So you’ve applied to a job at Glassdoor — congratulations! That in itself is an accomplishment. After all, applying to a job demonstrates proactivity, initiative and a desire to grow your career. But after you click the “Apply” button, you might find yourself wondering: What now?
At Glassdoor, we aim to be as transparent as possible, not just with the job seekers and employers who leverage our platform, but also with the candidates who apply to our open jobs. So to help you understand what the application process involves, we reached out to four recruiting pros here at Glassdoor.
Below, they shared the details on next steps, timelines, interview tips and more. Read on to learn what you can expect in the coming days — best of luck!
Qualified Candidates Usually Hear Back Within a Week
If you apply to a job and don’t hear back in the next day or two, don’t despair — it doesn’t automatically mean that you’re out of the running. It could just be that recruiters are juggling other tasks. Recruiters source, screen and schedule interviews with multiple candidates for multiple roles, which means they can’t always respond immediately. That doesn’t mean they don’t care, though.
“I make it a point to get back to my applicants within a week of applying. I know how horrible it is to be stuck in ‘candidate limbo’ so I try to get them an answer on next steps ASAP,” says Sales Recruiter Brianna Kelly.
That doesn’t mean you’ll always need to wait a full week before hearing back, though.
“Personally I try to respond within one to two days — I don't want to lose good talent,” says Jamie Hichens, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition.
Keep in mind that if it does take longer than that, though, it doesn’t mean you’re falling behind.
“I'd give it a week before getting frustrated. I feel like candidates think the role will be filled overnight. Everything takes longer than you think!” says Julie Coucoules, Global Head of Talent Acquisition.
The Interview Process Looks Like This
Not every single open role at Glassdoor follows the same exact interview process, but the following flow can help give you an idea of what to expect:
- Recruiter Phone Screen: The recruiter in charge of filling the position at hand calls you to assess your skills and values.
- Hiring Manager Phone Screen: The hiring manager — i.e., the person who would be your boss if you were to get the job — calls you to dig deeper into your work history, skills, fit for the role, etc.
- Test/Pitch: Certain jobs will require candidates to submit an assignment or give a presentation. Sales roles, for example, are required to give a sample sales pitch, while technical roles often complete a coding or data analysis assignment.
- Onsite Interview(s): Come to the Glassdoor office to interview in person with several potential teammates and colleagues.
You’re Expected to Do Your Research
The Glassdoor platform makes it easy to get the inside scoop on companies you’re applying to — including Glassdoor! So if you’re applying to a job here, there’s no excuse to not do some research on our profile.
“Candidates should definitely go to Glassdoor and read the interview tab for more insight into questions and topics that may come up,” suggests James Parker, Manager, Global Talent Acquisition. In addition to interview reviews, Hichens recommends looking up “reviews, salaries, benefits, photos and other open positions we have to see the whole picture.”
Once you’ve gathered all of this information, use it to help inform the questions you ask during your interview.
“I can’t stress enough the power of doing your research and coming prepared with valuable questions. Not the generic ‘tell me about the role’ [questions], but the ones that dig deep,” Kelly shares. “This shows me that the candidate was prepared for the call, has an actual interest in a position here and values the time they are taking out of their day to interview.”
Beyond using Glassdoor to do your research, you can also turn to your network for advice if any of them work at Glassdoor.
“If [candidates] have any connections that work at Glassdoor, they should reach out to them for more insight,” Parker recommends.
It’s Okay to Follow Up — If You Do It Right
When you’re applying to a job you’re really excited about, going even a day without hearing anything from a recruiter can feel like an eternity. But you should be careful not to pester the recruiter with unnecessary inquiries about where you stand in the application process. When you first apply, make sure to wait a few days before you reach out about the status of your application.
“Somewhere between three days and a week feels like the right timing to me,” Coucoules says. Fortunately, Glassdoor recruiters are generally encouraged “to give the candidates enough information on the timeline that they will be put at ease in the process,” so you shouldn’t be left in the dark.
If you weren’t given a concrete timeline, though, it’s totally appropriate to ask for one.
“I absolutely love when candidates ask for a timeline on next steps. It helps hold me and my managers accountable and gives the candidate peace of mind that they will have a resolution soon,” Kelly says.
Then, if you don’t hear back from a recruiter on the day they said they would follow up with you, you are welcome to reach out.
“If the recruiter doesn't get back to them by that date, they should reach out via email,” not by phone, Parker says. “Sometimes recruiters get caught up and forget to follow up, so reaching out could be the difference between you moving forward or not.”
However, you should never come across as “pushy or frustrated” when following up, Hichens advises.
“Patience is one of the most important qualities in the hiring process,” Coucoules says.