Post-interview follow-up

April 13, 2015 6:40 AM

Hi, MeFi-- I interviewed for a job a couple weeks ago. I felt like the interview went pretty well. Now I'm not sure if or when I should follow up with the hiring manager.

When I left, the hiring manager shook my hand, told me they had a few candidates left to bring in, and if I hadn't heard anything in the next two or three weeks, not to hesitate to send her a word to check up on the status of my application.

So, that was two weeks ago today, and I haven't heard anything from her. My question is, how should I proceed now?

1. Should I do as she suggested and reach out to her?

2. Should I call or email?

3. Should I do it now, or wait a little longer?

4. Or should I just leave it alone and assume that if they wanted to hire me, I would've heard back by now?

Thanks, y'all. You've never steered me wrong. :)

posted by schooley to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Did you send a thank you note? If not, the hiring manager may have assumed you are no longer interested in the job.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:47 AM on April 13, 2015

Unless the US is radically different than the UK, I wouldn't assume they require a thank you note in order to offer you a job. She said 2-3 weeks now, so I'd send her an email. In that you could thank her for her time and ask for an update on your application. Good luck!
posted by Dorothea_in_Rome at 6:54 AM on April 13, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks for your replies! I did send a short thank-you note the day after the interview and reinforced my interest in the position.
posted by schooley at 6:57 AM on April 13, 2015

There's nothing wrong with checking in as mentioned by the hiring manager, something along the lines of

"Hello - just wanted to check in and see if there's anything else I can provide in the way of information. Thank you, again, for the opportunity to speak with you about the $FOO role. Please let me know how I can assist."
posted by jquinby at 6:59 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

A short note inquiring about your application is fine. I'd email rather than call if you have her email. Include one polite but enthusiastic sentence about how interested you are in the position.

Hi XXXX,

Just wanted to check in on the status of application for the position of XXX. I really appreciate the opportunity, and I'm still very interested in the role--I think I'd be a great fit because of my experience doing XXXXX.

Thanks again,

You.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:01 AM on April 13, 2015

Best answer: It is always...ALWAYS. Essential to show your genuine interest in a position. Even though you may think it comes across as needy, it most often DOESN'T. Follow up each interview with a hand-written note (sometimes works best to just write it out immediately following the interview and drop it in the mail that same day). If their hiring process is super-fast, an email would suffice, but it should always be done the same day as the interview.

Follow up to the hiring manager (or whomever arranged the interview for you) and express your genuine interest - again, have a line about what (specifically) you know you will offer the company. Be confident!

If they have chosen another person (and I'll tell you - if it's already been a few weeks, they've most likely chosen someone else) it's not shameful to still express interest - you never know... the person they hired may not work out like they'd thought, or another position may open up that you're more well-suited for. Consider this process relationship-building, not "did I get it? did i get it?" and it may open up options that you'd never considered. If they're very impressed with the relationship you establish, they'll want to have your back and may even recommend you for jobs outside the company if other companies call asking for good candidates.

This is what job hunting and networking is all about - always be gracious and genuine in your interest, and you'll open a lot of doors that way.

Good luck to you!
posted by zettoo at 8:13 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]