How often should I contact a company when they keep telling me my application is “under consideration”?

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I've been through three interviews with one company: an initial phone interview, a 1hr phone interview with director, and was flown in and stayed overnight for the 3rd interview. I feel the interviews all went well, and was told I would hear something early the following week.



When I did not hear from them a week and a half later, I sent them a benign email expressing my interests and asking if they have reached a decision yet.



I received a very nice email from them a day later saying they are still interviewing candidates, and they are interested in me and consider myself in the running, but had not made a decision yet. They would try to let me know if they want to pursue further by the middle to end of next week.



Its now two weeks later, and I am wondering if I should send another follow up email, and if so what should I say?



I sent the typical follow up email right after each of the interviews, and a 4th follow up email when I didn't hear from them the first time, so would a 5th email be unwelcome? How often should I try and follow up with this company after getting no response?







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  • Whatever you've done is more than enough. A HR type website wrote "the way they treat you during the interview process is the way you'd probably be treated as an employee". Not nasty, but if they're not keen by now, it means they're not keen, so IMO better to move on. It looks like they have the resources and ability to attract a wide range of talent, may want to deliberate, for some reason think you're not fully suitable (for any reason, don't take it personally), etc. Or I've seen jobs posted for months and months... It means the company may not even know who or what they're looking for.
    – SaltySub2
    Aug 15 at 7:54
















up vote
18
down vote

favorite
4












I've been through three interviews with one company: an initial phone interview, a 1hr phone interview with director, and was flown in and stayed overnight for the 3rd interview. I feel the interviews all went well, and was told I would hear something early the following week.



When I did not hear from them a week and a half later, I sent them a benign email expressing my interests and asking if they have reached a decision yet.



I received a very nice email from them a day later saying they are still interviewing candidates, and they are interested in me and consider myself in the running, but had not made a decision yet. They would try to let me know if they want to pursue further by the middle to end of next week.



Its now two weeks later, and I am wondering if I should send another follow up email, and if so what should I say?



I sent the typical follow up email right after each of the interviews, and a 4th follow up email when I didn't hear from them the first time, so would a 5th email be unwelcome? How often should I try and follow up with this company after getting no response?







share|improve this question






















  • Whatever you've done is more than enough. A HR type website wrote "the way they treat you during the interview process is the way you'd probably be treated as an employee". Not nasty, but if they're not keen by now, it means they're not keen, so IMO better to move on. It looks like they have the resources and ability to attract a wide range of talent, may want to deliberate, for some reason think you're not fully suitable (for any reason, don't take it personally), etc. Or I've seen jobs posted for months and months... It means the company may not even know who or what they're looking for.
    – SaltySub2
    Aug 15 at 7:54












up vote
18
down vote

favorite
4









up vote
18
down vote

favorite
4






4





I've been through three interviews with one company: an initial phone interview, a 1hr phone interview with director, and was flown in and stayed overnight for the 3rd interview. I feel the interviews all went well, and was told I would hear something early the following week.



When I did not hear from them a week and a half later, I sent them a benign email expressing my interests and asking if they have reached a decision yet.



I received a very nice email from them a day later saying they are still interviewing candidates, and they are interested in me and consider myself in the running, but had not made a decision yet. They would try to let me know if they want to pursue further by the middle to end of next week.



Its now two weeks later, and I am wondering if I should send another follow up email, and if so what should I say?



I sent the typical follow up email right after each of the interviews, and a 4th follow up email when I didn't hear from them the first time, so would a 5th email be unwelcome? How often should I try and follow up with this company after getting no response?







share|improve this question














I've been through three interviews with one company: an initial phone interview, a 1hr phone interview with director, and was flown in and stayed overnight for the 3rd interview. I feel the interviews all went well, and was told I would hear something early the following week.



When I did not hear from them a week and a half later, I sent them a benign email expressing my interests and asking if they have reached a decision yet.



I received a very nice email from them a day later saying they are still interviewing candidates, and they are interested in me and consider myself in the running, but had not made a decision yet. They would try to let me know if they want to pursue further by the middle to end of next week.



Its now two weeks later, and I am wondering if I should send another follow up email, and if so what should I say?



