In a recent exchange of comments on How to Tell If a Job Interview Went Well, the subject of how soon and how often to call an employer after the interview came up. One of my wonderful readers, CE (who recently got a job herself), was helping comfort someone anxiously waiting to hear whether she got the job.
Speaking specifically to the question of how often to call, CE wrote:
I once got a job because the hiring manager said they would hire me if I quit calling them all the time. They said I was persistent, and they hired me! While I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone, I would recommend that you call the prospective employer back to check on the status. Anyone else agree with this or do you have another opinion?
Glad you asked, CE. I covered this a while back in After an Interview: Can Weekly Follow Up Calls and Emails Help Get You the Job? But since this question comes up so often, I figured it was worth discussing post-interview follow-ups again in a new post.
What You Need to Know about Post-Interview Follow Ups
Here’s a quick summary of salient points I hope will help ease at least some of the waiting pain:
- Thank you notes are a great first follow-up step. While I have hired folks who never sent one, it is a good positive initial follow-up contact and leaves a nice impression. (Although there was one time when it didn’t.)
- Show you have patience and professionalism by waiting at least a week – or better yet two (depending on the type of job) – before you follow-up after the thank you note.
- When you do follow up, make it short and sweet unless you have something new and relevant to add – and keep that short too.
- Some of the very folks you are waiting to hear back from get over a hundred e-mails a day – many requiring immediate action – so if they don’t respond right away (or at all)…it’s NOT about you.
- Some companies take weeks just to interview the first round of candidates – plus there are internal decision-making processes that take lots of time.
- Some companies have policies about not responding at all to follow-up contacts (there are legal implications such as when responses are misconstrued by the candidate), and so these companies wait instead until an offer was made and accepted. Again this is not about YOU.
- After the thank you and additional follow-up, wait at least 2 weeks before checking your status again – unless they tell you to call on a specific date or to just wait until they get back to you.
- If there is even a chance you might get the job, the employer remembers you – really! If there’s no chance…no amount of calling will help, and it may hurt your chances next time there’s an opening. So please resist trying to remind them every few days. There’s a fine line between persistence and stalking!
Hope that helps. Feel free to add your own thoughts about follow-up frequency. And thanks again CE and all my other readers who so kindly pitch in to help those with the post-interview OCD blues.
And last but definitely not least…congratulations on your new job CE! I’m happy to report she’s not the only reader who has recently gotten a job. There is indeed light at the end of the long interview tunnel! 
Posts to read while waiting to get that post-interview call:
How to Tell If a Job Interview Went Well
After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
Hey there!
Love the site and all the great feedback!!!
Wanted to ask about my situation with a Government position I’ve interviewwd for. Applied back in June, got the call for an interview early July, interviewed on the 16th, sent the follow up letter the next day (email and hard copy) and have not heard back from anyone yet. I’m totally fine with waiting as I know that Goverment agencies sometimes take a while to process everything, but I’m wondering when I should follow up again?
The hiring manager did casually tell me that I should come and take a tour of the facility and check out the processes they use to manage the building’s guests. I’m sure that he was suggesting it because I mentioned I had not been to the property in years. Either way, I took his suggestion and completed an interior and exterior tour. Should I send a quick note letting him know that I’ve toured the facility and am even more interested in the position than before? I has not been exactly two weeks yet, is it too soon to follow up again?
Thanks!
Chanel
Hi Chanel,
Your strategy of following up with the manager to let him know that you completed the tour and remain very interested in the job is an appropriate — and good one! I recommend sending it on Tuesday as –traditionally, it is most people’s most productive (and attentive) day of the week.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hello: I had my second interview on July 9. I followed up with HR last week requesting an update.
They advised they’re still interviewing candidates and will get back to me as of last week. I never got a call back. I called again last Thursday, thinking at this point, I’d probably just leave a nice message of thanks and leave it alone. I received a call back only 15 minutes later indicating they’re still in process of decision and I should hear from them early this week. This is a lot of back and forth. Part of me feels if they weren’t interested, I wouldn’t have reviewed a call back, but the other thought is of the possibility they’re just being nice and trying not to burn a bridge. It’s all just very confusing and draining. I really want this job! The thing that gets me is I actually got a call BACK after my voicemail follow up. I would think that bodes well? What do you think?
Hi Jenn,
That you received a call back bodes well, though I encourage you to keep up your search for other opportunities as well. The more options you have, the less time you have to ruminate when something doesn’t go your way — and the greater the possibility that you will find something you like!
