Do I follow up or is it nagging?

Do I follow up or is it nagging?

Three weeks ago, I applied to a position. Within 48 hours, I received an email from HR saying that they were waiting for some more applications and would get back to me within two weeks. Two weeks ago, I get an email from HR inviting me for an interview with them. I have the interview and within an hour of the interview, I am set up to meet with the COO who is the hiring manager. I meet with the COO and we end the interview by her telling me that the next step is to meet with the CEO and that she is going to recommend that I speak with her.

A week ago, right after the COO interview, I write my thank you notes to both HR and the COO - thanking them and asking a question. Last weekend, the COO responds to my email with a thank you and the answer to my question.

So do I follow up or just sit tight? And if I follow up, how do I word it?

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7 Comments

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  1. Anonymous

    Give it a few more days. Then mid-next week say, Wednesday, reach out to HR with a check-in email. Restate your excitement and the one thing that sets you apart from others for the job. Your superpower of sorts. Good luck.

  2. Anonymous

    You’ve handled everything impeccably to this point. A+++!

    Wait another 10 days — 2 weeks and if you’ve not heard, check in with HR or COO on the status of your application.

    How to word it:

    SUBJECT: Checking In (Your Name, Candidate for Name of Position)

    CONTENT: Thank HR/COO again, reiterate interest in the job, say you’re checking in to see if next step is still the CEO interview that the COO mentioned or if the process has changed? Conclude with expression of ongoing interest in the job and the strengths of your candidacy, and mention that you can be reached at (phone, e-mail) to answer any additional questions they might have.

    You can repeat some variant of the Checking In email every 2-3 weeks, as needed. You can write to COO, HR or alternate between them.

  3. Anonymous

    I would give it a bit more time.

  4. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career Coach

    I would follow up and let them know you are excited for the opportunity and are checking in to see what next steps are or when you can expect to hear back.

  5. Anonymous

    Thank them for their time, reiterate your strong interest and let them know that you are excited at the potential of working with/for them. Align the email to a specific thing that was paramount to them for what they want to hire in the role. Then sit back. Wait a few days and reach out to the HR person asking for a timeline for their decision. You should always ask that in the first conversation (its too late for that now) but its never too late to ask. Additionally, I would ask how many prospective folks have made it to the final round, they may or may not tell you but at least you will know more than you do now.

  6. Anonymous

    Lots of great advice here! I’d recommend that you continue to apply while this company gets things sorted out. It sounds like you’re really counting on this one role and IMHO it’s always better to have options. That will allow for better leverage.

  7. Anonymous

    Well, follow-up is not the same as nagging, and it looks as if your follow-up, so far, has been great. You might consider one more note of a tone with you are excited to meet whomever with moving forward in the process, giving them the benefit of just being busy. And, good advice in other posting of continuing to look for other positions

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