Ask HR Bartender: Who To Contact After a Job Interview

by Sharlyn Lauby on January 10, 2012

Several weeks ago, I answered a reader question about when to follow-up after a job interview. You can see my reply here. Shortly after, I received another question about following up after an interview:

Do you follow up with the supervisor who interviewed you or contact human resources? I contacted the supervisor who interviewed me to let her know I was still interested in job and ask when I would hear from her. She told me human resources would contact me and let me know if i got the job. How should I go about following up with human resources?

It’s a great question. I’ve mentioned before how bypassing HR can be a recipe for trouble. Here’s my suggestion:

Any other suggestions you would give to this reader about contacting human resources after an interview? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Charles January 11, 2012 at 6:41 am: I agree with you Sharlyn, asking is definitely the best way to go about it. But I also think a good interviewer will let the candidate know when they will hear whether they got the job or not. Then, wait the specified time before calling, and don’t call repeatedly!
Darlene Gadson March 18, 2013 at 10:56 am: Sharon,

I completed a face toface interview with the hiring manager on March 12, the Talent Acquisition Coordinator told me he would call me on Friday March 15 to let me know if I had made it to the next rounds of interviews. I have not received a call, I acutually placed a call into the Talent Acquisition onFriday and left a message. At this point should I send him an e-mail?

Regards,

Darlene
Sharlyn Lauby March 22, 2013 at 4:03 pm: Hi Darlene. Hopefully by now you’ve heard from the company and this comment is for nothing. I know how frustrating it can be to expect a call on a certain day and not receive it. Not making any excuses for this employer, but it’s possible they are simply behind schedule. I’ve been in the same situation many times.

That being said, if a week has gone by with no reply from your phone call, then an email inquiring about the position ~~wouldn’t~~ shouldn’t be an imposition.