Good luck!
Best,
Chandlee
Thanks! That was very helpful. Very happy to have this website as a resource.
-Jenn
Hello, looking for some feedback.
I got an interview through an agency.
I interviewed on 7/24 at the company, they told me the interview went great at the end of it, but that it would be a week before they made a decision. Sent a thank you letter a few days later and got a reply, letting me know they would make the decision soon. I’ve been following up with the agency, but haven’t heard anything back from them this week. The agency told me someone from the company had been out of the office for a few days, and that they were waiting to hear back. (that was friday of last week)
Should I send a follow up email or phone call to the company now after 2 weeks and if so what should it say?
Thank you,
Teri
Teri,
Give it one more week and then follow-up with a phone call to check on the status of the search for the position and let them know you are happy to provide more additional information if it would be helpful to them. It is too easy for employers to ignore email.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Got an interview for a job and went in on 7.30. At interview potential employers told me 67 people applied and that they narrowed it to 8 and 16 to start. They were hoping to find a candidate within the 8 or 16. I interviewed on the first day within the group of 8. I dropped off a handwritten thank you two days later.
They told me I would know either way on 8.10. No word. Is it too early to worry that I didn’t get it? When could I call to check-in on status? I really want this job.
Thanks and great site!
Kenneth
Hi Kenneth,
Give it two more days and then follow up on Wednesday.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
I chanced upon an opening in a company in the beginning of July.
On the company website, the closing date for application is listed
as 3rd Aug.
Anyway, i send in my resume immediately and got a call on the next day to go for
an interview.
A week after the interview, i got a call again to go for the 2nd & final
interview which was on the 18th July.
The day after that, the HR called and asked me to provide them
with details of 2 referees, which I did.
I thought i must have a good chance of landing the job (or else why
would the HR called and asked for referees ?)
I waited for 2 weeks with no news. Therefore i send an email to the HR
on 2nd Aug to politely ask if the hiring decision has been made.
The reply was that the decision has not been finalized yet and they will keep
me informed.
Now, another 2 weeks has passed and i am getting really nervous.
I know that the application period was till 3rd Aug so there
might still be some interviews ongoing.
What is your opinion on this?
Do you think I should email to the HR to check again ?
Thanks
Mark
Mark,
I think you can check one more time. I’d recommend giving it one more week and then calling to check on the job. Don’t leave a message as it’s easy (unfortunately) for e-mails and voice mails to be ignored.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi chandlee,
I like all the advice you have given people on here. I probably have some same questions other people have had. I had a phone interview about two weeks ago and it went really good. The employer told me that he wants to send me in for an interview but he doesnlt know exactly when that is going to be. Should i follow up with an email since it has been two weeks?
Thanks for your help.
B
Hi,
I had panel interview about two and half weeks ago for professional role at University. I think I did well in the interview. Next day, the convenor checked two of my three referees. I spoke to my both referees and came to know that both of them provided good reference. Last Friday I sent an email to the convenor asking updates on my application. She replied Monday i.e. August 13 ( interview was on July 31) saying recommendation paper is Dean for approval and HR will contact me after it has been finalised. I was expecting call from HR as of today but I haven’t heard back from HR. I’m little bit worries now. Shall I call the convenor on Monday or wait until next Friday?
Thank you
Regards,
Pra
Hi Pra,
Recognizing that whether and when you call back to check on your employment status is unlikely to influence the outcome, I recommend you wait as long as possible to check back – without driving yourself crazy…If you can stand it, I’d recommend Friday over Monday. University hiring processes really can take a while.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi Chandlee,
I received offer of employment from HR today. Most probably, I’ll start my new job in three weeks time. Thank you for your suggestion.
Regards
Pra
Pra,
How wonderful! Thanks for letting us know and good luck to you.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Hi B,
I recommend giving the employer a call on Monday or Tuesday morning — and expressing your continued interest in the job. Emails are easy to overlook or ignore, so it would be better to move forward with a phone call if at all possible. If you do send an email, send it on Tuesday as people tend to overlook email sent over the weekend…
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi chandlee,
Thanks for the advice you gave. I was confident enough after i read your message. I called monday and the employer told me around what time he thinks they will be done reviewing candidates (!bout two weeks). I dont feel left out in the dark now. Thanks again for the help.
