# Halp! Interview follow-up advice sought. NEED ANSWER FAST! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682 "2012-02-23T01:04:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/1 "2012-02-23T01:04:49Z")
Yes, I know, thank the interviewer. Got it – that’s not my question. So I just wrapped up a second round of interviews today. He he said like to continue considering me as a candidate, and that he would e-mail me some material for me to look over and play with later that day. I checked my e-mail several times at work, and it never showed. I left work, ran tiny errands, got home, then psycho-checked my e-mail again, and nothing. The workday is clearly over now, and it’s just plain not there. I’m thinking of sending him a quick love note confirming he’s sending what he said he would? Should I wait until tomorrow? Send it now? Is he possibly just late? For our first phone interview, he was _ **40 minutes late** _. I’ve had people be late for interviews before, but never by more than 10 minutes. What to do, what to do? Freaking out and analyzing this to death here. Need answer fast! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/2 "2012-02-23T01:09:04Z")
I would send an email tomorrow morning. Something like ‘Just wanted to confirm that you sent such and such email to me. Our corporate spam filter is pretty strict, so want to verify it did not end up being re-routed to the spam mailbox.’ Or similar. Depends how easy going / formal your emails have been. Just don’t say anything about how he’s late or whatever, blame it on your concern for the spam filter filtering it out. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/3 "2012-02-23T01:13:26Z")
Hmm hmm, that sounds good minus the corporate part, as we’ve been communicating through my private e-mail, but that detail is unimportant. Things do disappear into spam filters and into the interwebs. Okay, so is tomorrow morning the latest I should send it, folks? Does it make a difference if it’s today or tomorrow morning? Tomorrow afternoon is definitely too late, right? ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/4 "2012-02-23T01:14:46Z")
I would also wait until tomorrow. After all, “today” is not even over yet; if he was planning to send something late and you jumped the gun, you’d look…desperate. With that said, I hate these little extracurricular things. Like, what if he plans to never send you anything and it’s a test of your initiative or something? Gah. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/5 "2012-02-23T01:53:59Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > With that said, I hate these little extracurricular things. Like, what if he plans to never send you anything and it’s a test of your initiative or something? Gah. Oh gods, no. Please no mind games! If this is his tactic, and I sincerely hope it’s not, I suppose I will pass as I intend to follow up, but I don’t want to pass with a C- instead of an A. I’m hoping he just forgot and will thank me for the reminder? Argh! ---
**Author:** ![Dusty\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba8739/32.png) [@Dusty\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty_Rose)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/6 "2012-02-23T01:57:19Z")
I’d send it in the morning. It’s so easy to typo an email address that I think that’s probably what happened; if you email him, then all he has to do is reply. I wouldn’t work on his stuff during your regular work time, though. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/7 "2012-02-23T02:02:26Z")
Send the mail tomorrow morning if you haven’t gotten it, and don’t panic. There are all sorts of emergencies that come up that might prevent him from sending it. He knows he is going to do it, and so it is lower priority. These days I’ve been spending 90% of my time on recruiting and 90% of my time on my real work, so you can see that some things get delayed. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/8 "2012-02-23T02:04:30Z")
I’d wait until a few hours after business starts tomorrow, to give him a chance. You’ll seem interested and diligent, without seeming desperate. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/9 "2012-02-23T02:17:56Z")
Okay, okay. (Simmers down) Tomorrow seems best. Nice to have some objective voices to make my brain stop being ridiculous. I asked a couple of friends, both of whom are darling, but were completely useless. Thank you, strangers! ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/10 "2012-02-23T02:20:20Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > I’d wait until a few hours after business starts tomorrow, to give him a chance. You’ll seem interested and diligent, without seeming desperate. During business hours you have to be more careful. You don’t want to risk sending the message that you don’t care about your current job. Some people might not notice, but I wouldn’t chance it. I think before work or during the lunch hour are safe times, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dusty\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba8739/32.png) [@Dusty\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty_Rose)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/11 "2012-02-23T02:23:39Z")
You’ll come back and tell us what happens, won’t you? Also, you could always write the email tonight and save it as a draft. That will give you plenty of time to word it just right. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/12 "2012-02-23T02:27:20Z")
Ooh, good idea. I’ll check my e-mail before it’s time to head out the door, and if nothing’s there, fire off the draft. Hopefully there will be good news to keep y’all posted on. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/13 "2012-02-23T03:03:29Z")
What’s the job? Generally speaking. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/14 "2012-02-23T03:17:28Z")
I’d throw in a line like “Can you send it this am? Wanted to work on it over lunch hour.” And, yeah, what sort of job is it? ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/15 "2012-02-23T04:30:25Z")
Another vote of confidence for sending it in the morning. Initiative without being desperate/impatient. Good luck! -D/a ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/16 "2012-02-23T04:32:49Z")
Is it in Chicago or CA? Good luck! StG ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/17 "2012-02-23T04:36:59Z")
Show him your leadership potential: “What the fuck is your problem, douchebag? You said you’d email me those files today but I’m not seeing them yet!! Your constant tardiness is becoming a problem for this company and I’m putting you on notice.” ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/18 "2012-02-23T04:56:19Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Show him your leadership potential: > > “What the fuck is your problem, douchebag? You said you’d email me those files today but I’m not seeing them yet!! Your constant tardiness is becoming a problem for this company and I’m putting you on notice.” Oh YES, please send this one. Double-dare ya. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/19 "2012-02-23T05:04:18Z")
How about goosing him along without being too obvious. You should be sending the obligatory “thanks so much for the interview and gee gosh golly I’m thrilled about the opportunity!!!” email anyway because it’s simply required after every interview. Tack on your “and can’t wait to take a look at the materials to show you how I can contribute” in that email to remind him he needs to send it to you. Whatever you do don’t give some bullshit about spam filter; that just looks insecure and impatient and if you’ve emailed before isnt even plausable. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682/20 "2012-02-23T05:27:08Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > What’s the job? Generally speaking. Marketing. > [@StGermain](#): > > Is it in Chicago or CA? > > Good luck! > > StG Chi. I’m not stuck here forever, am I? > [@Isamu](#): > > Show him your leadership potential: > > “What the fuck is your problem, douchebag? You said you’d email me those files today but I’m not seeing them yet!! Your constant tardiness is becoming a problem for this company and I’m putting you on notice.” Shows great initiative. Hope you don’t mind if I steal this. > [@Hedda\_Rosa](#): > > How about goosing him along without being too obvious. You should be sending the obligatory “thanks so much for the interview and gee gosh golly I’m thrilled about the opportunity!!!” email anyway because it’s simply required after every interview. Tack on your “and can’t wait to take a look at the materials to show you how I can contribute” in that email to remind him he needs to send it to you. > > Whatever you do don’t give some bullshit about spam filter; that just looks insecure and impatient and if you’ve emailed before isnt even plausable. Ooh, yes, I think this is good on both counts. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halp-interview-follow-up-advice-sought-need-answer-fast/613682.md?page=2)