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?
Hi Ronnie Ann,
Well, the recruiter finally wrote back in response to the email I had sent her saying that I would be happy to fly myself for an in person interview. I have to say, I was quite surprised by what she wrote…
She told me that she would check with the rest of the team to see if they wanted me to fly in because they were in final rounds with another candidate and she wouldn’t want me to make all those arrangements if they were close to making an offer.
Why would she ask me in the first place then? Do you think she simply though that I wouldn’t offer to get myself there? I really wanted this job. I haven’t heard back from her since she was going to check with her team, but at this point I think it’s fair to say that I probably won’t even get the opportunity to interview for the job.
Hi Sophie!
I can only speak from my own experience when I’m part of the hiring process, but up until we make an offer, if we see a good candidate we actively pursue that possibility as well as the ones already in progress. This is not only important in case the new candidate is an even better match, but if the other one drops out for any reason, no smart recruiter leaves the company without a good alternative.
I know it doesn’t help you if you don’t even get a chance to fly in for the interview, but the fact that they were so interested in you says a lot about you. You can’t change the timing here, but, if you don’t get this job, keep your contacts warm and friendly from this point on! And if they do still want to meet with you…get your interview suit ready and shoes polished, they are still actively looking.
Rather than seeing this as a bad thing if it doesn’t work out, see it as a first step in a LONG interview process.
You made a really good impression and, if you handle it right, you may very well be the person they think about when the next opening comes up.
Good luck, Sophie. Please let us know how it turns out.
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann!
Six months ago, due to a reduction in force, I was seperated from the company I worked for since college. Since that time, I have applied for a million jobs, but have landed only two interviews. The first interview led to a job offer for a position that I am immensly over-qualified for. The interviewer went so far as to tell me that he knew I was offering him more than he was offering me, but since I was currently unemployed what did I have to lose?
The second interview was polar opposite. I WANT THIS JOB!!! I interviewed on a Wednesday and the interview went extremely well, with the hiring manager going so far as to tell me that she felt I was the perfect candidate for the position. She did, however, inform me that she had more interviews scheduled and would probably have a decision by the end of the next week since it was imperative that they hire someone right away. I sent a thank you email the next morning and received a reply within an hour that I was the best candidate so far and that she only had one interview left to go. She thanked me for my professionalism and assured me that I would hear something either way.
Well, today is the end of the next week and I haven’t heard anything. I would like to send a follow-up email to basically ask “Did I get the job?” but have no clue where to begin. PLEASE HELP????
Hi Irricca!
I’m excited for you. This does sound hopeful and you’re right to try to put a nice finishing touch to what appears to be an excellent interview process for you so far.
Believe me, they’ll call you if you get the job, so no need to ask this in an e-mail. They didn’t forget.
But it would be fine to let them know that you have another offer and since by far this is the job you really want, you’re wondering if they could let you know what your status is. Be very polite in your tone and keep it short. Hopefully this will bring you the answer you’re looking for.
In the meantime, make sure you keep the other job offer alive, just in case! If the last interview candidate turns out to be a better match (and I hope not), then you can see this other job as a chance to start again – you never know where jobs like these can lead.
Good luck, Irricca. PLEASE let us know what happens.
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
I just stumble upon this gem of a website! Thank you everyone for all their stories and insights. Really put things into prespective for me. Well, here is my situation. I applied for two jobs. Job B, for which I am sure I have recieved an offer with a deadline of Oct 20, is not my first choice. I e-mailed Job A (which I interviewed Oct 1) and got a response saying that I am their best candidate thus far but they still have more interview to conduct (last one on Oct 27th). I am wondering if the recuiter is being genuine about my possibility or whether she is just being nice and polite to keep me on file. I REALLY would love to get Job A. How do I response? they know my deadline to reply to Job B but still cannot give me any firm answers (which I understand). My gut feeling is to stick with Job A and hopes it pans out but I wanted to make sure that HR is not just being polite and there is a real possibility for me. Any advice or suggestions?
Thanks!
Penguin
Hi Penguin!
Thanks for the kind words. Glad the blog has been helpful. I do try.
This is a really tough one. You have a sure thing with a deadline next Monday, and one that’s a maybe you really like (as far as you know) with no deadline and no for sure job. In this economy, it’s tough to let a sure thing get away.
I have a couple of questions for you:
(1) How good is the job you were offered? Does it have good opportunity to advance? Is it a job you could like, even if not as much as the other one?
(2) If you turn down Job B and don’t get Job A, would you be ok with your decision?
(3) If you take Job B, will you always regret what you didn’t get or just do your best to shine in the new job without regrets?
(4) Have you tried calling (not just e-mailing) Job A to more fully explain your situation and see if they can give you any more hope? (Remember…if the last interview is Oct. 27, they may still take a while to make a decision. And the fact that they won’t stop now shows that, even though you are the top choice as of the time you called, they have not decided it is you for sure. But of course…it might be.)
