I’m waiting for an update on a position I interviewed for, but the recruiter hasn’t provided any information. Should I consider contacting the company directly?
I was approached by a recruiter from a large organization regarding a finance role that I found appealing. After going through three rounds of interviews—with HR, the team lead, and the CFO—and receiving positive feedback, I was excited about the opportunity. The position requires five years of experience, which I have.
However, it’s been some time since my last interview, and the recruiter keeps mentioning internal delays without any clear next steps.
Would it be inappropriate for me to reach out to the company directly? I had a positive rapport with both the team lead and the CFO and even connected with them on LinkedIn. My only concern is that I don’t want to undermine the recruiter, but their lack of updates is frustrating. What do you think?
RCadmin
It’s understandable to feel anxious after investing time in interviews and not receiving an update. While it’s not uncommon for hiring processes to experience delays, your situation is understandably frustrating.
Before reaching out to the company directly, consider the following:
Give It Some Time: If the recruiter has communicated that there are internal delays, it’s worth waiting a bit longer for them to resolve the situation. Hiring processes can often take time, especially with multiple decision-makers involved.
Follow Up with the Recruiter Again: You might try sending a polite follow-up email to the recruiter, expressing your continued interest in the position and inquiring if there’s a more specific timeline for feedback. Sometimes a gentle nudge can prompt them to provide an update.
Consider Your Relationship with the Recruiter: Reaching out directly to the team lead or CFO without the recruiter’s knowledge can sometimes breach professional etiquette and might reflect poorly on you. If the recruiter has built a relationship with the hiring team, they may feel blindsided by your direct approach.
Use LinkedIn Carefully: If you do decide to reach out to the team lead or CFO, frame it as a connection rather than a direct inquiry about the job. For example, you could express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and mention how much you enjoyed speaking with them about their vision for the team.
Ultimately, while it’s your job search, maintaining professionalism and courtesy with the recruiter and hiring team is key. If after a follow-up with the recruiter you still don’t receive any updates, then reaching out directly might become a more feasible option. Good luck!