Haven't heard from the interviewer, what should you do?

Sometimes, the interviewer won’t know the specific timetable or process for moving forward towards a job offer. Other times, the promised time for the “next step” will come and go, and you’re left wondering if you didn’t make the cut, or if another candidate received the offer. The only way to find out if you’re still in the running is to follow-up. But you don’t want to look like a pest, either.

Here’s how to handle some specific situations:

• If you were told the next step would happen by a certain date, and that date has passed. What to do: At the end of the interview, you asked the HR person or the hiring manager how he/she would prefer to be contacted. Follow their wishes. If they wanted to be contacted by email, draft a message that re-introduces yourself and reminds them of when you interviewed (and for which position). State that you were anticipating hearing from him/her by (date), and you were contacting him/her to inquire about the status of the hiring process. Have they postponed the next step — and, if so, are you still being considered as a candidate? (Follow the same process if calling to follow-up.)
• If you promised to follow-up on a certain date. What to do: If you made a promise in the interview to contact the interviewer on a certain date, make sure you do it! This is often used as a test by an interviewer — can the applicant follow instructions? This is especially important if you were asked to send something after the interview (for example, to write a sample report, or submit a writing sample).
• If you’ve completed several interviews and are waiting on a job offer. What to do: Often the hiring process takes longer than anticipated — and the most common delay happens between the last round of interviews and when a candidate is selected for a job offer. In some cases, the decision may come down to two finalists, and one person is offered the job first. If he or she declines, you may then be offered the job. Don’t be pushy or sound desperate at this stage. Instead, be confident and helpful. A follow-up call or email at this point asks one simple question, “Do you need anything else from me to help you make the hiring decision?” You may preface that with, “I know you’re busy, and I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but I wanted to make sure you had everything from me that you needed.”

Also, stay in contact with your references during this time. Check in with them and see if the interviewer or a reference check company has contacted them. This will often give you a clue that the hiring process is moving forward. (But keep in mind, not all companies — or interviewers — check references.)

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