The rule? Never, and I mean never, call or email an employer on a Monday to check the status of your application or ask where the hiring manager is in the decision-making process for a job.
Why You Should Never Contact Hiring Managers On A Monday
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Mondays are the busiest, most stressful days of the week for most professionals, especially hiring managers. They’re catching up on emails, tackling urgent issues, and setting priorities for the days ahead. Even the most cheerful workers struggle to get in the groove on a Monday. And given that 56% of Americans surveyed recently said they would like a new job, it's safe to say that the majority of people are not in the best mood.
The last thing a hiring manager wants on a Monday is an unsolicited message from a job seeker asking about their application status. Reaching out on a Monday can make you seem impatient or inconsiderate of their workload—neither of which leaves a positive impression.
Adding stress or pressure to a hiring manager's day is not going to help you. So, as much as you are dying to know where you stand in the hiring process, I would suggest waiting until later in the week for several reasons:
- If the hiring manager hasn't made any progress, they will not appreciate you reminding them.
- If you are not in the running, they will not be thrilled about having to give you the bad news.
- If they are super busy and plan to address the hiring process later in the week, they will not appreciate you trying to push them to address it sooner.
Ironically, all that can change on a Tuesday when hiring managers are organized for the week and back in the productivity zone. Therefore, instead of following up on a Monday, aim for midweek when they’re more likely to have time to review applications and respond thoughtfully.
Job seekers should spend Mondays researching companies and identifying who they want to network with instead of contacting hiring managers. Save the calls and emails for Tuesdays, and you'll notice that people will be in better moods and respond to you more positively. You'll have a much easier time in your job search if you avoid reaching out to hiring managers and recruiters at the very beginning of the workweek. Trust me.
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