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
***
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
Hi Dana Maria!
Nothing you’ve told me that they’ve said or done (including the posting requirements and changes in job description/level) are unfamiliar to me. I’ve seen things like this done to follow the letter of the rules and still get a great resource for their company.
As for what you said “they can only say next week as they have to get an approval from a senior person who is travelling. (delay tactic alert!)”, again…I’ve seen this happen without it being a delay tactic at all. These things really do go on legitimately.
While there is always the possibility something changed, at this point you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by just waiting. I know it gets hard at this point (especially with your personal family needs) and we want to move it along at our own pace, but give it until the end of next week before calling again, ok? You can make your decisions at that point, even if it means some extra hassle. With this past week being a holiday week in particular, processes get slowed down.
Best of luck. If it’s right, it will happen!
Please let us know when you know for sure.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
Thanks for your great reply.
I just wanted to let you know that I did get the offer the next week. However, it wasn’t competitive enough, so I decided not to take it up.
I just wanted to add that I had a very similar interview experience two yrs ago and the response was negative.They made me wait (saying they would move forward soon)so that they could interview a local candidate. I think I had become very pessimistic after that. That has changed to a more balanced expectation now.
Thanks again!
Hi Dana Maria!
Thanks so much for letting us know. I don’t always hear back from folks and it makes me smile to read your words. Sometimes we can only know what we know from experience. Glad yours now includes a definite example where no news is simply no news.
Your decision makes sense, but also doesn’t hurt to stay in touch with them every now and then, since they already showed you that they see you as a match for their company. Maybe something more competitive will come along one of these days.
Best of luck in your career and elsewhere!
Dear Work Coach,
I just want to ask something about my current dilemma. I have been told by the company I applied for that they will e-mail me the offer letter that same day. However, nothing came on my e-mail and so I made a follow-up the following morning. The hiring manager told me that he will make a follow-up and will advise me afterwards. It’s been 3 days since our personal encounter, and still no offer letter sent to my e-mail. They already congratulated me on my final interview. So, I felt secured that I got the job. However, with this kind of delay, I’m thinking twice.
Appreciate your advise on this. I am not sure if this indicates that they are still pursuing other candidates or there’s just a delay on the process.
Thank you.
Regards,
Mary
Hi Mary!
There is no way for me to know, of course, but this is not all that strange. Things do happen even with the best of plans. Plus, if you’re in the U.S. many people take vacation the week before or after Labor Day, so someone necessary to the process may be out.
It would be fine to wait a few more days and then, if you’ve still heard nothing, call again and see if there’s been a delay of some kind. Oh…and first check your e-mail spam to make sure it’s not sitting there!
Good luck!
Dear Ronnie Anne,
Thank you so much for the immediate response.
The company is actually in Dubai as I am currently situated here. I am only a month old to this place so I am not sure how recruitment process goes or if a verbal offer is something that I can rely on.
Anyway, I have another offer in a school. The final interview went really well with the manager. I was asked if I had pending job offers, I told her yes so she can tell me if I got shortlisted or not because that way I’d stop pursuing other offers. However, she told me that she will either put me as assistant teacher or teacher, depends. After a long talk, I was told to come back this Saturday to start. However, no formal letter was given. I wasn’t even sure if I got the job or not because through the process, they kept on discussing in Arabic what they wanted me to do. Sorry, but I’m really confused about these verbal offers. In the country where I came from, they only offer jobs only when the contract is ready to be signed.
Appreciate your expertise on this.
Thank you so much
Hi Mary!
I can see why you’re wondering what’s real and what isn’t. This is tough.
Unfortunately, I live in the U.S. and am not an expert in all practices around the world – barely for those here since in truth no one knows the answer for all situations. I know if it were me I’d want to get an official offer in writing. But I can’t pretend to know what you should do.
