Okay to reach out to hiring manager in this case?

[Anonymous]

In late November I applied for a position that would be a great stepping stone in my career, in an area I’m interested in, working for someone I admire professionally. This would be an internal transfer in my fairly large organization, and the boss is someone I’ve worked peripherally with for nearly two years (worked on a unique project together and I serve on a committee he chairs).

I had a great initial phone screen and the HR person indicated they would arrange for a sit down with this person. That was in November, and since then I haven’t heard anything. I reached out to the HR person yesterday who indicated that I’m still in the running but no movement has been made to arrange an interview.

Would it be inappropriate for me to reach out to him directly indicating my interest? Or is that too much?

[Anonymous]

A brief hi and asking if there are any updates which can be shared with you probably is ok, given that you know the person.

If it were me, I would not send that earlier than 6pm on Monday Jan 8th. At most organizations, there is zero movement on any hiring between the Monday of Thanksgiving week and the first work day of the new year.

[Anonymous]

What do you have to lose?