How many times to follow up is too many times to follow up?

19 Comments

1. TeenieFebruary 21,2022 at 4:51PM UTC

   I don't know the "current" protocol, but when I was hiring, I would either ask the HR to stay silent for 2 weeks IF the person was a backup and wait till my key candidate decided either way

   OR if the person was a close to the role, keep the candidate "warm"

   OR respond with a Thank you within 2 weeks.

   I usually didn't have any updates within a 2 week period. Its safe to assume you aren’t top choice if they haven’t kept you "warm". It's fuzzy area and since all teams and hiring recruiters seem busy. I would think they only jump if the person is an exact fit.

   All the best....

2. Cindy AllenFebruary 21,2022 at 4:58PM UTC

   Time to move on to the next opportunity.

3. AnonymousFebruary 21,2022 at 5:02PM UTC

   I would allow for a couple of weeks to follow up again. Trust me, if they are interested they will find you. In the meantime keep looking and aiming for an offer at other companies.

4. IkyFebruary 21,2022 at 5:04PM UTC

   I hear your frustrations. Being a hiring manager in the past, I had my HR partner handle all of the candidates' follow-up and communication. I don't think they ever ghosted anyone. There was a time a candidate (who I ended up hiring) contacted me directly about a week or so after the interview asking for a status. I was transparent about where everything was at and when a new update might be available. With everyone so overwhelmed more than ever, I would think a weekly or bi-weekly follow-up is appropriate. You never know what's happening on their end, which is a black box to you. Another thing I would like to share is something I learned from Susie Moore that I found super helpful, a mindset shift. How "willing" are you to follow up while knowing you may be ghosted? If you answer is absolutely willing, do whatever you need to advocate for yourself and nail the job. You are not their priority until you are their priority. Everyone is busy. Also, if somehow you don't land this job, it may not be you. There are many many factors that can prevent you from getting hired. I know firsthand after being in management for over 8 years and now working with clients and helping them with interviewing candidates. If for some reason you don't land a job, it's not meant to be. Believe that the right one will show up at the right time. I know it's hard. Keep up with your job search. Continue to be optimistic. Good luck with everything. Have an amazing day!

5. Shelby CFebruary 21,2022 at 5:18PM UTC

   There are a lot of factors that can delay things and tie HR's hands. I waited four months once before I heard back. I stopped asking and assumed I was not going to get the position, but I did. I have also gotten offers during the interview.

   After formerly running HR, I know how many moving pieces there are and I can only imagine how Covid has changed things. I would call them weekly for six weeks, but your chances greatly diminish after two weeks.

   The mistake most people make when looking for a new position is they become laser-focused on one job to the detriment of all of the other opportunities out there. Don't put your eggs in one basket. The worst case scenario is that there is a bidding war and/or you get to select the one you like the most.

6. TeenieFebruary 21,2022 at 7:42PM UTC

   Interesting and you are correct, it's like chasing what is the exact dream. However, the other limiting factor is folks needing to only apply to 1 or 2 openings per firm. So let's say there are 5 interest firms and only 3 have openings that seem good.... you are really left with only 3 realistic pitches you will really need to follow up on.

   Leaving candidates at the mercy of whatever may be the reason or getting lost in the emails etc,

7. Shelby CFebruary 23,2022 at 7:20PM UTC

   You are very correct. It is a major faux pas that will only bite you squarely in the arse if you apply for more than two positions at any company or one at a small one. You also have to be cautious if you are working with a Head Hunter or staffing agency. You need to make sure that you know exactly where they have submitted you. If a company sees that you have been submitted twice, you are likely to make it into the circular file (trash) and if you apply for too many positions you are looked upon as desperate instead of eager. The perception is that you will just take anything to get into the door and then use it to get into the position you really want, but if it is still the same company, isn't that the idea? I hated it when I heard, "No, we can't promote Sally because she is too valuable and will be difficult to replace." Well, Sally is smart enough to figure that out and will leave a disgruntled employee. I have seen companies drive away good people too many times to count.

8. AnonymousFebruary 21,2022 at 6:30PM UTC

   Same thing is happening to me - had 3 interviews and they all went well and the team said they’re excited to move me forward and then I reached out to the head hunter and the last person I interviewed with an no word - maybe they’re trying to buy time Bc I told them I have a competing timeline with another interview process??

