Buzz
While it's generally not acceptable to directly ask if you've secured the job, there are several subtle ways you can inquire about your chances. By requesting an update after the interview, expressing appreciation for the opportunity, and observing the interviewer's tone and response, you'll get a sense of whether you're in the running. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps you can follow post-interview to gauge if you've landed the role or not.
Steps
Getting Ready to Follow Up
Inquire about the next steps during your interview. At the close of your interview, the hiring manager will likely ask if you have any questions. This is a great time to inquire further about the company or the position, but it’s also wise to ask about the next stages in the hiring process.
- For instance, you could ask how long the post-interview process might take, whether you’ll be notified if you’ve been selected, and when you should expect to hear back. You can also ask about the best way to contact the hiring manager if you have follow-up questions.
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Alyson Garrido, PCC
Career Coach
Career Coach
Our Expert Recommends: Before you wrap up your interview, ask when they anticipate making a decision. This will allow you to follow up as the date approaches.
Avoid asking if you got the job immediately. If your interview goes well, you might feel compelled to ask the hiring manager on the spot whether you’ve secured the position. Resist this urge. It can come across as desperate, which might turn off the hiring manager.
- Additionally, the hiring manager is likely unable to provide an immediate response. They might still need to interview other candidates or have discussions with a larger team before making a decision.
Send a thank-you note after your interview. While this isn’t directly related to asking if you got the job, it helps keep you top of mind for the hiring manager. In your note, briefly remind them who you are, the role you interviewed for, and express your enthusiasm for the company or position.
- For instance, you might write: “Dear Jim, Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the assistant manager position at Jim’s Bakery. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, and I’m excited about the new products Jim’s Bakery is innovating!”
- Don’t ask for an update about the job in this note—just express gratitude for the interview.
Creating Your Follow-Up Email
Time your follow-up email appropriately. Allow the hiring manager or recruiter sufficient time to review all the interviews they’ve conducted. They might need to consult with other members of the HR team and are often restricted from discussing the position until they get the green light to proceed with a hire. Wait about a week before sending a follow-up email.
- If the hiring manager gave you a specific date for when they hope to make a decision, wait a few days beyond that to follow up, as the timeline they provide is often optimistic, and unexpected delays may arise.
Help the hiring manager remember you. Your follow-up email should include your name, the position you applied for, and the date of your interview. The clearer you make it for the hiring manager to recall who you are, the better your chances of receiving a timely response.
- For example, you could say: “Dear Jim, I hope you're doing well. I wanted to check in on the status of the assistant manager position I interviewed for on May 5, 2017. If you need any further information from me, I’d be happy to provide it. I look forward to hearing from you.”
Inform the hiring manager if you’ve received other offers. If you're actively job hunting, it's likely that you've received another offer while awaiting a response from your preferred choice. Let the hiring manager know about this development—it not only provides you with a valid reason to ask for an update but also increases your chances of hearing back sooner.
- For example: “Dear Emily, I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up on the status of the coordinator position I interviewed for on January 10. I’ve received an offer from another company, but I’m still very interested in the opportunity with ABC Consulting. Could you provide an update on the position? Thank you for your time.”
Set limits on your follow-ups. If you're eagerly waiting for news on a job you're passionate about, it can be tempting to check in frequently until you get an answer, especially if the hiring manager invites you to do so. However, it's important to set a limit for your follow-ups—usually no more than three. If you haven’t received a response by then, it's time to shift focus to other opportunities.
- If you don’t get a response after three follow-ups, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost the job. It likely just means the hiring process is taking longer than expected, and you don’t want to expend more energy on it when you could be advancing other prospects!
How to Tell If a Hiring Manager Is Interested in You
Things to Avoid
- Avoid setting arbitrary deadlines for the hiring manager. If you have a specific date by which you need to know if you got the job—for instance, for relocation purposes—mention it during the interview. But don’t impose a deadline on the hiring manager unless it's absolutely necessary.
- Refrain from calling the hiring manager incessantly. Give them a few days after each deadline they provide, and resist the temptation to call for updates every single day.
