When someone tells you "I will let you know" professionally, the best response is to acknowledge their statement with gratitude, briefly reiterate your interest if applicable, and maintain an open yet non-insistent stance.
Understanding "I Will Let You Know" in a Professional Context
The phrase "I will let you know" is a common professional closing, often used when a decision is pending, information needs to be gathered, or a formal process must be followed. While it’s a neutral statement, it's important to understand its nuances:
- Decision Pending: Often, it genuinely means they need time to consider, discuss, or finalize details.
- Polite Deferral: In some cases, especially after an initial meeting or proposal, it can be a polite way to conclude the conversation without immediately committing or declining. This can sometimes indicate a low probability of a positive outcome, signaling that the matter may not progress further, allowing you to mentally prepare for various possibilities without being overly expectant.
- Process Requirement: It might signify that they are adhering to a specific timeline or internal procedure.
Regardless of the underlying implication, your response should always be courteous, professional, and respectful of their process and time.
Crafting Your Professional Response
Your reply should be concise, appreciative, and leave the door open without being demanding.
Key Elements of an Effective Reply
- Acknowledge and Thank: Express gratitude for their time, consideration, or the information shared.
- Reinforce Interest (Optional): Briefly and subtly re-emphasize your interest in the opportunity or collaboration, if appropriate.
- Propose Gentle Follow-Up (Optional): Offer a non-insistent suggestion for a future check-in, demonstrating you're organized but not pushy.
- Maintain Professionalism: Ensure your tone is polite, understanding, and respectful of their decision-making timeline.
Sample Responses for Different Scenarios
Here are a few examples tailored to common professional situations:
- After a Job Interview:
"Thank you so much for the update, [Interviewer's Name]. I appreciate you letting me know and taking the time to consider my application. I enjoyed learning more about the [Role Name] position and remain very interested. I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience." - After Proposing a Project or Collaboration:
"Thank you, [Contact's Name]. I appreciate you taking this into consideration. Please take all the time you need, and I'm happy to provide any further information if required. I look forward to your feedback." - In a General Professional Context (e.g., waiting for information, meeting confirmation):
"Understood, [Contact's Name]. Thank you, I appreciate you keeping me informed. Please let me know when you have an update."
Why a Thoughtful Response Matters
- Leaves a Positive Last Impression: A professional and gracious response reinforces your professionalism and positive attitude.
- Maintains Relationships: It helps to preserve good working relationships, regardless of the outcome.
- Demonstrates Patience: It shows you understand that decisions take time and you respect their process.
Best Practices for Follow-Up
While your initial response sets a professional tone, strategic follow-up can be beneficial if you don't hear back.
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Timing: Wait a reasonable amount of time. If they gave a specific timeframe (e.g., "by next week"), wait until after that. If not, generally one to two weeks is appropriate for most professional matters like job applications or project proposals.
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Content: Keep your follow-up email concise. Reiterate your interest, briefly mention the original topic, and politely ask if there's any update.
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Example Follow-up:
Subject: Following Up - [Your Name] - [Original Topic] Dear [Contact's Name], I hope this email finds you well. I'm following up on our conversation from [Date of Conversation/Meeting] regarding [Briefly mention topic, e.g., the [Role Name] position / the proposed [Project Name] project]. I remain very interested and am keen to hear any updates when you have a moment. Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, [Your Name]
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Persistence vs. Professionalism: Avoid multiple, frequent follow-ups. If you don't hear back after one or two polite follow-ups, it's often best to move on gracefully. Overly persistent contact can be counterproductive.
Quick Reference: DOs and DON'Ts
| DOs | DON'Ts |
|---|---|
| Do express gratitude | Don't be pushy or demanding |
| Do keep it concise | Don't assume a negative outcome immediately |
| Do remain professional and polite | Don't send multiple, rapid follow-ups |
| Do reiterate interest (if appropriate) | Don't sound desperate or impatient |
| Do set a gentle follow-up expectation | Don't use informal language |
By responding with grace and professionalism, you leave a lasting positive impression, regardless of the ultimate outcome. For further tips on professional communication, consider resources like those from The Balance Careers or Harvard Business Review.
