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I applied to a firm around two weeks ago and haven’t heard back. Usually I hear from associate referrals within two weeks, so I assumed direct apply would be similar. Is it okay to reach out to recruiting and ask for an update? I thought I was very competitive for the position.

Anonymous User wrote:I applied to a firm around two weeks ago and haven’t heard back. Usually I hear from associate referrals within two weeks, so I assumed direct apply would be similar. Is it okay to reach out to recruiting and ask for an update? I thought I was very competitive for the position.

I'm no expert, but I see nothing wrong with asking for an update. However, I'd wait a little longer.

My general experience with asking for updates is that they were usually followed by a prompt "thanks but no thanks"

FND wrote:My general experience with asking for updates is that they were usually followed by a prompt "thanks but no thanks"

Seconding the above. Unless you have reason to believe your application may have been lost (the website froze or crashed in the middle of your submission), or you included an incorrect phone number/email address, there's little to be gained from following up. If the firm is interested, rest assured they will reach out to you. That said, there's also little to be lost, so long as you follow up professionally and only once.

QContinuum wrote:

FND wrote:My general experience with asking for updates is that they were usually followed by a prompt "thanks but no thanks"

Seconding the above. Unless you have reason to believe your application may have been lost (the website froze or crashed in the middle of your submission), or you included an incorrect phone number/email address, there's little to be gained from following up. If the firm is interested, rest assured they will reach out to you. That said, there's also little to be lost, so long as you follow up professionally and only once.

Agreed. Whenever a firm isn't getting back, odds are they're not interested and they forgot to send you a rejection letter.
I did once get a nice reply saying they needed a little longer. Which was also the last communique I ever received from said firm.

I hardly ever get an official rejection from mass mailing or applying direct. Can't hurt to try and follow up once though.