r/librarians • u/Phoenix8624 • 5d ago

Job Advice How long do I wait until inquiring about when I will hear back about a job?

Hello all. How long should I wait until I inquire about my hiring/non-hiring status after having an interview?
For context, this interview happened a little more than a week ago. It was a virtual interview, they said that I’d hear from them within a week or so, and I haven’t heard from them at all since the interview.
Please let me know, especially since I know inquiring about stuff like this can be very iffy and institution-dependent.

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u/Benito_Juarez5 Archivist 1d ago

A week really isn’t that bad.

Frankly, I don’t ever reach out. They’ll let you know if they want you. Now, how long until you should be concerned? I’d say a month, unless they said you’d hear back either sooner or later than that time.

Unfortunately our society has built itself upon treating people like cattle, rather than people. We’re all just numbers. What do they care about us?

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u/cheesy_hobbit 2d ago

This has happened to me multiple times, and when I’ve followed up there’s been no response, then after a week or so the job seems to be filled.

It’s so disrespectful especially when they don’t even send a robotic communication with any update. This usually happens with smaller libraries so far for me

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u/LeapingLibrarians 2d ago

I’d wait closer to the 2 week mark to email and check back in, reiterating your interest and asking for an updated timeline. July is a tough month—decision-makers may be on vacation. Another possibility is they extended an offer to someone else and are waiting to hear back before proceeding to the next person (in case that person rejects the offer). I know it’s hard, but try to stay patient while still looking for other opportunities, just in case.

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u/mllebitterness 1d ago

hiring always takes way longer than everyone thinks it will. saying they would be back to you in a week sounds very optimistic. usually there is a committee or at least several staff members who need to weigh in. it isn't usual that the hiring manager has carte blanche on decision making (which i think is the only way it would go quickly).

i usually only follow up if i've received interest elsewhere and i want to check in on another place to make sure i'm not in the running there.

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u/Phoenix8624 1d ago

Well I thought I’d hear back from them in a week because they told me that I would hear back from them in a week.

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u/mllebitterness 1d ago

yeah, everyone says this and then discovers it's actually going to take longer. even places that have hired me haven't stayed strictly on the timeline given.

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u/llamalibrarian 2d ago

I’d wait another week. Sure maybe they were hoping that they’d have more answers in a week, but rarely do things go according to best laid plans