I sent the typical follow up email right after each of the interviews, and a 4th follow up email when I didn't hear from them the first time, so would a 5th email be unwelcome? How often should I try and follow up with this company after getting no response?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




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edited Aug 16 '14 at 23:49









Ian Holstead

1,0111230




1,0111230










asked Jun 14 '12 at 15:00









lilyspad

9916




9916











  • Whatever you've done is more than enough. A HR type website wrote "the way they treat you during the interview process is the way you'd probably be treated as an employee". Not nasty, but if they're not keen by now, it means they're not keen, so IMO better to move on. It looks like they have the resources and ability to attract a wide range of talent, may want to deliberate, for some reason think you're not fully suitable (for any reason, don't take it personally), etc. Or I've seen jobs posted for months and months... It means the company may not even know who or what they're looking for.
    – SaltySub2
    Aug 15 at 7:54
















  • Whatever you've done is more than enough. A HR type website wrote "the way they treat you during the interview process is the way you'd probably be treated as an employee". Not nasty, but if they're not keen by now, it means they're not keen, so IMO better to move on. It looks like they have the resources and ability to attract a wide range of talent, may want to deliberate, for some reason think you're not fully suitable (for any reason, don't take it personally), etc. Or I've seen jobs posted for months and months... It means the company may not even know who or what they're looking for.
    – SaltySub2
    Aug 15 at 7:54















Whatever you've done is more than enough. A HR type website wrote "the way they treat you during the interview process is the way you'd probably be treated as an employee". Not nasty, but if they're not keen by now, it means they're not keen, so IMO better to move on. It looks like they have the resources and ability to attract a wide range of talent, may want to deliberate, for some reason think you're not fully suitable (for any reason, don't take it personally), etc. Or I've seen jobs posted for months and months... It means the company may not even know who or what they're looking for.
– SaltySub2
Aug 15 at 7:54




Whatever you've done is more than enough. A HR type website wrote "the way they treat you during the interview process is the way you'd probably be treated as an employee". Not nasty, but if they're not keen by now, it means they're not keen, so IMO better to move on. It looks like they have the resources and ability to attract a wide range of talent, may want to deliberate, for some reason think you're not fully suitable (for any reason, don't take it personally), etc. Or I've seen jobs posted for months and months... It means the company may not even know who or what they're looking for.
– SaltySub2
Aug 15 at 7:54










4 Answers
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up vote
18
down vote



accepted










I once interviewed with a company that I didn't hear from for about 4 months. When I did finally hear from them, they offered me a job.



I would pursue other leads, assuming this one to be on hiatus or perhaps dead in the water. But, I wouldn't be shocked if you wind up hearing back finally, later. The people doing hiring are often quite busy with work other than hiring. In some cases, this is a purely unusual and extra curricular activity.



So, you interview and then the CFO goes on a two week vacation so no money decisions like a hire can be made. Then the HR liason goes on vacation for a week. Then there's some emergency at some offsite location where the people who interviewed you have to go for two weeks. Suddenly, more than a month is gone. It's not that they forgot about you or intend any offense -- just that businesses have certain amounts of bureaucracy and things have a way of getting put off.






share|improve this answer




















  • Thanks, I appreciate all comments. Of course I have not put all my eggs in one basket, and have continued the job search process, that I have not stopped. The question is, do I follow up with an email asking what their timeline is for the next steps/and or hiring decision?
    – lilyspad
    Jun 14 '12 at 16:34










  • I would say no, personally, and just move on. But that's me. I tend not to be a pushy person. If I follow up once (maybe twice) with something, I don't really have it in me to keep at it because I feel like I'm exhausting good will by nagging.
    – Erik Dietrich
    Jun 14 '12 at 17:23






  • 3




    @lilyspad - I would wait another week before I sent another email. I would then continue to send emails every 3 weeks. My feeling on the subject is if they didn't want to get emails from you then they should give you a better answer then "they are still considering you for the job"
    – Ramhound
    Jun 14 '12 at 18:47










  • Thanks Ramhound, I think I will take your advice and email next week. Believe me, I have not stopped looking
    – lilyspad
    Jun 15 '12 at 23:55











  • Eric, if you don't mind, can you please tell me how many years of experience did you have at that time ?
    – Borat Sagdiyev
    Jun 3 '14 at 0:09


















up vote
6
down vote













While persistence often pays off, sending emails repeatedly is not likely to help your situation. There's a good chance they've already filled the position and simply not told you.