Can you ask for something in writing? Also, now that you have this other offer (sort of) can you contact the other place again and explain the situation? If it were me I’d make sure I get clarity from both situations and then decide what feels right to me. But at this point, you are more of an expert on practices in Dubai than I am since at least you’re there.
Good luck making the right decision. And if anyone else has some advice, please let Mary know!
Dear Work Coach,
Just to give an update about my query. I just got the offer letter yesterday. I spent almost a month with the hiring process and everyone was too busy to update me from time to time. I got skeptical so I went ahead and applied another job near our place. Fortunately, I got hired this week. I’m expecting the offer tomorrow.
Anyway, I guess my dilemma is, how do I properly decline to the 1st offer? I felt really bad that I had to do this. The offer was okay and the boss was really nice. Working there means moving away from home. Working here means convenience and safety because I’m with my family. I really wanted the job but I had to decline because something better came up. Also, I’ve been waiting for them for almost a month. They know how excited I was and persistent about it but the feeling gradually subsided when they had to interview once again after offering me the job, which is really weird.
Appreciate your advise on this.
Thank you so much! You’ve been really helpful to us jobseekers. Keep it up!
Regards,
Mary
Hi Mary!
Congratulations!! So glad to read the great news.
This is a chance to try to say no while leaving a good feeling behind. Best you can do is be honest. Tell them how much you wanted the job with them, but this offer near your home came along and they needed an answer right away.
Be friendly and sincere. Whether they take it well or badly shows something about who they are. Either way, ask if you may stay in touch. Ya never know.
For future reference, a month is NOT a long wait. But agree the second interview after an offer was weird.
Good luck in your new job, Mary!
Dear Job Coach,
I received a phone call from a recruiter who works for a large IT company at the end of July. After two more phone interviews and two weeks later, the company flew me out for a face-to-face interview.
The following week (after the interview) I received an email from my recruiter stating that I had done really well in my interview and that she was working on approvals and would have more information for the early next week. Well Monday and Tuesday come and go. Tuesday night I emailed her asking how if she had any new information with the status of my application. She quickly replied and said that she had not yet heard anything but hopefully will have approvals by Friday or Monday.
Today I received another email saying, “We are waiting to see if we get approvals. I should know more early next week.”
What does all this mean? Is this a delay tactic to keep me around, but yet gives them enough time to interview other candidates? Or are they really waiting for some kind of salary approval?
Hi Renee!
This is a holiday weekend coming up and things slow down around this time as people go on vacation. Also…many things come up that can delay the hiring process that have nothing to do with the candidate. Approvals – especially if people are on vacation – can take longer than you might imagine.
At this point, you’ve done all you can and it sounds very hopeful. Hard as it is, let it go for now. Have a good weekend and expect some word by the end of NEXT week, to give people time to get back to the office and their overflowing inboxes.
Good luck!!
Dear Work Coach,
I could use your insight to a current frustrating situation.
At the end of July, I had two great interviews and a lunch meeting with the CEO and SVP of a small marketing firm. I received an email from both on August 1st that I was the ideal candidate and would be receiving a formal offer in 24 hours. The offer didn’t come for 4 days and it did not include a bonus structure. When I spoke with the CEO to review his offer, I informed him of my salary history, he apologized for the low offer and promised to send an amended offer with a bonus structure in 48 hours. I did not receive a new proposal for 8 days. This proposal included a bonus plan and an explanation that they were simply could not afford to match my salary history and market value for this executive position, and offered only a 4% salary increase to their original offer. When I spoke with the CEO to review, I asked if he would be flexible to meeting me in the middle from his current offer and my current salary….he agreed and said we had a deal and would have a formal offer to me by the end of the day. That was over two weeks ago and there has been no formal offer or any contact from him since. The CEO was on vacation last week, so I sent an email to the SVP touching base, explaining that the CEO and I had come to terms, had discussed a potential start date and kindly asked for any insight with the delay…the SVP did respond: “there was not yet an agreement but he (CEO) was still in the process of analyzing the financials to see if he could hit a compensation package that would be comfortable for both parties” and that he would inform the CEO that we had communicated. That was over a week ago and the CEO has been back from vacation this week, with no courtesy response or formal offer sent, since our mutual verbal agreement on August 17th.
