Here’s How to Know Where You Stand in Your Interview Process
Few things in life are as nerve-wracking as interviewing for a new job. Afterall, our jobs influence our lives in a profound way. It’s easy to feel as though you are at the mercy of a company’s timeline when you’re interviewing. While that is true in some ways, you still have the right to know what’s going on. How to ask a Recruiter for an update is another variable many people are unsure of. No one wants to be perceived as impatient or disrespectful of their Recruiter’s time. To instill confidence as you navigate your interview processes, here is how to ask a Recruiter for an update thoughtfully.
How to Ask a Recruiter for an Update: What You Should Expect
The first step of how to ask a Recruiter for an update on your candidacy starts with your interactions. Whenever you’re communicating with your Recruiter, interview or otherwise, end the conversation by asking their timeline for next steps. Perhaps you are sending your resume to a Recruiter on LinkedIn. Ask when you can expect to hear about next steps in the same message you submit your resume in. If you are in an interview, end the conversation asking when you will hear back following the interview.
All of this proactive expectation setting will allow you to have peace of mind in between steps. It takes time for Recruiters to work with all of the candidates being considered. That length of time does not make you any less qualified for the role. It simply means Recruiters have other individuals that are also deserving of their time. Below are a couple example questions you can use when aligning with your Recruiter.
Following a Resume Submission
“Thank you for considering my application for this position. Now that my resume has been submitted, when might I be able to expect to hear back about next steps?”
At the End of an Interview
“I appreciate the time you took to speak with me today. It was wonderful getting to know more about the company, the position, and your background. To ensure my expectations are set appropriately, when can I expect to hear back about potential next steps in the interview process?”
Our guide on how to ask a Recruiter for an update starts with alignment. Once you know how long you can expect to wait, you will feel more confident if you need to follow up. Let’s say you were told you would hear back from your Recruiter in a week, but it has been 10 days. Your Recruiter would be completely understanding of you requesting an update. Afterall, it’s been more time than they said you would be waiting. Alignment on expectations is the first step. The next step is laying the foundation of your communication as a candidate.
Laying the Foundation of Your Communication
Navigating an interview process can feel a bit like a game of chess. You want to strategically position yourself to handle the unexpected. If you need to overcommunicate in the future, laying a foundation allows you to do so seamlessly. That makes it the next step in our guide on how to ask a Recruiter for an update. This is certainly a strategic step, but not one to overthink. Put simply, this step allows you to set your Recruiter’s expectations on how you will be interacting with them. It’s the other side of step one where you asked them to set your expectations.
If your Recruiter knows you send them a follow up email after all interactions, it sets their expectations. They won’t be caught by surprise if they receive a message from you requesting an update. Afterall, they know you are vigilant about staying on top of your candidacy. How to ask a Recruiter for an update starts before your first interview. Depending on your unique situation, below are a few email templates you can use as you lay your foundation.
After Meeting a Recruiter
Hello [Recruiter],
It was a pleasure having the opportunity to meet with you at [meeting place, such as networking event]. I enjoyed learning more about [position], as well as your experience working at [company]. My resume has been submitted [in the online application or in-person at the event]. For convenience, I have also attached my resume to this email.
Having had the opportunity to [something about your experience that relates to the role], I believe the [position] role is a fantastic next step in my career. In our brief conversation, I felt I was able to gain insight into the fantastic culture at [company]. It certainly seems like one I would enjoy being apart of. I am eager to take the next step in the interview process. When would be an appropriate time for me to expect to hear back about my candidacy?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Your Name]
The above email is relatively concise while clearly articulating your interest. You can also add or remove from the email as you see fit. Perhaps you spoke with the Recruiter about a great place to eat while they are in town for the event. Including your recommendation again in your email is a great way to set your email apart. You could even go as far as to say “I’m excited to hear what you think about [restaurant]. It’s a personal favorite!” Recruiters see a lot of these types of emails. The more you can personalize yours, the better. How to ask a Recruiter for an update begins with a strong foundation. As demonstrated above, you are already laying the foundation that you will ask about timelines throughout the process.
After Your Interview is Scheduled
Hello [Recruiter],
I am thrilled to learn I was chosen to move forward in the interview process with [company]. Thank you for taking the time to notify me of my interview. I look forward to speaking with you on [date] at [time]. When we spoke, I asked what can be done to prepare for the interview. Taking your advice, I will [something they told you to prepare] before our conversation.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
[Your Name]
The above email serves multiple purposes. It continues to set the tone for your communication style as a candidate, which is the main goal. It also confirms you have the interview date and time correct. You would be surprised how common it is for there to be confusion about interview times. Lastly, your overcommunication will begin to tell your Recruiter a story about how you will communicate with potential clients. Strong communication and expectation setting are phenomenal qualities in a salesperson.
You don’t have to wait for your interview to begin showing off your skillset. Your communication throughout the interview process is a perfect opportunity to subtly do so. Especially considering not every candidate will be as intentional with their communication as you. Let’s move on to our next foundation-laying email before we dive into exactly how to ask a Recruiter for an update.
Interview “Thank You” Message
Hello [Recruiter],
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with me [today/yesterday].
I appreciated learning more about the [position]. I’m particularly happy to hear I will get to [something specific you like about the role]. I recognize you have many candidates to speak with as you work toward finding the best fit for the position. If there is anything that I can do to help make my process easier, please let me know. Otherwise, I look forward to hearing back from you on [date they told you they would circle back].
