Tactful Way to Inquire About a Job Opening That You Have Applied For

Be tactful when inquiring about a job opening.

The job interview is over and appears to have gone well. You really want the job, but may be unsure about how to follow up during the suspense-filled weeks after the interview. There are tactful ways to keep the lines of communication open with a potential employer and find out if you got the job. Post-Interview follow-ups can work by being sensitive to the company's time lines for interviewing and choosing candidates, and ensuring that any communication is brief and creates a positive impression on the interviewer.

Instructions

1. Send a brief thank-you note for the interview to create a good impression with the interviewer. Start keeping a record of the dates you make follow-up contacts with prospective employers.

2. Decide whether you want to contact the prospective employer by phone or email. If you're a natural extrovert, use the phone to show your personality. Make notes to prepare for a phone discussion and make the call in a quiet environment away from your place of employment. Check the spelling and proofread a follow-up email before sending it.

3. Wait at least a week or two before following up by phone or email to find out if you got the job. Companies may take several weeks to interview potential candidates and need some time to make a decision. Waiting shows the interviewer that you're professional and patient.

4. Write your follow-up contact in a positive, professional and brief manner. Add new and pertinent information, if needed, but make the communication short. The contact should show the prospective employer that you're interested in working for the company and sell your qualifications as a good fit for the position.

5. Wait at least two weeks before checking on your status again, unless the company gives you a date to call them or tells you to wait for it to contact you.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect that some interviewers may be extremely busy and won't respond immediately to your follow-up request or won't answer at all. Don't take their lack of response personally. Some people get hundreds of emails a day, some requiring more immediate action.

• When considering a tactful follow-up, understand that some companies won't respond to follow-up status requests until someone has accepted the job offer. This protects the company from possible legal repercussions, such as a candidate misunderstanding an email as an acceptance.

• Resist the urge to call the company every few days because it may hurt your chances of being considered the next time the organization has an opening.

References

• Work Coach Cafe: How Often Should I Call an Employer After My Interview?
• Quint Careers; Follow Up All Job Leads: Don't Wait by the Phone (or Computer); Randall S. Hansen