Job Discussion Forums

Sareva · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Gainesville, Fl.

I've applied to a bunch of jobs in China (mostly in Shanghai) and I'm just wondering what the typical response time is for job offers. I don't want to not accept a decent job offer because I'm futilely waiting around to hear back from a better school, so I'm trying to gauge what's a normal amount of time between applying and getting a response.

Yes, Ma'am · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:30 am Post subject:

You should hear back within 24 hours if the school is interested, but this week is different because of the Dragon Boat Holiday. Most people have been out of the office all week and will not return until the 17th.

In general, if it's been seven days since you've applied, it's a sure sign that the school is not interested and you should apply elsewhere.

Sareva · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Gainesville, Fl.

Thanks, that is extremely helpful!

hot_water_hillbilly · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 97

I've heard back from schools ranging anywhere from one day to weeks, to never. You have no assurance that the e-mail was received, the email address you send to is actually viewed on a regular basis (or at all) by someone, was sent to a SPAM folder, etc.

Follow the typical professional rules of application in the west regarding how long you should wait before contacting them again. Give it some time. Call them directly as well.

If you're going to accept a job, then accept it and stand by it. Don't accept a job, then weasel out because something else or better came about before you start the job.