Dear Work Coach,
I am from Taiwan and found your website by google. My background is engineering, and I focus my job hunting on those positions in the high-tech industry. Currently I stuck in the waiting game after my 2nd interview. My situation is like this.
I went to the 2nd interview of a large high-tech company on April 17, and I wrote thank you note and follow-up letters after the interview to all the interviewer, but I did not hear anything from them over the past month. Therefore, I called HR last Monday for their decision.
She responded my job application is getting approval, but she does not know which candidate would be selected (It sounds weird). She assumed the approval process would be done by the end of last week and would give me call.
Until now, I still have not received her call. Is there still hope to get this job? I am very desperate for this job, cuz it is what I really want. Could you give me some opinions?
Thank many for your help.
VL
Taipei, Taiwan
***
Dear VL,
So glad you found my blog. Welcome. I love having guests from other parts of the world. I’ll try my best to help you.
There’s no way for me to know for sure what they are thinking, but as of this moment, there is still hope. Sometimes, after a second interview, companies need to run your application through a variety of processes before they can even consider an offer, and those processes can take a long time. It sounds like you are one of several candidates, but she gave you no clue as to whether you’re the number one choice as of this moment.
All you can do right now is wait and think positively. (It never hurts.) Even if you aren’t number one, the person who they offer it to may already have another job or may say no. So many possibilities. But without a crystal ball, I can only tell you…there is still a chance – even though it’s past the deadline she gave you.
I wish you much luck, VL, and hope you do get this job. But just in case you don’t, take that positive energy and don’t give up until you get the job you want!
Good luck! Please let us know what happens.
Ronnie Ann
Related Work Coach Cafe posts:
After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
I really don’t know what to think.
I interviewed with a big publishing firm on Apr 13, 2011. I heard back from the company (after contacting them twice) after a month (mid May), asking me to come for a meeting with their Managing Director. I met him and the talk went well. Apparently, the fellow I interviewed with suggested my name for this new position. The MD was quite enthusiastic and went on about how this new project would be my baby etc etc. N I could have the other position but he would like me think about the new one. I wrote back (MD and HR person) to thank them for the interview and to say that I was definitely interested. My interview with the MD was on May 24 but haven’t heard back from the company yet.
For my part, I am getting tired of waiting to hear from them. It seems very unprofessional! I was very surprised to hear back from them a second time, considering they contacted me after five weeks. I just don’t want to be sitting around for another five weeks to hear from them again!
Correction- I interviewed with the MD on May 21, 2011– nearly three weeks ago.
Hi SG!
I’m so sorry you’re stuck in the waiting game, but these things have their own timing. So many possible process elements, each one with its own timing and requirements. If it helps, this is totally within the “norm” especially considering a new position is in play.
Have you tried calling? You certainly have been patient enough and a polite call asking where things stand – and if there is anything else they need from you – is appropriate at this point.
I wish you the best of luck. Please let us know how it goes!
Hello
I recently interview for a union position at a local Hospital. I went through 4 interviews already, starting of with a phone interview, HR interview, interview with director of department and final interview with the same director.
The entire process began beginning of May and I was very hopeful that I actually might get this job. Especially since they already talked about compensation, days of work, showed me the hospital and introduced me to many of the staff. From what i heard from friends, those are all signs that I will get the job.
My last interview for the position was last friday and the director said that she will give me a decision by tuesday morning. I woke up nice and early Tuesday morning but nothing….. Now its thursday and I am very worried that I actually might not get this position.
Also I sent thank you letters everytime I was interviewed but I am thinking about calling tomorrow to see what is up. But I am nervous that maybe that isn’t the best of idea….
What do you think?
Hi Christian!
I understand why this was worrisome, but just know when a notification date is given very often it takes longer than they thought. Of course it might mean someone else got the offer and is deciding (you are probably one of the finalists), but it can also simply mean they haven’t finished putting together the full offer package and need more time.
