Quick Tip – Follow Up the Right Way

Don’t be passive-aggressive – Issue #65

“Well, since I haven’t heard back from you about the job, I decided that it was time to follow up.”

Don’t be that person.

It is essential to follow up after a job interview if you haven’t heard anything for about a week. However, you do not want to sound passive-aggressive or irritated.

Always keep the tone positive. You have no idea why there has been a delay in getting back to you.

Perhaps they are scrambling to put together a good offer for you and need to get the approvals first. Maybe the hiring manager had a family emergency, so things are delayed.

I’ll share a personal story. I was working as a consultant with a product leader many years ago. A few months into the project, he stopped responding to my emails. I called and left him some voicemails, but he never called me back.

I was frustrated and assumed that he was ghosting me. I contacted someone else at the company to try to wrap things up and find out what was going on. I discovered that the guy I was working with had suddenly passed away.

I felt horrible. It was so sad. He was a great guy, so I felt bad about thinking he was ignoring me. It still bothers me to this day…

So, when you follow up — and, yes, you should follow up — be polite. Ask for a timeline for their decision and if there is any additional information that you can provide. Continue to express your enthusiasm for the role.

If possible, make your message stand out from the other candidates by mentioning recent news you read about the company (e.g., a new product announcement) or sharing additional ideas you’ve had about how you can contribute when you’re in that new job.

Sometimes, a great follow-up can tip the balance in your direction.