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Reader Iris writes in:
I went for an interview about a month ago and got invited for a second interview which I had two weeks ago. They initially said that a decision would be made in a weeks time, so after a week I called to follow up and they said they were very happy I called and appreciated that. However no decision had been made yet, but they would definitely let me know as soon as they make a decision.
Now it has been a week and a half since the follow up and I have not heard anything! Should I call/e-mail them and follow up again, or should I just presume that they have found someone else. Please help as I can not stop checking my phone and every time it is a disappointment!
Brian answers after the break…
Brian sayz:
First, let’s answer Iris’ specific question.
Since you’ve already waited a further week and a half, wait a few days more and let a nice round two weeks elapse. Then, call, email, visit in person. Do what you feel like. You certainly deserve to get an answer at this point. You might get some further insights why by reading below.
Now, to delve into this further…
I don’t know why, but this question (and variations on it) represent the number one most common Ask Brian question. I’ve touched on answers before, but this question still comes in on a weekly basis.
I’m not sure if there has been a sudden breakdown in recruitment decorum, or if it has always been thus.
One thing I’m sure of, however, is that you have a right to know if a decision has been made, and even given an expectation when a decision might be made.
Not a Constitutional right, of course. But you definitely have rights just in the sense of common decency and professional manners.
So, since this is such a popular question, let’s see if we can’t flush out some hard and fast rules to stick by. Thus, here are:
Brian’s Rules For Following Up After A Job Interview
- Don’t be afraid to ask when a decision might be made.
- If they give you a firm date (say, something like, “We’ll be making a decision by the end of the month.”) then don’t inquire before that date. If they’ve given you a date, consider it real and don’t follow up until that date has passed.
- If they don’t give you a firm date, wait at least 1 and 1/2 to 2 weeks before following up and inquiring about a decision.
- If you do follow up, follow up in the least intrusive way first. Get more intrusive if you don’t hear anything. In other words, start by emailing. If you get no response, try calling. If still no response, follow up in person.
- If you have followed up and made contact once and they give you a delay (as they did to Iris… saying they still haven’t made a decision) give it another 1 and 1/2 to 2 weeks to follow up again.
- If you have waited 4-6 weeks, following up regularly, using all the methods described above, and you still can’t get a response… then write that company and that position off. Move on to the next one.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Kevin // Feb 28, 2008 at 9:36 pm
There have been LOTS of time where there has never been closure. I think that is rude and unprofessional on the part of companies after I have been interviewed. All they have to do is send a “Thanks but No Thanks” email so I can have closure.
I know I am not alone in feeling this way!
2 Iris // Feb 29, 2008 at 6:14 am
First of all thanks for the insight Brian. I will follow up some time next week.
And Kevin you are completely right. Everyone says that companies should follow up, but most of the time they never do!
I went in for three interviews for a position in a big, famous company and every time I followed up they kept saying that the decision should be made next week! 4 months down the line and still no official response from them! I find that very rude and so unprofessional!
3 Richard Rinyai // Feb 29, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I have been in situations like this as well. The company would say that they would contact me and I would follow up a few times. I would never get an answer.
Personally, I wouldn’t bother with them. Imagine how they treat their employees and clients if they treat you this way. It’s just unprofessional.
Thanks,
Richard Rinyai
www.theprofessionalassistant.net
4 Jodith // Mar 3, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Just one thought on the company’s possible motive. Some hirers (is that a word?) don’t want to send out the No Thank You letters until their preferred candidate actually begins the job. It’s not unusual for someone who is job hunting to give a yes to the first person that asks and then change their mind when another offer comes through (or a counter from their existing employer). So, employers will keep all applicants on a string until the new employee is actually in the office.
Is it fair? No. Is it polite? No. Does it happen? You betcha.
I’ve also noticed, though, in my last few rounds of job hunting, how many employers never acknowledge your existence again, even after the interview. Once upon a time, a letter or postcard was sent out to everyone who applied, and a phone call was made to anyone who interviewed. Then it was only a letter to those that were interviewed. I’ve been on a number of interviews in the last 5 years where I never received any response at all unless I called them. And that is, I agree, quite rude.
5 Gary Johnson // Mar 4, 2008 at 9:44 am
Just like a cover letter send them a follow up letter asking them if they need any more in formation from you about your qualifications. At this time ask them at this time if they have made a decision on filling the job. After that every two weeks is good because if they have not filled the job they may need to pull your file to put your correspondence
in and this keeps your name on there mind.
6 Ask Brian Followup - Still Waiting; Now Confused. | TheJobBored // Mar 6, 2008 at 3:06 pm
[…] week, a question from reader Iris prompted me to give some rules of thumb about how and how long to wait/follow up after an interview. She sent another email this morning: […]
7 Michael // Mar 27, 2008 at 11:49 am
Thanks for the list.
In my recent search I have gone through three levels of interviews with two companies, and both just stopped answering inquiries. When I employed a more “intrusive” method, I was told that they had decided to go with a consultant instead of direct hire. Both of these companies asked me to solve detailed issues as part of the interview process. I now think they were just mining the top candidates for information and had no intention to hire. “Common decency and professional manners” certainly seem to have been diminished of late.
8 Sarah // Apr 3, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I agree - it’s such an unprofessional way to run a business. I went on 2 interviews with a well-known company for a news research position (no HR - just the potential bosses). Inbetween 1st & 2nd interviews I did some research of my own, and email it to the interviewer (it was pertinent and timely, and was discussed in my 1st interview).
During my second interview, the woman said I found information that their team hadn’t even located, and now they are reconsidering the structure and people on the team. She asked for references and I sent them, along with “thank yous”. Waited…waited…waited. No response. No check of references. So I emailed. No response. So I called. No response. Today I saw the job reposted. I don’t know why I didn’t get the job. Although I would love to know why, I think it’s even more important that they have the common decency to say “no”. I did invest time, money (gas prices!) & energy into the process.
It should be a golden rule that once someone comes in for an interview, a response/closure should be given, out of common human respect, if nothing else.
9 Tiffany // Apr 8, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I applied for a graduate assistantship at the University where I plan on attending graduate school. They said they would call Saturday and let me know which two people got the position. They did and said that they had to leave town earlier than expected so they were not able to make a decision and they would call Monday. That was yesterday, I am wondering if I should call them and if so what I should say when I call.
Any advice will help!!!
10 Minnie // Apr 22, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I had the same issue! I went for an interview and it went well. They informed me the exact date they would make a decision. Then, I emailed them on that day. They said the decision was postponed to another exact date, which was already passed few days ago. I still didn’t get any response from them. Should I contact them again? I totally agree that the company should give candidates a response althought it’s a ‘no’. It’s a professional way.
11 Carla // Apr 23, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I had an interview with a company about a week ago, and they didn’t even really make it clear when they would decide.
12 Val // May 8, 2008 at 3:13 pm
It’s amazing how often this seems to occur. Currently, I’m playing the waiting game after being asked for references a 2nd time. My initial interview was offered less than a week after I applied, and my 2nd interview (which required a 4 hour car drive and overnight stay) was only 2 weeks after that. I waited 3 weeks to follow up, only to be told that a decision would be made the next week. A week later, they requested my references, which have not been contacted to my knowledge. Next week will be two weeks, and I plan to follow-up for what I hope will be a definitive answer either way.
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