Try to hang in until next week if you can. If you haven’t heard by Tuesday, a call should be ok.
Good luck!
P.S. If you REALLY can’t stand it, Christian, since you were told you’d hear a few days ago, calling today wouldn’t be awful.
REMINDER: Although I wish I could answer each and every question, unfortunately that isn’t always possible. I will do my best, but please understand if I can’t.
For more on this: ABOUT WORK COACH CAFE
Hello! I got to this forum because of the keyword second interview. lol. I hope you can help me out here. I’m sorry for the long intro.
They said nursing is a wonderful career because there are so many opportunities here in America. But because I lack the experience, it’s been one hard lesson after another. My first interview was in March and after that the employer asked me to finish my missing requirements so they could continue with my application. They even gave me the address to complete my requirements and told me to inform the company it was for pre hire. After submitting my requirements, I sent thank you letters and constantly followed up.
Last week, they finally gave me a call and said that they were finally getting around to completing my requirements. They said I might start within the week and HR would just follow up on me. Well… it’s been a week and I dont know what to do! Should I give them another follow up call? Is it too pushy? I want the job, but I dont want to come off as desperate (which, after 6 months of unemployment, is very much true). I wish people wrote a book on etiquette for job interviews! Thank you!
I forgot to add. During my 2nd interview, it was the Nursing Director herself who called and she told me she was using her private cell number. Is that a good sign? Should I follow up on her cell or should I call her office instead? I think it’s more polite if I use her office number.
Hi ruru!
Congratulations on getting this far. Hope you have some good news soon.
These things almost always take longer than anyone thinks they will. At this point, I would probably give them until next week before calling her in the office. (You’re right about that.)
Good luck!
Dont I know it! lol! Unemployment sucks! Especially when most of your friends are ahead of you and are happily spending their first salary and you’re left out feeling really bad for yourself. I know the trick is not to loose hope, but sometimes, your emotions become unmanageable! Thanks so much for your help! I’ll update when she finally calls! More power and god bless!
Hello Ronnie! I came back here to tell you that I finally got the job after almost 4 months of waiting! It just goes to show you that there really are moments like this when all you have to do is keep your chin up and hope for the best! Your forum really helped calm me down for the most part!
Hello Ronnie,
I hope this message find you well.
I am from Malaysia and found your website by google on the question of “what should i do after 2nd interview”. I would like to seek your advise. I have similar situation like VL from Taiwan has.
I was called by a headhunter company said that they found my CV on Jobstreet which matched their client’s requirement. She will give my resume to her client and let her client called me. That was a Friday. On the next following week, Monday, the HR from that company called me for an interview. And the appointment was fixed on the coming Friday9:15am.
On the interview day, I was there at 9:15am, met up with the HR, she briefed me about the company and interviewer that I am going to meet. About half an hour later, the interviewers came in to the room. There were 4 of them, a manger and 3 team leaders. They asked me all sort of questions and about my experience. I would said that the whole interviewing process was smooth. When it is almost came to an end, the manager told me that she likes the way I presented myself and told me that if I am shortlisted, will be called for 2nd interview and sit for an English assessment. But immediately after she walked out the room, she called the Chief Operation, her boss, to meet me for an interview. The 2nd interview was conducted by the Chief Operation who came from America, we have about 10 mins conversation. I saw he smile when I talked about their company value and I told them that I like that very much and that is a company that I am looking for. I believe that is a good sign.
After second interview, I sat for the English assessment. About an hour later, I am done and left the company at about 12pm. The HR told me that they need some time to process before they confirmed who will be the candidate. So, I asked her when would be the date that possible to notify me. Next Friday? She said no, then week after? She said maybe.
Well, the actual date that I went for an interview was on 17-Jun-11, and I asked her if that is possible for me to know on 24-Jun-11? She said no, then I asked maybe another week? She said maybe, so I give her a call on 27-Jun-11, today, but she said the process might take longer time. She ask me to wait but she couldn’t told me until when I should wait for, probably another 2 weeks or longer. At the same time, on 24-Jun-11, I saw this company advertise on Jobstreet the job that I applied for.
