Short answer: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
People wonder what to do after the job interview . I just read a recent comment from one of my readers who said “I still haven’t heard back from them after my job interview and they stopped answering my weekly follow up calls and emails so I just assume they don’t want me. I think that’s rude not to respond to me, but oh well. I will continue applying for more things!”
Of course my heart goes out to her, but I almost jumped out of my skin when I read how often she was following up with both phone calls AND emails after the job interview. I get she was just eager to know “Did I get the job?”, but there’s good reason not to do what she was doing. What you do after an interview can count as much as before or during!
While I well understand the agony of waiting to hear back after the interview – and do love her positive attitude about moving on to look for the right job – I worry some of you, including this reader, may actually hurt yourself badly with an overly zealous approach. Bugging a potential employer week after week – no matter how wonderful a hire you might be – is not going to get you the job. In fact, too many phone calls or e-mails can totally turn off the very people in the company you want to impress.
Avoid weekly follow-up calls and emails after an interview
Sending all those e-mails and making all those phone calls does not help your case with the company – and in fact only irritates HR folks and other hiring managers, many of whom have inboxes full of e-mails all demanding immediate attention. An occasional polite post-interview e-mail or phone call can be a good thing…but after that, believe me…if they are interested, they’ll remember you!
Unless you have something you absolutely need to tell them or maybe a new Pulitzer Prize you just won and want them to know about…less is more is a pretty good rule to follow when it comes to contact after the interview. And if they aren’t getting back to you – as annoying as that can be – just assume they have a good reason and do your best to focus on other things…like continuing to look for a great job!
(If you are waiting to hear back, you might find some helpful hints here: 12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview)
What about phone calls or email before an interview?
Speaking of following up…here’s a post from Kerry over at Clue Wagon that generated some great discussion. Basically, she tells us be wary of online experts who advise us to call or email after sending a resume (before any interview):
Calling to Follow Up? Hand Me a Fork.
(Kerry, a former HR person, is not one to mince words you’ll notice.)
Seriously…unless you have a contact there or a very good reason to call or are in an industry where this is ok (as Kerry also advises in 3 (Possible) Exceptions to the Do-Not-Call Rule), you are probably not helping yourself one bit by calling before an interview to follow up on your resume. Employers sometimes get a hundred or more resumes for one job posting. Believe me…they do not want a hundred or more calls or e-mails for each job they post! (Hmmm…maybe we should call anyone who suggests you do that?)
Of course, for every rule there are exceptions. And I will admit I may have helped myself get to a couple of interviews by using the send-resume-then-make-polite-follow-up-call technique – but then again, it may have been my particular circumstance. And I also might have gotten there anyway based solely on my resume and strong cover letter. (That’s what a good cover letter is for.) So please…if you do try this, just tread gently.
Nuff said.
So what’s your take on how often to follow up AFTER an interview? How have you handled your own post-interview follow-ups?
I recently had a very good interview and the recruiter was extending an offer for the position I was applying for. I was happy but was surprised that it was offered so quickly. I asked if there was a possiblity to extend the start date due to personal circumstances and he said he would get back to me on that (he did not seem too thrilled about my suggestion). The recruiter called me the next day (as I was in the restroom at that time) and left a voice mail asking me to call him back. I’ve been trying to get in touch with hm but his class all go to voicemail. I’ve left 1 voicemail and I’ve emailed him once but it has been a few days now and there has not been response. He was the one who asked me to call back but he does not answer his phone… I just wanted to let him know that I can overcome my personal circumstances and take up the position as soon as possible but I’m afraid he has already moved on to another candidate. I do not want to be annoying but I felt he had something important to tell me and I wanted to know what it was. Have I ruined my chances? Should I bother following up again? If so, when? Do you think he would attempt to contact me again?
Hi Billie,
What a pain! His delay may likely have nothing to do with you and more with what is going on with him and his business. Often people have multiple responsibilities and projects going on simultaneously.
Contact him and let him know that you have made arrangements to be able to start immediately if they are still interested. You may want to send this information via email if he is not answering his voicemail.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
Hi Chandlee,
Thank you so much for your response and your support!
He actually called me back (finally) and told me that it was okay for me to extend my start date and I am now officially hired! Thank you so much again! You have really calmed my nerves!
Best,
Billie
Billie,
That’s terrific! I’m delighted to hear it.
