How to politely inquire about your job application status?

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I've applied to a software development company for a programming position. I'm communicating directly with an employee, specifically a project manager, not a recruiter.



I made it through a phone interview and was given a take-home project to work on. I completed the project and submitted it, via email, to the person who I have been communicating with. It has been a week since I submitted it and have not heard back from the person.



Now, assuming he's not intentionally ignoring me, I think he's just busy / forgetting to respond to me. I've been communicating with him for quite a while, and this is not the first time that he has just been too busy to respond. I'm pretty far in the interview process and I really want to work for this company, so I don't want to just give up and let this opportunity pass by.



How can I politely email him and ask if he had the chance to review my take-home project? I put a lot of hours into it, and even more months of initial preparation for the position before applying. I'd really like to hear back even if it's that my project was not strong enough.



Should I just directly ask if he's looked at it? Is there maybe a more indirect way of bringing it up, like submitting a "revised" version? I just don't want to annoy him. but I'd really like to hear back from him.







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    up vote
    15
    down vote

    favorite
    7












    I've applied to a software development company for a programming position. I'm communicating directly with an employee, specifically a project manager, not a recruiter.



    I made it through a phone interview and was given a take-home project to work on. I completed the project and submitted it, via email, to the person who I have been communicating with. It has been a week since I submitted it and have not heard back from the person.



    Now, assuming he's not intentionally ignoring me, I think he's just busy / forgetting to respond to me. I've been communicating with him for quite a while, and this is not the first time that he has just been too busy to respond. I'm pretty far in the interview process and I really want to work for this company, so I don't want to just give up and let this opportunity pass by.



    How can I politely email him and ask if he had the chance to review my take-home project? I put a lot of hours into it, and even more months of initial preparation for the position before applying. I'd really like to hear back even if it's that my project was not strong enough.



    Should I just directly ask if he's looked at it? Is there maybe a more indirect way of bringing it up, like submitting a "revised" version? I just don't want to annoy him. but I'd really like to hear back from him.







    share|improve this question






















      up vote
      15
      down vote

      favorite
      7









      up vote
      15
      down vote

      favorite
      7






      7





      I've applied to a software development company for a programming position. I'm communicating directly with an employee, specifically a project manager, not a recruiter.



      I made it through a phone interview and was given a take-home project to work on. I completed the project and submitted it, via email, to the person who I have been communicating with. It has been a week since I submitted it and have not heard back from the person.



      Now, assuming he's not intentionally ignoring me, I think he's just busy / forgetting to respond to me. I've been communicating with him for quite a while, and this is not the first time that he has just been too busy to respond. I'm pretty far in the interview process and I really want to work for this company, so I don't want to just give up and let this opportunity pass by.



      How can I politely email him and ask if he had the chance to review my take-home project? I put a lot of hours into it, and even more months of initial preparation for the position before applying. I'd really like to hear back even if it's that my project was not strong enough.



      Should I just directly ask if he's looked at it? Is there maybe a more indirect way of bringing it up, like submitting a "revised" version? I just don't want to annoy him. but I'd really like to hear back from him.







      share|improve this question












      I've applied to a software development company for a programming position. I'm communicating directly with an employee, specifically a project manager, not a recruiter.



      I made it through a phone interview and was given a take-home project to work on. I completed the project and submitted it, via email, to the person who I have been communicating with. It has been a week since I submitted it and have not heard back from the person.



      Now, assuming he's not intentionally ignoring me, I think he's just busy / forgetting to respond to me. I've been communicating with him for quite a while, and this is not the first time that he has just been too busy to respond. I'm pretty far in the interview process and I really want to work for this company, so I don't want to just give up and let this opportunity pass by.



      How can I politely email him and ask if he had the chance to review my take-home project? I put a lot of hours into it, and even more months of initial preparation for the position before applying. I'd really like to hear back even if it's that my project was not strong enough.



      Should I just directly ask if he's looked at it? Is there maybe a more indirect way of bringing it up, like submitting a "revised" version? I just don't want to annoy him. but I'd really like to hear back from him.









      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked Jan 31 '14 at 18:11









      Ryan

      6432610




      6432610




















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          18
          down vote



          accepted










          In the past I've typically tried something like the following. Let's assume, for this example, that your contact's name is Fonzie, because I always liked Happy Days and this is easier when someone has a name.



          Hi Fonzie. I hope you're doing well. I had a great time interviewing with you guys, and an even better time working on the take-home project. Now that I've had some time to reflect on it myself, I'm curious as to what you guys thought of it. If you get a chance, please let me know--I'd appreciate it!



