassdoor recommends sending an email within 24-48 hours. If you still haven't heard from the company in 7-10 days, it's probably safe to send a follow-up email.
If your interview was 30 minutes long, then it was just long enough. Hiring managers will generally schedule about 30 minutes to interview a candidate for most position levels. If you lasted the full 30 minutes, you know that you answered the questions well.
But, don't assume that no news is bad news for your job search! You will probably not be told what happened, but don't give up on an opportunity too soon. Employers almost always need more time to fill a job than they believe they will.
It can take time for recruiters to get time on hiring managers' calendars, and then for managers to make those decisions. Further, if they're not satisfied with the candidates initially presented by the recruiter, the manager may want to see more, which could delay decision-making and the next round of interviews.
Things that interviewers say that mean you won't get the offer might include "We are interviewing a number of other candidates," or "Competition for this position is very tough," or "We will reach out with next steps when we finish interviewing all other candidates." If the interviewer response is vague or non- ...
If you've received no response after a job interview (and you didn't hear back even after you followed up on your job application), it's safe to assume that you didn't get the position and should keep interviewing with other companies.
- The Company Sells Themselves To You Before You Leave. ...
- You Get Asked Back Again During The Interview. ...
- You Get Asked Personal Questions. ...
- They Use “You Will” Instead Of “You Would” ...
- You Get An Office Tour. ...
- The Right Body Language.
The 45-minute interview
Forty-five minutes is what is considered the average amount of time a good interview should last. During this time, you'll have the opportunity to talk about your history, skills, education, and achievements while simultaneously sizing up the interviewer and company.
How many candidates are usually shortlisted for interview?
The shortlist for an interview usually includes 10 to 20 candidates, but this can vary depending on the type of position you are hiring for. Companies with more resources may have much larger shortlists because they can afford to spend more time interviewing people in-person.
In-person job interviews last between 45 and 90 minutes on average. If an interview lasts 15 minutes or less, it's probably not a good one. If it's 30 minutes long, it's just not long enough. That said, 45 to 90 minutes is the golden number - and that's not just one of the random interview facts.

Potential causes of recruiter ghosting
Hiring managers and departments might disagree about what they're looking for in a candidate. They could not have full approval from leadership before posting the position. Their company might freeze the hiring process to focus on a more immediate concern or crisis.
If the job offer process seems like it's taking forever, there are some guidelines to follow. If 10 to 14 days have passed and you haven't heard back from the employer, you might consider politely checking in again with an email follow-up or phone call.
It may be difficult for the hiring manager to decide on a candidate. If you haven't heard in two weeks, it's possible they haven't reached the final stage. If there were many applicants, it may take longer for the hiring manager to compare candidates and make their final choice.
In my experience, it takes two to four weeks on average to hear back after your final interview, but there's no standard time. According to a 2019 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the average time from interview to job offer is 23.5 days for recent college graduates.
"I am grateful for interviewing with you today. You have given me a clear overview of the position. I think my experience and accomplishments can provide value to the organization. Is there anything else you need to confirm if I am the right candidate for this position?"
- They Followed All the Application Instructions. ...
- They Ask You Great Questions. ...
- They Take a Team First Approach. ...
- They Embrace Change. ...
- They Are Actively Looking to Grow.
- You didn't do your homework at all.
- You didn't research the company at all.
- You lied on your resume.
- You didn't answer basic technical questions correctly.
- You dressed inappropriately.
- You behaved rudely.
- The Salary Isn't Right. ...
- It Takes Forever to Get Benefits. ...
- It Doesn't Offer What You Want. ...
- There's No Clear Path. ...
- The Job Duties Are Mysterious. ...
- There's a Revolving Door. ...
- You Don't Like the Mission.
Is 3 weeks too long after an interview?
Yes, you should follow up two weeks after an interview.
If you haven't heard back from a potential employer in two weeks or more, it might be a good idea to send a follow-up email.
Even if you provide excellent responses to every question in an interview, you may not earn a job offer if the hiring manager doesn't feel that you're a good culture fit for the company. Sometimes your personality or professional values simply don't align with the way the organization functions.
It's all right – and even expected – to follow up after the interview, but don't overwhelm your potential employer with multiple messages and phone calls. If you reach out too often, you're going to turn off the hiring manager.
Times to expect a job offer call
For a 9 to 5 office, you may expect a call at around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. By this time, hiring managers will expect you to be awake and prepared to discuss the position.
Michelle: The length of time varies so much. Between application and when you're contacted, a candidate can usually expect to wait between 1 to 2 weeks, but it may be faster or slower depending on whether they have strong candidates in the pipeline.
It doesn't mean anything, it's just a pleasant remark. When you are accepted or rejected for the job, you will be notified formally, not by vague remarks at the end of an interview. In the meantime, keep applying and interviewing for other opportunities that interest you.
Employers who reject applicants based on background screening and employment tests must notify applicants if they have been rejected based on any information secured through that process.
Depending on how fast an interviewer wants to finish the hiring process, they might tell you that you are not a good fit for the job. Some of them will say it during the interview while others will just send you an email a few hours after the interview to let you know.
Try calling them on the phone.
A person who isn't interested in you may be willing to respond with texts or instant messages. However, if they won't talk to you on the phone, they may be rejecting you. Always leave a message if they don't pick up. You can say something like, “I'd like to get together soon.
Currently only 7% of candidates receive news of rejection via a phone call, despite it being preferable to email for most candidates. Think email first. If you have a high volume of candidates at this stage, first consider rejecting a candidate by email, rather than phone, using a template.
Can I ask why I wasn't hired?
You can also politely ask why you didn't get the job. Asking these questions can help you learn what you can improve moving forward. Cognitive bias may make you believe your interview went perfectly while getting feedback can help you see the situation more realistically.
The 45-minute interview
Forty-five minutes is what is considered the average amount of time a good interview should last. During this time, you'll have the opportunity to talk about your history, skills, education, and achievements while simultaneously sizing up the interviewer and company.
- Denial.
- Anger.
- Bargaining.
- Depression.
- Acceptance.
- Make your request one that the other person can perform. ...
- Be sure your request is clear. ...
- Keep it short and sweet. ...
- Don't leave out anything important. ...
- Keep it relevant. ...
- Provide a compelling rationale. ...
- Use the right language (and body language). ...
- Don't overshare.
Social rejection increases anger, anxiety, depression, jealousy and sadness. It reduces performance on difficult intellectual tasks, and can also contribute to aggression and poor impulse control, as DeWall explains in a recent review (Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2011).