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Follow up with HR after interview or not?
ObviouslyNotAGolfer:
I recently had an interview for an attractive position. It went well, and a few days later, they asked for three letters of recommendation, which I provided. HR person thanked me for my diligence and added that s/he would be in contact with me shortly. This was over three weeks ago. (HR person is not the hiring manager; hiring manager is several levels higher in the heirarchy)
On the one hand, I hate beyond anything else to appear desperate (am not in fact desperate and have a very comfortable position right now) or an eager beaver. Also, the ball is clearly in their court and they know how to reach me. I have also heard that following up irritates HR people.
OTOH, I did have an interview and did send the letters they wanted. It's not as if I'm one of hundreds of resumes in a pile. And it has been over three weeks. A very brief e-mail asking for an update after 3+ weeks (when s/he told me s/he would follow up) does not seem desperate, or so I would think(?)
At this point, I'm guessing either 1) They are extremely slow (and I know this is true from past experience in working with them) or 2) They offered the position to another candidate and are waiting to hear back before they send me a rejection letter.
After taking up Buddhist principles (if not Buddhism itself), yoga, and meditation, many years ago, I have become quite successful at attaining a state of equanimity over things like this (and most things in life). From much life experience, I also firmly believe that when one door closes, another one opens.
Thoughts?
Miss Piggy:
I think you're fine to send a note. 3 weeks later is not desperate.
haflander:
I'm not very old, but have had plenty of successful interviews and HR/recruiter interactions over the past few years and done my fair share of job hopping. At every point in the process, I ask the person what their timeline is like and what I can expect in terms of hearing back from them and next steps. Push for specific dates, not "soon" or "shortly." Usually, they're in a rush and every step takes a few days or less than a week. If they told me I would hear back in a slower timeframe, like two weeks, or I knew they were slow (as your mention), then I wait longer. I think a good rule of thumb is to wait until after the date they said they would contact you by, then contact them if you haven't heard by then. For example, today's Friday. If they say you'll hear back by: mid-next week (I would contact them Friday); the end of the week (middle of the week after that).
Three weeks is a long time, I'm impressed you've waited this long. Based on your info I'd guess they did offer to someone else and waiting on them to accept/decline or waiting on the official go-ahead from finance/accounting maybe. No need to worry about desperation or being annoying.
Also, brace yourself on the possibility that someone else already accepted and they didn't tell you (inconsiderate and wouldn't want to work for them anyway). It sounds like you're in a great position, which makes everything about this way easier.
Sibley:
Really good everything-related-to-work blog: Ask A Manager.
2Birds1Stone:
3 weeks?!?! I would have followed up after 5 business days. Persistence is not desperation, especially if it seemed like a mutually good fit.
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