B
Hi,
I had an interview with a company on August 13th. I thought it went alright. There were some questions that I probably could have answered better, but I always think that. In my excitement and nervousness I forgot to ask when they are expecting to make a decision. The job posting is still up on their website, and they are a larger company so I know it could take some time to get back to me. I had sent thank you notes to the two people that interviewed me, but I’m wondering do I need to make contact again? If so, should I contact the 2 people that interviewed me, or the recruiter that set up the interview. I don’t really want to bug them, but I don’t want to harm my chances of getting the job by not following up again either.
Thank you for reading this and for this wonderful site that has been keeping me sane.
Sarah
Sarah,
Contact the person you felt the strongest sense of rapport with. Reiterate your interest in the job, ask if they need additional information, and let them know how to contact you should they need to reach you. Good luck and keep us posted.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Hi everyone!
I had an interview with a great social service agency for a case manager position about a week ago (Thursday Aug. 23rd). I think it went pretty well. I went in there confident and I am very proud of the answers I gave. I followed up with a thank you e-mail to the interviewer as well. I believe she told me that she was interviewing more people and would make a decision by the end of this week (in my opinion, it seems more probable for her to make a decision NEXT week if she interviewed more people this week, but that is what she said as I left). Based upon what I’ve read in this article and others, I’m thinking that I will make a polite phone call to her next week — probably Tuesday, as Monday is Labor Day.
I’m just looking for someone to tell me I’m on the right track.. even though I think I am!
Thank you for all the great info and advice on here already.
- Stacey
Hi Stacey,
All sounds good, though given how busy and hectic things are with vacation plans around Labor day — you may actually want to wait to follow up until next Thursday to follow up. It’s hard to get hiring done right around the holidays…
Good luck,
Chandlee
Thank you, Chandlee!
I think you are right. Who knows? I could hear from her earlier in the week. If not, I think Thursday (the 2 week mark since my interview) would be a great day to call.
- Stacey
Stacey,
Good luck and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
I attended an interview on 28 August 2012 for maitenance technician and I think I did well. One of the panelists said” We enjoyed talking to you”. However they said they would make a decsion by Friday 31 August. I have not yet head from they and I dont know if I should contact them. The contact email address I have is for the PA who who aarnged for the interview. Can I check with her and not the interviewers.
Hi Fitz,
In my experience, it takes a while between the time a decision is made and a position is offered. I’d give it until Thursday since this is a short week and then follow up with the PA. Let them know you remain interested in the position.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
As you suggested, I followed up on Thursday 7 September via email, enquiring if a decesion had been made as well as expressing my interest to join them , and the PA replied advising me that no decsion had been made yet. Could I wait for another two weeks and try again say around 17/18 September, Could I also ask them when they expect to make a decision. This is a new company trying to setup operations in my area.
Fitz,
Thanks for the update. I encourage you to continue to apply for other jobs as you wait to hear back. You can ask again in another two weeks, but the simple act of asking is unlikely to change the outcome of whether you get the job or don’t get the job. What’s most important is having as many potential options as possible.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Hi,
A recruiter contacted me with a job opportunity a couple weeks ago. I had two phone interviews and an onsite interview last week Tuesday. The interviews went well and one of the interviewers said they really liked me and will put in a good word to the rest of the team. A day after the interview, my recruiter called me and said he’s gotten positive feedback on my interview and that they are still in the process of interviewing a couple more candidates and should have an answer by last Friday. I haven’t heard anything yet. Should I call my recruiter to ask for an update?
Thanks!
Steven,
Due to the Labor Day holiday and employee leave taking, I’d anticipate that many hiring decisions made — or intended to be made — late last week have been postponed or not communicated. If you don’t hear back from the recruiter by Thursday, follow up then. Don’t leave a message; it’s quicker to get a response if you call and speak to someone live.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi,
On Sunday August 26th, I submitted my resume online for a position with a very small company (less than 10 people). The position was a project manager/business analyst. The hiring manager responded to my email immediately on Sunday asking if I was available Monday for an interview. The interview ended up being scheduled for Friday. I thought it went great but of course I forgot to ask when they would be making a decision. The hiring manager asked for some additional information which I emailed along with a thank you message on Friday afternoon. Then the dreaded silence. I got no response to that email confirming that the information was recieved. I waited all weekend hoping I would hear something. Since they were on email last weekend I thought there was a possibilty, but nothing. I followed up Tuesday morning with an email asking if she hit the files I sent and asking for the timing in regards to a decision and more silence . I still have heard nothing. Since its a small company I know that there isn’t all the hr stuff taking the time so what do I do now. The waiting is killing me!!