Good luck in your new job, and thanks for sharing your story so that others will know what to do when in a similar situation.
All the Best,
Chandlee
I had an interview 2 months ago for a very exciting job, didn’t hear back at all, and had given up on it. Three weeks after the interview I found out that my references had been called and once again got my hopes up.
In the mean time, my current employer has unofficially offered me a new position in a different city to start when my current contract ends in a month’s time. I am not extremely excited about this offer, but would take it over unemployment.
A week and a half after my references for the good job had all been contacted I called the HR assistant (one of 3 people who interviewed me) and left a message to ask for any updates. She never got back to me. A week and a half after that, I called her again and left a message, this time saying that I had another job offer (that I was less interested in) whose start date was approaching. She got back to me and said, they were in the approval process and that they felt I was a good fit for the position and that I should “hang tight”. We agreed that I should follow-up with her in a couple of days as a meeting was going to take place the following day where this position would be discussed. I followed-up, by leaving another voice-mail and have yet to hear back. This was last Friday, we are now Thursday, and the other job is supposed to start in 4 weeks (although I haven’t heard anything about that either!).
I’m not sure what my next steps should be, and what I should do if I’m contacted about the not-so-great job.
Thanks, and sorry for the long post.
Jane,
This is an easy one. Call the company who has checked your reference, tell them you have another offer from your current company – and when you need to give them a decision. Let the company you haven’t heard from know that you remain very interested.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Thanks Chandlee,
The good company called me the day after I wrote that and offered me the job. Letting them know about the other offer did speed things up, it turns out they were quite excited a out hiring me.
Yeah, just “hang tight” while we interview other candidates just to be certain there’s no one else better than you that we missed.
What a joke!
I feel your pain as it is definitely a buyers market now and HR is seemingly not interested in treating candidates with the respect they would have otherwise commanded in a good job market.
My advice would be to take the so-so offer and and when if this other company decides to extend you an offer, you can decide whether or not to take it. A bird in the hand, right?
I also feel like this kind of candidate treatment over the past few years has irreperably damaged the employer-employee relationship. Combine no loyalty on either side with the healthcare debate, and I think 20-30 years from now most “employment” will be contractual, and we’ll be acting as free agents.
Peter
Peter,
Yes, it’s frustrating. I take heart knowing there are companies that are doing something about it. Google “The Candidate Experience” awards — good stuff, and shows there are organizations out there who are working hard to help job seekers have a better experience.
All the Best,
Chandlee
This was helpful to read. I had a great phone interview June 25 and was told I would receive the official job description via email after the call, and a call from HR Wednesday. Wednesday evening cam around and I still had no job description so I emailed the person I interviewed with and he sent it immediately, confirming I would hear from HR before the end of the week. Thursday and Friday passed. Monday I called and got generic voice mail, where I left a message. And again emailed the person I interviewed with to ask if he needed more information etc. I may have pestered too much already? Anyway, needless to say it has now been a week since my phone call and email and two weeks since my interview, so I suppose moving on is what I should do. However, I do agree that when you are only one of a few being considered, it does not take long to send a “Thanks for your interest but we have decided to go with another candidate. Best of luck.” See, took me 30 seconds. Rude to leave people hanging, hiring market or not.
Casey,
Sorry to hear that you are having this experience. In my experience as a recruiter and a hiring manager, it often takes longer than expected to be able to follow-up with a candidate — especially this time of year. When there multiple candidates, most companies have policies that must be followed until an offer is extended and accepted. I know it can be frustrating, but imagine how you would feel if you had an interview canceled because “we liked the person before your scheduled interview so there was no need to speak to you.”
Good luck and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
Thank you Chandlee, I will certainly let you know, and be sure not to be a pest in the future. You are right, if I am a great fit, they will remember me on their own!
I agree: it’s rude, but unfortanately it’s also the new normal.
Again, I strongly beleive that HR is doing themselves a disservice in that we’ll all be independant contractors in 20-30 years given that no there is 0 loyalty and even less trust nowadays.
Even though I wasn’t raised this way, I now feel no shame in accpeting multiple offers and playing companies off one another just the same way they do us.
Peter,
Thanks for weighing in on recruiter feedback on the problem of communication with current candidates.