9. AnonymousFebruary 21,2022 at 7:05PM UTC

   There's often a lot going on behind the scenes that as a candidate we're not privy to and it's frustrating. I've been offered a job after months of interviewing and other times, was passed over for an internal candidate.

   We can only do what we can to be seen in the best light. Follow up, reiterate why we would be the right candidate and then move on and keep searching.

   As others mentioned, don't stop looking until you have a confirmed offer in writing. Things can always change as well as you have options. Good luck!

10. Grace BergeronFebruary 22,2022 at 11:56AM UTC

    Sorry, this was your experience. You have reached out once, once is enough. Then, please use your energy with a firm that respects you. Also, this behavior is a tell-tell sign of a company's culture. Ask yourself........Do you want to work at a place that treats PEOPLE in this manner? Remember, while you are being interviewed, YOU must interview companies. Believe companies when they show you who they really are. Good luck.

11. AnonymousFebruary 22,2022 at 1:42PM UTC

    Honestly, once should be too many times to follow up because you SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. It should be the responsibility of the organization to treat candidates respectfully and close the loop without having to be reminded. If a company can set up an automated "Thank you for submitting your application" email, then they can set up a "We appreciate your interest but have moved forward with other candidates" one for everyone who has applied.

    Yes, after a second interview you absolutely deserve something more personalized than that but it is so frustrating how unwilling companies are to do even the minimum all while complaining that they "can't find good people."

12. Linda PaulineFebruary 22,2022 at 2:51PM UTC

    Wouldn’t it be nice if the worker shortage forced prospective employers to have manners and respect for applicants? Don’t actually see it happening yet.

13. AnonymousFebruary 22,2022 at 2:21PM UTC

    Once is enough. You should always follow up the interview with a thank you email immediately after the interview . Then follow up once around the time they said they’d get back to you. If you don’t hear back I’d let it go.

14. Mich.Fr.February 22,2022 at 3:32PM UTC

    Let it go. I have come to realize that interviewing for jobs is like dating. If they were really interested, you would know.

15. Kelsey TichenorFebruary 23,2022 at 4:47PM UTC

    That might not be the case depending on the company. I interviewed for two positions at around the same time, and I thought both went well, and both said to call with any further questions, which I did at both companies to convey an appearance of interest. Company A gave me very clear timelines and communication post-interview. Company B pretty much ghosted me. So when company A offered me the job, I took it without hesitation. Turns out, it was literally the most boring job ever, so I followed up with company B one last time out of desperation. I got a second interview and a job offer from them a few days later.

    Sometimes you really never know. Would I do it all over again if I could turn back time? Absolutely not. I'm sitting at my desk at my unfulfilling job at company B typing this. All I'm saying is it never hurts to follow up occasionally if it's a job you want.

16. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 7:09PM UTC

    Had you let it go and not followed up, would you possibly be typing from a much different, more fulfilling job? Of course there is no way to know. However, if you had moved on to something else, you might be in a different situation.

17. EMILY KIKUE FRANKFebruary 22,2022 at 4:12PM UTC

    I recommend making 2 attempts and then letting go. The first is, of course, your thank-you note with a reiteration of why you're excited about the position. Then give it a week or so (depending on the timeline they've given you) before another attempt. Make sure that second says something like "I wonder where you are in the process." Also bear in mind that things are taking longer than normal these days. If you don't hear back after that, let it go. They may reach out again later, and they may not.

18. Eva SteortzFebruary 23,2022 at 4:54AM UTC

    If this is a role you are excited about, don't give up without trying every angle to express your interest, garner feedback and come to closure. Try all ways of getting in touch too - email, call and text. Even encouraging someone else to get in touch on your behalf if you have that option. Especially now, people are missing communication you send. I even miss a text or email these days and I never did before. The only loss is giving up before you have exhausted all options.

    Good luck! Cheering you on!

19. Liz MilneFebruary 24,2022 at 12:09AM UTC

    That's so rude!
    And I'm a bit brash, so I'd be tempted to tweet something like: 'Interviewed with @theircompany told I'd hear within five days if I had it or not. Chased up after 10 days: STILL NOT HEARD BACK! # SoRUDE # MannersCostNothing! etc' I mean, they'd probably definitely not hire me after that, but I'd feel better... :P