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Often one to two weeks, sometimes longer. Smaller companies can reply within days. Large employers and roles with many applicants can take several weeks. Some never reply at all, so plan to follow up and keep applying while you wait.
Typical timelines
| Stage | Typical wait | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation | Minutes | An automatic email saying the application arrived. Nobody has read it yet |
| First response | About 1 to 2 weeks | A screening call, an assessment or a rejection |
| Large employers | Up to several weeks | Many applicants and more people involved in each decision |
| After an interview | About 1 to 2 weeks | Ask at the end of the interview when they expect to decide |
What application statuses mean
Received or submitted
Your application is in the system. Nobody has decided anything yet.
Under consideration or under review
You haven’t been ruled out. It can mean someone is reading it, or simply that the role is still open.
In progress or interviewing
You have moved forward, or the employer is interviewing for the role.
Not selected or no longer under consideration
The employer has moved on with other people for this role. It says nothing about future roles.
Position filled or closed
The job is no longer open, whoever got it.
Ready to put this into practice?
Set up Auto Apply →When and how to follow up
Wait about a week or two
Unless the posting gave a date. Then wait until just after it.
Find the right person
The recruiter or hiring manager named in the posting or the confirmation email.
Keep it short
Name the role and when you applied, say you are still interested, and ask about next steps.
Follow up once, maybe twice
If there is still no reply, move on and put your time into new applications.
A follow-up email you can copy
Subject: Application for [Job title], [your name]
Hello [Name],
I applied for the [Job title] role on [date] and wanted to say I am still very interested. My experience with [one relevant skill or result] fits what the role needs.
Could you let me know where things stand, or when you expect to decide?
Thank you,
[Your name]
Ready to put this into practice?
Set up Auto Apply →Keep every reply in one place
Replies get lost when they arrive by email, phone and job board messages. Keep a list of what you sent and when. See how to track job applications.
With MockIF Auto Apply, applications use your MockIF application email. Every employer reply lands in your MockIF Inbox, good news is flagged, and you get a daily report. When an invite comes in, practise for that role with an AI mock interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is no reply after two weeks a bad sign?
What does “under consideration” mean on a job application?
Do employers reply to every application?
Should I call instead of emailing?
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