In your opinion, how long should it take for a recruiter to get back in touch with you about a job/next steps?

Danielle Gray — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:24:47 -0400

Getting lost in the recruiting abyss is not fun. How long would you give your recruiter before writing them off?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 12 at 2017 2:34 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:34:25 -0400

Obviously context and position will affect the circumstances, but I'd say never more than a few days. Unless we are hiring for a national level cabinet position, it shouldn't take more than a week for a regular company to sort through their prospective applicants.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 2:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:43:17 -0400

In my humble opinion it should not be over a week and that should be the utmost limit. Even if a decision hasn't been made, some sort of communication should be sent to let the applicant know that the process is ongoing and they haven't been forgotten.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made May 12 at 2017 3:09 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:09:02 -0400

Speaking from personal experience only and not that of the masses. It will highly depend on the current posture of the applicant in which they are required to communicate their availability date. Although I am 24 months away from retirement, I am steadily applying for positions. Unfortunately, most firms are looking for an immediate hire in which I am unable to provide. Nonetheless, I continue to "go fishing" so that I am remembered within their community in order to be ultimately be present when the ideal opportunity is there. Some would call this networking. Thanks for sharing Danielle Gray .

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 3:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:17:54 -0400

Two weeks max.

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made May 12 at 2017 4:36 PM

CW4 Anthoney Lowry — Fri, 12 May 2017 16:36:44 -0400

In my own experience, I have seen it take less than an hour and up to several months for government jobs. 1 week should be the most. I would call them back after 1 week of not hearing anything. That worked for my current job. 10 days went by and nothing, I called the manager I interviewed with and she was shocked I had not heard anything yet. Got the job offer 2 hours later.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 4:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 May 2017 16:42:09 -0400

Within 72hrs

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 12 at 2017 6:35 PM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 12 May 2017 18:35:29 -0400

3-5 days or provide a response with a response when the recruiter can provide reasonable feedback.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made May 12 at 2017 6:52 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Fri, 12 May 2017 18:52:09 -0400

My recruiter was searching out approvals, authorizations, waivers for me going in the reserves at 17 and still in school.. so it took a little longer.. it came through.. I got to do it. I doubt they'll let it happen again .during that year I pushed the envelope, pulling off extra drills.. lvg early Fridays and coming back late Mondays (4 times)
They were excused (Principal was a retired LCol. That had Superintendent wrapped around his finger). a few teachers refused to give me a break but Principal had my "6". They tried to go over him.. He was not kind to those that violated chain of command.. they got a lot of extra lunchroom duty.. I got opportunity to go active duty at end of Sr. Year due to some Sit-rep in regular AF about needing already qualified Airmen with 5 skilll levels to fill slots because of a big drug bust. That worked out fantastic for me.. I had earned A1C quick due to AF JROTC. So my A1C was locked in I was assured either way I would keep my A1C
Going from Reserve to Active due to sit-rep. It was an exciting year.. I got to go to Alaska and to Europe. School only found out about Europe because s'body in family had loose lips.. I think it was little brother.. he didn't know not to tell .. he wasn't briefed.. Mom accepted responsibility for that. They were just happy to see me go; (The school)..

Response by LTC Kevin B. made May 12 at 2017 6:57 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Fri, 12 May 2017 18:57:13 -0400

I'd give them a few weeks after any submission deadline. After that, I interpret silence as either 1) lack of interest or 2) an organization that is far too slow and bureaucratic. The former means they don't want me, and the latter means I don't want them.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 12 at 2017 7:24 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:24:16 -0400

Yesterday, You should be as interested in a Potential Recruit as they are in You and Your Company. We're all aware of the Paperwork Hoops but If I don't hear from you in 2 Weeks, Don't Bother Me and I'm Probably Looking elsewhere anyway after a week at the Most.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 7:57 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:57:31 -0400

Anything over a week without communication can easily leave a possible future soldier at idle, and reducing the chances of possibly picking up a great recruit. This could also leave meeting mission at risk.

Response by SGT(P) Landon Mintz made May 12 at 2017 8:17 PM

SGT(P) Landon Mintz — Fri, 12 May 2017 20:17:16 -0400

Although I feel I had an exceptional experience and a great recruiter and facility. (Shelby, NC) It didn't matter if it was a question about the job or something that needed to be filled out or even just to talk preparation the staff I worked with called me back within the hour. That's right the hour! They might not have a definite answer but the communicated that they understood what I needed and that they were working it, most of the time giving me an answer on how long it could take to resolve or get back with me. I try to apply that to how I communicate to my soldiers now, information must continue to flow even when the process seems slow. Understanding workloads and sheer numbers must count for something but it is courteous and professional when we verbally reassure our intentions. It built a trust between myself and my recruiter and I see how it works building relationships today.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2017 8:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 May 2017 20:03:43 -0400

Danielle Gray it depends. If the company is interviewing all within a week then tell everyone you will hear about in a week after the last interview is completed. If it will be over a period of two weeks let them know ahead of time so you do not possibly lose them as they feel you forgot about them and go looking for another job.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 16 at 2017 10:09 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Tue, 16 May 2017 10:09:29 -0400

Assuming that by recruiter, you do NOT mean company HR, I agree with MAJ Private RallyPoint Member - for either a retained or a contingent recruiter, professionalism should require at least a weekly contact. Having been on the employer side of the equation, I fully realize that the employer can take what seems like an absurdly long time to make a decision, for all kinds of reasons. There is little that a recruiter can do about that[1].

However, the recruiter's stock in trade is quality applicants. Keeping in contact with them, practically speaking, is merely making sure that your inventory doesn't spoil. Contact should be at least weekly. It doesn't have to be a lot. A simple "Hi, James I just wanted to give you a call and let you know that MegaCorp hasn't made a decision yet, Hope your week is going well!"

Were I to go much longer than a week without contact, I'm going to start to assume that no news is bad news and start pursuing other options. As an applicant, I am going to assume (wrongly!) that several weeks of silence means that someone else has been selected and move on.

[1] There are situations, if the relationships are there, were the recruiter can light a fire under the employing organization, but that gets into boring "inside baseball" discussions.