Very few recruiters ever call to "sign off" potential recruits who are not chosen for a variety of reasons: it's unpleasant (no one wants to deliver bad news), the one they've chosen might not actually start or might not work out (so they want to still be able to call you without admitting that), they will have another opening eventually or they're busy filling other positions and doing other aspects of their job.



The other day, someone wrote in to a morning show asking if they were crazy for sending Donald Trump a letter with their business ideas once a week for 4 years. They thought they were just being persistent, but 200 letters was just crazy. The advice provided was to start implementing the ideas instead of waiting for Donald Trump to become their sugar-daddy.



So, my suggestion is to simply move on - you have done your due diligence and excessive follow up might raise a red flag for them. If they want you, they know how to reach you.






share|improve this answer






















  • In my experience, if the organization has filled the position, they'll usually tell you if you ask.
    – GreenMatt
    Nov 28 '12 at 15:56

















up vote
3
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It can be difficult to feel you have been "left hanging" by a firm when you felt that the interview process you went through was very positive. I've been on both sides of the fence and understand the frustration you feel.



One tip to help to mitigate this is to always ask at interview how many other people are being considered for the role, and, at second or third interviews to follow this up by asking if you are the preferred candidate. You may not get a straight or honest answer, but no matter what the response you can then easily ask about time lines.



In this situation, I would suggest they are still interested, but they are not in a position where they can let you know one way or the other. There are a number of possible reasons for this I can think of or have experienced, starting with the hardest one first:



  • you are not the preferred candidate; you are their number 2 pick, and they are negotiating with their #1 who has not committed to the role, or perhaps is going through reference checks and so on


  • they haven't interviewed everyone; a stand-out candidiate on paper couldn't make an interview for a valid reason, and they want to give them a chance


  • the decision makers can't get together; stuff happens - people get sick, have to travel and so on. Getting everyone into the same room to make the call can be tricky


  • they can't get sign off on the role; some companies have a sign-off and approval process that takes time, or some other internal company political barrier that they can work around, but takes time


I would send another e-mail after two weeks, or perhaps talk to the HR department, and ask them for a time line on when you should hear by. In the meantime, it is well worth starting the process with other companies.






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    up vote
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    Its good to follow up with the company especially once the company has given you a get back date and they have gone past that. As a hiring manager I was never put off by job seekers mailing or calling me for a status update - if they didn't make it they were told. If the application was still processing they were told - more so I told them to call me back in a couple of weeks if they hadn't heard anything.



    Most people who say emails don't get them jobs don't really understand the anxiety that job seekers go through. Sending them a mail every 2 weeks doesn't do any harm - if they don't respond to you then yeah - give it up. If they do respond to you every time you send them a mail - keep sending. Some recruitment processes can take up to 3 months.






    share|improve this answer






















    • You sound like a real gem among hiring managers, nice to see there are people like you out there.
      – SaltySub2
      Aug 15 at 7:55










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    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes








    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

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    active

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    up vote
    18
    down vote



    accepted










    I once interviewed with a company that I didn't hear from for about 4 months. When I did finally hear from them, they offered me a job.



    I would pursue other leads, assuming this one to be on hiatus or perhaps dead in the water. But, I wouldn't be shocked if you wind up hearing back finally, later. The people doing hiring are often quite busy with work other than hiring. In some cases, this is a purely unusual and extra curricular activity.



    So, you interview and then the CFO goes on a two week vacation so no money decisions like a hire can be made. Then the HR liason goes on vacation for a week. Then there's some emergency at some offsite location where the people who interviewed you have to go for two weeks. Suddenly, more than a month is gone. It's not that they forgot about you or intend any offense -- just that businesses have certain amounts of bureaucracy and things have a way of getting put off.






    share|improve this answer




















    • Thanks, I appreciate all comments. Of course I have not put all my eggs in one basket, and have continued the job search process, that I have not stopped. The question is, do I follow up with an email asking what their timeline is for the next steps/and or hiring decision?
      – lilyspad
      Jun 14 '12 at 16:34










    • I would say no, personally, and just move on. But that's me. I tend not to be a pushy person. If I follow up once (maybe twice) with something, I don't really have it in me to keep at it because I feel like I'm exhausting good will by nagging.
      – Erik Dietrich
      Jun 14 '12 at 17:23






    • 3




      @lilyspad - I would wait another week before I sent another email. I would then continue to send emails every 3 weeks. My feeling on the subject is if they didn't want to get emails from you then they should give you a better answer then "they are still considering you for the job"
      – Ramhound
      Jun 14 '12 at 18:47










    • Thanks Ramhound, I think I will take your advice and email next week. Believe me, I have not stopped looking
      – lilyspad
      Jun 15 '12 at 23:55











    • Eric, if you don't mind, can you please tell me how many years of experience did you have at that time ?
      – Borat Sagdiyev
      Jun 3 '14 at 0:09















    up vote
    18
    down vote



    accepted










    I once interviewed with a company that I didn't hear from for about 4 months. When I did finally hear from them, they offered me a job.