I am wondering, am I still has the chance? Why are they advertise? Does it mean that those candidates that they interviewed before the advertisement date wasn’t meet their requirement?
I really wish that I have this job. Could you give me some advise?
Thank you.
Warmest regards,
Jin
Dear Ronnie,
Adding to my 1st message, I would like to ask should I applied the job that the company posted on Jobstreet last Friday, 24-Jun-11? That job is in fact what they were interviewed me for.
I just would like to let them know how I like the job.
Oh ya, I did send them thank you after the interview too. But I am not sure it this reach to the interviewer and I don’t have their email address. So I checked it out and send them a thank you note too?
Thank you.
Warmest regards,
Jin
Hi Ginger Jin!
I love that you are so eager and want to do everything right. Sounds like you had a very good interview.
But I also want to tell you something that I hope will help you in the future. While a thank you note to each person is a very nice thing (a handwritten one can be well-received) and a polite follow-up about two weeks later is totally fine, it can hurt your chances to keep calling and contacting them so much. And to keep asking them for a date as to when you will hear back can actually work against you. It may make you seem too pushy and desperate. It would have been ok to ask when YOU may call to check in, but now…let that need-to-know go.
Maybe this will help for next time, just in case this doesn’t work out. (I hope it still does).
It’s not unusual for a job to be reposted. It may mean they aren’t quite sure or they may just keep running it to see what they get. Of course it may mean they didn’t find the match they want, but no way to know for sure. At this point for your sake, less is more. Maybe one polite SHORT e-mail to the interviewer saying you are still interested and asking if there is anything else you can provide would be ok. But no mention of dates or anything else. OK? These things take time and you have to show you have patience.
Meanwhile, please keep applying for other jobs. The best way to wait is to take action for yourself that may open up an even better opportunity than you can imagine.
I wish you MUCH luck!
Thanks Ronnie,
Just like you said ” The best way to wait is to take action”, I thought the same too.
Thank you.
Regards,
Jin
My pleasure.
Hello Ronnie,
I hope this message find you well.
I wrote to you weeks back. Since then, I was waiting patiently for news from this company and at the same time, I looked for others job.
There wasn’t any news from them at all, but I just wanted so much to get this job so I sent the HR Exec (who arranged an interview with me from the company) a mail on 17-Jul-11 (which was exactly a month after my 2nd interview with them) to check out if I am shortlisted. Well, the answer from her was that I am not their shortlisted candidates. I am disappointed but I still replied her politely and said : “I am sorry to hear that. But that was my pleasure to have the interview opportunity and get to learn about your company.
I would like to still show my interest in your company and ask for another opportunity should there be any.”
So, I thought the vacancies were filled.
Well, after few days, which is today 25-Jul-11, out of curiosity, I just google about this company again, and I found out they re-post the same job on 17-Jul-11. Well, what I did was that, I applied the job again online.
I would like to seek your advise, is that alright for me to write an email to the HR Exec to find out what in fact put me down from their list. I think I was doing quite well that day, well, for them, I might be not good enough, so I would like to know what was that “not good enough”.
And after the interview, I was all the while, following up/in contact only with the HR Exec, should I write a mail to the Manager who interviewed me on that? I don’t have the manager’s email but I think I could just find out. If that a proper way?
I am looking forward to your reply.
Thanking you in advance.
Cheers,
Jin
Jin,
Wow, you have been put through a great deal. Good for you that stayed positive in your response to the company. Yes, there is nothing wrong with seeing if the position has been re-posted and you can be considered as a candidate. Stay positive and polite and hope for the best!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
The Work Coach Cafe Team
Hi,
So, at this moment, less is more?
Jin
Jin,
We can’t provide personal advice for each situation, you need to evaluate what is best for you. Hopefully this site can help you make the decision!
