How to Follow Up with Hiring Managers Without Being That Person

We've all been there. You've had a great conversation with a hiring manager, but nothing came of it immediately. Months pass, and you're wondering if reaching out again makes you look desperate or annoying. The good news? You're probably overthinking it.

This question was answered by Tarra van Amerongen – Head of Design at Atlassian – who brings extensive experience in hiring and business leadership, alongside host Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative, and Caitlin Thamm, counsellor and founder of Dance Care Australia, who recently went through a hiring process at Hey Mate.

Your default assumption might be wrong

Here's something that might surprise you: "Your default assumption that you're annoying may not actually be correct," says Tarra. If they actually need to hire and simply forgot about you, your follow-up could be perfectly timed. They might think, "Perfect, I've got something."

The key is remembering that hiring managers are juggling multiple priorities. Your gentle reminder that you're still available and interested could be exactly what they need.

Find natural connection points

The most effective approach is reconnecting to your previous conversation. Tarra suggests asking if anything's changed, sharing something new, or offering value through mutual exchange. This could be sharing a relevant article, mentioning an industry event you'll both attend, or simply asking if you can buy them a coffee to check in on market movements.

"I'm trying to find some sort of mutual exchange," Tarra explains. It's not just about what you need – it's about creating genuine professional connections.

Schedule future conversations upfront

One clever strategy Tarra uses is pre-arranging follow-ups during the initial conversation. "I said, 'You know what I'll do now? I'll just put in a 30-minute virtual catchup in December if we don't need it later.'" This removes the awkwardness of future outreach because it's already planned.

As Andy notes, "It's pre-arranged. I'm going to feel less awkward about catching up."

Think beyond the immediate contact

Remember that networks extend beyond single connections. Always ask, "Is there anyone else you think I should also talk to?" Sometimes the person you're speaking with doesn't have opportunities, but they know someone who does. Caitlin reinforces this from her recent hiring experience: "We really appreciated that and it showed that they were at least interested in the work that we did."

Quality over quantity matters

When following up, make it personal and relevant. Caitlin shares what stood out during her recent hiring process: candidates who had clearly read the job description and explained how they suited the role, rather than just saying they needed work. Avoid generic messages – "sometimes you just get so much of this like slot marketing rate where I'm like you clearly have no idea what I do," says Tarra.

Don't let perfect timing stop you

"You don't ask, you don't get," reminds Tarra. "Don't stay silent because if you miss an opportunity because you didn't kind of reconnect, you will kick yourself."

Remember, following up shows genuine interest and professionalism. Most hiring managers appreciate candidates who stay engaged appropriately. The worst they can say is no, but they might just say yes at exactly the right moment.‍

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Topic: Career paths & progression

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