    I would pursue other leads, assuming this one to be on hiatus or perhaps dead in the water. But, I wouldn't be shocked if you wind up hearing back finally, later. The people doing hiring are often quite busy with work other than hiring. In some cases, this is a purely unusual and extra curricular activity.



    So, you interview and then the CFO goes on a two week vacation so no money decisions like a hire can be made. Then the HR liason goes on vacation for a week. Then there's some emergency at some offsite location where the people who interviewed you have to go for two weeks. Suddenly, more than a month is gone. It's not that they forgot about you or intend any offense -- just that businesses have certain amounts of bureaucracy and things have a way of getting put off.






    share|improve this answer




















    • Thanks, I appreciate all comments. Of course I have not put all my eggs in one basket, and have continued the job search process, that I have not stopped. The question is, do I follow up with an email asking what their timeline is for the next steps/and or hiring decision?
      – lilyspad
      Jun 14 '12 at 16:34










    • I would say no, personally, and just move on. But that's me. I tend not to be a pushy person. If I follow up once (maybe twice) with something, I don't really have it in me to keep at it because I feel like I'm exhausting good will by nagging.
      – Erik Dietrich
      Jun 14 '12 at 17:23






    • 3




      @lilyspad - I would wait another week before I sent another email. I would then continue to send emails every 3 weeks. My feeling on the subject is if they didn't want to get emails from you then they should give you a better answer then "they are still considering you for the job"
      – Ramhound
      Jun 14 '12 at 18:47










    • Thanks Ramhound, I think I will take your advice and email next week. Believe me, I have not stopped looking
      – lilyspad
      Jun 15 '12 at 23:55











    • Eric, if you don't mind, can you please tell me how many years of experience did you have at that time ?
      – Borat Sagdiyev
      Jun 3 '14 at 0:09













    up vote
    18
    down vote



    accepted







    up vote
    18
    down vote



    accepted






    I once interviewed with a company that I didn't hear from for about 4 months. When I did finally hear from them, they offered me a job.



    I would pursue other leads, assuming this one to be on hiatus or perhaps dead in the water. But, I wouldn't be shocked if you wind up hearing back finally, later. The people doing hiring are often quite busy with work other than hiring. In some cases, this is a purely unusual and extra curricular activity.



    So, you interview and then the CFO goes on a two week vacation so no money decisions like a hire can be made. Then the HR liason goes on vacation for a week. Then there's some emergency at some offsite location where the people who interviewed you have to go for two weeks. Suddenly, more than a month is gone. It's not that they forgot about you or intend any offense -- just that businesses have certain amounts of bureaucracy and things have a way of getting put off.






    share|improve this answer












    I once interviewed with a company that I didn't hear from for about 4 months. When I did finally hear from them, they offered me a job.



    I would pursue other leads, assuming this one to be on hiatus or perhaps dead in the water. But, I wouldn't be shocked if you wind up hearing back finally, later. The people doing hiring are often quite busy with work other than hiring. In some cases, this is a purely unusual and extra curricular activity.



    So, you interview and then the CFO goes on a two week vacation so no money decisions like a hire can be made. Then the HR liason goes on vacation for a week. Then there's some emergency at some offsite location where the people who interviewed you have to go for two weeks. Suddenly, more than a month is gone. It's not that they forgot about you or intend any offense -- just that businesses have certain amounts of bureaucracy and things have a way of getting put off.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jun 14 '12 at 15:58









    Erik Dietrich

    47635




    47635











    • Thanks, I appreciate all comments. Of course I have not put all my eggs in one basket, and have continued the job search process, that I have not stopped. The question is, do I follow up with an email asking what their timeline is for the next steps/and or hiring decision?
      – lilyspad
      Jun 14 '12 at 16:34










