If you’re in a position to hire then be prepared for follow up phone calls and/or emails. I tell CEOs and other business decision makers to not be annoyed when a candidate is calling seeking an answer. Empathy for the interviewee is crucial. While you’re not going to love all the final candidates, you’re going to have to treat them with the same respect you would want. Don’t get annoyed if you receive a phone call following up on your hiring decision the day you said you’re going to be making a decision.

If you tell someone a decision will be made within a week, and they call at the end of the week, they are providing you with the same detail you would require if you had them pitch a product. They’re doing their job-seeking duties. This is a good thing.

You can only become irritated if they call before the job decision date, email you several times within the week with additional information, or if they show up at the office on the date of the decision to ask you personally if they are hired or not.

I know you’re busy. People get sick, new business arrives at your door, salary considerations can take longer than expected, etc. If you’re upfront with candidates calling to follow-up (yes, just tell them the decision is taking longer than expected due to circumstances beyond your control), candidates will understand. If they don’t, then the person wasn’t right for the job in the first place!

Britanie Olvera, CEO