I am currently applying for my first sit since the 5 application process was introduced so have a query re the system. I was the first applicant and received a very encouraging message back from the HO within a couple of hours suggesting we held a video call. I responded positively to this message and am waiting to hear back to arrange a time. The sit then received 4 further applications and has now turned to “reviewing applications”. How long do sitters expect to wait in this situation? I am keen to apply for other sits if this one isn’t going to happen but don’t want to move too quickly to decline.
Also if I am declined by the HO do I receive a standard ‘decline message’ from the system? At what point? After the HO has selected another sitter or only after a sitter has accepted the sit? Any pointers would be really helpful - thank you1
Don’t wait.
Keep applying to sits that interest you while you wait for your video call. If you have your call and hit it off and they confirm you, you can always withdraw your other applications. You do not need to decline one sit to apply for other sits.
If they delay in their response or put off booking a call and you set something else up in the meantime, that’s the price of procrastination.
“Reviewing” is the label THS gives any owner who has received 5 applications. It basically means their listing is paused until they take some action: either declining some sitters to allow more to apply or confirming a sitter from the first 5. They may not be reviewing anyone else and may only be interested in chatting with you first. They may be emailing all five and setting up video chats with each sitter. Every HO has a different process.
If you are declined or they confirm a different sitter you will receive a stock email from THS, but the owner may also choose to send a personalised email.
Hope that clears some stuff up!
Thanks @CoolCatAunt . Thanks for taking the time to respond. I understand what happens with reviewing applications but it was really the timescale one could expect of an owner to get back with an acceptance or decline. I have been fortunate in being accepted for all sits I have applied for to date (but this was prior to the 5 application pause being introduced) so was just needing to know how long it was acceptable to wait if the HO decided to talk with all applicants and how long that process could reasonably be expected to take.
Ah, well, I’m currently waiting for three HOs to get back to me after 3+ weeks, while others have replied very quickly. Seems about the same as before to me.
Unfortunately there is no stock answer as the time frame varies so much from listing to listing.
All you can do is go with what you feel comfortable with.
Keep applying for any sits which appeal to you - no need to withdraw any previous applications at this stage.
We have had sits confirmed within hours and other applications go unread.
There is no definitive timeline for owners to respond. Our experience has been that an owner who is keen on our application will respond in 24-48 hours and will want to set up a video call ASAP. Many owners still don’t know about the pausing after 5 applications so they could be waiting thinking they will get more. Time is off the essence for both parties, so it’s good to maintain a sense of urgency.
If we don’t hear back after a few days we send a “nudge” message saying something like “Hi, we notice your sit has been automatically paused by THS for you to review your 5 applications. We’d love to have a video call with you as soon as possible to discuss your sit as we are actively applying for other sits with similar dates to yours, so our availability for your sit may soon change.” If this doesn’t elicit a response in 24-48 hours, say a week at the most from our initial application, we withdraw our application saying “As we haven’t heard back from you we are withdrawing our application” and we move on.
We are not interested in owners who don’t communicate in a timely way. Our thoughts are if they are not well organised at the outset what are they going to be like for the actual sit? The key is not getting wedded to any listing.
@geoff.hom I appreciate prompt replies. I’ve removed applications because the HO didn’t reply after several days. Some have replied " sorry for the delay in replying, I was traveling " So some HOs are postings listings but aren’t ready to start looking at applications. THS could add, ‘once you post a listing be prepared to start answering applicants’