- The Work Coach Team
I applied for a position at a Private Practice Office for two psychiatrists as a receptionist/office assistant. I had my 1st interview last Friday and my my second interview was on Monday of this week. I have not heard from them at all and is worrying me because they said that they needed someone ASAP because their current receptionist was leaving. I sent a thank you letter already and now I am just nervously and anxiously waiting. How long should I wait for the call before I lose all hope? I am a college student studying psychology, this job would have been the best opportunity for me to get some experience in the field. It is so difficult to find a similar position. I have looked everywhere to see if I can find a similar position but have found nothing.
Dani,
It may be taking longer for them to make a decision then planned. As a student you have many options to get experience in the field. You may want to think about an internship or even better a paid internship. Check out this post on how the intern got the job he wanted .
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Hi. I interviewed for a job two weeks ago. They were phone interviews and they went really well. Two were on July 6th and one was on July 7th. The ones on the 6th were with the hiring manager and then a direct report. The one on the 7th was with another direct report. On Friday of that same week, the 8th, I received an email from the hiring manager that it was down to me and another candidate. He asked when I would be able to start if I was offered the job and for my references. On Wednesday of last week, the 13th, two of my references contacted me to tell me they had been contacted by the hiring manager. One of my references told me that the hiring manager said that things are looking very good for me. Very encouraging. Today is July 19th and I haven’t heard anything back from either the hiring manager or HR. How long should I give it before I contact the hiring manager to make in inquiry?
ILG,
The dreaded waiting game… Sounds like things are progressing for you, maybe just not as fast as you would like. Hope it all goes well. You may want to look at some other Work Coach Cafe posts to see what others have done in similar situations.
- The Work Coach Team
Hello, I had my second job interview yesterday but im still nervous because the employer told me that they still had a couple more interviews and that she would call me but she said the interview went very very well. She smiled at me the whole time. I just really need a job would it be bad to call her so soon or should I wait.
Valencia,
The employer may need to go through the process of interviewing certain candidates before making a final decision. If the employer said they have more interviews and will get back to you, waiting may be the best.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Hello,
I have a question. I went on two interviews for a position. The first interview went great and she set up my second interview right on the spot. The second interview went well too with the Director. The next day (Tuesday) I received a phone call from a lady in HR that wanted to know my previous salary. She said that she had to submit to the compensation department. It has not been two days and I have heard NOTHING. I am starting to panic. I really want this job and everything has been going well up until the last days when I have heard nothing at all.
What are your thoughts on this?
Joe,
Try to hang in there. Though you are anxious and excited sometimes it takes a while for a company to get answers internally and to make decisions. There is not too much you can do but wait. Hope you hear real soon!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Dear Ronnie Ann,
Let me share with you my (long) story and please let me know how you see this situation–
I had my first interview for this “job of my dream” with the hiring line manager (a Dept head) on Jun 30th. During the interview, I felt that the dynamics were really good and I was really able to make a impression with the line manager.
After the interview, my positive feelings were quickly confirmed as I was called on the following day for a 2nd interview, which was scheduled on the next business day. That time, I was to meet with the HR manager. While the HR manager did ask me a question regarding how I would be still capable of the role, despite, in her views, not having enough direct experience for the role, I felt that she was generally happy with how I did and the experience was positive overall.
The HR manager then told me that if I was to be shortlisted, I should expect a call within that week (on or before Jul 9th that was; and the 4th was not a holiday in where I live.) for a final interview with the Regional Head. I then send her a thank-you note in email (I did not send one to the Dept Head since the company called me back so soon–before I finish thinking about how to write it! Yet my note to the HR included my thanks to the Dept Head as well). The HR manager did not reply to my note.
And so I waited and waited… Until the 12th, when I finally accepted that I probably did not get the job, I decided to send them (both the Dept Head and the HR manager) a very nice letter thanking them for the interviews and politely asked them for feedback on what might be the areas that I did not do well enough–just as my own reference.
