How soon/late is following up with the hiring manager if you interviewed on Dec 15?

Anonymous

December 28,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

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How soon/late is following up with the hiring manager if you interviewed on Dec 15? Considering that most people are either on leave or it is a slow work week. Will sending a second follow up email before 12/31 sound pushy? Should I wait until January 2?

Background:

The interview happened on Dec 15 and it went well. It seemed like she liked my profile and it was a great interview except that she was looking for more internal comms work experience from me (but she seemed okay with trying out a generalist who can adapt to internal comms work). I have worked as a nonprofit comms manager for the last 4 years and I basically do everything within and around comms, so it is hard to slot myself as an internal comms specialist.

I wrote a nice email thanking the hiring manager for the interview and she responded within an hour saying "thank you for the kind email and for sending the additional writing sample. We will be in touch". The next week I wrote to the recruiter and he said he is waiting to hear from the hiring manager. I know that they were looking to fill this position by year-end.

Thank you in advance for your advice!!

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AnonymousDecember 28,2023 at 5:53PM UTC
With holidays, vacations and year end deliverables this delay doesn't seem out of line. I would wait until next week and reach out for a status.
AnonymousDecember 28,2023 at 6:56PM UTC
Thank you :) - OP
Jacqueline CutlerDecember 28,2023 at 7:03PM UTC
I would wait until at least January 3. People who genuinely unplugged over the holidays will be digging out from email on 1/2, and it could get lost in there. So I feel 1/3 or 1/4 is safer. Good luck!
AnonymousDecember 28,2023 at 8:37PM UTC
It could be normal at this time of the year. To avoid a possible disappointment after a good interview, I tell myself "it went well, it clicked, I have my chance to get the job, unless they end up preferring someone else after all". We don't have the full picture. If it worked that's awesome, congrats! If not it's a good sign anyway, good luck, you'll get there.
Tiana MumfordDecember 28,2023 at 8:59PM UTC
Good day I would say by the end of the month no later . Some places drag their feet which is tiresome . Hopefully you will hear something soon.
AnonymousDecember 28,2023 at 9:25PM UTC
Given that they were looking to fill by end of year, I would follow-up one more time.
Dawn CrossDecember 28,2023 at 11:18PM UTC
I would follow-up on Jan 3. The 2nd is too soon after the holidays and people will be trying to clean out their inboxes. The 3rd will allow you to say you hope they had a good holiday and wanted to know if they had any follow-up questions.
Heather (she/her)December 29,2023 at 11:34AM UTC
I generally follow up after one week.
AnonymousDecember 29,2023 at 2:09PM UTC
Many hiring folks, especially management, are out this week for the holidays. I realize it isn’t ideal but I would wait until January 3 to reach out. While I don’t think you will be perceived as pushy, I don’t think you are going to reach people or find a decision has been made if you do.
Julie EDecember 29,2023 at 4:13PM UTC
I would wait until January 3rd. A lot of people take the week between Christmas and New Year’s off and don’t want to think about work.
Debra SesholtzDecember 29,2023 at 5:56PM UTC
If you don’t want to wait, you could send and email expressing your on-going interest and recapping your strengths for the role, wishing them a happy New Year and say you are looking forward to reconnecting in early 2024.
Crystal HowellDecember 30,2023 at 12:25AM UTC
Patience is a virtue. Sit Still, you reached out twice.
AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 2:48PM UTC
I don’t advise you following up at this point. You’ve sent a thank you letter and contacted the recruiter. That’s more than enough.
Move on and assume you didn’t get the opportunity. If you hear good news the. It’s a pleasant surprise. We often spend way too much time ruminating over after interviews when we should mentally move on.
Go enjoy the end of year and put this behind you. You did your best and even sent an additional writing sample.
AnonymousJanuary 2,2024 at 9:40PM UTC
Thank you for that - I needed to hear this. -- OP
AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 4:07PM UTC
I send a follow up the same day. It has always been a positive for me as a potential candidate and as a hiring manager.
AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 8:35PM UTC
Same day for thank you note.
If no word, ask by EOD 1/2 and mention "holiday season " then be done. Either a note turning you down or nothing and move on
AnonymousDecember 31,2023 at 3:10PM UTC
Hold off. this is a crunchy time and no one making decisions...and you don't want to appear keyboard-happy...Send a follow up Email on 1/3 (Give everyone a chance to get back into the office and check their 100 other emails)-- Good luck and happy new year!
AnonymousDecember 31,2023 at 4:30PM UTC
I recommend waiting until 1/3 or 1/4. Mention that you hope their holidays were happy and you are looking forward to connecting in 2024. Ask if there is anything else they need from you at this point.
Beyond that, I would leave it with them and continue to look for other opportunities. Best wishes!
AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 4:55PM UTC
I probably would wait the 3rd or the 4th give them to regroup.
surfnwriteJanuary 1,2024 at 6:07PM UTC
There is no reason not to send it immediately. Life goes on even during the holidays.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEJanuary 1,2024 at 8:22PM UTC
When you interviewed with the company, did they discuss how soon they wanted/needed to fill this position? Sometimes it can take six or more weeks before you hear back from the company. If you send another email, you will come across as demanding. " I want an answer and I want it now!" What's the hurry?
AnonymousJanuary 2,2024 at 7:17PM UTC
I see what you mean… I guess I’m eager and this company and role seem great. Also I really like the hiring manager and I have a good feeling about working in her team. To answer your question, yes, first they said they have been wanting to fill this position since October but didn’t find anyone (this is what the hiring manager said… she said she was a bit disappointed to receive resumes with short stints at various places and lack of deep experience so it sounded like she was pleased with my work history that’s why she even mentioned that). I asked how soon were they looking to fill this position. She said ideally by EOY. Then towards the end of the interview she said happy holidays if we don’t connect before the end of the year. It made me a bit nervous but I feel like I am a very strong candidate for his role and mentally I’m so ready for this… thank you for your thoughts.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEJanuary 4,2024 at 1:57AM UTC
As an applicant, it can be frustrating waiting to hear back. If the company is not receiving resume from qualified applicants, I have to wonder how the job posting was written.
I wish you the best and Happy New Year.
AnonymousJanuary 3,2024 at 3:33PM UTC
I was in this exact situation 2 years ago! Interviewed with hiring manager on Dec 14 and then heard nothing from anyone until Jan 2! Now working at the company I know the culture is for most to try and take off the last 2 weeks of the year.
When I heard from the recruiter in Jan, I found out a new dept VP was starting that day and wanted to interview me that week. She also added a few more interviewers to my panel.
So even though they of course wanted to fill the role as quickly as possible, stuff came up along the way that changed the plan.
Ultimately I got my job offer somewhere around Jan 20. My first interview had been the Monday after Thanksgiving!
If you haven’t already, it’s definitely a good day to follow up/check in. Good luck!
AnonymousJanuary 4,2024 at 4:13AM UTC
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Good to know that this happens! I have decided the morning of Jan 4 would be good enough to wait until and am just going to write to the hiring manager! Thanks again for sharing your story!! -- OP