What to Do if the Job Process Seems to be Stalled

When you're looking for work, it can be difficult to know exactly what's going on in the mind of the person in charge of the hiring process. Sometimes, when the new job process is stalled, you may be tempted to take radical action or give up pursuing that particular position entirely. However, there are a few steps you can take to try to nudge the hiring process forward.

Follow up by Email

If you've been promised either an interview or a hiring decision, but the deadline has passed and you still haven't heard anything, it's acceptable to follow up by email. Send a note to the last person you were in contact with, typically the hiring manager. Thank her for her consideration, and say you're checking in because you were told an interview would be set or a decision would be made by now, and you want to reiterate your interest in the position. While you shouldn't send this little reminder until your waiting period has passed, it's OK to send a simple thank-you email immediately after an interview.

Follow up by Phone

Wait a few days to follow up on your thank-you email. Sometimes a hiring manager is simply caught up in the complexities of the hiring process and doesn't respond to email right away. If you haven't heard anything after about three days, place a call to the manager or the last person you interviewed with. You should expect to leave a message on voice mail rather than talking to her personally. Leave the same message you sent via email, saying that you're still interested in the position and you're following up to see what the next steps might be. Only call and leave a message once.

Use Your Network

If you were introduced to this potential position by someone within your personal or business network, contact that person. Let him know what the hiring process has been like so far, and see if he might be willing to make a call to promote your case or to move things forward. Leveraging your network can make a big difference, especially when you're applying for a job that requires formal recommendations.

Be Patient

Sometimes a company simply isn't in as much of a hurry to fill a position as you are to find a new job. For some positions, the hiring process can stretch out over several months. When you interview, ask how long you expect the process to take, then mentally add a little extra time to that keep yourself from getting emotionally frazzled over the wait. Be patient, and keep your ears open to learn whether the position has been filled, since many companies never notify the job applicants who they decide not to hire.

When your job process is stalled, you may not be in the driver's seat, but you can follow up in subtle and professional ways to try to get the hiring process moving again or at least get more information. Be patient, and keep interviewing for other positions while you wait to hear.

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