By calling the main number, you may get directed to a boss or supervisor. Higher-level employees may be more straightforward about your application. Avoid looking up personal numbers to call, especially cell phone numbers. Calling a personal number can feel invasive to your interviewer. Instead, let the front desk transfer you to the appropriate number.
The other person may have gone through a lot of applications and interviews, so reminding them of when you met can help them remember you as a candidate. For example, say, “Hello, I had an interview with you last Tuesday, the 27th. ”
For instance, you might say, “Hello, I’m calling to follow up with the interview I had on the 9th about the office administrator position. ”
A simple “Thank you for your time” or “Thank you for considering me” suffices in most cases. If you find out your application has been rejected, you might say, “I’m sorry to hear that, but I wish you luck with your new hire. If you have any other openings available, I’d love to hear about them. ”
Use your judgment. If the person you spoke to sounded cold, vague, or uninterested during your conversation, chances are you won’t get hired and should stop calling. Make no more than 2 follow-up calls. If, after 2 calls, you still don’t have an answer, you are likely better off looking somewhere else.
Email is a great way to get in touch with an interviewer who is busy. If your interviewer is hard to reach or traveling, for instance, you may not be able to call them. Follow the interviewer’s preference. If they give you their email, making use of their inbox is fine. If they give you a phone number, avoid using email.
For example, write, “Re: Interview on Wednesday at 9 AM. ”
A less formal greeting you can use is, “Hi, Name. ” Put the person’s name in place of “Name. ” Being too formal can make you sound stiff, so you will usually be fine using a simple greeting like this one. A possible formal opening is, “Dear Mr. Hiring Manager. ” Be sure to use the proper pronoun and substitute their last name for the “Hiring Manager” part.
Say something like, “I enjoyed meeting you last week and wanted you to know how excited I am about the office manager position. ” You may wish to mention the date of your interview. If you included it in the subject line, mentioning it in the text isn’t required.
For instance, you may say, “I am interested in the status of my application. ” You can list some reasons why you are a good hire, but be brief. For instance, try writing, “You mentioned you are looking for a hardworking person. I believe I have what it takes and hope I get a chance to show it to your company. ”
Indicate your openness by saying something like, “Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns I can answer. ” Another way to encourage them to respond to you is to ask a question you forgot during the interview, such as, “What would someone need to do by the end of the year to prove they were the right hire?”
Sign off with a line such as “Thanks, Your Name. ” Typically, including your first and last name is the best bet because the interviewer doesn’t know you well and may be dealing with a lot of different candidates. If you end up exchanging several emails with the interviewer in rapid succession, you do not need to put your name on each one. Put your name on the email if, after a few weeks, you start a new message chain.
Asking for information too soon can decrease your chances of getting hired. If the interviewer feels annoyed by your calls, it reflects poorly on your candidacy. Remind yourself that interviewers are often busy people. They may still be conducting interviews, trying to make a decision, calling applicants back, or out of the office. If the interviewer didn’t set a specific deadline for a decision, wait at least 1 or 2 weeks before contacting them.
Tell your contact something like, “I am eager to find out if you have had a chance to review my application. ” This is all you need to say to convey your request.
You might tell your contact, “I’d like to inquire about the status of my application and how the hiring process is progressing. Since our interview, I’ve been very excited about the opportunity to join your company. ” Never accuse or attack the person, no matter how upset you are. You will burn bridges and cost yourself future opportunities.
This is especially evident if you talk to someone other than the person who interviewed you. Focus on getting information about your application status. Only talk about yourself if you are asked to do so. You can briefly emphasize some of your qualities, such as your hardworking nature and eagerness to work. However, the act of following up your interview is meant to display these qualities.
If you still can’t get a response after multiple attempts, you may be able to contact someone higher in the organization. Try a hiring manager or the HR department. Sometimes you need to know when to give up. Getting silence despite multiple attempts at reaching out isn’t a good sign, so consider focusing your energy on other opportunities.
