Job etiquette: Don't be afraid to speed up the process -- Career Center Blog

February 6, 2011

Job etiquette: Don't be afraid to speed up the process

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By Randy Woods
NWjobs

Recently, a Hire Ground reader wrote in with a "job etiquette" question. Here's an excerpt:

  "I applied over a month ago for a position that closed at the beginning of January. ... While researching the position further I ran across the e-mail of the two individuals in charge of the department's program. ... I know that my resume has been forwarded to the department because my online profile says it has -- but it's also said that for about 3 weeks. Would it be rude to contact the individuals in charge to even see where they are in the hiring process? What is the etiquette on that type of thing?"  

This is sometimes a sticky situation, since hiring managers are often swamped with resumes and applications and may not have time to respond to all of them in a timely fashion. You generally don't want to be thought of as a pest. 

 However, in this situation, where several weeks have gone by without a word, it is perfectly acceptable for job seekers to take the initiative and try contacting them about the status. Usually, a wait of at least one week is a good rule of thumb before you should reach out to ask if the application was received. While some positions can take months to fill, there's no reason you should have to wait for more than a month to receive a basic courtesy e-mail. If there is any rudeness or etiquette breach in this situation, it is entirely on the part of the hiring manager for not following up with you with a yes, no or at least a maybe.  

One thing to watch out for is whether the employer specifically mentioned "No phone calls." If that's what they say, respect their wishes and try contacting them via e-mail or social media instead. But since this reader already had the hiring managers' e-mail addresses, that's probably the best avenue to take. Send them an e-mail and politely ask about where they are in the process and whether there's anything else that you can do for them. This shows that you're interested, eager and focused on that company -- qualities that may come in handy in case another position is open.

  The Great Recession has instilled a lot of fearful habits among job seekers, one of which is becoming too timid around hiring managers, lest they become offended by perceived slights. While you always want to be considerate, it does not mean job seekers should cede all the power to the hiring managers. Remember, they are looking for a solution to a problem, and your role is to let them know how you can be the solution.

So don't be afraid to follow up and expect an acknowledgment of your outreach efforts after a reasonable time has passed. Perhaps your application got delayed during the holidays and was lost in the shuffle. That little reminder could be the wake-up call the managers need to see what a perfect fit you really for their organization.

Good luck and good hunting!

Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.