    • I would say no, personally, and just move on. But that's me. I tend not to be a pushy person. If I follow up once (maybe twice) with something, I don't really have it in me to keep at it because I feel like I'm exhausting good will by nagging.
      – Erik Dietrich
      Jun 14 '12 at 17:23






    • 3




      @lilyspad - I would wait another week before I sent another email. I would then continue to send emails every 3 weeks. My feeling on the subject is if they didn't want to get emails from you then they should give you a better answer then "they are still considering you for the job"
      – Ramhound
      Jun 14 '12 at 18:47










    • Thanks Ramhound, I think I will take your advice and email next week. Believe me, I have not stopped looking
      – lilyspad
      Jun 15 '12 at 23:55











    • Eric, if you don't mind, can you please tell me how many years of experience did you have at that time ?
      – Borat Sagdiyev
      Jun 3 '14 at 0:09

















    • Thanks, I appreciate all comments. Of course I have not put all my eggs in one basket, and have continued the job search process, that I have not stopped. The question is, do I follow up with an email asking what their timeline is for the next steps/and or hiring decision?
      – lilyspad
      Jun 14 '12 at 16:34










    • I would say no, personally, and just move on. But that's me. I tend not to be a pushy person. If I follow up once (maybe twice) with something, I don't really have it in me to keep at it because I feel like I'm exhausting good will by nagging.
      – Erik Dietrich
      Jun 14 '12 at 17:23






    • 3




      @lilyspad - I would wait another week before I sent another email. I would then continue to send emails every 3 weeks. My feeling on the subject is if they didn't want to get emails from you then they should give you a better answer then "they are still considering you for the job"
      – Ramhound
      Jun 14 '12 at 18:47










    • Thanks Ramhound, I think I will take your advice and email next week. Believe me, I have not stopped looking
      – lilyspad
      Jun 15 '12 at 23:55











    • Eric, if you don't mind, can you please tell me how many years of experience did you have at that time ?
      – Borat Sagdiyev
      Jun 3 '14 at 0:09
















    Thanks, I appreciate all comments. Of course I have not put all my eggs in one basket, and have continued the job search process, that I have not stopped. The question is, do I follow up with an email asking what their timeline is for the next steps/and or hiring decision?
    – lilyspad
    Jun 14 '12 at 16:34




    Thanks, I appreciate all comments. Of course I have not put all my eggs in one basket, and have continued the job search process, that I have not stopped. The question is, do I follow up with an email asking what their timeline is for the next steps/and or hiring decision?
    – lilyspad
    Jun 14 '12 at 16:34












    I would say no, personally, and just move on. But that's me. I tend not to be a pushy person. If I follow up once (maybe twice) with something, I don't really have it in me to keep at it because I feel like I'm exhausting good will by nagging.
    – Erik Dietrich
    Jun 14 '12 at 17:23




    I would say no, personally, and just move on. But that's me. I tend not to be a pushy person. If I follow up once (maybe twice) with something, I don't really have it in me to keep at it because I feel like I'm exhausting good will by nagging.
    – Erik Dietrich
    Jun 14 '12 at 17:23




    3




    3




    @lilyspad - I would wait another week before I sent another email. I would then continue to send emails every 3 weeks. My feeling on the subject is if they didn't want to get emails from you then they should give you a better answer then "they are still considering you for the job"
    – Ramhound
    Jun 14 '12 at 18:47




    @lilyspad - I would wait another week before I sent another email. I would then continue to send emails every 3 weeks. My feeling on the subject is if they didn't want to get emails from you then they should give you a better answer then "they are still considering you for the job"
    – Ramhound
    Jun 14 '12 at 18:47












    Thanks Ramhound, I think I will take your advice and email next week. Believe me, I have not stopped looking
    – lilyspad
    Jun 15 '12 at 23:55





    Thanks Ramhound, I think I will take your advice and email next week. Believe me, I have not stopped looking
    – lilyspad
    Jun 15 '12 at 23:55













    Eric, if you don't mind, can you please tell me how many years of experience did you have at that time ?
    – Borat Sagdiyev
    Jun 3 '14 at 0:09





    Eric, if you don't mind, can you please tell me how many years of experience did you have at that time ?
    – Borat Sagdiyev
    Jun 3 '14 at 0:09













    up vote
    6
    down vote













    While persistence often pays off, sending emails repeatedly is not likely to help your situation. There's a good chance they've already filled the position and simply not told you.



