Understanding a company’s hiring timeline helps you manage your expectations and plan your job search effectively. Asking for this information also signals to the employer that you are organized and interested in the role. This demonstrates foresight and professionalism, reinforcing your candidacy without appearing impatient or pushy.
The Best Time to Inquire About the Timeline
The most opportune moment to ask about the hiring schedule is at the conclusion of your interview. An interviewer will often close the conversation by asking if you have any questions for them. This is the designated time for you to seek clarification on the timeline, as raising the question at this juncture feels natural and is an expected part of the interview wrap-up.
Asking at the end of the meeting ensures you have the interviewer’s complete attention. Bringing it up earlier might interrupt the flow of the conversation or make you seem more focused on logistics than on the substance of the interview. By waiting until the end, you show respect for the interviewer’s agenda while gathering the information you need.
How to Phrase Your Question
When you ask about the timeline, your phrasing should be polite, confident, and without pressure. The goal is to sound like an interested professional planning their next steps, not a nervous applicant. A straightforward approach is to ask, “Could you tell me what the next steps in the hiring process look like and what the general timeline is for making a decision?”
Another option is to be slightly more direct, especially if it’s a final interview. You could ask, “When might I expect to hear about a decision for this role?” This question is concise and focuses on the outcome. These phrases frame the request as a desire for information to help your planning, which conveys continued interest and respect for the company’s process.
Asking After the Interview in a Follow-Up Email
Forgetting to ask about the timeline during the interview is a common oversight. The best place to address this is within the thank-you email you send shortly after your meeting. Adding your question here is efficient and polite. You should send this message within 24 hours of the interview to ensure you remain fresh in the interviewer’s mind.
Your email should begin by thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your strong interest in the position. You can reference a specific point from your conversation to personalize the message. After these pleasantries, you can transition to your question. For instance, you could write, “As I plan my next steps, I was hoping you could provide a general sense of the hiring timeline.”
Here is a simple template you can adapt:
Subject: Thank you – [Position Name] Interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Position Name] position. I truly enjoyed our conversation, especially discussing [mention a specific topic].
My interest in the role and my desire to contribute to [Company Name] has only grown stronger. As I plan my next steps, I was hoping you could provide a general sense of the hiring timeline.
I look forward to hearing from you and am very excited about the possibility of joining your team.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Following Up When the Timeline Passes
Hiring processes can face internal delays that push them beyond the initial timeline you were given. If the date you were told to expect a decision by passes, it is appropriate to send a polite follow-up message. It is wise to wait a few business days, typically two to three, after the missed deadline before reaching out. This demonstrates your patience and understanding.
Your follow-up should be framed as a simple check-in, not an accusation of a missed deadline. The goal is to remind the hiring manager of your continued interest without putting them on the defensive. Maintain a positive and professional tone while reinforcing your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Here is a sample email for this specific situation:
Subject: Following up on the [Position Name] role
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope you are having a productive week. I am writing to follow up on my interview for the [Position Name] position and to reiterate my strong interest in joining the team at [Company Name].
I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute, and I’m looking forward to hearing about the next steps in the hiring process. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
What to Avoid When Asking
When inquiring about the hiring timeline, certain behaviors can undermine your professionalism. Avoid the following to maintain a positive impression:
- Asking about the schedule too early in the interview process, such as during an initial phone screening, unless the recruiter brings it up. Your initial focus should be on your qualifications and fit for the role.
- Following up too frequently. Sending multiple emails or making numerous calls can make you seem desperate and may annoy the hiring manager. Stick to the appropriate intervals: the thank-you note, and one follow-up after a provided timeline has passed.
- Using phrasing that sounds demanding, impatient, or entitled. Using phrases like “I need to know now” or “Has a decision been made yet?” can be off-putting.
- Directing your inquiries to multiple people at the company. Contact the primary person you have been communicating with, usually the hiring manager or recruiter, as contacting others can be seen as going over their heads.