[iM@k]

As some of you may recall, a few months ago I announced my intentions to finally leave my job at Best Buy, and true to my word, I've been trying.

So after being turned down by several places, I finally seem to be having very good luck with getting a new job at a company I would really like to be hired by.

Over the past six weeks I've done two phone interviews followed by a 3+ hour long in person interview,, all of which went very well.

On the Friday before Christmas, the friendly lady from the HR department that I've been doing most of the talking with, e-mailed me asking for my professional references (Although I included them on my resume when I applied online, the online form messed up the formatting them making them hard to read), which I promptly sent to her.

I knew with the holidays it would take a sometime for them to get back to me. But it's driving me crazy that I haven't heard anything back yet (not to mention I'm anxious to tell Best Buy to go pound sand).

Would it be appropriate to send an e-mail asking about my hiring status. and if so, how would I phrase it?

[turtle777]

I would wait till mid of next week.

Many companies were closed between Christmas and New Years, so nothing was processed further. It is possible that the HR lady was still out of the office the week after New Years, returning coming week.

And even if the HR department had resumed work, the hiring process often requires multiple people to make decisions or sign off, so the holiday time just stalls the hole process.

Do follow up, but don't be too pushy.

If it helps, I'm in almost the same situation as you are in.
I had 3 phone interviews and 4 onsite interviews already between Nov and Dec.
My final interviews are coming up soon.

-t

[Cold Warrior]

My 2 cents is that if you sent it to her on Friday the 21st, no one would have looked at it until this past week, at the earliest. I know my higher-ups and their staff were pretty much incommunicado from then until Wednesday, 2 Jan.

[mitchell_pgh]

After a while, I generally send a "I'm starting to receive offers and would like to hear the opening at your organization has been filled as it's my first choice"

Which translates to: I'm very interested, other people like me, but I'm not going to wait forever.

[abe]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh 

After a while, I generally send a "I'm starting to receive offers and would like to hear the opening at your organization has been filled as it's my first choice"

Which translates to: I'm very interested, other people like me, but I'm not going to wait forever.

This is an excellent approach. It says exactly what you want them to know/believe.

In the meantime, get some more interviews set up so your hopes aren't dashed.

It's like with women. When you are too desperate it doesn't work. When you have options then you can go with the flow and if the job/girl says 'yes' then that is great. But if not, it's no big deal because you were still in the process of pursuing other opportunities or entertaining other offers.

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh 

After a while, I generally send a "I'm starting to receive offers and would like to hear if the opening at your organization has been filled as it's my first choice"

Which translates to: I'm very interested, other people like me, but I'm not going to wait forever.

Thought it might sound better with an 'if'.

[The Godfather]

^ Sounds worser

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh 

After a while, I generally send a "I'm starting to receive offers and would like to hear the opening at your organization has been filled as it's my first choice"

Which translates to: I'm very interested, other people like me, but I'm not going to wait forever.

Originally Posted by abe 

This is an excellent approach. It says exactly what you want them to know/believe.

This is not always a good idea.

I'm currently in the run for a quite senior position, and the company has been looking to fill the position for 12 months.
However, they are NOT in a rush, they want the perfect match, and will rather wait longer than fill the position half-assed.

In this case, writing something like you did would have a detrimental effect and might get you out of the race.

The only time I would use a pressure approach like this is if I actually have an offer from a different company, and I have limited time to accept or decline the offer.

I have, however, declined job offers because I had more interesting jobs still in the pipeline (but not decided yet). It's all about your individual situation, how long you are willing to wait and if you are willing to wait longer for the "more" perfect job.

-t

[abe]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

This is not always a good idea.

I'm currently in the run for a quite senior position, and the company has been looking to fill the position for 12 months.
However, they are NOT in a rush, they want the perfect match, and will rather wait longer than fill the position half-assed.

In this case, writing something like you did would have a detrimental effect and might get you out of the race.

The only time I would use a pressure approach like this is if I actually have an offer from a different company, and I have limited time to accept or decline the offer.

I have, however, declined job offers because I had more interesting jobs still in the pipeline (but not decided yet). It's all about your individual situation, how long you are willing to wait and if you are willing to wait longer for the "more" perfect job.

-t

Indeed. A senior position was not what the OP mentioned and that is why the advice given was appropriate to the OP's situation.

For a more senior position your approach is appropriate.

[Paco500]

I see very little point or benefit in lying. If you have other offers, tell them. If you don't, don't.

That being said, I think it is entirely appropriate to check in. General courtesy would dictate you dress it up, send an email saying something along the lines of "hope you had a nice holiday, and I was curious if you had additional questions or needed more information." Except tart it up a bit.

As long as you don't get rude or pushy, you are not likely to offend by checking in.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Paco500 

As long as you don't get rude or pushy, you are not likely to offend by checking in.

That's exactly right. My typical reaction to the 'I've got other offers' line is that I suggest that the candidate pursues them. I won't be put under pressure on whom to hire and in what timeframe.

A friendly question on the other hand is always welcome. It shows genuine interest.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Mastrap 

That's exactly right. My typical reaction to the 'I've got other offers' line is that I suggest that the candidate pursues them. I won't be put under pressure on whom to hire and in what timeframe.

A friendly question on the other hand is always welcome. It shows genuine interest.

-t

[RAILhead]

Yeah, when someone tries that line with me, I just lose their application.

[abe]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

Yeah, when someone tries that line with me, I just lose their application.

What if you really like them?

[Mastrap]

As soon as that line is being tried I like them less.
Also, if they don't like what we have to offer over and above what another job offers then they should take the other job. It'll be better for both of us in the long run.

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by The Godfather 

^ Sounds worser

I put the if in the wrong spot. Goes after the 'hear'. Still needs to be there.