Dear Work Coach,
It’s been nice to read all the advice you have given. Still waiting for the official job offer seems to be the worst waiting game and I am in the same boat.
I flew in for a the job interview on July 7 and it went very well. It’s seems that I am their top candidate.
The hiring manager called a week later and said that he has put something together for me that should be a good territory and it just has to be signed off on. I spoke to him the week after and he said it is now in financing to be approved. So for now it has been two weeks and still nothing official.
I spoke to him on Monday and he said that he is still waiting for it to be approved and I am still “their guy”.
Do you think that I have anything to worry about? It seems like things are going pretty slow. Especially after how quick they flew me in to interview, from when I submitted my resume. That only took 2 weeks.
Another question I had is, how often should you contact the hiring manager to inquire about the progress? One thing I don’t want to be is annoying to them.
David
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Hi David,
As far as I can tell from what you wrote, all is on track. Internal processes can take weeks – often much longer than the whole initial interview process. Nothing’s for sure of course, but things look good. So relax, have faith and find something fun to do in the meantime!
As for how often to contact the hiring manager…there’s no hard and fast rule. Under your circumstances, you might send him an e-mail toward the end of next week just letting him know you’re still interested and asking of there’s anything more you need to do.
Truth is, at this point they know who you are, so unless you get another offer, give them some time. I once waited about 5 months to find out I was the top candidate. And I only e-mailed them every now and then. 
Good luck! Please let us know what happens.
Ronnie Ann
Welcome Phil!
Although as a consultant myself I’ve never worked for a major consulting firm, I’ve worked with and managed teams from such firms. What I get out of what they told you is they will need to meet and plan for their 2011 needs and that can take a while. They’re probably still training and incorporating the skills of those from the last 2010 cycle. So it doesn’t in any way reflect badly on you that they aren’t yet ready to get to the next round.
They seem to be quite interested in you and I would certainly send a nice follow-up e-mail in a few weeks saying something like you are continuing to interview, but they remain your first choice. But since there are no guarantees with them and they may not be ready to hire a new cycle for many months, definitely continue pursuing the other firms. And if you do wind up taking another offer, by all means stay in touch with the firm anyway.
I wish you much luck, Phil. Please let us know what happens!
Ronnie,
First off, thanks for hosting this discussion! I’m glad to report that I finally got the offer yesterday, and it is VERY generous! I’m totally stoked. I think that the delay was simply a function of how busy they were after the first of the year. Economy seems to be kicking back into gear so I wish everyone luck in finding their spot!
Hey Phil!
Thanks for letting us know. This is WONDERFUL NEWS!!! I know I don’t really know my readers, but I can’t help rooting for all of you. Best news I glean from what I read is that the firm got their act together very quickly and nailed down a good addition to their team. Says a lot about them and you. All my best!!
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi All,
Just a quick update. I attended the interview with local staff last week. Got a good feedback. A day later I was given a verbal offer. This time I was told of the actual offer salary and job grade. The previous time, I was just told the offer letter is being prepared. The HR told me the offer letter will be ready some time next week. Fingers crossed. Hopefully this time its not a dud again..
Worried and Confused- AWESOME! Congrats.
Great news. Phew. I’ve always had a gut feel things would work out for you, Worried and Confused. Can’t wait to read that you have that offer letter in your hands.
Only a few more days…
~ Ronnie Ann
P.S. Hi jcny! Nice to see you. Hope the new year is going strong for you.
I went down to sign my offer letter today. Preparing to tender my resignation tomorrow
Wuhoo! I love a good story.
Here’s to a very happy ending. Best of luck, NLWOC. (No Longer Worried Or Confused) Oh…and feel free to stop by now and then to let us know how you’re doing.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi,
Good useful info on here. I am in a similar position, but I did not halt my search when it looked likely that I was going to get a job offer. As it happens I now have two job offers on the table, and I know which one I want. Trouble is I am still waiting for the preferred first lot to make the offer formal (so far it has only been discussed over the phone) but they have to get approval and I do not know what the chances are that the job will not be approved. I have got another couple of days before I need to respond to the second offer. But I feel bad for not telling them that I’ve chosen the first offer. I don’t want to turn down the second offer until I have a secure offer, but if it takes much longer I will have to turn the second offer down. I don’t want to be in a position of turning down one offer, and having the other one fall through. The first lot know that I have another offer on the table (and it is nothing to do with salary negotiation as I do not wish to play one off against the other) but I would like to exert some pressure on the first lot… I have e-mailed and been told that they are chasing it along. It makes me feel a bit badly about the first lot that things can take this long to sort out… even though I know it is not that unusual. Any advice gratefully received…
Thanks
WB
Congratulations Weebampot! You’re in a position a lot of readers would like to be in, but I know that doesn’t help when the decision feels so important – and you certainly don’t want to wind up with nothing after all that!
