Appropriate follow up time frame?

Anonymous

May 15,2023 at 5:22PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Appropriate follow up time frame?

I'm always at a loss as to when I should follow up regarding my application and candidacy to a job posting.

For reference, I had a final interview on April 27 with an organization. They mentioned that they will be making final decisions within the next two weeks with the hopes of hiring someone before Memorial Day.

I have my email drafted and ready to go (thanking them once again for their time, expressing my interest and excitement in the position and inquiring if a decision has been reached) but I keep stopping myself from sending the email.

There are a few times I've heard that if they want you, they will reach out to you and others that very much believe that sending the follow up emails are essential in the hiring process.

I know this is all comes down to the organization, the hiring manager, etc. but I appreciate any insight you may have.

Thanks!

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

15 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

15 Comments

Join the conversation

Gisele CloutierMay 15,2023 at 6:13PM UTC
I would send a brief email saying you enjoyed meeting them and you're "just checking in." Recruiters can sometimes get so busy that once a position is filled in their minds, even though they haven't completed the process, their attention can get sidetracked by other urgent issues.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 6:45PM UTC
Follow up they said 2 weeks as long as email is professional and shows your enthusiasm for the role what do you have to loose
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 15,2023 at 6:56PM UTC
I would send the email - short and sweet - checking in to see if you have an update on next steps. I'm still very interested in this position.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 7:17PM UTC
I agree with others that it's perfectly fine and reasonable check in and reiterate your interest since it's been two weeks. There could be a delay in their process, and I found that when that's the case they don't always let you know proactively even if you're still in the running.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 8:13PM UTC
Many thanks! Fingers crossed I get a positive response.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 8:26PM UTC
I agree with the others as well - go on and send it.
Plus if they see you are still interested.... that can help (maybe others didn't care or couldn't afford to wait, you never know)
I've been in your spot many times and it is hard to wait -- but hang in there!!
G MicheleMay 16,2023 at 2:14AM UTC
Send it!! You have nothing to lose! Good luck!
Wanda Corner, PhD, PMPMay 16,2023 at 1:37PM UTC
While there is no hard fast rule for timeframe, I think that your emotional commitment to the job opportunity lies in you having your own rules for disengagement of communication. After two weeks, I would follow up to show my interest (unless otherwise advised of the decision timeframes). If no reply or they say that they are not ready to make a decision, then I would thank them for the opportunity and privately move on in my emotional or business focus/energy.
AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 2:53PM UTC
Hello, I was in a position like that the other day, where I applied for a job and they told me that I would hear from them within a week and in 2 weeks time I called back and was told they did not hire anyone for the oposition as yet....
but in a month's time I was told that I was not the best fit for the position. I thank them and moved on. It is ok to call and find out what is going on.... from what I read they say it's best to call back an employer in 2 weeks time. I hope this helps!
Heather CutlerMay 16,2023 at 3:22PM UTC
I worked with a career counselor in the past that recommended follow up every two weeks. I've used this time measure aggressively in all of my searches.
My experience also tells me that the farther away you get from the interview date, the lower the chances that you're still under consideration.
I agree with some of the comments that if an organization wants you, they'll be expedient in their subsequent interview requests and a job offer. Best of luck in your next steps!
CourtneyMay 16,2023 at 6:12PM UTC
Send the email after your interview, you want to be be on the forefront of their mind!
Audrey KirschMay 16,2023 at 6:21PM UTC
If it's a job that I really want, I'll send a thank you after the interview expressing my interest in the position and how I am looking forward to hearing from them. I don't follow up after that. I know sometimes the person who keeps following up is the one to get the job, but I just don't know if I'd want a job that I had to keep harassing the company to get. It just feels like if that is how they hire, then it will also apply to raises and promotions. You'd have to have one foot out the door before being offered either. Many companies have very slow hiring processes so don't think that just because you haven't heard, you won't. I'd recommend to keep looking for other opportunities and if this one comes through, it will be a happy surprise.
AnonymousMay 19,2023 at 3:04PM UTC
I don't understand why you didn't send the thank you email - that is common practice after an interview, regardless of what the timeframe is for hiring.
Communication CoachMay 19,2023 at 10:14PM UTC
Please send a snail-mail hand-written thank you note! Send a short email, too, if you wish. Email does not take the place of something in writing, manners-wise and psychologically. This is especially in order if you had a final interview. There is nothing out of order with asking at the end of the interview when you might expect to hear from them. You might consider changing the thank you note to include it saying it appears you were not the best fit for the position you interviewed for, but, you are impressed with the company and hope they would keep your resume on file. Making a phone call after sending a hand written note, saying what you admire about the company and you hope you will considered in the future for other positions. Follow-up is the one thing that makes a difference in anything in life! Promptness counts. Stay in touch with companies you think you would like to work with. It makes a difference!
AnonymousMay 20,2023 at 3:05AM UTC
Add a line after thanking them, to request them to let you know the next steps.