Kind regards,
Tina Dosal
Hi,
I applied for a job on 7/31 with a big financial services company in an assistant role. I had a phone interview a few days later and and an in-person interview with two HR reps on 8/6. I thought the HR interview could have been better but I was asked to come in for another interview to meet the person I would be supporting on 8/22 (He was apparently on vacation for a week in between 8/6 and 8/22). That interview went very well (I sat down with the person who has the role now and was recently promoted and he ran me through what his day consists of) and the next day was asked to return for a 3rd round of interviewing on 8/27. During the 3rd round of interviews I met with each of the team members (4) for about a 20 – 30 mins each talking about the role and other things. As I was leaving with the last team member she asked me when could I start, which I thought was a good sign. I left things vague regarding the next steps but felt confident and sent out thank yous to each team member a few hours later. I haven’t heard anything since 8/27 from anyone, so I followed-up after the long weekend with HR via email asking whether a hiring decision has been made and whether I was still under consideration. She responded shortly after saying that as soon as she hears an update she will let me know. Now, I’ve heard stories of people receiving offers/decisions weeks after, but I’m not feeling very confident about my chances getting an offer any more. I’m also unsure what my next move to follow-up will be? I have contact information for the team members, but is that appropriate to reach out to them and ask what’s going on? Please advise. Thank you, B.
Hi Bryan,
If you’ve followed up with everyone on the team once I think you’ve done all you can do. I know it seems like a long time, but hiring can take a while — especially over holiday weekends. I’d give it a few more days at minimum.
Good luck and keep us posted.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Chandlee, I misspoke. I had sent thank you’s to each of the team members, not followed up with them yet. thanks for your advice. I will keep you updated. Best, B.
Do you think a follow-up with one of them (team members) next Monday (will be two weeks) asking what is the current status of filling the position is appropriate?
Hi Bryan,
I think that following up next Monday would be fine. If you want an immediate response better to call — and not leave a message. It’s very easy for hiring managers to put off answering phone calls…
All the Best,
Chandlee
Where have you been all my life?
Like many of those who have commented here and on related topics, I am currently playing the waiting game. My situation is fairly similar to some of the comments already made, but has a couple of differences that have me feeling a bit insecure and uncertain about next steps.
I had an interview on Friday (8/31) with the CEO of a small but growing company for the role of PA/office manager. I could tell that he can definitely use the assistance, as he is wonderful, but very scattered.
It went really well, he told me several times that I had a good energy and that he was really enjoying our meeting, which went on for about an hour. At the end of the interview I offhandedly mentioned my technical skills, and he perked up for the thousandth time and asked how I would feel about joining the IT department instead. He left the room briefly in search of the head of his IT department, who was unavailable, and mentioned that he would set something up for me to meet with her as well, to see where the “best fit” would be. He walked me to the door and told me that he was interviewing a couple other applicants and I would hear back by Wednesday (which is today.)
When I left, I dropped a “thank you” card in the mail (palm fronds on the front and a short, personalized note on the inside– the CEO went to college in Hawaii after all) which I assume was received either yesterday or today.
As I expected, no call or e-mail today. Obviously something could have come up and I am hoping for a call tomorrow early in the day. I was thinking, however, if I did not hear back by early afternoon I would give a follow-up call. I worry if I wait too long I will be forgotten about and hired over, or just appear disinterested. Conversely, I worry about sounding pushy or awkward if I do call back and am not really sure what to say in a follow-up call.
I was wondering if there was any advice available pertaining to this sort of situation? It just seems very delicate and I don’t want to ruin my chances with a silly misstep or oversight.
Thank you so much for this blog and the community it has created– what a boost of confidence, especially in an economy where pulling teeth is more painless than attaining a job you love.
Jessi
Hello Every one,
I applied for Supervisor / Manager Job online on July 29th 2012.
2 days later, I did had my 1st contact on the phone with HR Manager on August 1st 2012, then I was called on August 10th for face-to-face interview which took place on August 12th. The face-to-face interview went very well with the Vice President. 2 days later I got a call for the next interview on August 20th.
The interview of August 20th went well also according to my own opinion. Since then I have been waiting. I called the HR Manager au Aug 30th to find out the status but nothing yet. I have checked the status of the job online and the job is no longer showing online.