Why I send the letter: I was a young Master degree graduate looking for my first entry level job in a new industry, and I felt the Dept Head would be willing to reply–he was an alumni from my college and he had shared some points on how fresh grad/entry level candidates should behave…etc.
Then there came the surprise: I was emailed back by the HR manager and that she “clarifies” to me that she did not mention “within that week”. Instead, they were looking to give me a reply by Jul 19, two weeks after my 2nd interview.
I then emailed her back to thank her for her clarification and tell her that I look forward to hearing from her.
Then on the 19th, WITHOUT following up, I received an email from the HR manager that they still don’t have a conclusion yet and that she would give me an answer either on the 25th or 26th. I then thanked her for the update and said I look forward to that.
I waited until 5pm on the 26th and I still hadn’t heard anything. Then I thought, why not be more proactive instead? I then picked up a phone and called the HR manager (their normal business was until 6:30pm in the afternoon). She told me that the business line had not give them a reply on their decision, and she was chasing them too. The Dept Head, whom I had interviewed with, had lots of meetings and a business trips recently. She then said she aimed to reply me on the following Friday (Jul 29 that was), but I could hear that she wasn’t so sure. She also asked me if I had any concern, and I said no, other than that I really that opportunity.
On the 28th, I sent another email to the Dept Head, said I learned from HR that he had been out of town and he hasn’t decide on the candidates yet. I then reiterated my interest in his role and briefly recapped on my ability to help his team, also on how I appreciated his talking of “career building” during the interview and I was keen to develop my career with his company.
He quickly replied me with a short email that thanked me for following up, explained that he was in the process of reviewing with the senior management, and that he hoped to give me a reply by “next week”. (Week of Aug 4th)
I did not reply to that email. I felt that he would probably be too busy for another empty “thank you & look forward” email.
So I waited and waited… And until today I still had not hear back from them. I felt that since I did not answer to the last email from the Dept Head, I could maybe wait a few more days until 2 full weeks had gone to send them 1 last email: that I appreciate their kind replies throughout this period (knowing that they are busy) and I just want to remind them and I am still available if they are still looking for someone.
Yet honestly, I think I can no longer think anymore because this wait is driving me crazy!
Please help me by sharing your thoughts on this. Do you think I am still in the running? What course of action do you suggest?
Thank you very much!
Best,
Erin
Btw, sorry if I had made more than a few typos on the above message. I am typing on my smartphone and couldn’t edit my message very efficiently.
In addition, I actually did NOT apply for this role. I applied to another role within that company and was called to ask if I would be interested in this role as well. There were also no official job description/job ad/public job posting for the role I interviewed for, even when I asked the HR manager on my 2nd interview.
Erin,
The typos are not a problem. Your case shows how many different factors come in play for the hiring process. It is hard to land your first job with a new degree. Good for you for being flexible, working with the interviewers, sending thank you notes and requesting feedback from them. Though you have been through many hurdles, the hiring schedule at the company does not always match the your schedule. Waiting is tough, even agonizing at times….hope it all works out great for you!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
The HR manager got back to me today saying that the position has been put on hold.
I guess it is not much of a surprise after all given what’s on the financial news today–possible credit for the French Gov and financial institutions… And I am interviewing with a French bank…
Credit “downgrade”… I mean.
And to be honest, this is the 3rd time I have had a position “put on hold”…
Btw, my parents are skeptic and think the company just doesn’t want me and want to hire someone else by saying “the position is put on hold”. I can’t understand why a company would do that though.
Dear Ronnie Ann, what is your view on that? How often would a company/headhunter use the “position is on hold” as an excuse for not considering a candidate?
