| So what happens when you have a really great | | | | Specifically, when you call the hiring manager, you can |
| interview, you send your follow-up email in a timely | | | | say something like: "Hi, this is John (or Jane). We |
| manner, but then you hear nothing? What do you do? | | | | interviewed last week for the position of XYZ. You |
| Do you send another note? Do you contact HR? Or | | | | said that you would be making a decision within a |
| the hiring manager you spoke to in the interview? It's a | | | | couple of days and contacting candidates. I haven't |
| tricky situation, and a lot of people struggle with what | | | | heard from you, so I was curious as to where you |
| to do. | | | | were in the process. Have you made a decision? If |
| My answer is: You need to both call and email the | | | | you haven't, is there a way that you and I can speak |
| hiring manager. You took the time to meet with him, | | | | about this further so that you understand why I'm an |
| and if you went through that process, you spent at | | | | excellent candidate?" |
| least 4-5 hours speaking with him or preparing for | | | | If you get voice mail (which will happen a lot), leave |
| speaking with him, and you deserve to know exactly | | | | that message and say, "I'm going to also send you an |
| what is going on. Have they filled the position? Are | | | | email asking you what's going on with this process. I |
| they moving forward with other candidates, or are you | | | | really appreciate speaking with you and I just want |
| still being considered? Are you no longer being | | | | some feedback to understand where we're at and |
| considered for some reason? | | | | what the next steps are." This last sentence |
| (Don't get me wrong-I'm not telling you to "grill" them on | | | | demonstrates your communication skills, your |
| what's up...but if they have moved forward with | | | | confidence, and your ability to handle a difficult situation. |
| another candidate, you need to ask the question: If I | | | | It's a tremendous opportunity for you, really. I've seen |
| were to do this again, what two things could I have | | | | people save the job offer from the jaws of death by |
| done that would have made a difference? Or: What | | | | communicating so well in the follow up. |
| did the candidate you chose do that really separated | | | | So, absolutely follow up with a phone call and an email, |
| him from the rest of us? You really want to learn from | | | | and if you're not getting the job, don't miss this |
| this. The ultimate goal for you is a great job. If this one | | | | significant learning opportunity to find out what two |
| has gone away, you need to learn what you can do | | | | things you can do differently next time. |
| next time for the next job interview process.) | | | | |