I have not received any decision. What do you advise me to do?
Please to hear your thoughts.
Hi Sirius,
If the job is no longer appearing online, it can mean one of two things:
1. The job could be filled, or
2. They are no longer interviewing.
Since you just followed up last week, I recommend you wait until next Monday or Tuesday and then CALL directly. Don’t leave a voice mail if you want a response now, try to speak with a human!
Good luck, keep us posted, and all the best,
Chandlee
Need advise
I went for a job interview on 8/8 and sent a thank you letter (via email) to all the employers who interviewed me (a total of 6). I was informed that there would be about a week turn around. Exactly two weeks after (8/22) I sent a follow up email to the Hiring Manager just “reiterating my interest.”
I have received no replies to anything. What should I do now? Keep waiting or should I perhaps call? I don’t mind waiting, but I want them to know i am VERY interested. I am pretty confident that they are conducting on-campus interviews in different schools and that is there’s a delay.
thank you
Hi Laura,
The best thing you can do — if they are also participating in on-campus interviews at other schools — would be to continue to seek out other opportunities now and APPLY. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.
Then — in a week or two weeks — follow-up with a second “I’m still interested” communication and include a sentence or two that shows that you are following the company’s events, etc. An example of this would be — congratulations on making Forbes list of “Best Companies to Work for.” You can get this information from company websites as well as Google searches, etc.
Good luck and hang in there.
Best,
Chandlee
hi, i need advise
so i went for a job interview on sept,8 and the interview went for about a half hour. we were talking about the job, personal lives, and salary, and she even gave me a drug test too . she wanted to keep me for a while longer to hear how some of the employees answer phone calls, but her phone needed to be fixed. so basically i want to know when i should call back to see if i got the job.
thank you and i look forward to your feedback.
Mike,
You should follow up with a thank you note and let them know you are very interested in the opportunity. Offer to provide additional information about references and to come in to hear how employees answer calls at another time since the interview was cut short.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
Hello,
Just a question applied for a job over a month ago got a phone call about two weeks later to do and over the phone interview.. It went amazing I was on the phone for over an hour. The next day (thursday) I got a call to come in for an interview on tuesday after I confirmed they asked if I could come in for an interview tomorrow (friday). Went for the interview met two staff members. It seemed to go really well. I sent a thank you letter that afternoon, they didn’t respond for over a week later saying they are busy and I have been short listed for the job and hoped that I could hold on for another few days. Its been over a week!! should I call them? Help
Hello Chandlee,
I had asked a few questions earlier in this, but I have a few more now.
The job I applied for back in July had me fill out a few things for them and told me they would get back to me. I’ve been following up on the position for the past month now, every two weeks, and they still don’t have a decision as to what is going on with the position. I haven’t done a phone interview or anything like that at all. Should I continue trying to obtain this position, or do you think they are giving me a run around?
Also, do you have any advice for applying to jobs out of state? I’m looking to move, hopefully to the Memphis area, because it is much cheaper to live on my own there, and continue my education. I’ve been applying since July with no luck what so ever, not even a phone interview. What do you suggest I do differently?
Thanks,
Michael
Michael,
In order for a job to work out, the timing needs to be right for you — and the company. Sounds like the company may not be in the same place you are right now.
I’d recommend that you continue to look for other jobs in Memphis. It is a big city, with a strong Fortune 500 presence. Check out companies including FedEx, AutoZone and International Paper that may offer tuition reimbursement for employees. I’d also recommend local colleges and universities. Even if this job you are looking at does come through, it is always good to have additional options.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Hi Chandlee
As you suggested, I followed up on Thursday 7 September via email, enquiring if a hiring decesion had been made as well as expressing my interest to join them , and the PA replied advising me that no decsion had been made yet. Could I wait for another two weeks and try again say around 20/21 September, Could I also ask them when they expect to make a decision. This is a new company trying to setup operations in my area.
Recently I have an interview with an organization.Everthing went fine.I cleared all the three round of my hiring process.Interviewer was happy with my performance and also have an warm handshake with me at the end of the interview..Hr said to me that they will call me within two weeks.Now,two weeks have been passed so what should i do now. Suggest me what should I do.
Follow up by phone and let them know that you remain interested in the job. If you choose to follow up in writing, make sure you proofread what you say — I notice a few typos and punctuation errors in your comment above. When applying for a job, spelling needs to be perfect.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee