Is it appropriate to contact the hiring manager if you're not getting anywhere with HR?

12 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 13,2024 at 9:11PM UTC

   As a former recruiter, I say no, don't go around the HR/recruiter contact yet unless it has been over 30 days since you have heard back. And I would start with contacting the recruiter/HR person on LinkedIn first with something like "Hello, I haven't received an update on XXX role I interviewed for on XXX date. Can you let me know if I am still under consideration for this position?"

   Once, my company's ATS was not syncing properly, so we were unaware that our regrets emails were not going out. So we had unintentionally ghosted all of our applicants. We weren't made aware until a candidate contacted me directly on LinkedIn (I was the recruiter). And on the flip side, I have also had candidates reach out to hiring managers directly through LinkedIn and request feedback and status updates that I was in the process of compiling - it can take several days (or even weeks!) for a recruiter to get feedback on interviews, which is so frustrating for everyone! Contacting the hiring manager directly can feel very intrusive and it can appear that you do not have respect for the process, even if you do so in the most polite way possible.

   No response likely means they are no longer considering your candidacy and they are lacking on the communication front, unfortunately.

2. AnonymousNovember 13,2024 at 10:24PM UTC

   Thank you and I appreciate both of your advice.

3. AnonymousNovember 13,2024 at 9:30PM UTC

   Reach out to the hiring manager, ask them where they are in the process and if you're still being considered. Depending on the size of the company the partners in HR don't always become the point of contact.

4. AnonymousNovember 13,2024 at 10:50PM UTC

   Only if you've completed the interview process. If not, you will most likely burn a bridge.

5. AnonymousNovember 14,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

   I would only do it if the HM gave you a business card during the interview and "gave permission" to contact them directly. Use the email or phone number on the business card.

6. AnonymousNovember 14,2024 at 4:20PM UTC

   If the hiring manager made direct contact an option absence. But if you have to search for contact info I would I would stick with the formal and expected process for contact.

7. KimplanetstlNovember 14,2024 at 7:49PM UTC

   Go for it. Go big or go home. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I've found that HR doesn't feel our pain of being short staffed. Contact one of the people who would directly benefit from you lightening the load.

8. AnonymousNovember 14,2024 at 9:31PM UTC

   Former recruiter here. No, only contact the person who is in contact with you for the job you interviewed. If they didn't offer you their info, don't go looking for it, though just about anyone can be found. But I have found as a recruiter, a trick of the trade. Send a thank you note to your contact, letting them know how much you appreciated the hiring manager's time (put their name in it) and then ask the recruiter if they can submit it on your behalf. I have done it and it worked great along with a written reference. But each person is different if they will accept it or not. They may say no that is not their process. Some companies do not like going outside of a process. In the end, you did your due diligence and that's all you can do until they contact you.

9. AnonymousNovember 18,2024 at 4:58PM UTC

   Let me correct you, you were dealing with Talent Acquisition NOT HR. HR is when you join a company. TA or Recruiting shepherds you through the interview and hiring process.

   You don't say much about the stage of the interview process you are in, so it is hard to guide you specifically on whether you would be overstepping the process. IMHO since you likely did not ask TA the process steps and when and how you would be given feedback (do this next time to avoid this same situation) best would be to email the same TA person and cc the hiring manager. Try using first name dot last name @ company name dot com and if that does not work use first initial and/or first initial dot last name. They will bounce if they don't work. If it has not been a week since the last conversation wait that time period out before you do anything.

10. AnonymousNovember 19,2024 at 4:12AM UTC

    There are tons of organizations that use their HR to do recruiting. So we can talk about how orgs should be structured vs helping this person with an answer.

11. AnonymousNovember 19,2024 at 4:16AM UTC

    Assume that the hiring manager is in touch with your contact. I have found this to be the case more so than not. That said, were you in a final interview? How did the HM leave it?

12. AnonymousNovember 23,2024 at 3:33AM UTC

    I understand your intent to clarify the distinction between HR and TA, and it’s definitely helpful for people to know the difference. However, phrasing it as “correcting” someone can come across as dismissive and snippy, even if that wasn’t your intent. We’re all here to share knowledge and support each other, so fostering a tone of collaboration goes a long way.