    Very few recruiters ever call to "sign off" potential recruits who are not chosen for a variety of reasons: it's unpleasant (no one wants to deliver bad news), the one they've chosen might not actually start or might not work out (so they want to still be able to call you without admitting that), they will have another opening eventually or they're busy filling other positions and doing other aspects of their job.



    The other day, someone wrote in to a morning show asking if they were crazy for sending Donald Trump a letter with their business ideas once a week for 4 years. They thought they were just being persistent, but 200 letters was just crazy. The advice provided was to start implementing the ideas instead of waiting for Donald Trump to become their sugar-daddy.



    So, my suggestion is to simply move on - you have done your due diligence and excessive follow up might raise a red flag for them. If they want you, they know how to reach you.






    share|improve this answer






















    • In my experience, if the organization has filled the position, they'll usually tell you if you ask.
      – GreenMatt
      Nov 28 '12 at 15:56














    up vote
    6
    down vote













    While persistence often pays off, sending emails repeatedly is not likely to help your situation. There's a good chance they've already filled the position and simply not told you.



    Very few recruiters ever call to "sign off" potential recruits who are not chosen for a variety of reasons: it's unpleasant (no one wants to deliver bad news), the one they've chosen might not actually start or might not work out (so they want to still be able to call you without admitting that), they will have another opening eventually or they're busy filling other positions and doing other aspects of their job.



    The other day, someone wrote in to a morning show asking if they were crazy for sending Donald Trump a letter with their business ideas once a week for 4 years. They thought they were just being persistent, but 200 letters was just crazy. The advice provided was to start implementing the ideas instead of waiting for Donald Trump to become their sugar-daddy.



    So, my suggestion is to simply move on - you have done your due diligence and excessive follow up might raise a red flag for them. If they want you, they know how to reach you.






    share|improve this answer






















    • In my experience, if the organization has filled the position, they'll usually tell you if you ask.
      – GreenMatt
      Nov 28 '12 at 15:56












    up vote
    6
    down vote










    up vote
    6
    down vote









    While persistence often pays off, sending emails repeatedly is not likely to help your situation. There's a good chance they've already filled the position and simply not told you.



    Very few recruiters ever call to "sign off" potential recruits who are not chosen for a variety of reasons: it's unpleasant (no one wants to deliver bad news), the one they've chosen might not actually start or might not work out (so they want to still be able to call you without admitting that), they will have another opening eventually or they're busy filling other positions and doing other aspects of their job.



    The other day, someone wrote in to a morning show asking if they were crazy for sending Donald Trump a letter with their business ideas once a week for 4 years. They thought they were just being persistent, but 200 letters was just crazy. The advice provided was to start implementing the ideas instead of waiting for Donald Trump to become their sugar-daddy.



    So, my suggestion is to simply move on - you have done your due diligence and excessive follow up might raise a red flag for them. If they want you, they know how to reach you.






    share|improve this answer














    While persistence often pays off, sending emails repeatedly is not likely to help your situation. There's a good chance they've already filled the position and simply not told you.



    Very few recruiters ever call to "sign off" potential recruits who are not chosen for a variety of reasons: it's unpleasant (no one wants to deliver bad news), the one they've chosen might not actually start or might not work out (so they want to still be able to call you without admitting that), they will have another opening eventually or they're busy filling other positions and doing other aspects of their job.



    The other day, someone wrote in to a morning show asking if they were crazy for sending Donald Trump a letter with their business ideas once a week for 4 years. They thought they were just being persistent, but 200 letters was just crazy. The advice provided was to start implementing the ideas instead of waiting for Donald Trump to become their sugar-daddy.



    So, my suggestion is to simply move on - you have done your due diligence and excessive follow up might raise a red flag for them. If they want you, they know how to reach you.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Aug 24 '12 at 19:21

























    answered Aug 23 '12 at 13:36









    David Navarre

    1,5161112




    1,5161112











    • In my experience, if the organization has filled the position, they'll usually tell you if you ask.
      – GreenMatt
      Nov 28 '12 at 15:56
















    • In my experience, if the organization has filled the position, they'll usually tell you if you ask.
      – GreenMatt
      Nov 28 '12 at 15:56















    In my experience, if the organization has filled the position, they'll usually tell you if you ask.
    – GreenMatt
    Nov 28 '12 at 15:56




    In my experience, if the organization has filled the position, they'll usually tell you if you ask.
    – GreenMatt
    Nov 28 '12 at 15:56










    up vote
    3
    down vote













    It can be difficult to feel you have been "left hanging" by a firm when you felt that the interview process you went through was very positive. I've been on both sides of the fence and understand the frustration you feel.