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t dare offer any advice when only you can make this choice for yourself. I guess you can try again to call the company you prefer and let them know that you understand their position and are not trying to pressure them, but really want to work with them if at all possible. Ask if they can help in any way…maybe even a letter of intent to make an offer? Other than that, it’s up to you.
I wish you much luck making the right choice for yourself. Meanwhile, here’s a post on the same topic that might help you think it through:
Two Job Possibilities But Wrong One Offers First
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie,
Similar boat, applied for a position, got a call literally within the hour of application, spoke with the recruiter, had a phone interview; She set me up with a formal face to face with the district manager of this company, everything went well, I literally spent a week redoing my resume. They tell me they would like to continue on with the next step of the interview process, the background check. Everything passes,I am then told “We had a leadership change at the Partner Resources level, which is why this is taking a little longer than usual, I confirmed that I would have a response back from them tomorrow regarding an offer.” That was Wednesday of last week, I email yesterday asking if there was any new developments with that offer(since I was told I would receive one a certain day and did not,) I am then told “Sorry! I am waiting for the district manager to get back to me re: locations. I will call you as soon as I get a response!” Now I am sitting here starting to sweat a little(I have been out work for 4 months, I am a retail manager and jobs are becoming harder to find,) am I just needlessly being paranoid?
Thanks
JM
Hi JM!
Well…being paranoid is only needless if no one is after you.
But I do get your concern – especially as you watch the weeks turns into months.
Sounds like you did really well…but of course no way to know what they’re really thinking. Positions can indeed be affected during a time of change. Still, with new leadership and related changes going on behind the scenes, there’s also a pretty good chance the delay has nothing to do with you or your chances.
Since there’s no way to know for sure until you hear from them again (I’m so sorry…wish there were) your best bet is to decide there’s nothing more you can do right now, mark next Wednesday on the calendar as the next day to check in (or even worry), and meanwhile get yourself immersed in things you love like sports or books or volunteer work or building a new car.
. You’ll know soon enough.
Fingers crossed for you, JM. PLEASE share what I hope will be good news.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi JM!
Well…being paranoid is only needless if no one is after you.
But I do get your concern – especially as you watch the weeks turns into months.
Sounds like you did really well…but of course no way to know what they’re really thinking. Positions can indeed be affected during a time of change. Still, with new leadership and related changes going on behind the scenes, there’s also a pretty good chance the delay has nothing to do with you or your chances.
Since there’s no way to know for sure until you hear from them again (I’m so sorry…wish there were) your best bet is to decide there’s nothing more you can do right now, mark next Wednesday on the calendar as the next day to check in (or even worry), and meanwhile get yourself immersed in things you love like sports or books or volunteer work or building a new car.
You’ll know soon enough.
Fingers crossed for you, JM. PLEASE share what I hope will be good news.
~ Ronnie Ann
Job offer came through today, I start Monday! What a relief! Thank you for your lightening fast response!
WuhOOOooo! GREAT news JM. I had a feeling. So glad you know for sure now.
I wish you all the best in your new job. Funny how happy I get when I get news like this. May this be the start of a wonderful new phase of your career. Thanks so much for sharing your happy ending…and happy beginning…with us.
~ Ronnie Ann
Dear Ronnie,
I am very nervous now with the situation, I would like to have your advice.
I had my phone interview on 27stJan, and we scheduled to have the face-to-face interview the next Mon. It went very well, and she even mentioned times that she would like to have me in the next interview with the VP 1 week later. Then on11FEB, i had the interview with the VP and the hiring mgr, and after the interview i was being told they felt i am suitable for the job and asked how do i feel myself with the job. Then on14JAN, they sent me an email saying they would like to proceed to reference check. It sounds everying going fast and good, i expected the offer may come very soon. But they still havent finalized the decision even untill now.
Actuallly i emailed the hiring manager on 2MAR ask her about the status due she told me they wanted to finalize the process by the end of FEB. She replied me imm on the same day telling me she could not finalize as the VP has been out of office since a few weeks and asked me to be patient and she will def talk to me soon once decision is made.
So, how do you feel about the situation and am i have the chance? i don’t what to do but just worry alot ..
Cindy
Hi Cindy!
If it helps you to know, almost everyone is nervous about every part of the interview process.
Unfortunately there is no way to know what is really going on. Someone could be sick or called away to handle an emergency elsewhere. Or there could be organizational changes going on that they can’t tell you about yet. These things really do happen all the time.
You definitely still have a chance…although there is no way to know if someone else is also a finalist like you. If you know your references are good, then your chances are also very good. But you will just have to wait. I’m sorry.
In the meantime…PLEASE keep applying for jobs. I’ve heard so many stories where fate intervened and sent someone an even better job while they were waiting. At the very least, it keeps you busy!
Please let us know what happens. I wish you MUCH luck!
~ Ronnie Ann
Dear Ronnie,
Thanks for your reply.