I’m not sure what next steps to take? I am still interested in the position and the company but their inconsistent communication seems unusual, unprofessional and could be a red-flag for poor business practices. I’d appreciate your valuable input?
Note to all my readers about comments: I’ve been overwhelmed with comments lately. Unfortunately I can’t answer them all, but will try to answer as many as I can. Please try to keep them short. It will help.
Thanks! ~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Jeff!
Back from my holiday. Sorry for the delay.
I have to say that I agree that the way they’ve handled this – and possibly the way they communicate & work with each other – could indeed be a red flag. Unfortunately there’s no way to know for sure, although if it were me I might politely try to get at what the problem was, assuming they do come to agreement.
Just as I did, many folks take off around Labor Day and that can mean they delay some things while making sure urgent company business is handled before the holiday. So maybe that is part of the most recent delay. Plus…they may be discussing if they really can afford you and even if there are red flags because of what you’re asking.
Perhaps by now you’ve heard back from them and all is well. I hope so. But if not, I might call the CEO tomorrow (always good to wait at least a day after folks get back since inboxes can be sky high) and try to see where things stand, showing you understand these things can take a while, but of course also trying to clarify if an actual deal can be worked out. And of course, let them know how much you hope that it can be.
As for your concerns…all you can do is see how they deal with you in the coming week or two. Oh…and maybe Google them the company and anything you can find about them or people who have worked for and with them.
Good luck! Would love to know how it goes.
Ronnie,
I appreciate your sound advise! I did leave a v-mail for the CEO kindly requesting clarification on what has delayed the process and re-stated my interest in working out a deal…unfortunately, I have not received any response. I have decided that it is best for me to cut my losses and move on.
Best,
Jeff
I’m so sorry Jeff! Maybe you dodged a bullet at that.
Of course, you never know what might be going on there, so should they get back to you, I’d suggest being cautious but open at least hearing them out. Although my guess is that’s exactly what you’d do.
I think you’ve handled this with grace and finesse. Whoever does get you will be very lucky.
All my best finding the right job, Jeff!
Need advice please…. Interviewed for an internal position 4 weeks ago and all seemed to go well. Been following up periodically on decision making but it was one thing or the other. Yesterday the manager told me that he will hopefully get approval from his manager this week and apologized for the delay… Does this mean I got the job? If I didn’t get it, why bother telling me that? I would assume if I didn’t get it, the answer would have been sorry but we decided to go a diff route.. Good luck blabla
Appreciate any insight on this…
Hi Lolipop,
It sounds very positive, but he didn’t actually tell you that you got the job. So, personally, I wouldn’t assume that I got it. I’d keep my head down and do my current job to the best of my ability, with my fingers crossed.
Hang in there!
Good luck!
Susan
I got an official response today. I didnt get the job.
. It wasnt meant to b. Thanks for ur quick response. Have a wonderful day!!!!
I have been working for this company for 6mths now and waiting for a job offer from them for 3mths. All has been fine and I have fulfilled my end of the deal that was initially struck. When they brought me in for interview they tried to get my right away but had already signed papers to go through a staffing agency. My boss had said to me that in 3mths I may be bought out and then around christmas he told me to be expecting an offer after the first of the yr. Neither has happened yet!!!!! Now my contract hrs expire at the end of this wk and I dont know what is going on. Is this a low life tactic to get out of paying benefits and being strung along? Frustrated doesnt even cover how i feel.
I am a person of my word and they should be also. Nothing along the way has pointed in the direction of not hiring on full time. My recruiter has been telling me that they want me. So what is the hold up? Apparently what type of work I do is hard to find around here. They were looking for 2yrs before I came along
Hi Mello,
How extremely frustrating! My guess is that they are trying to avoid paying the staffing firm a big fee for hiring you permanently, particularly in this economy. I doubt that they are trying to string you along, although I understand why you could see it that way.
