Following up: How much is too much? (2024)

Let’s set the stage, shall we? You spent hours searching for the perfect role, you applied directly online to the posting, your resume was well received, you got a phone call to arrange an interview, you researched the company, you prepared for the interview to the best of your ability, and you met with the management team, you are confident that you nailed it! Now, the waiting game begins. How and when is it appropriate to follow up?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get when discussing follow-up strategies is “how much is too much?” There is a fine line between polite persistence and becoming an annoyance to a hiring manager/recruiter through constant phones calls or emails. You don’t want to come across as overly aggressive- remember your behaviour after the interview is just as important as during the interview. You want to make sure you are respecting the timelines that have been put in place for the recruitment process.

Abrasive candidate behaviour can often stem from unrealistic expectations of how the interview process actually works. It tends to be longer than you would originally think. So let me take you inside the ins and outs of the corporate recruitment process.

A “typical” time-to-fill goal for a position is 45-50 days from the time the job is posted to when the candidate is physically sitting at their desk. I use the word “typical” very loosely because the process from role to role and company to company can differ immensely. Generally, 1-2 weeks is spent on reviewing applicant resumes, 2-3 weeks spent interviewing candidates (which can be impacted greatly by scheduling conflicts with the managers involved or HR), another 2 weeks for the selected candidate to give notice and start in the role (keeping in mind that backgroundchecks can add another 1-2 weeks should there be any delays in the process or discrepancies in submitting the appropriate documentation).

There are many variables that affect the duration of the selection process. The most common factors stem from the structure of the Hiring Team itself (how many decision-makers are included in the process, and who gets to decide what), the steps involved in the evaluation of the assessments and application materials and the number of qualified candidates who need to be reviewed and interviewed for the role.

It is no secret that high-profile openings tend to attract hundreds of candidates, which I mentioned above can take 1-2 weeks for hiring managers and HR to review, between other projects. It is important to respect the deadlines of the posting and don’t assume that your profile or resume will be reviewed the same day you submit your application. It is one thing to confirm if your application was received however, quite another to ask for feedback on your application the moment you apply to a role or every day following that.

It is common to be anxious after an interview but checking in too frequently after an interview can appear overly aggressive. If you ask the interviewer when a decision will be made and you are told in a week, it's a good idea to wait the week before you start checking to see if they've chosen a candidate for the job. Inquiring about the decision too quickly could come across as an insensitivity to boundaries. Let your interviewer catch a breath before you start regularly asking for updates. Trust me this approach will work in your favour.

Appropriate Follow up Etiquette:

Do

• First and foremost, always be sure to ask during the interview how long the interviewer(s) expect it will be until they make a final decision (It always amazes me how few candidates ask this during the interview)
• Although not required, it is always my recommendation to send a quick thank you note/email within 24 hours of your interview- after all, courtesy goes a long way and you want to be top of the interviewers mind
• After the suggested time frame (bullet one) has come and gone and you have not heard anything, be sure to email a request to ask if you are still being considered for the role and to stressyour continuedinterest
• From the initial follow up email I would wait one full week from the day you send that email for a response. If you still haven’t heard anything I would take this as an opportunity to call for an update and request any feedback or information they can provide you on the status of your interview- you deserve this
• If it's been 4-5 weeks after your interview and you have heard absolutely nothing, it may be time to assume that the role has in fact been filled (I don't condone this silent approach by the employer but unfortunately, I have seen it happen. At this point, it's time to move on and consider other roles)

Don't

• Don’t leave the interview and follow up on your way home or even the next morning requesting an update of your interview- chances are highly likely that you weren’t the only candidate interviewed for the role that day or even that week- hiring managers and HR need time to debrief on the candidates they have met with- be patient- it will serve you well
• When you do send a follow up email (after the date suggested by the interviewer) don’t send multiple emails or call multiple times in the same day (i.e. one in the morning and one in the afternoon)- you don't want to seem too aggressive
• Don't show up unexpectedly to the interviewers office
• Don't burn your bridges by sending rude/obnoxious emails or leaving inappropriate voicemail's- you just never know what the future holds- you don't want this type of negative behaviour overshadowing your talent and skill sets for future roles