How do I say "Psst...I'm still available for that 9-to-5..."?

May 21, 2013 4:20 PM

I interviewed for this position over a month ago, and it went really well. According to a family friend who also works there (and informed me of the available position to begin with), I was a top contender for the job, but they ultimately went with another person with experience, whereas I had none (even though it was entry level - but I get it, experience is better than lack thereof. No hard feelings here). PLOT TWIST: Two days ago, I find out via friend that they just discovered this new person lied about having a degree, so she's as good as gone. Friend suggested I send a nonchalant email to remind them of my existence, hinting at the fact that I'm still available. How do I do this subtly without it sounding awkward as hell after over a month? I don't think I'm supposed to know about this turn of events because friend was pretty hush hush about it, and I certainly don't want to throw friend under the bus or get him in trouble. How do I go about this?

Extra details:

- they never called me to say I didn't get the job (friend gave me the update when he saw the new person on her first day)

- I admittedly didn't send the interviewer a thank you note for interviewing me because... Shoot, to be honest, I don't know why I didn't. Before this, I'd never really interviewed for a job that was this grown-up and formal and "interview etiquette-y" - my past job interviews had been for more casual part-time jobs in high school and college that I'd usually hear back from either on the spot or soon enough thereafter that I never really had time to send thank-you notes. This job interview, however, was probably one in which a follow-up thank you note would have been nice... Is it too late to use this opportunity for that?

I so very much appreciate any ideas or suggestions from you lovely folks. Also, 'tis my first on-the-books question (though I'm a regular lurker), so I'm so sorry if I've done anything that goes against the code of question-posting... I don't think I have though..

posted by slightlyamused to Work & Money (11 answers total)

Can't your family friend put in a good word for you? If not, do they know you know you didn't initially get the job? If they never told you, you could always "check in" to see how the hiring process is going. If they know you know, I think any attempt to reach out on your behalf will seem weird.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:26 PM on May 21, 2013 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Dear Interviewer --

Please accept my belated thanks for interviewing me on XYZ date for ABC position. I understand that interviewing and staffing can be a long process, but I'd be interested to know if the position has been filled as I am still available and remain very interested.

(Other standard great fit, enthusiastic, blah blah stuff goes here.)

Sincerely,
Slightly Amused
posted by DarlingBri at 4:26 PM on May 21, 2013 [28 favorites]

Best answer: I would shoot them an email and say something along the lines of:

Hi, [whoever]

I wanted to follow up from our meeting last month since I haven't heard back regarding the [specific thing] job. I imagine you all have made a hire by now, but I'd like to extend my thanks to [name of person] for taking the time to interview me. I hope you'll consider me for any open positions in the future!

Best,
slightlyamused

posted by phunniemee at 4:27 PM on May 21, 2013 [8 favorites]

How did your friend know that you were a top contender for the job, yet not know that you weren't hired, and feel weird about reminding the company about your existence now? I would send a belated thank you, but not put too much stock in your friend's knowledge about the hiring process.
posted by acidic at 4:34 PM on May 21, 2013 [5 favorites]

Agree that you might as well check in but act clueless about the inside info. However, be prepared that they may still not think you're a good fit. It's a terrible and terribly competitive market out there.
posted by latkes at 4:45 PM on May 21, 2013 [1 favorite]

I want to reiterate that you shouldn't hinge your hopes on this if you do decide to reach out (and I agree that you should). Being "a top contender" is not a guarantee that they'll even want to interview you again - and your friend doesn't exactly impress me as being someone in the know. But there's little harm in reaching out via a brief, innocent email.
posted by sm1tten at 6:17 PM on May 21, 2013

What the others have said about the belated thank you is a good way to go. A tiny note of caution, a place that doesn't contact you, even by cowardly snail mail to let a top contender know the post was filled is... Well kinda poor professional behavior. (I say this as someone who hires people a few times a year)

Perhaps they where counting on your realitive to let you know, so I'd avoid any faux innocence about the post being filled in your follow-up letter.

''Hi, X, thanks for the interview on xx/xx/xxxx. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with you. I continue tto be interested in your company and hope you will keep me in mind for future openings. Sincerely xyz''


Good luck eh?
posted by edgeways at 6:45 PM on May 21, 2013

I would follow up all interviews by telephone. I suggest you do so. If nothing else you can get decent feedback. When applying for vacancies I try to speak to the individual referenced in the advert. This establishes a relationship before they even see your CV. People hire people not paper in my experience.
posted by BenPens at 4:06 AM on May 22, 2013 [1 favorite]

They know who their second (third, etc.) choice was in this search and are probably making plans if they are, indeed, going to fire the person they hired. If I were the hiring manager and I suddenly heard from you out of the blue given the circumstances, it wouldn't have any impact on where you were on that list. And, if I knew about your relationship with another employee, I'd also go tell him to keep his damned mouth shut.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 4:58 AM on May 22, 2013

Best answer: I'd reach out to the HR recruiter and/or interviewer with an email that says:

Dear So-and-So,

It was so great to interview with you for the X position. While I'm disappointed that I wasen't selected for this role, I was very impressed with what I saw and I was hoping that you'd keep me in mind for any future openings you may have.

Regards,

Slightly Amused

Also, check out their careers page to see if the job has been reposted.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:08 AM on May 22, 2013

I am sure there are some managers/HR people who don't mind follow-up phone calls. For the record I find them annoying and more intrusive. For me (and this is only me mind you), I'd be slightly less inclined to hire someone who follow-up calls me, not a deal breaker, but in an otherwise tied choice it'd be an once against.
posted by edgeways at 12:25 PM on May 22, 2013