Average. Took about 6 weeks. Between first and final interview Put things in perspective While you’re waiting, take a step back. “There’s an uncertainty that’s open to interpretation, so it’s better not to replay the interview over and over again in your head ,” Elhamdi says. Try the opposite instead: remind yourself that this is all part of the interview game. “It’s even more important to keep it in perspective if the job description itself is being re-evaluated.” 2. Find out about the company’s practices While most companies let candidates know what’s going on as the process unfolds, there are others that don’t take deadlines into account, and don’t let candidates know when decisions have been made or the position has been filled. A good way to know about this beforehand is to ask during the interview. “If a recruiter’s answer is ambiguous, there are sites like Glassdoor that let candidates look at how a company functions,” says Elhamdi. Are these their normal working practices? That should give you a firm idea of what they’ll be like as employers. 3. Respect their deadlines Recruiters will often tell you ahead of time when they’ll be able to get back to you. And whether that’s a specific date or a vague time frame, it’s important to respect the deadlines the company gives you. “There’s no point wanting to know before the recruiter has even made up their mind,” says Elhamdi. “*You also don’t want to come off as insistent or look like you’re desperate.”* So while it’s totally normal to want to know, you need to wait until the deadline has passed. 4. Call them As the callback date approaches, get into the habit of giving the recruiter a quick call. “Because if they don’t get back to you immediately, my first piece of advice is to call them,” says Elhamdi. “That’s much better than writing to them. You avoid the risk of your email getting lost and it keeps communication simple.” 5. Don’t just sit and wait Contrary to what you might think, even though you’re in the middle of the interview process for a particular job, don’t just sit back and wait. “It’s actually quite important to stay reactive in your job search, especially if you get any other offers,” says Elhamdi. “And if you do get other offers, let them know—it will make you look even more attractive to the recruiters.” Not only does this give you the upper hand, but in some cases it can even speed the process. You’re showing them that you’re sought after and recruiters will take notice of this. 6. Think about what might come next Up until the very last minute, “keep thinking about different possibilities and opportunities,” says Elhamdi. “If you’ve been in contact with the recruiter a couple of times and it’s still unclear, move on. You need to keep looking.” If you didn’t get the job, go back over the interview, replay the moments that didn’t go well, ask for feedback and keep practising. If you were able to get this interview, you’ll get others. You should feel confident about that. In short, it’s important to remain active in this period of uncertainty, both in your attitude and your search for new opportunities. It’s up to you to turn the situation to your advantage. Photo: Welcome to the Jungle Translated by Kalin Linsberg Follow Welcome to the Jungle on Facebook on LinkedIn and on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest articles every day! TOPICS DISCUSSED Job interview follow-up More inspiration: Job interview follow-up Should you use office presence requirements to negotiate a higher salary? Jul 20, 2023 Hot job with no healthcare: what should you do? Jul 12, 2023 Navigating at-will contracts: expert insights on employee rights May 16, 2023 Sealing the deal: unlock the secrets to a stellar signing bonus Apr 24, 2023 Easing the burden of student debt: how to negotiate a repayment plan Apr 04, 2023 View more The newsletter that does the job Want to keep up with the latest articles? Twice a week you can receive stories, jobs, and tips in your inbox. Subscribe Looking for your next job opportunity? Over 200,000 people have found a job with Welcome to the Jungle. Explore jobs Save Share