(Photo credit @linkedinsalesnavigator)
If you are in the midst of interviewing for a new job, make sure you understand the process and are owning the communication flow as much as you can.
In many job searches but especially in tech, communication with recruiters can be highly variable. Because of the volatility & dynamic nature of tech, hiring can be a messy process with twists and turns that look super confusing from the candidate’s perspective. Some recruiters are very good at keeping candidates informed along the way, and others...are not.
What you might see:
A recruiter reaches out, you do a screening call, the recruiter says we’re interested in moving you forward...and then nothing. Nada. Zip. Days or weeks can go by. You get frustrated waiting for them and send a frustrated ‘what’s happening?’ email, slightly singeing that relationship. Or worse, you just wait for them to get back to you, and nothing ever happens.
What’s likely happening on their side (a common scenario):
A hiring manager said they need to hire someone with X skills into a new role that never existed before & within 2 weeks. The recruiter found a few A candidates who matched that X profile & did a series of recruiter screen calls. The HM has since changed their mind and wants X + Y skills. Some candidates have X+Y and move forward, or more likely, no candidate has X+Y but it took a few weeks to see that & convince the HM that they need to reset their expectations. So now the recruiter has to go back to A candidates weeks later, apologizing for the delay, & trying to restart the process with them without really being able to explain any of the delay.
What can you do?
Advocate for yourself by keeping on top of all recruiter communications.
During the interview, make sure to ask about next steps and the timeline for those next steps at the end of the call.
After any interview, you should send a follow-up thank you email within 24-48 hours.
Then the wait begins. If the recruiter said s/he would get back to you in 5 days, email them in the AM on Day 6 to check-in. Show them you are abiding by their timelines but also keeping on top of the process. Still no answer? Check out my ‘No-Ask’ email below.
Understand at a basic level how the recruiting process works in tech.
You don’t need to be an expert on recruiting - but when I explain scenarios like this to my clients, they immediately start to understand who the players are in the process and how to work with each stakeholder. Do you know the difference between a recruiter, a sourcer, a recruiting coordinator and a hiring manager? Do you know what unique role each of them play in the recruiting process? If not, stay tuned for a future newsletter to find out more!
Activate your internal advocates.
Many times, you already know someone who works at Company X where you are interviewing. Sometimes they referred you, sometimes it’s simply a 1st or 2nd degree connection you have via an alum or former colleague. They can be great resources to help you understand what’s happening inside the company, whether there’s a major reorg happening that is delaying everything, or simply a small hiccup in the process.
Send my favorite email: ‘The No-Ask, Here’s an Article’ email.
You have all been out in the world and on the receiving end of a variety of good & bad networking emails. Those who are really pushy and ‘need’ me to do something for them tend to demonstrate low EQ. This makes me much less likely to help them -- and that is similar for a lot of people.
Instead, send an email where the entire message is: I was thinking about our last conversation on topic T. I’m sure this is a crazy week for you but wanted to share this article/video/podcast/whatever that reminded me of a point you made, or that built upon our discussion. [Insert 1 sentence on why it reminded you.] Thank you for engaging in that discussion with me - I really enjoyed our conversation! I look forward to connecting again sometime soon. Have a great day/week! Thanks, Liz
The benefits of this approach: your name appears in their inbox. And it appears with no strings attached - you just want them to have a great day. There’s a subtle nudge about connecting again sometime in the future - but nothing overt. Most emails people receive require a response - so low-lift ones like this often break through the inbox chaos.
Note: Don’t use this email when you need a specific answer (like ‘I haven’t received my call-in details for the next interview.’) Use it when you’re in comms limbo and aren’t sure what else to say.