    One tip to help to mitigate this is to always ask at interview how many other people are being considered for the role, and, at second or third interviews to follow this up by asking if you are the preferred candidate. You may not get a straight or honest answer, but no matter what the response you can then easily ask about time lines.



    In this situation, I would suggest they are still interested, but they are not in a position where they can let you know one way or the other. There are a number of possible reasons for this I can think of or have experienced, starting with the hardest one first:



    • you are not the preferred candidate; you are their number 2 pick, and they are negotiating with their #1 who has not committed to the role, or perhaps is going through reference checks and so on


    • they haven't interviewed everyone; a stand-out candidiate on paper couldn't make an interview for a valid reason, and they want to give them a chance


    • the decision makers can't get together; stuff happens - people get sick, have to travel and so on. Getting everyone into the same room to make the call can be tricky


    • they can't get sign off on the role; some companies have a sign-off and approval process that takes time, or some other internal company political barrier that they can work around, but takes time


    I would send another e-mail after two weeks, or perhaps talk to the HR department, and ask them for a time line on when you should hear by. In the meantime, it is well worth starting the process with other companies.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      3
      down vote













      It can be difficult to feel you have been "left hanging" by a firm when you felt that the interview process you went through was very positive. I've been on both sides of the fence and understand the frustration you feel.



      One tip to help to mitigate this is to always ask at interview how many other people are being considered for the role, and, at second or third interviews to follow this up by asking if you are the preferred candidate. You may not get a straight or honest answer, but no matter what the response you can then easily ask about time lines.



      In this situation, I would suggest they are still interested, but they are not in a position where they can let you know one way or the other. There are a number of possible reasons for this I can think of or have experienced, starting with the hardest one first:



      • you are not the preferred candidate; you are their number 2 pick, and they are negotiating with their #1 who has not committed to the role, or perhaps is going through reference checks and so on


      • they haven't interviewed everyone; a stand-out candidiate on paper couldn't make an interview for a valid reason, and they want to give them a chance


      • the decision makers can't get together; stuff happens - people get sick, have to travel and so on. Getting everyone into the same room to make the call can be tricky


      • they can't get sign off on the role; some companies have a sign-off and approval process that takes time, or some other internal company political barrier that they can work around, but takes time


      I would send another e-mail after two weeks, or perhaps talk to the HR department, and ask them for a time line on when you should hear by. In the meantime, it is well worth starting the process with other companies.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        3
        down vote










        up vote
        3
        down vote









        It can be difficult to feel you have been "left hanging" by a firm when you felt that the interview process you went through was very positive. I've been on both sides of the fence and understand the frustration you feel.



        One tip to help to mitigate this is to always ask at interview how many other people are being considered for the role, and, at second or third interviews to follow this up by asking if you are the preferred candidate. You may not get a straight or honest answer, but no matter what the response you can then easily ask about time lines.



        In this situation, I would suggest they are still interested, but they are not in a position where they can let you know one way or the other. There are a number of possible reasons for this I can think of or have experienced, starting with the hardest one first:



        • you are not the preferred candidate; you are their number 2 pick, and they are negotiating with their #1 who has not committed to the role, or perhaps is going through reference checks and so on


        • they haven't interviewed everyone; a stand-out candidiate on paper couldn't make an interview for a valid reason, and they want to give them a chance


        • the decision makers can't get together; stuff happens - people get sick, have to travel and so on. Getting everyone into the same room to make the call can be tricky


        • they can't get sign off on the role; some companies have a sign-off and approval process that takes time, or some other internal company political barrier that they can work around, but takes time


        I would send another e-mail after two weeks, or perhaps talk to the HR department, and ask them for a time line on when you should hear by. In the meantime, it is well worth starting the process with other companies.






        share|improve this answer












        It can be difficult to feel you have been "left hanging" by a firm when you felt that the interview process you went through was very positive. I've been on both sides of the fence and understand the frustration you feel.



        One tip to help to mitigate this is to always ask at interview how many other people are being considered for the role, and, at second or third interviews to follow this up by asking if you are the preferred candidate. You may not get a straight or honest answer, but no matter what the response you can then easily ask about time lines.