I would do the best I could to control my annoyance with these people, and politely ask your boss when the job offer will be coming since this is the last week of your contract. Also contact the recruiter to see what he knows.
Good luck!
Susan
Dear Work coach,
On October 25th 2011 I applied a job via corporate website. I’ve lost count on how many times I applied for a job at the company. There has been many rejections, after an online job application I usually get an immediate response of decline/rejection. But my last three job applications they decided to move forward and asked me to send me my resume and portfolio (which is a big news for me, because this is my dream job) although it ends on a rejection. The recent job application is on October 20th or so, They asked me to send my resume and portfolio (again), and after i sent them the requirements, i get an email from the Senior Recruiter said that he will review it with the Hiring Manager and get back to me on the next steps. But It’s already March 2012 and it has been four month. When i checked on my job application status on the corporate web is “under consideration” and the job opening for the position is still open.
What should i do? should i be more proactive? send email to the senior recruiter? or i should wait? since the job is in The US, and I’m living in Indonesia. is the place where i live becomes one of the reason of the long respond? But I still have a positive feeling for the opportunity ^^
thank you for your time, pardon my English
Raka
Hi Raka,
No need to apologize for your English – it is fine!
From October 20 through February 28 is a very long wait. It is definitely time to be more proactive. I would forward that message you got from the senior recruiter (when?) back to him, and ask the current status of your application. Be sure to tell him that your application, according to the corporate website, is still “under consideration.”
It’s hard to tell whether or not your location is the problem. It could be a complication, for sure. Certainly, you would have a long and expensive trip to make to the USA for an interview. And, some sort of work visa would be required if they wanted to hire you, which would probably mean it would be more complicated to hire you. I believe the employer must initiate the request for a visa for you, completing a bunch of paperwork, which is then submitted for approval. And, perhaps your government has some paperwork requirements before you can leave. I really don’t know how this whole process works because I’ve never been through it myself. Large employers may have all the people and processes in place to handle this, but others may not.
Good luck!
Susan
Dear Susan,
Thank you for the immediate reply. Ok, I will email the senior recruiter ASAP. Any suggestions/tips on what I should write?
About the complication on where I came from, I thought the same way.
Thank a lot for your reply, and wish me luck ^^
Raka Gemma
Hi Raka,
I would forward his email response back to him with a note asking him the status of your application “(attached below).” Tell him how very interested you are in working for his company, and ask him what the process is for international hiring. Perhaps they have a subsidiary near you or where it is easier to to hire you? Or, some documentation they need? Or something else that would be helpful?
Good luck!
Susan
Dear Work Coach,
What does it mean if you asked for the status of your application and the employer replied they are just waiting for an approved job offer, and will keep me posted? Does this mean I’m short listed?
Looking forward for your immediate reply.
Thank you
Em
Hi em em,
Since we don’t really know the person who said it, it’s hard to tell what it means. You weren’t told that you are on the “short list” – maybe this person/organization does not tell the finalists that they are finalists (so it’s not significant that they didn’t say it to you). Or maybe this person/organization does usually share that information (so not being told is significant).
It could mean that you are short listed, or it could be what is told to everyone, the canned response to anyone who asks about the status, regardless of whether or not the person is really a contender. Did you identify yourself clearly – not just your name, but the people you interviewed with and when you were interviewed? Have they asked for – and checked – your references?
If there is a next time, ask the follow-on question – “am I one of the finalists?” – so you don’t need to guess.
Like you, I HOPE it means you are short-listed, but that isn’t exactly what they said.
So, keep your fingers crossed, and keep looking for a job. Don’t lose time waiting for this one to come through for you, because it might not.
Good luck!
Susan
Hi!
