Assuming that you do really like the look of the sit and it’s at reviewing so they probably aren’t just waiting for more applications.
And what do you say?! I’ve never felt the need to follow up an ignored application but I’ve got a few on the go at the moment and want to check in without seeming too impatient!
Maybe they are not reviewing anything. That is a misleading label by THS, it just means that THS is blocking further applications because the limit of five was reached.
Did the HO actually read your application? (Check both in the app and in the web interface, they can be different it seems.)
They show as read. So I guess they’re talking to someone else or are having a busy work week. Usually people will give a holding response even if they’re going to go with someone else I’ve found.
I never follow up. I submit my application and then it’s their move. I assume if they are interested they will contact me. If they don’t, I move on. So many go unread these days, or even if they are read they sit in ‘reviewing’ status for weeks or longer. I don’t want to waste more time nudging them. Of the sits I’ve done, I’ve typically been contacted within 48 hours. So, if they don’t respond within a few days, I assume I will never hear from them.
If a week has gone by on a sit that I’ve applied on and I’m interested in, I will follow up. I have on a couple of occasions, been chosen for the sit after a follow up and done a repeat sit with the homeowner. So I do recommend following up if it’s a sit that you would like to obtain.
Thanks for that! Yeah I think I’ll wait a few days then follow up on one I really want that hasn’t responded but probably leave the other. The third one got back to me this morning to say they’d like to confirm us so that was a very nice surprise!
I think there’s a learning curve for all of us on this site. Sitters and homeowners employ different strategies. I wouldn’t make assumptions about homeowners who are slow to respond. I have no idea about their knowledge of the site or about what may be going on their lives.
I do make decisions about how I handle a slow response. My strategy is that I don’t have to sit. I’m looking for opportunities that will work work for me. If there is a time period when I know traveling will be possible, I might apply to multiple sits with close or overlapping dates. If a homeowner isn’t responding, no matter how much I might want the sit, I probably won’t prod. I’ll just move on. Things have a way of working out. A few weeks ago I was looking for a sit corresponding with a personal date. There were two in a city I love. One was one cat in a lovely neighborhood I was familiar with. The other was two cats in a nieghborhood new to me. On the surface, one cat in a neighborhood with the traditional architecture and beauty of the city sounded better than two in an upcoming previously warehouse district, but I didn’t hear from the “traditional neighborhood” homeowner, and I got the other sit. The sit was fabulous. The apartment was very comfortable. The cats were fine. There was an even an automatic feeder! But the biggest surprise was the neighborhood – which we really enjoyed.
@Junipers I would not assume anything about the homeowners. I have actually gotten some of my best sits from folks who I did not hear from immediately. I am not a full-time sitter and am very picky, so I am rarely in a huge hurry. If I don’t hear back in a week, I do message them to say that we are still very interested in finding out more about their sit and offer a few days and times that I am available for a video call. This has worked 100% of the time to at least get some type of a response. The most recent home owner had a close family member who had just had a medical emergency- hence the delay in responding. Most of the time, it has nothing to do with their lack of interest in the sitter - it is family or work related. That said, if you have better options with more responsive folks don’t delay those waiting for these folks.
I never follow up. If I don’t hear anything back within 2-3 days from reviewing hosts and around 5 days from the rest, I withdraw my application. Interestingly, many hosts get in touch within minutes after application withdrawal.