Tell me more ×
Programmers Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professional programmers interested in conceptual questions about software development. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite
2

After the interview has occurred, and after the thank you letter has been sent, how long should I wait to re-contact them?

Should I wait two weeks? One week?

share|improve this question
2  
Please elaborate. – Job Dec 1 '10 at 4:38
1  
Recontact them for what ? A thankyou letter ? I have never had, or even heard of such a thing. – NimChimpsky Dec 1 '10 at 10:11
Alright thanks all! I got a lot of good answers here. It sounds to me like I am supposed to: 1. Ask them a specific time frame to contact them, and 2. if they don't tell me than default to two weeks. Now I have the complicated business of closing out this question with so many good answers...+1 for all. Sounds great! Thanks! – leeand00 Dec 1 '10 at 15:02

closed as off topic by Mark Trapp Oct 29 '11 at 21:18

Questions on Programmers Stack Exchange are expected to relate to software development within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

6 Answers

up vote 8 down vote accepted

I think a week, two at the latest, is reasonable unless they mentioned a different time frame during the interview.

share|improve this answer
Oh hey, haven't seen you in a while, thanks for the answer! :) – leeand00 Dec 1 '10 at 14:57
up vote 7 down vote

We are not dating, where lots of emotions and unconscious expectations have to be considered. Instead, we are looking for a job, as professionals, who have to make rational decisions.

I would call them whenever I think I need to know my chances. In the worst case they'll tell me "we have yet to look at two more candidates, we can tell you more in 5 days", but unless you do it in a stalker fashion and call them 10 times a day, nobody will be pissed off if you ask them.

share|improve this answer
Being a stalker is precisely what I as trying to avoid with this question. – leeand00 Dec 1 '10 at 15:03
Why so shy? It's an important question for you whether or not you will get the job, so it's not at all stalking if you call them! Maybe you are afraid of a negative answer and shy away of calling because of that. – user281377 Dec 1 '10 at 15:22
up vote 5 down vote

Ask them during the interview. They will give you a time frame.

When the allotted time has passed, call them and say, "Hi, this is [Name], you asked me to call you today to follow-up."

share|improve this answer
That's what I always do. – David Thornley Dec 2 '10 at 22:15
up vote 4 down vote

They must be responsible enough to give you the time frame. If not, Ask them till when are you supposed to wait?

I'd second Robert's answer too. But it'd better if you ask them in advance. Won't create much confusions.

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

If they didn't give any indication at interview of the time-scales for their decision, then it is very reasonable to ring back even the next day and to ask the question about what timescales they are working to?

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

Do you need to contact them again?

During the final questions of the interview you probably asked what the current time-frame was for the hiring decisions. If that time frame has passed and you haven't heard anything, you didn't get the job. If it hasn't passe yet - cool the jets and be patient.

share|improve this answer
Yeah I know, I'm just trying to get a generalized sense of when if they don't tell me how long I have. I know I should ask, but this question is just sort of a just in case type of question. – leeand00 Dec 2 '10 at 22:54

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.