You pour your heart and soul into the application, you press send…

And then, nothing.

Let us say upfront: This is nothing personal, but you deserve a more detailed explanation. In this article, we address why you don’t hear, and when or if it’s reasonable to follow up.

What happens when you send your application

Here is the tough truth: Recruiters aren’t waiting for your application. Typically, a lot of hiring managers will wait until the deadline has passed to review all applications at once. So, be mindful of the deadline, and work from that time rather than your submission date.

The screening process depends on the company. The process might start with a review, which can take recruiters up to two weeks, depending on applicant volume. If a role is especially popular, some of the larger recruiters use AI to screen for keywords. This makes it essential that you tailor your cover letter and CV to each role, even if you choose to go through tailored recruiters who don’t use AI, like us!

Shortlisted candidates are then sent to the hiring manager. Managers are often busy people, and they can take around two weeks to review all applications in full. While this may sound like a long time, it is time they need to take to take your application seriously.

You can expect your first interview request to come up to a month after the application deadline, but it has been known to take up to two months for particularly competitive roles.

How hiring managers prioritise candidates

First, candidates are evaluated for their fit for the role. If you don’t have the right qualifications, or if you have the bad luck to be among a batch of applicants who are more experienced than you, your application may not make the first round.

Track record comes second. Recruiters want to see results on your CV as much as suitability for the role. How have you performed against your peers? From there, initial screeners will also check your availability and whether or not you’re a ‘known entity’. By this, we mean internal candidates and referrals. If you have been recommended, recruiters will often fast-track you. This is why building a network in your industry remains crucial to the interview stage.

When the process gets interrupted

The hiring process doesn’t always go to plan, especially for companies in finance, which have to adapt quickly to new developments. Organisational changes occur frequently, and hiring freezes and shifting priorities can come in response to volatile markets.

At other times, internal processes can halt proceedings. Budget sign-offs, or approvals from multiple stakeholders, can delay even approved roles.

How companies handle overqualified candidates

Some candidates worry about not having enough overlap between their skills and the role being advertised. Others have concerns about being overqualified for the role in question. Being overqualified can be a factor in final decision-making. Candidates may be flagged as a risk for leaving or asking for a higher salary. Some managers may see the potential for friction if they hire a person with significantly more experience than the team.

If this sounds like you, reach out to the hiring manager before applying to the role. In our experience, this can trigger the hiring manager to respond with another role that better matches your experience, or they may offer to keep you on file for future roles.  

How to improve your chances of getting a response

Some recruiters are using AI to screen candidates, so tailor your CV and cover letter to each position, identifying priority keywords, and adding quantifiable results to your work experience.

We have always advocated for building your network. Remember, even if you don’t yet work in the company, referrals get just as much attention as internal candidates. The power of a solid network is invaluable.

How to follow up appropriately

If a month has passed since the application and you haven’t heard, follow up with the recruiter. Keep your query short, and don’t over-explain why you’re writing. Include the job title and reference number, and any other details that might help the recruiter find your application. Include these details in the subject line of your email, and reattach your CV. The following message is likely to get a response:

“I would like to check the status of [the role and job reference number]. Have there been any updates to this role? I am very interested in interviewing for the position. Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.”

If you don’t receive a response to this message within two weeks, we recommend one more email after a week. If you still hear crickets, we suggest focusing your hard efforts elsewhere. Definitely don’t write an angry response, as tempting as it may be. The job market is tough, and ghosting is never entirely fair, but these silences rarely have to do with you.

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We hope this article has helped add some context around why you might not hear back from a recruiter. Aldrich & Co is a bespoke recruiter based in London. If you’re looking for a role in London’s finance & banking industry, keep an eye on our jobs board. If you don’t find a role, send us your CV and a note about the jobs that excite you. We’ll be in touch whenever such roles arrive.