lifehacker.com: You just interviewed for a job and you haven't heard anything. Sometimes this is a sign of bad news, and sometimes it isn't. You want to follow up and find out what's going on, but you don't want to be annoying. Here's how to handle this situation effectively.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
How to Follow Up on a Job Interview (Without Being Annoying)
lifehacker.com: You just interviewed for a job and you haven't heard anything. Sometimes this is a sign of bad news, and sometimes it isn't. You want to follow up and find out what's going on, but you don't want to be annoying. Here's how to handle this situation effectively.
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This particular article has a personal closeness. I completed an interview with for a summer internship almost three weeks ago. I did both the things this article instructed the reader to. I sent a thank you note thanking them for thier time the very next day, and two weeks later I sent an email kindly asking as to when we might find out the results of my application. Like previously stated, it has been almost three weeks since I last at any contact from them (interview being the last). It's slightly frustrating. Because my plans for the summer depend on the results of the application. If I don't know as to the results, I cannot plan for anything. And while I don't want to have to make alternate plans, the lack of communication on their part leaves me no options. I understand that often times things get busy, however, I think that three weeks without any communication as to my application status is inexcusable.
We actually just talked about this issue in PRM. It is a touchy issue to email a potential boss after having done an interview to tell them that basically they screwed up and forgot about you, and they should speed up. I don't know if you can really phrase that well or if it is ever really even worth it. I mean if they really wanted you they would have let you know, and if they are just taking their time then you are just going to piss them off by asking. I have had a couple interviews where afterwards no one has gotten back to me and I have just left it because I don't want to annoy anyone. They don't owe you anything and everyone is busy and realistically as an intern you are probably not a very high priority to them.
I always feel awkward about this subject. No matter how many people tell me this is what should be done, I will still feel weird about it. I believe this is because I'm always nervous of seeming like that really annoying person, even if its one short email. I agree with Zoe. In my mind, if the employer is interested they will get back to you, if they're not then they won't. I will always feel it is a fine fine line.
Hm. This article, while I think it was a fine one, did not really help me feel any better about checking in on the status of a prospective position. It's uncomfortable and hard to know beforehand if you will come off as annoying or even insulting regardless of wording. I still haven't found a particularly tactful solution. It's just too risky in my opinion.
I always never know how to go about doing this. I never want to be bothersome to those who I might be willing to give me a potential opportunity, especially if my asking ruins my chances that would have otherwise been good if I hadn't asked. But even so, I think sometimes employers might have so many people applying/ things to do that they just might forget, and your simple asking would actually help them be reminded that they want your in the first place. But then again, I am a strong supporter of the "if they want you they will let you know" camp as well. Either way- I actually thought sending a thank you card was super a super helpful tip.
I think writing a thank-you note or email after an interview is an important step to take. I have always done this and if nothing else it makes me feel good. I think a phone call can also be appropriate at times. If the interviewer were to get annoyed and not hire me, I agree that they may not be the best company to work for. I would like to think that common courtesy is appreciated in all areas. I want someone to appreciate my initiative so I will be the one calling to check on the status of the job.
It definitely helps to not be the annoying interviewee. Of course the follow-up email is effective, and being polite throughout the entire process would definitely help make you less annoying. I didn't think about the hand-written, snail mail thank-you note, but I'm glad this article brought that idea up. It makes sense- the personal sentiment you add by sending something as thoughtful as that, however simple, shows character and a positive demeanor which would definitely make you stand out from everyone else.
Sending a thank you note is a great way to remind them about your interview without them getting mad at you thinking that they had forgotten about you. I usually write thank you notes or e-mails after interviews, but I hadn't thought about that dual purpose before. Although asking if the potential employer needs more information or qualifications from you, I still think that's an annoying way of getting back to them - They are probably more busy with reading through resumes and dealing with people than you could imagine.
This is solid advice for people pursuing typical jobs with companies that have a clear interview and hiring process, but it gets dicey when it comes to applying for work with individuals who are not used to managing prospective employees, to wit, both my housemate and I have had designers give us positive encouragement with regard to summer work, and not gotten back to us. When delicately nagged, more instances of "yeah, we'll probably find something for you", but this is far from a confirmation, and a confirmation is indeed necessary when looking to work in another city of having to decide between multiple jobs. After a couple of emails I'd probably switch to relentless phone calling, since uncertainty is in some ways worse than a "no".
Having applied to jobs before I have always gotten nagging advice (from my mother mostly) telling me to follow up constantly. I have always hesitantly done so feeling like this was too persistent and annoying, believing that if I were an employer I would not want to constantly be annoyed by someone for a job. This being said, I have always gotten the job and have wondered if it was my persistence or my qualifications that helped the most. Though I think that being super persistent may be annoying this article has helped me see that there are ways to do it without coming off as annoying.
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