Enjoy the rest of your day,
[Your Name}
You can say a lot in an email without actually saying a lot. In the “thank you” template shared, you are telling your Recruiter a few things, either directly or indirectly. First, you are thanking them for their time. That’s the most obvious aspect of the email, and something Recruiters will always appreciate. You are also reinforcing your interest in the position by highlighting something specific you learned in the interview. That is a quality of the email other candidates likely miss the opportunity to include. Lastly, you are clearly outlining when you were told you would hear back. That part of the email is important if you have to follow up in the future. Should you get to that point, here is how to ask a Recruiter for an update.
How to Ask a Recruiter for an Update
At this point, you have successfully set yourself up for how to ask a Recruiter for an update. You intentionally took the time to align with your Recruiter on their timeline. Then, you set your Recruiter’s expectations for how you communicate as a candidate. You and your Recruiter both know one thing with confidence: you are aligned on expectations. Given that, it will come as no surprise to your Recruiter if you reach out requesting a status update. Of course, it’s important to follow the timeline your Recruiter shared before doing so, allowing some buffer space.
If your Recruiter said you would hear back in five days, don’t reach out on the fifth day. Give your Recruiter a day or two out of respect for their time. It’s perfectly understandable for things to be delayed 24-48 hours. However, you are absolutely deserving of an update if you are more than two days past the expectations they set. If you find yourself in that position, here is how to ask a Recruiter for an update:
2+ Days Overdue
Hello [Recruiter],
I hope you are well!
In our last conversation, you mentioned I could expect to hear back within [timeline] days. It is now a few days beyond that window, so I wanted to check in. I understand you have many candidates to evaluate as you find the best fit for [position]. I am still very excited about the role and look forward to reconnecting.
When convenient, will you please provide an update my candidacy?
Thank you,
[Your Name]
This email is straight to the point, but very considerate. You are ensuring you come off as understanding while clearly requesting an update. We recommend sending the above email in response to your interview “thank you.” In doing so, your Recruiter will be reminded of when they said they would update you. A paper trail is always beneficial for transparent communication. Maintaining the same email thread will be especially beneficial if additional follow ups become necessary. If you get to that point, use the below template on how to ask a Recruiter for an update a second time.
Additional Follow-Up After a Reply
Hello [Recruiter],
In our interaction below, you let me know I could expect to hear back by [date]. We are a couple days past that date, so I am reaching out to realign on the process. Can you please share an update on my candidacy when you have a moment?
Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]
The above email should be used in response to your Recruiter’s reply to your “2+ Days Overdue” email. That keeps a clean paper trail for your communication, reminding your Recruiter what they said. The intention is to ensure you are not coming off as impatient. Instead, you are simply following up on what they tell you. The email is still polite, but direct and concise. Should your “2+ Days Overdue” email not have elicited a reply, the following email is how to ask a Recruiter for an update.
Follow-Up After No Response
Hello [Recruiter],
I wanted to follow-up on my email below. I recognize you have a lot to juggle as you speak with all of the candidates being considered. When you have a spare minute, can you please share an update on my candidacy? Even an updated timeline would allow me to set my expectations in my job search.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
This is another concise email, still being considerate. Although, at this point, you may not feel like you want to be considerate. That would be understandable, but not necessarily something you want your Recruiter to feel. Within the email, you are asking for either an update or a new timeline. You also subtly hint at candidacy elsewhere. Some Recruiters ask about other places you have applied in your interview. If that was discussed, you could be even more direct with that line. If not, staying subtle is appropriate. However, if you are being asked to make an offer decision elsewhere, we recommend directly bringing that up. Here’s an example with that incorporated:
Hello [Recruiter],
I have received an offer from another company that I need to respond to, but I would like to know where I stand with [company] before doing so. I recognize you have a lot to juggle as you speak with all of the candidates being considered. When you have a spare minute in the next day or so, can you please share an update on my candidacy?
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Final Attempt
If you get to this point, consider your next attempt at getting an update your final attempt. How to ask a Recruiter for an update shouldn’t be this difficult. At this stage, email is not going to be the approach you take. Perhaps your Recruiter has been unexpectedly away from their email, resulting in their lack of reply. As a last attempt, call your Recruiter to ask for an update. A simple script you can use is below:
Hello [Recruiter]. This is [Your Name]. I have reached out via email a few times to get an update on my candidacy. I do want to ensure I am being productive with my time in my job search. With that said, I won’t reach out again requesting an update. However, I am still interested in the position, and would appreciate learning where I stand. I can be reached at [your phone number]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Take Time to Reflect
There could very well be a legitimate reason for your Recruiter’s unresponsiveness. If so, you may want to continue pursuing the company. On the other hand, if you fell through the cracks this many times, that should be a red flag. Recruiters are entrusted to represent their company. In turn, your candidate experience is reflective of the company as a whole. If you didn’t feel valued as a candidate, you very well could be undervalued as an employee. Conversely, if you felt valued, with a Recruiter keeping you abreast consistently, that is a great signal. Either way, you know how to navigate the process.
How to Ask a Recruiter for an Update, Step by Step
Now you are equipped with a step-by-step on how to ask a Recruiter for an update. You have guidance on ways to get your expectations set. In addition, you know how to lay the foundation for your own communication (setting your Recruiter’s expectations). Lastly, you have templates to walk you through how to ask a Recruiter for an update at various stages. Whatever your interview process looks like, you can approach your interactions with your Recruiter with confidence.
For more help on navigating interview processes, the recruiting experts at Sales Recruiters Dallas are your premier resource. From the standard to the unique, they will ensure your candidacy shines – helping you land your dream job.