One of the problems with accepting multiple offers at different companies is that companies talk amongst themselves. If it is found that you’ve accepted more than one offer at a time, you run the risk of both offers being pulled if they find out.
Good luck,
Chandlee
Candidates talk amongst themselves too.
AMEN Peter!
2 weeks ago i had a couple of interviews with a company. One of the interviewers (not the hiring manager) was an alumni from school that I had spoken with before the interview when i was doing my research on the organization to get a sense of their culture etc. He emailed me (of his own volition) after the interview to let me know that the panel agreed that I had done well in the interview. The hiring manager had said that they would decide in 2 weeks time. It has been exactly 2 weeks today and I haven’t heard back since. I am in a dilemma if I should contact the alumni or the hiring manager directly. And should i wait another day or two before following up? I had sent thank-you notes to the panel right after my interview. Any input will be appreciated.
Hi Sandy,
I recommend that you wait another week to follow-up. The hiring process often takes longer than one anticipates because of the necessary steps to get hiring approval internally — and given that many people take vacation in the summer.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Thanks for this helpful post. I’m in the situation that I don’t know if I should follow up again……. I had an interview at a university on June 5. During the interview, they told me their hiring process will be slow because they are taking it slow. (I applied for the job in mid April).
I sent a thank you email right after the interview. And since they told me the process will be kinda slow, I followed up with them 3 weeks after the interview. (June 27)
The manager replied my email and said,
“We appreciate your continued interest in the position and thank you for visiting with us in early June. I will notify you (as well as the other candidates) when we’ve made a decision. I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”
Now it’s been 2 weeks after that email. I’m not sure if I should follow up again because I don’t want to sound pushy. What do you think? Should I follow up again based on that email response?
Thanks
Carrie,
Universities are notorious for taking a long time. I know this personally as I once received an offer 3 weeks after the “anticipated offer date.” I don’t recommend following up again unless you have another offer pending and have a short timeline. They know you are interested in the job — and following up is unlikely to influence your candidacy.
All the Best,
Chandlee
I recently applied for a job last week and was called the next day which was on a friday if i would be available for a telephone interview at 8.45am on monday, i agreed. On that monday, i was ready by that time but wasnt called until about 8.56. After the interview , i was told i would recieved an email that same day to confirm if i was successful and would progress to the nest stage which would be an assesment in their office. I must tell you that all through that day i waited for the email and at a point i felt maybe it didnt go well. Around 8pm i recieved the email confirming i was successful and was invited for the assesment. The assesment was yesterday and again was told i would recieve a phone to know the outcome. Ive been waitng since then, its noon already and im really tempted to call or at least send an email to find out the situation of things…pls what do you suggest i do? Thanks
Cherise,
The decision to hire takes more than a few hours especially since there is generally more than one candidate for companies to consider. I recommend that you hang tight for a few days and continue your search in the interim. If you have not sent a thank you note already to the employer, than you should do that now as you wait.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Dear Chandlee,
I got a phone interview on June 27, then on-site interview on June 28, which went well in my opinion. I’ve already sent “thank-you” note to all 3 person that interviewed me. On June 28 afternoon, the one that usually contacts me emailed and ask for my references. I sent to her. It take her almost 2 weeks to call my references. However, only 1 went well. Then she asked me for another references on Wednesday July 11th. I already emailed her. However, I have not heard from her since that then.
I don’t know if I should follow up to ask about the status of my application. It’s been almost 3 weeks since my 1st interview. Please advise. Thanks a lot.
Hi Jenny,
Check to see if the position is still listed — and then call to follow-up on your application status if the job is still posted.
They should have feedback for you at this point. In the interim — as always, I recommend you continue to look at other opportunities. Always nice to have a spate a diverse options to choose from.
Best,
Chandlee
I need some advice. I recently applied for a Hostess job for a restaurant online (filled out a 105 question/personality survey and attached my resume). I received a response (we’re interested) followup the next day and then called the manager and scheduled the interview for that Monday. I arrived at the interview about 6 minutes early and waited nearly 20 minutes for the manager to finally talk to me. It was apparent that I was being interviewed by the assistant manager by the way he was dressed and his lack of knowing who I was (he had a pad and asked what my last name was and my phone number). He was friendly and the I thought the interview went really well. He told me that there were for sure 2 positions open and he asked when I could start and I told him that Thursday. He then mentioned that he had to check with the big manager first and then figure out the schedules, etc. The week went by and I decided to call him on Saturday. One of the other managers answered and I told him who I was and who I had interviewed with and that I was checking on the status of our meeting and he said that they were busy and that he would get that manager to call me back first thing tomorrow or sometime later. I do want to point out that another girl was filling out an application and handing it in when I showed up for my interview (although I am sure I have 10 more years experience working then she did). I just need to know what I should do next? When I should call or follow up again? Thanks!