          - Ryan



          This does what you want--namely, asks him for an update--but with a complementary goal that isn't just a sneaky way to trojan horse your way into asking for that update. You get to give your impression of the interview and the project, which could be helpful for them if they didn't glean that from the interview or the quality of your work. But it also puts you back in his mind and shows that you still care about the position.






          share|improve this answer
















          • 2




            Just noticed: "you guys" is a Mew England thing and often sounds weird to folks not from 'round these parts.
            – atk
            May 18 '15 at 21:33






          • 1




            Well, my goal wasn't to provide a form letter for copying and pasting, but your point is well-taken, just the same :-)
            – Brian Warshaw
            May 19 '15 at 13:21






          • 2




            Being part cat, I approve of "Mew England".
            – keshlam
            Feb 21 '16 at 5:37

















          up vote
          6
          down vote













          (Brian Warshaw's answer is good too :-))



          It depends upon what they told you during the interview. If they told you a date they'd get back to you, you'll want to wait until then. If they haven't given you a date, just ask for next steps as per the second half of my answer.



          If they did give you a review duration, once that time has passed, send something simple and straight forward. Don't try and back them into a corner or point out any missed dates. Assume that they're aware of the schedule they set out.




          Hi! I just wanted to check in and see how the programming test went. Do you know when I might expect feedback, and what the next steps might be?





          There's a more general question surrounding what you ask, of how to know what's expected next in the interview/hiring process. I've addressed that, below.



          Before leaving the individual interview:




          Is there anything you heard or didn't hear that concerns you?




          This lets them give immediate feedback, gives you better insight into their impression and lets you address any lingering concerns.



          Before leaving from interview day - that is, when walking out with the recruiter, or whomever the last person is...




          What are the next steps?




          and




          When should I expect to hear back?




          After the interviews have been completed, either same day if you didn't think to ask during the interviews:




          Thank you for having me in to interview, the other day. Do you know what the next steps are, and when I should expect to hear back?




          Or if things are taking longer than expected (I usually wait until two days after they said they'd get back to me):




          Hi! Just wanted to reach out and see how things are going. Is there any updated status?




          In all cases, I am attempting to demonstrate a friendly disposition, respect for the company and their time, be clear that I'm interested in moving forward with the process, am implicitly interested in the results of the interview, and that I would like to know what to expect next.






          share|improve this answer






















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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted










            In the past I've typically tried something like the following. Let's assume, for this example, that your contact's name is Fonzie, because I always liked Happy Days and this is easier when someone has a name.



            Hi Fonzie. I hope you're doing well. I had a great time interviewing with you guys, and an even better time working on the take-home project. Now that I've had some time to reflect on it myself, I'm curious as to what you guys thought of it. If you get a chance, please let me know--I'd appreciate it!



            - Ryan



            This does what you want--namely, asks him for an update--but with a complementary goal that isn't just a sneaky way to trojan horse your way into asking for that update. You get to give your impression of the interview and the project, which could be helpful for them if they didn't glean that from the interview or the quality of your work. But it also puts you back in his mind and shows that you still care about the position.






            share|improve this answer
















            • 2




              Just noticed: "you guys" is a Mew England thing and often sounds weird to folks not from 'round these parts.
              – atk
              May 18 '15 at 21:33






            • 1




              Well, my goal wasn't to provide a form letter for copying and pasting, but your point is well-taken, just the same :-)
              – Brian Warshaw
              May 19 '15 at 13:21






            • 2




              Being part cat, I approve of "Mew England".
              – keshlam
              Feb 21 '16 at 5:37














            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted










            In the past I've typically tried something like the following. Let's assume, for this example, that your contact's name is Fonzie, because I always liked Happy Days and this is easier when someone has a name.



            Hi Fonzie. I hope you're doing well. I had a great time interviewing with you guys, and an even better time working on the take-home project. Now that I've had some time to reflect on it myself, I'm curious as to what you guys thought of it. If you get a chance, please let me know--I'd appreciate it!



            - Ryan



            This does what you want--namely, asks him for an update--but with a complementary goal that isn't just a sneaky way to trojan horse your way into asking for that update. You get to give your impression of the interview and the project, which could be helpful for them if they didn't glean that from the interview or the quality of your work. But it also puts you back in his mind and shows that you still care about the position.






            share|improve this answer
















            • 2




              Just noticed: "you guys" is a Mew England thing and often sounds weird to folks not from 'round these parts.
              – atk
              May 18 '15 at 21:33






            • 1




              Well, my goal wasn't to provide a form letter for copying and pasting, but your point is well-taken, just the same :-)
              – Brian Warshaw
              May 19 '15 at 13:21






            • 2




              Being part cat, I approve of "Mew England".
              – keshlam
              Feb 21 '16 at 5:37












            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted






            In the past I've typically tried something like the following. Let's assume, for this example, that your contact's name is Fonzie, because I always liked Happy Days and this is easier when someone has a name.



