What if You Respond to a Job Interview Invitation But Never Hear Back?

When you're job-hunting, there's nothing more frustrating than waiting to hear back from a potential employer who invited you to a job interview. Perhaps the employer hasn't chosen a meeting date yet or wants to round up a few more candidates before scheduling interviews. Whatever the reason, you likely want to know what's going on so you'll know to proceed with your job search. Here are a few tips for dealing with this scenario.

1. Check Employer's Job Listing

Remember the job posting you responded to? Well, it's a good idea to find out if it's still posted on the company's website or any internet job boards. If not, the employer might have filled the position. Unfortunately, many employers don't follow up with job interview candidates once they've chosen someone for the job. If you still see the job listing, the employer might still be on the hunt for job applicants, so it's a good idea to review the posting to see if it's been updated and features a slightly different set of skills and requirements. If that's the case, update your documents to reflect these modified requirements, and resubmit them to the employer.

2. Contact the Employer

Reach out to the hiring manager who invited you to attend a job interview. More than likely, you have this person's office number and email address. Reach out via email first. Make sure the email is addressed to the person who gave you the invite and has a professional tone. Express your excitement about working for the company and discussing your potential contribution to the organization. Keep the message short, however, as its main purpose is to inquire about a job interview date. If you still don't get a response, give the hiring manager a call. Let him know you're still extremely interested in the position and would love to schedule an interview date as soon as possible.

3. Continue Your Search

Don't let one employer put your job search on hold. Continue searching for employment and submitting resumes to various companies within your industry. It's not uncommon for some employers to take weeks or even months to get back to job applicants, even after pursuing them for a job interview. Employers can also change their minds about you or choose another candidate at any moment. This isn't the most professional practice, but try not to take it personally. Remain proactive throughout your job search, even after attending a job interview with your dream company.

If you really want a position and the employer is dragging his feet, don't hesitate to reach out and inquire about the job interview date. However, it's essential to continue your job search until you get an official job offer from an employer. Don't "put all of your eggs in one basket," as you never know what job opportunities might become available while you're waiting to hear back from an employer.

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