How to Ask HR If I'm Still Being Considered for a Job?

"Can you please tell me if I am still being considered for the job?"

If that still doesn't get a "yes" or a "no" then move on.

I know this isn't the answer you want to hear... but if you were a strong candidate and they really liked you, they would have called by now. If it's been a month and they're still interviewing, it means they are not considering you for the job. You can certainly ask the HR manager, but I can tell you from having hired over 100 people... managers do not wait a month to call back someone that they want to hire. I'm very sorry; take your energies and focus them on looking for another position that might be the right fit.

I used to work in HR and was part of the interview and hiring process. I can tell you that applicants who are strongly considered are quickly moved through the process - next interview any testing etc.

You have every right to follow up with her periodically, but if they were considering you they will call. They should have the courtesy to send you a rejection letter if that is their decision.

Bottom line - keep pursuing other job opportunities, hope fo the best, but assume the job is not yours. Sorry. :(

This is what drives me nuts with my profession. She really is answering your question but she doesn't want to come right out and say it. What you could do is send an email and just say "I wanted to follow up with you. My interview was over a month ago and I wanted to know if I'm still in the hunt for the position." Because the interview was over a month ago and they are still interviewing says that while your interview might have gone well, you didn't have some of the skill set they were looking for. Since the economy is down, employers have a bigger pool of candidates to pull from. They like you but think they can get a more qualified person for the position.

The fact that she isn't really answering your question is your answer. Unfortunately, it seems like they are not planning to hire you. You can keep asking periodically but it also seems like this particular company doesn't practice the courtesy of letting people know that they are not a good fit. Good luck with the continued search.

If you were their first choice, you would know by now. If they are still interviewing, it means that they have not found "the one".

I would not continue to contact them. Continue your search and keep your chin up. If you aren't the "right fit" for them, then you don't want to work for them anyway! You would be miserable.

F....I don't want to sound mean or harsh but I'm going to tell you from my own experience as a former Team Lead/Manager.

If they wanted you, you'd be hired. When they say we are still interviewing...it usually means you didn't meet the skill set they are looking for...

Often times we would interview several people at in a week...sometimes we didn't find our fit until the end of the week. But if we found our fit at the beginning...we jumped on it and pushed the process faster.

I know job searching is hard. But I do think you need to continue searching. Not sure how you prepared for the interview...these days you have to prepare a lot for interviews. The market is so rich with prospects that preparing is an absolute necessity. I wish you lots of luck and don't give up searching.

I would ask them one final time if they have any idea if there is a cut off date for interviews. If there isn't one then they don't have someone in mind for the job. I would think that if they were interested they would have already told you BUT some companies have guidelines for EOE that state the job's have to be listed for a certain amount of days so anyone can apply.

I know state jobs usually will have a cut off date for sending a resume in. That way they can go through them and make appointments with the ones they'd like to consider.

Depends on the company. My company (large Fortune 500) can move unbelievably slow in the hiring process and can add layers upon layer of bureacracy to make it even slower. A lot of the hiring is outside of the control of the hiring manager who does the interviewing, and it can be very frustrating on both sides. One of the hurdles is that there is a requirement to interview a certain number of candidates and also that at least half of them must be either female or minority candidates. So they can't fill the job without meeting that requirement. That said, if a candidate is really strong, the hiring manager will usually give them positive signs but cannot actually commit to anything.

If I were you, I'd wait another few weeks and then simply ask whether you still being considered for the job. It's a perfectly acceptable question; you don't need to beat around the bush to get the answer on it. However, to keep from appearing that you are nagging, I'd give it a few weeks before posing it.

Many times employers; especially of big companies, academic institutions, or medical services, are obligated to interview a certain number of applicants even if they like the first person and want ot hire them right a way. They can't just accept 2 or 3 applications and stage a few interviews. Not being called doesn't mean you're not on the top of the list or one of their top3 choices. A lot of careful consideration goes into an interviewing process. Sometimes it takes a long time and the person they pick has already found employment with someone else. You still need to keep your options open and keep applying to different places, but you also need to let them know you are still interested. Just don't call everyday. First you might want to send them a thankyou note for taking the time to interview you. This can make them choose you over someone else that they were having a tough time deciding between the 2 of you. It shows you are curtious and serious. Wait a little bit like maybe a week or 2 between calls. The first call should be to check and make sure they have everything they need. The second call should be to check on the progress of how the interviewing is going. Remember, "the squeeky wheel gets the oil" and always be curtious.

Hi F.,
I worked in Human Resources for 10 years before having my children. I am pretty sure that "they are still interviewing" means that you are not a top candidate. If you were, she would say, "we are still going through the interview process but we were really interested in your experience and background and expect to get back to you in 2 weeks." Or something like that.
I would keep looking for something else.

Good luck :-)

I would send them an "I'm still interested in the job I interviewed for" letter and include in the letter that if they end up not choosing you that you would like to be considered for other open positions in the company that would be a good for you. I don't remember off hand what that type of letter is called... it's not an inquiry letter, I don't think... follow up letter maybe? Letter of interest? This way it keeps you on their radar and it's very professional. If you have Word there should be some templates available that you can adjust.

For instance, this one although the formatting isn't appropriate:

[Your Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
October 25, 2012

[Recipient Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient Name]:

I could not be more eager to join forces with you! If hired as the new leader of your sales team, I will use and foster effective sales skills and follow through until the deal is closed.
That’s why I’m writing you againto remind you of the uncommon benefits I will provide as your sales manager:
• The advantage of existing profitable relationships with decision makers at top retailers in all major markets.
• Unusual strength in perceiving industry trends and challenges, and translating them into sales opportunitieswell before others do.
• Proven ability to put these advantages to work for you from day one.
As you know Ms. Stahl, I am very excited about working with you. Please let me know if I can help you make your selection by providing any further information or coming in for another interview. Feel free to call me at work or at home.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

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