How long can you keep a job offer waiting? (2023)

How long is too long to wait for a job offer?

In general, if you don't hear back from the hiring manager two weeks after they told you they'd be in contact, you can probably assume the company has decided to go with another candidate.

How long do companies usually give you to accept an offer?

One week is generally the timeframe a candidate should be given to consider a job offer.

Is a week a long time to wait for a job offer?

On average, the job offer process takes five to seven days. In rare cases, an employer could leave you waiting for multiple weeks before you get a job offer. There's almost always more than one person involved in hiring decisions for an employer, which can lead to additional delays.

Is it OK to delay accepting a job offer?

It´s perfectly acceptable to ask for more time to make a decision or to even decline a job offer. Although it may feel scary and awkward, it's a lot better than accepting an offer for the sake of it.

Why is the job offer taking so long?

Hiring timelines are getting longer, in part because companies have more tools for ensuring candidates are good fits for the position. Being more careful about hiring the first time around makes sure new hires won't quit, and companies will have to start all over.

What should you not do when waiting for a job offer?

Don't Leave Your Current Job

If you are currently employed, don't do anything that could alert your boss you might be leaving soon. Until you accept an offer from another employer, you shouldn't let on that you are going to quit your job. Go to work every day and do your job well. Take on new projects.

What if I am offered a job but waiting on another?

Ask for time to decide

Then you can ask for up to one week to consider the offer. Gauge the recruiter's reaction. Some companies won't want to wait that long because the market is so competitive, and the company will want to know if it needs to move to a backup candidate or start the search all over again.

How long does it take HR to approve an offer?

There is no fixed rule or standard for how long this process can take. It can be anywhere from a few days to weeks or even over a month. One way to find out how long it will take for HR to approve a job offer is to do some research online on previous employees who may have disclosed this information.

Is 3 weeks a long time to wait for a job offer?

It may take several weeks to get an offer. The average amount of time from interview to offer for new college grads is 24 days. Follow up the right way. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours and a polite follow-up 10 to 14 days later.

How long can you delay an offer?

However, the norm is typically 1-3 days. If an offer is extended to you on Monday or Tuesday, you should respond by the end of the week. For an offer made on Thursday or Friday, you should let them know by Monday. At the end of the day, companies want someone who is sincere in their desire to work for them.

Can I accept a job offer and later reject it?

You may decline a job offer, but you can still leave the possibility open for other opportunities in the future. It's best to consider any alternatives before declining the job position.

Why HR is delaying the offer?

Why is the HR delaying? Who knows what might have happened. They may have an internal candidate that surfaced, the hiring manager may have changed their mind, or the position's budget may have been cut, etc. I will say it is not necessarily a reflection on you.

How can I speed up my job offer?

Why does HR take so long offer letter?

Hiring decisions often get delayed because someone who is a key part in making those decisions is absent. They may be ill, they could be on vacation, traveling for work, or they may need to deal with a more pressing issue.

Can a job give you an offer and then take it back?

Once an employer offers you a job, you have a period of time to decide if you want to accept the offer. Sometimes, though, employers choose to rescind job offers during that time frame.

Is it ever OK to accept a job offer and continue to interview?

Accepting an Offer and Continuing to Interview is a Bad Idea

With a few limitations in certain states, all states are formally recognized as at-will employment states, meaning you can resign from a job at any time. (The employer can also let you go at any time.)

How long should you wait for an offer letter?

The sooner you hire someone, the better-quality candidate you get, on average. The average time it takes for candidates to hear back about a job offer is between 20 and 40 days after an interview, according to Glassdoor.

How long should I wait for a job offer reply?

One to two days is considered the most you can reasonably expect to ask for – after all, if you decline the job offer, the hiring manager needs to be able to contact other interviewed candidates promptly.

What to do if you receive a job offer but wait for another?

Reach out to your main point of contact at the company — usually the hiring manager or the internal recruiter responsible for filling the position — and explain that you have another offer on the table, but if the folks at Company B and you can come to an agreement, you'd really prefer to join their team.

Why do companies delay offer letters?

Most likely it's due to red tape and waiting for the correct people to approve and sign things. If it starts stretching out ridiculously long you might be able to talk to someone else that isn't HR. Potentially your new manager if you can get their details and see what the issue is.

Why do I get anxious waiting for a job offer?

Usually, there are five reasons why a job seeker might be struggling with job offer anxiety: they're forgetting to continue their job search, they're suffering from restlessness and insomnia, they lack perspective, they're not sure when to follow up with the hiring manager, and/or they lack confidence in their resume.