Honestly, without knowing every detail of your life, there’s no way I can offer you sound advice. Different people would choose differently under the same circumstances. I will tell you I once had this happen to me and I took the sure thing. It was NOT my dream job and never turned out to be. But the people I met and things I did wound up changing my life for the better – and I never for one moment looked back at what I could have had. Life is too short.
Fate is like that. The path taken and the path not taken. Just know there are good things possible from either path if we give our whole heart to whatever choice we make.
This one is for you to decide, Penguin. Please let us know what happens.
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie,
I, like others who have posted on this webpage am in the waiting game. Its so frustrating!!!
About a 2.5 months ago, I sent my resume in response to this job posting for a large company via the internet. They emailed me 3 weeks later to arrange for a phone interview (this is an overseas job posting and i really what to relocate to this place due to family commitments) with one of the senior managers. The interview went well enough with him saying to hear from them again to arrange for a second interview with one of the bosses. True enough, a few days later, the secretary emails to follow up for a second interview.
The second interview went ok (an hour long) but could be better, although she did mention that my answers to her interview questions were generally good and she said that they would take about 2 weeks to get back to me as they have other candidates. After the interview, I sent a thank you email to which she replied promptly saying thanks for my interest and that she would be in touch asap.
After 2 weeks, still no response, no emails or calls. I emailed her (the boss) briefly asking her on the results of the interview to which i realised (auto reply) that she was on leave currently. She however replied to my email 2 days later (on sunday) that they had a lot of interest in the position and that they are still reviewing all candidates and that i’m still in the running and that will get back to me within the next week.
Its now almost friday (i know she only gets back to office from leave next week though), all still no response!!!! its so frustrating and i really want this job!
Do you think its a lost case? I mean if they really wanted me wouldnt they have notified me already??
So sorry for the long comment but i’m just so frustrated and depressed over this!
Hi Christina!
I understand how frustrating this feels to you, but as I’ve written before, time flows differently on the other side. What feels really long to you or anyone waiting, flies by in the hectic world of business. I know it doesn’t feel fair, but this is totally normal.
If someone key to the decision is away from the office (and remember this could be a medical emergency or something else that has taken her away) and she takes the time to e-mail you back, it means you really are still in the running. Her estimate of a week is based on her best guess. But since she was away from the office, anything could have happened. These are estimates. Never take them as absolutes either in interviews or day-to-day business!
Please relax. This is the time to be patient and just let the process happen. Even if it takes two more weeks! Companies have lots of things going on at the same time they’re hiring, and often the hiring decisions get pushed to the side while putting out immediate fires.
You’ve done the best you could, Christina. Either you’ll get it or you won’t. Focusing on it this strongly isn’t going to help on bit, and it’s only making you more unhappy. Your job now is to think positively and wait. And to keep looking for other jobs! This is NOT the time to lose momentum. Sometimes a surprisingly better job (or the job you’ve been waiting for) comes along when you stop fretting and focus yourself on positive action!
Best of luck! Please let us know what happens.
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie!
Thanks for your very encouraging reply. Just what i needed to make me feel better. Hopefully everything would turn out ok and my worries won’t be in vain. Right now i need all the luck i can get.
Christina
Hi Christina!
Glad my words helped even if only a little. Not saying this really does anything, but here’s a little good luck fairy dust just in case…
~*~*~*
My best wishes. May you find a terrific job just meant for you!
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
ARGH! I’m so frustrated… I sent another follow up email to the boss (i know she gets back to work today) and her assistant admin person who does the arranging of interviews etc and no reply so i couldn’t stand it anymore and called this assistant admin person as i didn’t wanna bother the boss (being her first day back).
The assistant basically said that she honestly doesnt know abt any updates as they haven’t put their heads together to gather all the applicants CV/resumes etc and would email me again later this week. The boss usually doesn’t take that long to email me back by she hasn’t yet
Do you think its a lost case and i should look at other possible jobs (very hard though as im looking to relocate)? by end of this week it would be week 5 and i’m beginning to lose hope… i hate it when they said u are in the running but may be just stringing u along….
Sorry for the rabbling… just so upset and know that i can find a little bit of peace here…
thanks for listening!
Hi Christina,
There are two very important qualities that will help you now and throughout your career: patience and the ability to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
I understand how frustrating this can be, but through your own efforts you already found out that the boss was returning today. I don’t think you hurt yourself and I realize you’ve probably never been in her situation, but you jumped the gun a little by calling so soon. You could have gotten more out of the effort if you had just waited a couple of days.