            Hi Fonzie. I hope you're doing well. I had a great time interviewing with you guys, and an even better time working on the take-home project. Now that I've had some time to reflect on it myself, I'm curious as to what you guys thought of it. If you get a chance, please let me know--I'd appreciate it!



            - Ryan



            This does what you want--namely, asks him for an update--but with a complementary goal that isn't just a sneaky way to trojan horse your way into asking for that update. You get to give your impression of the interview and the project, which could be helpful for them if they didn't glean that from the interview or the quality of your work. But it also puts you back in his mind and shows that you still care about the position.






            share|improve this answer












            In the past I've typically tried something like the following. Let's assume, for this example, that your contact's name is Fonzie, because I always liked Happy Days and this is easier when someone has a name.



            Hi Fonzie. I hope you're doing well. I had a great time interviewing with you guys, and an even better time working on the take-home project. Now that I've had some time to reflect on it myself, I'm curious as to what you guys thought of it. If you get a chance, please let me know--I'd appreciate it!



            - Ryan



            This does what you want--namely, asks him for an update--but with a complementary goal that isn't just a sneaky way to trojan horse your way into asking for that update. You get to give your impression of the interview and the project, which could be helpful for them if they didn't glean that from the interview or the quality of your work. But it also puts you back in his mind and shows that you still care about the position.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Jan 31 '14 at 18:25









            Brian Warshaw

            63558




            63558







            • 2




              Just noticed: "you guys" is a Mew England thing and often sounds weird to folks not from 'round these parts.
              – atk
              May 18 '15 at 21:33






            • 1




              Well, my goal wasn't to provide a form letter for copying and pasting, but your point is well-taken, just the same :-)
              – Brian Warshaw
              May 19 '15 at 13:21






            • 2




              Being part cat, I approve of "Mew England".
              – keshlam
              Feb 21 '16 at 5:37












            • 2




              Just noticed: "you guys" is a Mew England thing and often sounds weird to folks not from 'round these parts.
              – atk
              May 18 '15 at 21:33






            • 1




              Well, my goal wasn't to provide a form letter for copying and pasting, but your point is well-taken, just the same :-)
              – Brian Warshaw
              May 19 '15 at 13:21






            • 2




              Being part cat, I approve of "Mew England".
              – keshlam
              Feb 21 '16 at 5:37







            2




            2




            Just noticed: "you guys" is a Mew England thing and often sounds weird to folks not from 'round these parts.
            – atk
            May 18 '15 at 21:33




            Just noticed: "you guys" is a Mew England thing and often sounds weird to folks not from 'round these parts.
            – atk
            May 18 '15 at 21:33




            1




            1




            Well, my goal wasn't to provide a form letter for copying and pasting, but your point is well-taken, just the same :-)
            – Brian Warshaw
            May 19 '15 at 13:21




            Well, my goal wasn't to provide a form letter for copying and pasting, but your point is well-taken, just the same :-)
            – Brian Warshaw
            May 19 '15 at 13:21




            2




            2




            Being part cat, I approve of "Mew England".
            – keshlam
            Feb 21 '16 at 5:37




            Being part cat, I approve of "Mew England".
            – keshlam
            Feb 21 '16 at 5:37












            up vote
            6
            down vote













            (Brian Warshaw's answer is good too :-))



            It depends upon what they told you during the interview. If they told you a date they'd get back to you, you'll want to wait until then. If they haven't given you a date, just ask for next steps as per the second half of my answer.



            If they did give you a review duration, once that time has passed, send something simple and straight forward. Don't try and back them into a corner or point out any missed dates. Assume that they're aware of the schedule they set out.




            Hi! I just wanted to check in and see how the programming test went. Do you know when I might expect feedback, and what the next steps might be?





            There's a more general question surrounding what you ask, of how to know what's expected next in the interview/hiring process. I've addressed that, below.



            Before leaving the individual interview:




            Is there anything you heard or didn't hear that concerns you?




            This lets them give immediate feedback, gives you better insight into their impression and lets you address any lingering concerns.



            Before leaving from interview day - that is, when walking out with the recruiter, or whomever the last person is...




            What are the next steps?




            and




            When should I expect to hear back?




            After the interviews have been completed, either same day if you didn't think to ask during the interviews:




            Thank you for having me in to interview, the other day. Do you know what the next steps are, and when I should expect to hear back?




            Or if things are taking longer than expected (I usually wait until two days after they said they'd get back to me):




            Hi! Just wanted to reach out and see how things are going. Is there any updated status?




            In all cases, I am attempting to demonstrate a friendly disposition, respect for the company and their time, be clear that I'm interested in moving forward with the process, am implicitly interested in the results of the interview, and that I would like to know what to expect next.