Hi Ana,
The best way to follow up on your interest for a restaurant job is to show up in person and follow up directly…Dress well, and ask for the Manager to follow up.
I know it can be a little intimidating, but it shows your level of interest in the job, professionalism, and can do spirit — all of which most restaurant managers are looking for in new employees.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
I interviewed on June 14. The interview went really well as the hiring manager indicated that she wants to hire me however she will need to speak to a few people first given that they would have to create a position for me. The following week I was notified that they are still working on the plan. I sent the hiring manager a follow up email on July 11th. However, she has not responded to my email. Please what is your recommendation on how to proceed. Should I place a phone call next week? Thank you!
Hi Mina,
A phone call to follow-up next week sounds like a good plan. However, I also recommend — as always — continuing to apply for other opportunities.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Hi Mina,
A phone call to follow-up next week sounds like a good plan. As always, I also recommend continuing to apply for other opportunities. It never hurts to have many potential options.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Once thank you notes are sent via email after an interview, is it customary for the recipients to respond back, or if not, does that mean most likely you are not one of their top picks?
Hi Ashley,
There is no hard and fast rule for if and when recipients respond to thank you notes — I encourage you not to read into it either way.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
This is absolutely the worst advice I’ve read online. Contrary to the advice offered, it is important to follow up with a letter of thanks for the interview as well to follow up with the interviewer, especially when they encourage you to do so.
Hi April,
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Our perspective does not say that you should not follow up — only that you should do it when appropriate. Typically, one thank you note — and one follow-up will suffice. If they are interested, they will contact you. It is rare that the frequent follow-up is what gets one the offer, and
you risk looking desperate for the job. If someone has asked you to follow-up, more than twice can start to feel a bit over the top.
I encourage you to think about how you comment to others online. Starting your comment “This is the worst advice I’ve read online” is a strong way to weigh in on a comment if you expect a response — and isn’t a friendly opening when you’d like your opinion to be heard. When I read it, I immediately felt attacked — I would imagine wasn’t your intent?
Best of luck in your search,
Chandlee
I had an interview on July 6 with the company and it seem to went well. My qualifications matched well with the position.The hr manager interviewed me and wanted me to sit with the department assistant to gain more knowledge of the position. After the interview, I sent both thank you letters. I was then contacted for a second interview with the other managers in which Dennis to went well. I sent thank you letters to them. One of the managers responded and said that a decision should be made in a couple of weeks and that they are still interviewing. I was told to contact if I have any questions. It’s going on two weeks and I haven’t heard anything. Should I send a follow up email or call the manager or hr manager to follow up? Also when I interviewed with the gr manager she told me they weren’t in a rush to hire since it was a newly added position. I just don’t know if I should give it more time to follow up or not. I may also have another offer in the works, but I would prefer this one. Clueless on what to do next. Thanks!
I had interview on July 4th , The interview went really well. HR and hiring manager told me that they will let me know in 2 or 3 weeks . After the interview, I send thank you note .10 days later, I send follow up email. Its been more than 2 weeks now, I went on the company website, the job is no longer available. I don’t know if they already make final decision to go with another candidate. Should I send another follow up email or wait until 3 weeks .Thanks
Theo,
I recommend that you follow-up now — or on Monday! You should call and ask to speak to one of the people you interviewed with…that way, you can get a quicker “yes or no.” ”
Good luck,
Chandlee
I had an interview on July 6 with the company and it seem to went well. My qualifications matched well with the position.The hr manager interviewed me and wanted me to sit with the department assistant to gain more knowledge of the position. After the interview, I sent both thank you letters. I was then contacted for a second interview with the other managers in which Dennis to went well. I sent thank you letters to them. One of the managers responded and said that a decision should be made in a couple of weeks and that they are still interviewing. I was told to contact if I have any questions. It’s going on two weeks and I haven’t heard anything. Should I send a follow up email or call the manager or hr manager to follow up? Also when I interviewed with the gr manager she told me they weren’t in a rush to hire since it was a newly added position. I just don’t know if I should give it more time to follow up or not. I may also have another offer in the works, but I would prefer this one. Clueless on what to do next. Thanks!
