I’ve been in contact with a company and there’s been a delay in communication. What do I do?
If you’re waiting for a response after an interview or when trying to set up a networking call, delays are often due to the employer’s internal reasons, not your fit for the position. Here are a few of the more common reasons you may see a delay in communication:
During the Interview Phase:
- The person you contacted might be away or unexpectedly out of office, causing a delay in communication.
- Scheduling interviews can get complicated if other candidates are involved, or the team is waiting on feedback from key stakeholders who are unavailable.
Scheduling a Networking Call:
- The professional you’re reaching out to may be juggling tight deadlines/on vacation and may need to reschedule your conversation. They have good intentions, but may forget to follow up with you before they are out of the office.
- If your request to have a conversation was a little vague (hey, it happens to all of us), the person you are trying to connect with may not know how to help you or what to expect from a conversation with you, and may be delaying their response while they think of what to say.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- It’s generally acceptable to follow up if you haven’t heard back within one to two weeks. Email during their regular business hours to increase the likelihood of a timely response
- Your follow-up email should be direct and polite. State your continued interest and ask for any new information.
- If you are waiting to hear back from someone at a company and are unsure what to do, please schedule a career advising appointment and we can give you tactical guidance to reengage the employer or industry professional.
You’re already making great progress. Let’s troubleshoot the situation and create a plan together to keep the momentum going!
