Can I Follow Up? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi All,

The first week in May I had an interview for an in-house job I’d love to get- I assume it was the first round, but I had two video conferences, one with HR and the other with the GC.

After my interview, the GC said he was tied up a bit, so I shouldn’t worry if I don’t hear back next week. It’s been over three weeks since then. I assume I didn’t advance, but is there any harm in following up/ asking my status? I recently published an article so I’ve updated my resume, so perhaps I could send them that and ask my status?

I’d appreciate any advice!

[Anonymous User]

Yes. It is fine to follow up at this point, but be courteous (obviously). I would just check in to see if there were any status update and re-express your interest, though don't go over the top.

The interviewing and evaluation process for in-house candidates tend to take longer than for law firm jobs. I had a similar experience. I had to do a screener with the recruiter, a screener with the GC, then a panel of interviews with a number of executives at the company, and then another conversation with the GC. Despite it seeming to be a good fit, despite the company expressing interest and suggesting I'd do the screener with the GC shortly after the initial screener, that took 2 or 3 weeks. Then, after I interviewed with the execs, they said I'd have an interview with the CEO shortly. But that took about a month because he was traveling internationally. I had to follow up during that time because it was radio silence on their part.

Long story short, there were multiple unanticipated delays when I could have easily assumed they didn't want to hire me. I ultimately was offered (and accepted) the job. If you're the right candidate, they're not going to forget about you or let you fall through the cracks. You just may not be able to tell that right now. Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

Yes. It is fine to follow up at this point, but be courteous (obviously). I would just check in to see if there were any status update and re-express your interest, though don't go over the top.

The interviewing and evaluation process for in-house candidates tend to take longer than for law firm jobs. I had a similar experience. I had to do a screener with the recruiter, a screener with the GC, then a panel of interviews with a number of executives at the company, and then another conversation with the GC. Despite it seeming to be a good fit, despite the company expressing interest and suggesting I'd do the screener with the GC shortly after the initial screener, that took 2 or 3 weeks. Then, after I interviewed with the execs, they said I'd have an interview with the CEO shortly. But that took about a month because he was traveling internationally. I had to follow up during that time because it was radio silence on their part.

Long story short, there were multiple unanticipated delays when I could have easily assumed they didn't want to hire me. I ultimately was offered (and accepted) the job. If you're the right candidate, they're not going to forget about you or let you fall through the cracks. You just may not be able to tell that right now. Good luck.

Thanks for this! So if I’m reading this correctly, you don’t think it’ll have any impact on whether I get he job, just hopefully increasing the transparency of the process. If that’s the case (and you said it won’t hurt) I’ll definitely go for it. Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

I also think it is fine to follow up. Without pressing them for any specific information like whether you've been advanced or disqualified. Just generally asking whether an update is available should be sufficient and inoffensive.

FWIW, I just recently received an in-house offer after 4 interview rounds during which I asked about an update two separate times (though not after the same round).

[Anonymous User]

Yes. It is fine to follow up at this point, but be courteous (obviously). I would just check in to see if there were any status update and re-express your interest, though don't go over the top.

The interviewing and evaluation process for in-house candidates tend to take longer than for law firm jobs. I had a similar experience. I had to do a screener with the recruiter, a screener with the GC, then a panel of interviews with a number of executives at the company, and then another conversation with the GC. Despite it seeming to be a good fit, despite the company expressing interest and suggesting I'd do the screener with the GC shortly after the initial screener, that took 2 or 3 weeks. Then, after I interviewed with the execs, they said I'd have an interview with the CEO shortly. But that took about a month because he was traveling internationally. I had to follow up during that time because it was radio silence on their part.

Long story short, there were multiple unanticipated delays when I could have easily assumed they didn't want to hire me. I ultimately was offered (and accepted) the job. If you're the right candidate, they're not going to forget about you or let you fall through the cracks. You just may not be able to tell that right now. Good luck.

Thanks for this! So if I’m reading this correctly, you don’t think it’ll have any impact on whether I get he job, just hopefully increasing the transparency of the process. If that’s the case (and you said it won’t hurt) I’ll definitely go for it. Thank you!

I think it's reasonable to assume that if they haven't contacted you in a few weeks, it's perfectly ok to check in and also express your continued interest. If the facts as are you say, I can't think of a reason why they'd ding you for checking in.