When an executive has been away, e-mails build up…sometimes there are one or two HUNDRED waiting the day you return. Seriously! Even if your try to answer some of the key ones while away (and remember she took the time to answer you), you still save the majority to deal with more fully when you get back. Add to that all the backed up meetings her staff and colleagues need her to attend and problems they need her to deal with, and the day she gets back is a madhouse where she hardly has a second to herself. Not a day when most executives think about an ongoing hiring process.
So when a person has been away, think about what things are like for them. Also think about when you might actually be able to get some of their focused attention. Probably smartest to give them a day or two before bugging them or their assistant (who is trying to help her boss balance the madhouse). Especially when you already had communication from the boss. (Which I hope you answered politely as soon as you got it, thanking her for taking the time to answer while on vacation. That shows you are thinking about her as well as you. A good trait in a potential employee.)
Also, I wonder why you are so frustrated by their lack of communication when you know she was away and even took the time to let you know you are still in the running. That’s a good sign. This isn’t subterfuge or some attempt to lead you on. They just haven’t made their decision yet. That’s all. It’s quite normal. I once waited 3 or 4 MONTHS – patiently, with a few polite e-mail exchanges where I wasn’t answered immediately – and I wound up being their top candidate!
I know it feels unfair and I know time passes waaay slow when you’re waiting to hear back. But you’ll only hurt yourself now or down the road if you can’t learn to be patient and trust in the process – and yourself. You really have done your best. Now please back off or you’ll scare them away. OK?
Either it’s the right match or it isn’t. But there is nothing more you should do right now except relax and wait. This really is the time to rent your favorite movies or take up knitting or ballroom dancing or something like that
to help you get through!
I apologize if this answer sounds a little strong, but for the rest of your life in the world of business (and even elsewhere) you will go much further if you just remember patience and the ability to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Oh…and just in case you don’t get this…send the best handwritten note you ever wrote letting the boss know how much you enjoyed meeting her and, although you didn’t get this job, you wish her all the best and hope she’ll consider you for the next opening. But hopefully that won’t be necessary and you’ll get the offer!
Best of luck, Christina. Please let us know what happens. And please…just wait now…please.
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
It’s has been a week since they started doing a background check and while they called 3 out of 4 of my references, still no news……
I could use some of that little PIXIE DUST
Hi Steve!
Fear not. Although I don’t have a crystal ball to know for sure what’s happening, background checks can sometimes take a while. Also, if they do want to make an offer (hope hope hope), some companies have to go through approval channels, which takes time. So in this case, as a good friend of mine always says, no news is no news.
I wish you much luck, Steve. Please let us know how things turn out. And here’s some extra special pixie dust just for you.
~*~*~*~*
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
I just wanted to let you know what happened with the position I was hoping to interview for at the beginning of the month. Instead to telling me that they did or didn’t want me to fly in for the interview, they emailed to let me know that the position was now on hold. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given the economy right now. They said they would be in touch with me when it re-opens.
In other news, I’m interviewing in-person and out of town for another job today after an initial phone interview and waiting to find out today about another position. I’d love some more pixie dust!
Thanks!
Hi Ronnie…
I sure could use some advice…
Beginning in early August I began the interview process for a job that I really want. The process seemed to be going along very smoothly, I spent an entire day at the Corporate Offices during the first round of interviews and enjoyed a 2+ hour lunch with the CFO.
The HR person called me several days after the first round and asked if I would be available to go through another round the following week which would include dinner with the core mgmt. team, and although I was on vacation and several hours away I made the necessary adjustments and was able to make the time available. This round of interviews and the dinner went well and I was told that there would “only” be one more round.
Several days after the dinner round, I was asked to once again come to the corporate offices and spent 5+ hours meeting with the same folks, at the end of that time I asked the HR rep “how are things going, do you think you are close to making a decision” and was told that yes in several days they would make a decsion..
Since then, not a word….I have sent personal notes to everyone I met with in an attempt to reconnect and have not heard anything…
Just wondering, should I just give up on this opportunity?…I mean after 25+ hours spent in interviews, should I at least expect that someone would let me know even if I wasn’t the choice?
I am very confused and would welcome your perspective.
thanks
Oh, and sorry I failed to mention it, but my last direct communication with anyone from the hiring company was 6 + weeks ago…
Hi Ronnie Ann,
Got an offer yesterday but it is the same salary and bonus as my current position, so i’ve asked if there is something they could do and i’m now back to square one….
I hope i didn’t messed up anything….
I could use a bit more of the special pixie dust
Hi Ronnie Ann,
Final update: I’ve accepted their original offer since they said they couldn’t do anything else.
Many thanks for your great advices and terrific support Ronnie Ann!
Congratulations Steve! Sorry I’m late in getting back to you, but looks like things worked out from the OLD pixie dust.
Jobs have so many factors that are not quantifiable the way money is. Hope this one brings you much happiness and positive growth in ways you never imagined!
Best of luck. Oh…and here’s a little something for the new job…
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ronnie Ann