            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              6
              down vote













              (Brian Warshaw's answer is good too :-))



              It depends upon what they told you during the interview. If they told you a date they'd get back to you, you'll want to wait until then. If they haven't given you a date, just ask for next steps as per the second half of my answer.



              If they did give you a review duration, once that time has passed, send something simple and straight forward. Don't try and back them into a corner or point out any missed dates. Assume that they're aware of the schedule they set out.




              Hi! I just wanted to check in and see how the programming test went. Do you know when I might expect feedback, and what the next steps might be?





              There's a more general question surrounding what you ask, of how to know what's expected next in the interview/hiring process. I've addressed that, below.



              Before leaving the individual interview:




              Is there anything you heard or didn't hear that concerns you?




              This lets them give immediate feedback, gives you better insight into their impression and lets you address any lingering concerns.



              Before leaving from interview day - that is, when walking out with the recruiter, or whomever the last person is...




              What are the next steps?




              and




              When should I expect to hear back?




              After the interviews have been completed, either same day if you didn't think to ask during the interviews:




              Thank you for having me in to interview, the other day. Do you know what the next steps are, and when I should expect to hear back?




              Or if things are taking longer than expected (I usually wait until two days after they said they'd get back to me):




              Hi! Just wanted to reach out and see how things are going. Is there any updated status?




              In all cases, I am attempting to demonstrate a friendly disposition, respect for the company and their time, be clear that I'm interested in moving forward with the process, am implicitly interested in the results of the interview, and that I would like to know what to expect next.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                6
                down vote










                up vote
                6
                down vote









                (Brian Warshaw's answer is good too :-))



                It depends upon what they told you during the interview. If they told you a date they'd get back to you, you'll want to wait until then. If they haven't given you a date, just ask for next steps as per the second half of my answer.



                If they did give you a review duration, once that time has passed, send something simple and straight forward. Don't try and back them into a corner or point out any missed dates. Assume that they're aware of the schedule they set out.




                Hi! I just wanted to check in and see how the programming test went. Do you know when I might expect feedback, and what the next steps might be?





                There's a more general question surrounding what you ask, of how to know what's expected next in the interview/hiring process. I've addressed that, below.



                Before leaving the individual interview:




                Is there anything you heard or didn't hear that concerns you?




                This lets them give immediate feedback, gives you better insight into their impression and lets you address any lingering concerns.



                Before leaving from interview day - that is, when walking out with the recruiter, or whomever the last person is...




                What are the next steps?




                and




                When should I expect to hear back?




                After the interviews have been completed, either same day if you didn't think to ask during the interviews:




                Thank you for having me in to interview, the other day. Do you know what the next steps are, and when I should expect to hear back?




                Or if things are taking longer than expected (I usually wait until two days after they said they'd get back to me):




                Hi! Just wanted to reach out and see how things are going. Is there any updated status?




                In all cases, I am attempting to demonstrate a friendly disposition, respect for the company and their time, be clear that I'm interested in moving forward with the process, am implicitly interested in the results of the interview, and that I would like to know what to expect next.






                share|improve this answer














                (Brian Warshaw's answer is good too :-))



                It depends upon what they told you during the interview. If they told you a date they'd get back to you, you'll want to wait until then. If they haven't given you a date, just ask for next steps as per the second half of my answer.



                If they did give you a review duration, once that time has passed, send something simple and straight forward. Don't try and back them into a corner or point out any missed dates. Assume that they're aware of the schedule they set out.




                Hi! I just wanted to check in and see how the programming test went. Do you know when I might expect feedback, and what the next steps might be?





                There's a more general question surrounding what you ask, of how to know what's expected next in the interview/hiring process. I've addressed that, below.



                Before leaving the individual interview:




                Is there anything you heard or didn't hear that concerns you?




                This lets them give immediate feedback, gives you better insight into their impression and lets you address any lingering concerns.



                Before leaving from interview day - that is, when walking out with the recruiter, or whomever the last person is...




                What are the next steps?




                and




                When should I expect to hear back?




                After the interviews have been completed, either same day if you didn't think to ask during the interviews:




                Thank you for having me in to interview, the other day. Do you know what the next steps are, and when I should expect to hear back?




                Or if things are taking longer than expected (I usually wait until two days after they said they'd get back to me):




                Hi! Just wanted to reach out and see how things are going. Is there any updated status?




                In all cases, I am attempting to demonstrate a friendly disposition, respect for the company and their time, be clear that I'm interested in moving forward with the process, am implicitly interested in the results of the interview, and that I would like to know what to expect next.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Feb 21 '16 at 12:20









                Appulus

                33148




                33148










                answered Jan 31 '14 at 19:12









                atk

                2,26411420




                2,26411420






















                     

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