        In this situation, I would suggest they are still interested, but they are not in a position where they can let you know one way or the other. There are a number of possible reasons for this I can think of or have experienced, starting with the hardest one first:



        • you are not the preferred candidate; you are their number 2 pick, and they are negotiating with their #1 who has not committed to the role, or perhaps is going through reference checks and so on


        • they haven't interviewed everyone; a stand-out candidiate on paper couldn't make an interview for a valid reason, and they want to give them a chance


        • the decision makers can't get together; stuff happens - people get sick, have to travel and so on. Getting everyone into the same room to make the call can be tricky


        • they can't get sign off on the role; some companies have a sign-off and approval process that takes time, or some other internal company political barrier that they can work around, but takes time


        I would send another e-mail after two weeks, or perhaps talk to the HR department, and ask them for a time line on when you should hear by. In the meantime, it is well worth starting the process with other companies.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Nov 27 '12 at 2:05









        GuyM

        8,4332743




        8,4332743




















            up vote
            2
            down vote













            Its good to follow up with the company especially once the company has given you a get back date and they have gone past that. As a hiring manager I was never put off by job seekers mailing or calling me for a status update - if they didn't make it they were told. If the application was still processing they were told - more so I told them to call me back in a couple of weeks if they hadn't heard anything.



            Most people who say emails don't get them jobs don't really understand the anxiety that job seekers go through. Sending them a mail every 2 weeks doesn't do any harm - if they don't respond to you then yeah - give it up. If they do respond to you every time you send them a mail - keep sending. Some recruitment processes can take up to 3 months.






            share|improve this answer






















            • You sound like a real gem among hiring managers, nice to see there are people like you out there.
              – SaltySub2
              Aug 15 at 7:55














            up vote
            2
            down vote













            Its good to follow up with the company especially once the company has given you a get back date and they have gone past that. As a hiring manager I was never put off by job seekers mailing or calling me for a status update - if they didn't make it they were told. If the application was still processing they were told - more so I told them to call me back in a couple of weeks if they hadn't heard anything.



            Most people who say emails don't get them jobs don't really understand the anxiety that job seekers go through. Sending them a mail every 2 weeks doesn't do any harm - if they don't respond to you then yeah - give it up. If they do respond to you every time you send them a mail - keep sending. Some recruitment processes can take up to 3 months.






            share|improve this answer






















            • You sound like a real gem among hiring managers, nice to see there are people like you out there.
              – SaltySub2
              Aug 15 at 7:55












            up vote
            2
            down vote










            up vote
            2
            down vote









            Its good to follow up with the company especially once the company has given you a get back date and they have gone past that. As a hiring manager I was never put off by job seekers mailing or calling me for a status update - if they didn't make it they were told. If the application was still processing they were told - more so I told them to call me back in a couple of weeks if they hadn't heard anything.



            Most people who say emails don't get them jobs don't really understand the anxiety that job seekers go through. Sending them a mail every 2 weeks doesn't do any harm - if they don't respond to you then yeah - give it up. If they do respond to you every time you send them a mail - keep sending. Some recruitment processes can take up to 3 months.






            share|improve this answer














            Its good to follow up with the company especially once the company has given you a get back date and they have gone past that. As a hiring manager I was never put off by job seekers mailing or calling me for a status update - if they didn't make it they were told. If the application was still processing they were told - more so I told them to call me back in a couple of weeks if they hadn't heard anything.



            Most people who say emails don't get them jobs don't really understand the anxiety that job seekers go through. Sending them a mail every 2 weeks doesn't do any harm - if they don't respond to you then yeah - give it up. If they do respond to you every time you send them a mail - keep sending. Some recruitment processes can take up to 3 months.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Nov 27 '12 at 7:37









            gnat

            3,23373066




            3,23373066










            answered Nov 26 '12 at 23:45









            Roland

            211




            211











            • You sound like a real gem among hiring managers, nice to see there are people like you out there.
              – SaltySub2
              Aug 15 at 7:55
















            • You sound like a real gem among hiring managers, nice to see there are people like you out there.
              – SaltySub2
              Aug 15 at 7:55















            You sound like a real gem among hiring managers, nice to see there are people like you out there.
            – SaltySub2
            Aug 15 at 7:55




            You sound like a real gem among hiring managers, nice to see there are people like you out there.
            – SaltySub2
            Aug 15 at 7:55












             

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