Best way to follow-up with a PI about a job?

[aMusingsBlog]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I really want this research position at a major university, with a particular PI (a clinical psychologist) in his lab. I applied two weeks ago and would like to follow-up on the position. I applied a few days before the posting was removed so I am worried that those who applied earlier (the posting was up for a whole month) have an advantage.

Do you think it would be best to e-mail or call the PI to follow-up? What do PIs tend to prefer?

I see valid points in both. E-mails allow the PI to respond at their leisure but can easily be ignored. The phone allows me to get a response and establish a stronger interpersonal connection but might be too aggressive.

I understand that it is very dependent on what kind of person the PI is. There is no real way of knowing right now but nonetheless, what do you think? If it makes any difference whatsoever, the PI in this case is a male.

Thanks!!!

 

[roubs]

I really want this research position at a major university, with a particular PI (a clinical psychologist) in his lab. I applied two weeks ago and would like to follow-up on the position. I applied a few days before the posting was removed so I am worried that those who applied earlier (the posting was up for a whole month) have an advantage.

Do you think it would be best to e-mail or call the PI to follow-up? What do PIs tend to prefer?

I see valid points in both. E-mails allow the PI to respond at their leisure but can easily be ignored. The phone allows me to get a response and establish a stronger interpersonal connection but might be too aggressive.

I understand that it is very dependent on what kind of person the PI is. There is no real way of knowing right now but nonetheless, what do you think? If it makes any difference whatsoever, the PI in this case is a male.

Thanks!!!

You are waaay overthinking this. Do whichever one you are comfortable with.

 

[PsychPhDone]

Overthinking. Send an email. Odds are they're busy.

I really want this research position at a major university, with a particular PI (a clinical psychologist) in his lab. I applied two weeks ago and would like to follow-up on the position. I applied a few days before the posting was removed so I am worried that those who applied earlier (the posting was up for a whole month) have an advantage.

Do you think it would be best to e-mail or call the PI to follow-up? What do PIs tend to prefer?

I see valid points in both. E-mails allow the PI to respond at their leisure but can easily be ignored. The phone allows me to get a response and establish a stronger interpersonal connection but might be too aggressive.

I understand that it is very dependent on what kind of person the PI is. There is no real way of knowing right now but nonetheless, what do you think? If it makes any difference whatsoever, the PI in this case is a male.

Thanks!!!

 

[ehh2109]

.

 

[spafticus]

It's definitely not true in all cases, but in my experience a lot of those jobs are already spoken for when they post them, but they have to post them to adhere to federal requirements. Good luck in your hunt, don't give up and make sure to reach out to any and all contacts you have. I had one interview where the position was already spoken for, but they had to interview a few people anyway. I didn't get that job, but he called me 2 months later for another open position because I impressed him the first time around. In regard to your actual question, an email is fine and don't overthink it all 🙂

 

[PsychPhDone]

It's definitely not true in all cases, but in my experience a lot of those jobs are already spoken for when they post them, but they have to post them to adhere to federal requirements. Good luck in your hunt, don't give up and make sure to reach out to any and all contacts you have. I had one interview where the position was already spoken for, but they had to interview a few people anyway. I didn't get that job, but he called me 2 months later for another open position because I impressed him the first time around. In regard to your actual question, an email is fine and don't overthink it all 🙂

👍 My experience as well -- if it's a job posting on the HR website, it was probably filled. However definitely want to keep your info fresh in case another job opens!