After interviews
You have gone through a series of interviews and now the company has to tell you yes or no. However the company sits tight and there is no feedback to you. You don't need the job desperately but you do want a closure. If you ask them the status then you might appear desparate and might get a lower offer.
What is the right time to wait before you ask them the status? Any HR folks who can weigh in?
After the interview, you can write a letter to the interviewer thanking him/her for the opportunity.
A week after that, you can follow-up your application. If you did not hear anything from then since, either they are still in the process of finalizing, still reviewing other candidates profiles or you are not fit for the role that they are looking for.
It happens to me before that after I had an interview, I was told that 80%, they are going to hire me and I waited. A months had passed and they told me that they are still waiting for the management decision.
Two weeks later, I received a regret letter.
You maybe a hot candidate but, to them you will not be a hot employee.
After a year.