How Long Should I Wait to Receive an Offer Letter?

You gave an interview for a position, everything went well, and you are hopeful to start your new job soon. However, when the hiring manager tells that you will get the offer within a week, you suddenly feel cheated. Does that mean a no or you have to surround yourself with positive thoughts? What should be your next move in this scenario? It’s time to clear the air.

Understanding the hiring process:

Screening:

The hiring process starts when the company posts a job opening and shortlists candidates for interview. The hiring manager goes through resumes and schedules an interview with candidates who are interested in the profile.

Interview:

An interview can have multiple rounds. Many employers nowadays prefer having a telephonic, Zoom or Skype interview with candidates before calling them for a face-to-face. If the first round is cleared, candidates are invited for personal interview. In case of an off-shore opportunity, the chances are high that all the rounds will be taken virtually.

Giving offer letter:

The amount of time an employer takes to raise an offer varies. In case an organization is hiring fresh graduates, it might take two weeks to extend the job offer after the interview. In other scenarios, where there’s an urgent opening, one might get the offer letter in a day or a week. The wait period could be more for senior positions or when the organization is not in a hurry to close the vacancy.

Why the wait?

There could be many reasons leading to delay in the organization extending the job offer. They could be interviewing more candidates, doing a background check, or it’s simply taking more time to put the job-offer package together.

What should a candidate do?

Even if you are sure of getting the job offer, it is better not to rely on or be dependent on just one company. There’s no harm in applying for more jobs and appearing in interviews because you might get a better opportunity or pay package.

I have worked for big names, and when I joined Sapient, I received the Sapient offer letter in less than a week. Their interview process is smooth, and I must say the HR department is quick and efficient, that’s why everything is streamlined.

Recommended Reading:The hiring process at sapient global markets: how I became part of the team