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How long should I wait to hear from an organization after completing the various stages of the hiring/interviewing process?

Advisor

Daniel Sudmeier Oklahoma City, OK

After completing interviews with recruiters and hiring mangers, should weeks pass?
Follow up is there a time when it is acceptable to contact the organization to ask the status?

4 May 2020 7 replies Interviews

Answers

Advisor

Joy Montgomery Pleasanton, CA

Organizations, including staffing agencies, vary. A series of interviews with one major corporation stretched out for more than 3 months. Others responded within a day. Many just fade away.

To get a better idea of when to expect a response, make that your last question in each interview. If you haven't heard by the date they give you, call. But, understand that, if they decided to hire someone else, they are likely to not return the call.

Whenever you can, find a referral into the company - someone you have a connection with.

Join Marine for Life and make your connections there if you can. https://www.usmc-mccs.org/services/career/marine-for-life-network/

Join the M4L LinkedIn group and make connections there - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/5145640/

9 May 2020 Helpful answer

Advisor

Chad Eaves Barrington, IL

Good morning Daniel,

1. Send a note card (preferable) or email immediately following your interview.
2. Send a contact once a week (email or mail), but one in which you share something with the recipient. This could be industry news or something relevant to you or the position. People love infographics, send one of these.
3. Do this for four weeks.

If they don't respond, move on.

Regarding contacting the organization - if you have or can find their contact info - do it. Send your messages to everyone you have met in the hiring process. Even if it does not pan out, this makes an impression and can be helpful for future positions.

The way to work around this is work on making connections with people before applying for a job. Give people a reason to connect in a LinkedIn invite. Comment on a post or article they have written.

When looking for a job, the worst thing a candidate can do is submit their resume online. This converts a candidate into a commodity instead of an asset. And the odds of getting hired are not good.

Build your network. Even if it's small now, it is a far better approach than hoping someone or software picks you for an interview.

I hope this helps. Have a good day, Daniel.

Chad

7 May 2020 Helpful answer

Advisor

John NORDIN Lake Forest, IL

Hi Daniel-

If you are working through a 3rd party recruiter I would stick with following up with that person as opposed to contacting the company directly. The recruiter should be able to tell you if you are under consideration and what the next steps are (at any time during the hiring process). You should feel free to contact the recruiter as you see fit.

I'll caveat this with what is happening to the entire process given Covid. Lots of disruption and distraction right now for hiring managers and recruiting may very well be way down the list of things to pay attention to.

Hope this helps, you are safe and healthy.
Thanks you for your service to our country.

John Nordin

4 May 2020 Helpful answer

Advisor

Joseph (Joe) Hunt New York, NY

A following up in writing is always better than email. It distinguishes you from others and is a more powerful demonstration of your interest.

The note also provides you with the opportunity to restate your strengths relevant to the position and add examples that you wish you'd mentioned in the interview.

Once the note is sent, I would try various follow-up options. So people are more comfortable responding to emails, others prefer phone calls. Tell your prospective how and when you will follow-up, then do as you've said.

Advisor

Karen Cavazos Wittmann, AZ

Hi Daniel,

When connecting with the recruiter, I would recommend asking what to expect regarding timeline. Recruiters will know how urgent the job is and what timeframe the hiring manager is looking at to fill the position. With COVID right now, many jobs have been either put on hold or paused until further notice. The recruiter should be able to also give you an update during this challenging time.

Thanks -

Karen

Advisor

Robin Schlinger Atlanta, GA

When you interview or have contact with a recruiter or hiring manager about a job, you may want to ask when they expect to get back to you. If they give you an answer, you can then follow up after that time, since you already have a firm time/date they were supposed to get back. Additionally, you can send each person who contacts you a snail mail (if possible) or email thank you note following the contact - this way (especially if snail mail), they will be reminded of you after the initial contact.

Robin Schlinger

Advisor

Anthony Cortazzo King Of Prussia, PA

Daniel - it looks like John has given you some good advice. It's in the recruiters best interest to keep you in the loop but doesn't hurt to follow up with them after a ~week.

If you're dealing directly with a company/hiring manager, and you feel the process is taking a little too long, you have the option (this is generally a feel thing) to reach out briefly (2-3 sentences, brevity is key) reiterating your interest, with 1 sentence calling out something specific from the interview you thought was impressive and solidified your interest/fit for the question. The goal here is to get your name on the hiring managers mind and potentially separating you from other applicants.

Thanks,

AC

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