I just got a call on wed from the hiring mgr to ask me for a very last interview on thur. During the interview, she first told me there is another candidate that that r considering for this position,but they r very interested in me so they wnt to meet me again . During the interview, we dicussed the notice period,expected salary n whether i m willing to take up a course provided by them befote joining the company. Because she told me i dun hv the cert n its a main concern to them,if i had it,they could make the decision earlier. After that we talked about the job duties n she also told me wht i could learn from the job, who i can seek help from if i encounter any problems in the future…n finally before we finish the interview, she told me lets say hi to colleagues n show me around the office.
She told me they would probably make a decision on fri n they woulf call me that day or on monday the latest..now its night time friday in my place(as i m from hong kong anyway)..i hope she will reli call me soon as promised.
Ronnie,how do you feel abt the situatio or process? Although i feel i hv gud chance from wht she told me, but another candidate is
much more experiencef than me…so do u think will they give me a try?I know the company with a culture n tradition of recruiting younger workforce, so do u think this will help?
Thanks
Cindy
I’ve been away from my blog, Cindy. So sorry for the delay.
In these situations, one would have to be a mind reader to know how they are balancing all the factors. Yes…you have a good chance. But if for any reason they said no…this is a great chance to stay in touch and leave a strong, positive impression they will remember. I’ve hired people later we had to turn down!
So what happened? Hope it’s good news.
~ Ronnie Ann
Dear Ronnie,
I am here to hear from you something to make me happy.
On Jan 9th, 2011 a big company sent me an email for an interview on Jan 16th ,2011. I was there on time and I had a successful interview.
On Jan 18th, they sent me a written offer not an official one, they informed that they will prepare the official job offer which needs some internal approvals.
For 4 weeks from last date I didn’t here from them, then I decided to pay them a visit and I did, in this visit I talked to the dept. Manager and informed me that everything is ok but they need some documents and I provided that.
Last month I sent them an email (to HR) as a follow up , and they replied that they need an other document to proceed with the hiring formalities and I provided.
Last week I sent them another email to follow up but they did not reply.
Sorry for this long and boring story. Please advise what shall I do.
Many thanks,
Ahmed N N
Hi Ahmed N N!
Not boring at all! I know these things can take time, but I think you’ve been incredibly patient and did all the right things to keep this going. Congratulations on handling it so well so far.
Of course, if there are special circumstances or requirements that must be documented, these things can drag on for a long time. But since you’ve been so patient, if it were me, I’d try calling the hiring manager at this point and ask if there is anything else you can provide to help finalize the offer. If you can’t get through, then another e-mail saying the same thing (and asking if the offer is still on track) would be perfectly ok. And if that doesn’t work, please write again here and we’ll see what we can come up with.
I hope by the time you get this, you have good news to share. Much luck, Ahmed!
~ Ronnie Ann
Dear Ronnie,
Many thanks for your response.
Actually this issue started as usual with the Resource Manager of the department who invited me to the interview, then -after my last visit- he informed that my folder became in HR hands (‘they provided the folder to HR with their approvals’, Resource Manager said).
When the HR guy sent me an email, the HR Manager was in the CC, but I think it is not acceptable -or not professional- to send a direct email to the HR Manager, am I right?
I need your advice to avoid putting me in non-professional situation.
Regards,
Ahmed N N
The best person to contact is the person who has the answer.
But you should probably start with the one you feel most comfortable with and, if he or she doesn’t know, ask if there is someone welse you can contact.
Good luck, Ahmed!
Hi Ronnie,
Good to find a blog such as yours!
I just interviewed with a company and I was wondering if you could provide your thoughts.
Apparently they had been searching for someone for a yr.After 2 phone interviews, they flew me in cross country for an interview saying that I was not experienced enough for the position but that they want to have me in a less senior positsion.
After 5 interviews on the same day, I get a call the next day saying that it was positive and they are also interviewing 2 other candidates that week.
2 days later HR says that they have decided to move forward with me and ask for references. He also says they have to post the position they want to offer me for 5 days on their website( note they did not think I was experienced for the senior position). I do see the position on their site but it is an even more junior position than I thought it was.
I wait for few days and ask about what level position this is and he replies by email saying it is the junior level position.However, he calls me in the evening and says that it is for the mid level position ( the correct one) and that he fat fingered it in the email.But- surprise,surprise, when I check their job site,the junior level posistion has disappeared, the first senior level position has disappeared and there is a new mid level position posted (the correct one).He also said they will definitely let me know about the offer end of this week.
It has been almost 5 days since that new position has been posted.Meanwhile, they have checked my references and asked me questions related to relocation.
He called me yesterday (Thurs) after I emailed
and now says they can only say next week as they have to get an approval from a senior person who is travelling. (delay tactic alert!)
I have to make some difficult decision regarding my family within two weeks that is dependent on this..This whole delay is making it very hard
Since he hasn’t always been honest( about fat fingering) before, I now feel like something has changed.His tone was not as enthusiastic this time around as well.
I don’t know what to think. I am considering just saying no and making my family decision.
What does all this sound like to you?