How To Ask When A Hiring Decision Will Be Made
You nailed that interview, and as far as you’re concerned? You hit it out of the park. Or, you chatted with a recruiter who appeared to be really enthusiastic and well-connected with the organizations for which you want to apply. She urged you to keep in touch. So how to ask when a hiring decision will be made?
That’s wonderful. However, a few weeks have passed and nothing has happened. So what do you do now? Is it possible to follow up with her after the interview without seeming desperate or like a nuisance?
This topic scares the bejesus out of a lot of job applicants. Even if they know they did an outstanding job, many individuals would rather do nothing than risk making the incorrect follow-up move.
That is, however, what is stupid. Because keeping top of mind is critical—and not just for the job at hand. Even if you’re not the ideal applicant for a particular role (or the position has already been filled before you can really demonstrate your awesomeness), striking gold with one of the right decision-makers — such as a recruiter, HR employee, or hiring manager — down the road might be quite beneficial.
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Is It OK To Take Follow-up With A Recruiter?
It’s more than OK to be proactive and reach out; you have a right to know whether or not you were selected for the position, as well as where they are in the process. Nonetheless, in order to avoid hurting your employment prospects, you should follow up in a professional manner. Of course, you don’t want to come off as desperate or pushy. You can definitely ask when a hiring decision will be made.
If you take the time to be pleasant and professional, you’ll offer another excellent example of your attitude to the hiring manager. Instead of focusing on what you may have done wrong when a company’s call does not come, use our advice with examples on how to ask a recruiter if a decision has been made when one is.
How Long To Wait Before You Ask
There’s a lot to remember during an interview, such as what questions you want to ask about the firm and what skills you want to highlight. Maintaining eye contact is also important since it shows that you’re engaged in the conversation.
How to ask when a hiring decision will be made? But there’s one big issue to consider when deciding if a company is the best fit for you: when will you hear back from them? You might also ask, “When can I anticipate hearing something back—or, what are the next steps in the procedure?” This is ideal to ask at the conclusion of your interview. If they say they’ll make a decision by next Friday, don’t ask before then. If they give you a specific date, don’t follow up until it has passed.
However, if the employer does not provide you with a specific date, a decent rule of thumb is to wait a week and a half to two weeks after your interview before contacting them about a decision.
How To Follow Up After Your Interview
Get That Thank-You Note Out
Thank-you notes are important: they give you a fantastic opportunity to contact the decision-maker as soon as possible. I advise job seekers to send thank-you notes (to each individual they’ve met throughout the interview process) as quickly as possible. Same day. If you truly want to surprise them, send it from your laptop in the parking lot.
Make use of this moment to tell the hiring manager that you’re extraordinary and would provide a lot of value to the position for which you’re interviewing. Make it easy for them to select you.
Ask If You Can Connect Via LinkedIn
So, this is a long-term professional relationship in the making. As a result, it’s perfectly OK to connect on LinkedIn after your interview.
However, you don’t want to spring it on anyone with your request or leave the decision-maker wondering what your intentions are (and please—no generic connection requests!). Instead, while at the interview, make a logical argument for connecting:
“You’re interested in joining a dragon boat team? I’d be delighted to introduce you to one of my former coworkers. He directed a dragon boat crew right here in Portland.”
“I’ve been meaning to contact you about that,” or, “I read an article in the New York Times on how Coca-Cola is utilizing brand strategy. Have you seen it? I’d be delighted to send it to you if you haven’t already seen it.”
That’s you in. And once you’ve made it in, what? You have the opportunity to establish a long-term professional relationship with that individual, whether or not you get the job.
Ask About Next Steps
Although it may seem like a small thing, as a recruiter, I’m amazed that so few people ask this question at the end of the conversation.
But, if you inquire about the next steps from the interviewer, you’ll have a good idea when it’s okay to follow up. If she says she’ll contact candidates within a week and it’s day nine? It’s perfectly acceptable to reach out and remind her of the timetable she set for you.
If Things Drag Out, Check-In
The periodic check-in is the most common job search technique that people fail at—the one that involves checking in on a regular basis. It’s crucial, and it should be done throughout your career to keep your network active and engaged.
This is not about intimidation: “Did I get the job?” “Do you have anything for me?” “Have you made a decision yet?” There’s nothing to it. It’s all about providing your contact with something of value. In doing so, you will also (by default) remind her that you’re still around.
You don’t want her to forget you right? Then why not write her a letter or leave a comment on one of the posts she’s liked. Or perhaps telling her how great she is and what a difference she’s made in your life. Whatever you choose, just make sure she reads it!
Keep your message straightforward and brief, and don’t request anything in return. If someone on the receiving end of your email hears from you again? She’ll be sure to contact you right away.
You Deserve To Know Where You Stand
The most essential thing to keep in mind is that silence isn’t always a negative thing and does not necessarily indicate that you’ve been overlooked for the position. Many times, the folks running these interviews are attempting to fit them around their current job responsibilities. The fact is that sometimes things take time.
I hope you have got the answer to the question of how to ask when a hiring decision will be made. You do, however, have the right to know if a decision has been made (or at least where they are in the process). So, if you believe you did well in the interview, take some proactive measures to find out whether or not you’ve gotten the job. You’ll always keep your name in front of potential employers, which might be enough of a boost to get you over the hump and into the next step of the selection process.
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