Email Follow up

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

The backstory:

I had a phone interview with a recruiter at the biggest hospital in my area, followed by an in-person interview with the unit manager, followed by a 4 hour shadowing experience (which took place on June 18th). The unit manager told me at the interview that they were wrapping up interviews on the 19th and would be making a decision after that.

The Dilemma: I am getting anxious as I have not heard anything. Should I email the nurse manager? How do you phrase such an email if it is indicated? Or should I email the recruiter? The nurses I shadowed seemed to think the recruiter would handle any further communication, but they weren't sure... I'm fairly inexperienced when it comes to this because with all of my previous jobs, I've either been hired on the spot or it's taken less than a week to hear back.

I don't want to pester anybody and therefore drop my chances, but I also want to show interest...

Also of note, I had another interview at a smaller local hospital last week and they told me flat out that they would be making a decision this week... I also have not heard from them... I figure they should be allowed another week, right? And same question: Email the manager or the recruiter (when/if it becomes time to).

Any and all help is appreciated!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

"Thank you so much for the shadowing experience, and interview for the position of __________ on ____________. I was very impressed at the level of professionalism of the nursing staff, as it really motivated me to aspire to be a nurse on _________ unit.

I appreciate the consideration for the position. I am following up, as I am still very interested in the position, and would like to inquire if the position has been filled.

Should the position I applied for been filled by another candidate, I would like to speak with you regarding other opportunities within the facility. My contact information is as follows:

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you."

[canigraduate]

What jadelpn said.

Or, I have used this:

"Hello, Recruiter!

I am following up on the _________ position. I haven't heard from anyone and would like to know if I am still being considered. Feel free to call or email me.

Thanks!"

The time I had to use it, the manager had forgotten to tell HR that she picked me.

[Clovery]

I interviewed for a position recently, was told they'd be making decisions in a week or so. Three weeks later I got an official offer letter.

Since you are past the recruiter interview stage, you don't have to worry so much about annoying the recruiter. The decision is no longer in his/her hands. I would call the recruiter, tell them you interviewed for the position and you would like to know if you're still being considered. If you get a voicemail, hang up and try again at another time. The problem with email is that it can easily be ignored. If you send the email, the recruiter might read it but not respond and then you'll be left wondering. It's best to catch them on the phone if you can.

At my hospital system, it's against policy (or at least frowned upon) for the nurse manager to have any contact with applicants in the post-interview/ pre-offer stage. So you may not get a reply from the nurse manager. However it could prompt her to contact HR to send you the offer or "not selected" letter.

The four hour shadowing experience sounds promising. I have never heard of anyone doing this, although it could be a form of a peer interview. Did you send thank you emails to the nurse you followed and the manager after that?

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Although you may not care, I apologize for not responding sooner! I did follow-up the shadowing with a second hand-written thank you card, directed to the manager and night staff. I didn't hear a damn thing for another 2.5months.... I sent a follow-up email to the manager in late July that went unanswered. The other hospital I interviewed with like-wise never got in contact after the interview. Then, the last week in August, the second hospital got in touch and said they were very interested, but there had been an HR snafu with my application. I re-applied as they asked me to do and then the ball started rolling on the hiring process there - this was for a part-time resource pool position. I submitted my references and had been told to simply wait for an offer to come, and that it was imminent.

Literally the day after all of that was set going, I received an offer from the first hospital!! It was so out of the blue and I had completely lost hope for all of the above. I was flabbergasted, but accepted, as it was full time on the pediatric unit and basically my dream job.

So, moral of the story, don't give up complete hope if you haven't heard a yes or no on a job.