How long before interview notification?

[Devlin]

Now that's fast! My last contract was apply 3:30pm, phone call 3.40pm, interview next day at 10am, employed by 2, so that's why I was asking the average.

I've heard a lot of "this is really, really urgent you will definitely get a call today", and then hear nothing. Or it's "the client can be very slow making a decision, could be a couple of weeks before you hear". The latter was a job I was particularly keen on but I can't sit around on my arse for two weeks on the off-chance I might get an interview.

Thanks for all the feedback folks!

yep, never take your foot off the job search accelerator until you've actually signed a contract!

[Ruprect]

If the agent thinks you are strong then they will follow it up aggressively with the client, and you should hear back within a day typically. Always worth following up with the agent as the client may be waiting on subsequent interviews before making a decision; and you may be able to weed a date from the agent that you should hear by. Of course the agent will call you as soon as he hears if you have got the gig, so if you don't hear, then you ain't got it.

[lukemg]

'Fire and forget' - always presume you will never hear about a job, after the agency calls or after an interview. That way you will be pleasantly surprised by any contact you do get. There are so many possible problems causing the delay, client withdraws/delays, agency found better/cheaper people to put through after speaking to you and your CV never even got sent etc etc.
Strangely, the one time I got honest feedback from an agent in 12 years, he said they thought I was a bit brash and a bit loud. I used to get nervous and over-compensate. I insisted the agent arranged another interview there which amazingly he did. I got the role and stayed nearly 6 years.
If you in the running, expect lots of contact, if not, expect total silence.

[Pete Cullen]

Fire and forget is definitely the way I have treated it since towards the end of last week. I fired off half a dozen applications and forgot all about them. Now it's all gone a bit crazy, got a contract offer this morning without even going to an interview but I was already being chased (even got phoned up Sunday night) by another firm who want to interview on Wednesday now.
I phoned the agent at the first and was totally up front with him and he said they were holding the contract anyway because there wasn't anyone else the company wanted.

Then I got another call this afternoon about another contract about a mile down the road and they may want to interview tomorrow! Talk about all or nothing.

Once again, thanks to everyone who has replied. Fingers crossed for a firm offer and a signed contract by the end of the week!