Erin,
Do not take a company putting a position or req on hold as a rejection of you as a candidate. It is very common for hiring to placed on hold as markets and business fluctuate. Hang in there for good news soon.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
I was silently recruited for a position, indicated my interested and then submitted the application at the appropriate time. I waited for almost 4 months for a response and then I received a phone call interview which lasted for 45 minutes and contained an apology for the delay. I was scheduled for a face to face interview with 3 folks face to face and 2 on the phone. I thought I did extremely well. At the end of the interview, the lead person apologized again for the time it took for me to get here, said there was one other candidate but if I could just hang in with them, they would get back to me by the following Wednesday or so. It is only Friday now.
I am planning to just WAIT. I believe that these inquiries about “do you need any more information” are pretty bogus. If you’re going to write something, ask politely what is happening, although I don’t think that’s helpful either due to the information on what can happen behind the scenes after an interview. Do you want to risk nagging them or showing your anxiety? Do you believe in yourself or not? If they want you, you will hear from them. There won’t be some little piece of information that you can supply that will grease the wheels. If they don’t want you, you will either hear from them eventually or never hear from them.
And this stuff about sending thank you’s right after after the interview. I thoroughly thanked the committee as I was leaving. I let them know how much I appreciated their time. You need to use your judgement here. Maybe a letter would nice if there was a quick revolving door between candidates and you didn’t have a chance to give that personal thank you.
Just my thoughts, folks. I’m sitting here shivering as well. Reading these other posts is comforting. I wanted to share my perspective ’cause I’m a little tired of this standard advice. Waiting is hard and we have to find a way to survive it.
Debbie – Thank you for your thoughts. We must say, four months to wait for an interview, wow!?!!? We always say that every situation is different, thank you for sharing.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Thanks for having a place to share. I found out the agency is going through a reorganization which is why they were and are so slow. I still maintain that contacting them every few weeks is more to comfort oneself than to advance one’s cause. I believe if someone is going to hire you, they will. All candidates are serious, especially if they go through an interview. It’s painful, absolutely but it’s also an opportunity to evolve: how to learn patience, how to let go of the need to control, how to be comfortable with who you are and that you’re putting out your best efforts, how to handle disappointment and find what’s important in life other than the job hunt… That kind of stuff. Again, just my 2 cents!
Similar scenario here, I went through an initial interview and was nervous but got a great reception from HR. Came in for a second interview and did not hear back. I waited for almost 2 weeks and noticed paperwork from the background check and such were being mailed to me (which at least let me know I was a serious contender). I called HR to follow up and she said that they had filled the position through internal and external postings but that in another week they would be sure to start contacting more candidates and I could receive a call? I’m a bit confused, but decided to just resume my job search. I hope this particular company really does call me back, and she didn’t seem bothered by the call, she said it showed I was serious.
Ima make this as easy as possible. Any thoughts will help!
On the 16th of this month I had a highly successful interview with the
[company name] manager in Elk Grove, CA. He said that the next person to
Interview me was coming back from vacation on the 17th. I waited a full
Week to call the manager I had a 2nd interview with and he told me to
Hold tight and that he’s been busy opening the new location in Lodi, CA.
He also reassured me that he handed him all my paperwork for him to give
Me a call back. Being that he just came from vacation and is Opening a new location,
Guess I’m just being impatient. Plus, they are closed on Sundays. Which means
Today is the 8th official business day. Google said to wait at least 10 business days…
Since the person that i had a 2nd interview with is going to be my direct manager, I’m
Still confident that I have a great chance. It’s just that like the rest of us, I wish that I would
Just get the call!
Once again, any thoughts Would be highly appreciated
Sent from my iPhone
Wok,
Yes, it is tough to be patient but it seems like things are moving forward for you. We suggest that before you leave an interview to ask what the next steps are and when would be proper time to follow up with a call or e-mail. In general a two weeks is reasonable time unless the employer has indicated otherwise.
Good luck!
Thank you so much! I’ll keep that in mind for
Future interviews. But hopefully there won’t be
Any! Thanks again Work Coach Cafe
Sent from my iPhone