I had my second/negotiation interview about two weeks ago. At the end of the interview I’ve been told that I will get an offer “next week” (that was last week!). I e-mailed the department chair and he replied that “things are getting slow sometimes and there are necessary some signatures”. How long it can take to get such a letter? A week, two? A month? Need a feedback. I am so stressed!
Hi Alyson,
It can take a long time in colleges and universities (“department chair” says university to me – correct?). Most of them are large and old and have “ways” of doing things and people who protect their turf vociferously. So, just keep checking in. It will take as long as it takes. The good news is this is not summer time when people are on vacation, etc.
So patience and fortitude is required of job seekers. As usual.
Good luck!
Susan
Dear Susan,
Thanks for reply.
Should I, at least, assume that all the rest is OK? …or should I worry?
Hi Alyson,
I would check in periodically so they know you are interested.
Worrying doesn’t help much, does it? Although we often obsess about things, unless there is something concrete we can do, worry is just a black cloud hanging over everything. I don’t know about you, but I’ve wasted a lot of time worrying about bad things that never happened. I try not to do that any more.
And, of course, keep looking for a job. Your job search is not done until you have that signed offer letter in your hand, so keep at it.
Good luck!
Susan
Dear work coach
I met the director of an advertising company 6 weeks ago and he told me that he is interested in my profile and that he would like to offer me a job at his team but the role would need to be created. Fair enough, 2 weeks later I was invited for a formal interview with him and HR.
Later in the afternoon he called me to congratulate me for giving a good impression and told me that I have a very strong chance of getting this role.
I called the HR department and talked to the person that interviewed me and he confirmed that I would be a great fit for the company and I am ideal for the role, but they need to apply for the role and wait for approvals, he also said that their are not considering anyone else for the position.
3 weeks later, I received a call from the manager. He told me that the thing is moving. I called HR again and they confirmed that the process is moving but they are waiting for a final approval. They also reaffirmed me that I should reasonably get the role, a few more people will need to meet me before an official offer is made but unless something out of the ordinary happens I should get it.
In the meantime the manager has been telling me that if I am still looking around for a job he will understand as I shouldn’t put all my hopes in one source because although his opinion matters the most you never know and that it would be unfair if I lost an opportunity because of this.
All this sound very strange. Shall I worry?
Hi Jasmine,
I’m not sure that worrying will help, but I think that continuing with your job search is a very good idea. Always!
It feels to me like the manager may not feel so positive that this position will be created, and he doesn’t want you to keep waiting for it.
If the job happens, I think you have a very good opportunity here, but I think that, between the lines, he’s telling you that it may not happen. Stay in touch every week or two to see what develops (or doesn’t).
What I would consider doing is reaching out to this manager – or if it becomes clear that this opporutnity will not work out – and asking him if he knows anyone else who might need someone with your skills and experience. See if he will help you with your networking since he is obviously a fan.
Good luck!
Susan
A while back (about 3 months ago) I was offered a job, but as a condition I would have to move to the city where the job was. That is not an option for us, so I politely turned the position down and the conversation ended on a positive note, that she would keep me in mind for a future position in the city I reside in. Last week on friday, they called to tell me that they are putting in a request to move the position to the city where I live and if it is approved they will offer me the position. I asked if I should begin to look for chidcare, she she said that would be a good idea because it is likely I could start by the beginning of april. She also said they would likely have the paper work approved by tuesday and a letter of offer shortly after. Well tuesday has come and gone, its friday already and still no word. Is it reasonable for me to call and ask how things are coming along? It is a government position so I am sure it just hasn’t been approved, but I want to be sure and avoid having to sit on pins and needles all weekend worrying that something has gone wrong and the position wasn’t approved after all. Or would it seem desperate or needy to call and inquire?
Hi Deb,
You’re not desperate and needy, you’re just checking up to see how things are going since you haven’t heard from them.
You have a very good reason to call – you are making arrangements on your end to be available for the first week of April, and you need to know if that is still appropriate. Or, if the time frame has changed. Just a business-like update.
