How long does it take to hear back after applying for a job?

Quick answer

When you do hear back, it's usually within one to two weeks, though for many applications a reply never comes at all — 'ghosting' is common. If you've had no response after about a week to ten days, a single polite follow-up email is appropriate. After that, keep applying elsewhere rather than waiting.

Timelines vary widely: large companies with slow hiring committees can take a month, while startups may reply in days. No news within two weeks usually means moving on.

Applying through the company's own site and following up beats relying on a job board's black box.

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