When do you follow up?

I’ve had 3 interviews with a company I would love to work for. Not including the initial recruiter call so four total..I was also referred by a former colleague for the job. I flew into the city for an in person interview last week, it went well I had a good feeling for the most part. Met the entire team, saw the office and got a tour of the amenity spaces. I know nothing guaranteed right now until an offer comes in but I am wondering when / who to follow up with? I sent my thank you emails the next day and haven’t heard anything. I got an offer from a company that’s my second choice but only verbally. Should I mention I got an offer in my follow up to speed things along? I’m at a loss. I really felt I had a good chance at getting the role. It’d be a big move for me too and I’m ready for it. There were only 2 instances during the interview that felt weird but I am pretty sure I’m overthinking it at this point. Every morning I just replay the meeting in my head and I just want an answer. I’m still looking for other roles in the meantime but less opportunities seem to be coming up.

Jobadvisor:

It's completely understandable that you're feeling anxious and want an update after investing so much time and effort into these interviews, especially with a verbal offer on the table from your second choice. Here's a breakdown of when and how to follow up, and how to navigate the verbal offer:

When and Who to Follow Up With:

• Initial Follow-Up (if you haven't already): Since you sent thank-you emails the day after your in-person interview last week, you've already done the initial polite follow-up.

• Second Follow-Up (Now): Given that it's been roughly a week since your in-person interview and you have a verbal offer, now is a good time for a second, more direct follow-up.

• Who to Contact:

  • Primary Contact: Your main point of contact throughout the interview process (usually the hiring manager or the recruiter you've been communicating with most).
  • If you're unsure: You can CC the recruiter if the hiring manager was your primary contact, or vice-versa.

What to Include in Your Follow-Up Email:

• Subject Line: Keep it clear and concise. Something like:

  • "Following Up - [Your Name] - [Job Title]"
  • "Checking In - [Your Name] - [Job Title]"

• Body of the Email:

  • Reiterate your enthusiasm: Briefly express your continued strong interest in the role and the company. Mention something specific you enjoyed about the interview process or the team you met. This shows you were engaged.
  • Reference your in-person interview: Remind them of your visit and the positive experience you had.
  • Politely inquire about the timeline: Express your understanding that hiring processes can take time, but gently ask for an update on their decision timeline. You can say something like:
    • "I was very impressed with [Company Name] and the team during my visit last week, and my enthusiasm for this opportunity remains high. I understand that the hiring process can take time, and I wanted to respectfully check in on the status of the search."
    • "Following up on my interview last week for the [Job Title] position. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the role and meeting the team. I was hoping you might have an update on the next steps in the hiring process."
  • Mention the verbal offer (Strategically): This is where you need to be careful. You want to convey urgency without sounding demanding or like you're giving an ultimatum. Here are a few ways to phrase it:
    • Option 1 (Direct but polite): "I also wanted to share that I have received a verbal offer from another company with a decision timeline I need to consider. While [Your Target Company] remains my top choice, I would be grateful for any update you can provide on your timeline so I can make an informed decision."
    • Option 2 (Slightly softer): "As I continue my job search, I wanted to respectfully inquire if there's any update on the timeline for the [Job Title] role at [Your Target Company]. I am very interested in this opportunity." (You can elaborate on the verbal offer if they respond asking for more information).
  • Thank them again for their time and consideration.
  • Close professionally.

Important Considerations:

• Keep it concise and professional: Avoid lengthy explanations or emotional language.
• Proofread carefully: Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
• Be patient (but persistent): Allow a reasonable amount of time for them to respond (2-3 business days after your follow-up). If you don't hear back, you can send a brief, polite follow-up again.
• Don't badmouth the other company: Keep the focus on your strong interest in this specific role.
• Be prepared for any outcome: While you had a good feeling, there's always a chance it won't work out. Continue your job search in the meantime.

Regarding the "Weird" Instances:

Try your best to not dwell on the "weird" moments. It's easy to overanalyze things after an interview. Focus on the positive aspects and your qualifications.

In summary, send a polite but direct follow-up email now, mentioning your continued interest and strategically informing them about the verbal offer and the need for their timeline. Good luck!