Perhaps something has slowed down the process, as you rightfully suspect, but maybe something else happened that you should know about. In any case, it is entirely appropriate for you to find out what is going on.
Ask when you can expect the offer letter so that you know when to schedule the childcare.
Good luck!
Susan
Hi
4 weeks ago I have given a face to face interview for a job. Interview went very well and HR and hiring manager asked for referral which I have provided to them after 3-4 days. After reference calls hiring manager called me and told that he would like me to offer that position and asked me to wait till final offer letter comes. After one week I followed with hiring manager and he mentioned that he crossed check in HR department and HR department is waiting for some final approval to present me the offer letter and offer letter would be ready at same day. But end of day he called me and mentioned that they are still waiting for approval and asked me to keep patient and he will get back to me very soon as soon final offer letter is ready. One week has been gone after that and I haven’t heard anything back. Should I give a follow up call to hiring manager and asked how’s things going and when I expect this process to be finalize or finished? Is this usual for HR department to take more than 2 weeks to finalize final offer letter when hiring manager already confirmed you the job over phone, could you please give your thoughts to this.
Hi ashutosh,
Without knowing the organization, it’s hard to tell if this is unusual or not. My guess is that someone important is on travel, vacation, home sick, or some other thing that is slowing down the process, and it’s not going to be completed until that person is back. It could even be more than one person involved.
So, don’t give up. Be patient.
However, just in case the approval doesn’t come through, keep looking!
Good luck!
Susan
Dear Susan,
Please advice on this question.
If the line manager said he is doing a report of my particulars to the head office, does it means that I am the selected candidate.
Until now,I’m still waiting as the line manager said some of his colleagues at head office are on vacation!
If I know I’m waiting for the offer,I can wait. But I’m now wondering if the line manager is allowed to send many candidates’ report simultaneously to the head office?
So Susan,what do you think is my chance for the job?
Joyce
Dear Joyce,
Susan is out on vacation. I am answering questions in her absence. If references are being reviewed, it’s usually a very good sign. Typically, references are only reviewed for a small number of candidates — if not just the top candidate.
Good luck!
All the Best,
Chandlee
Dear Chandlee,
Thanks so much for attending to my question.
The line manager and I had corresponded via text message, and whenever I ask for updates/feedbacks, he always replied me promptly with “It will take a while longer as some of my colleagues are on leave”.
My 2nd interview had been conducted just one day after the 1st interview,hence the waiting time now seems extremely long. I’m just thinking if I am in their pending offer stage,or still in the pool of top few candidates’ choosing stage?
How should I ask the line manager to learn the exact stage I’m in?
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
It sounds to me like you’ve followed up a number of times. The employer now knows you’re interested and I don’t know that it will do anything to influence the search if you follow-up further. Unless you have another offer, I would leave it alone for now and not follow-up again. I recommend not asking the line stage manager what stage you are in — it’s clear that they are only sharing a limited amount of information. (And often that’s a policy companies have for communicating with all candidates in a search — even top ones.)
I recommend continuing to apply for other jobs — and staying tuned to hear back in the future. Don’t give up on the job coming through, but don’t rely on it either…Good luck!
Chandlee
Dear work coach,
For weeks ago, afte a series of interviews, the HR manager of a 2000+ company told me that they have the approval for hiring me and that they would send me the offer letter shortly. But he has not sent me the letter yet after 4 weeks! Even worse, I have sent him three emails and he has not responded!
What does this mean? What should I do?
Please advise!
Check the company website. If the job’s not listed on the site anymore, it is possible that the position is closed or that they’ve decided not to hire.
If the job is still listed, you may want to call the HR department or the hiring manager for the position — and ask someone via phone (not by voice or email)
Hiring delays happen for all sorts of reasons — often internal processes are the reason for the delay. In any case, you should use a time-tested strategy, always keep your other options open — and continue your search — until you’ve signed the offer letter and have a start date.
Good luck!
Chandlee