Oops…wanted to add a sentence! Here goes…
I had an interview on July 6 with the company and it seem to went well. My qualifications matched well with the position.The hr manager interviewed me and wanted me to sit with the department assistant to gain more knowledge of the position. After the interview, I sent both thank you letters. I was then contacted for a second interview with the other managers in which seemed to went well. I sent thank you letters to them. One of the managers responded and said that a decision should be made in a couple of weeks and that they are still interviewing. I was told to contact if I have any questions. It’s going on two weeks and I haven’t heard anything. Should I send a follow up email or call the manager or hr manager to follow up? Also when I interviewed with the hr manager she told me they weren’t in a rush to hire since it was a newly added position. I just don’t know if I should give it more time to follow up or not. I may also have another offer in the works, but I would prefer this one. The position is still posted. Clueless on what to do next. Thanks!
Betty,
Summer is often a hard time for employers to make offers and hiring decisions as so many people are on vacation. I would encourage you to follow up with the company as soon as you hear about another offer — and let them know that you understand their hiring timeline is not immediate but that you have an offer and would prefer to work for them instead. Often if a company is serious about a candidate; stating this will speed things up.
Good luck to you.
Best,
Chandlee
I had my phone interview on the 16th, then i was scheduled for the first round of interview on the 18th, that went well and i was told the second round will take place next week around wed/Thurs. i sent in my thank you letter right after the interview. They got back to on the 19th asking if i would be able to come in for a second interview on the 25th, between 2pm – 4pm. i replied back asking if 2:30pm was okay with them. its the 23rd today and i yet haven’t received a confirmation. I am wondering if its okay to email and followup and see if the date and time for the 2nd round are confirmed or not. Any input would be appreciated! thanks!
Shiv,
You should absolutely follow-up with a phone call tomorrow. If they’ve tentatively scheduled a time for you, follow up with that!
All the Best,
Chandlee
Thank you so much for replying. I will get on that call tomorrow. This has calmed me down a lot more now!
I called in this morning asking if i was still up for the 2nd round interview for the 25th (tomorrow) and it seemed to me that she had completely forgotten about it. I had to remind her that we had met for a F2F 1st round and that she had called me back for a 2nd round. I was told that she would speak to VP and confirm about it and call me back. I waited the entire day but haven’t received any call/email. I am absolutely clueless, to whether I should call again tomorrow or just show up for my interview. This sounds desperate but it’s just very frustrating to be left hanging. I don’t really know what my next step should be!
Hi Shiv,
That’s a tough one. I recommend calling the company again in the morning before showing up for the interview. That said, pay attention: given the disorganization that you have observed here, this may not be the most optimal company for you to work for on the whole.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
i had a skype interview on 2th July night. It seem that i had a good interview, and the interviewer mention that he would give me a hiring decision on friday within a week. I wait and nothing has happened, until finally i follow up and restate my interest on the company on Tuesday ( 10 July ). I got a reply said that they are in the middle of checking possibility of my issuing pass with MOM (ministry of manpower), and they will get back to me again.
2 weeks has past since the last time they replied my email, and still no updates. This time of waiting is killing me inside. What should i do now? should i send them more email? but i dont want to be so pushy afterall.Could you give me some advice please
Thank you so much
Hi John,
I recommend calling and asking for a follow-up on your status. If nothing else, it will bring you closure and peace of mind.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi there,
I got a lead about a job from an ex-colleague who has followed his manager (who is also an ex-colleague) to this company. He asked if I would be interested in this job which I totally am so i went through a few interviews and finally spoke to the manager of the hiring manager last week who at the end of the phone interview said the hiring manager would get back to me soon. It has been a week so I followed up with the hiring manager over skype as he has not replied my email. He replied saying that “there is no update yet and once there is some update I willd reach out to you”. Why should I do? Thanks!
Peter,
Sit tight. Explore other opportunities. And follow-up again in two weeks if you remain interested, but again — they’ve said they will contact you when they have an update.
Good luck,
Chandlee