Hi Ronnie Ann,
I sure could use some career advice. I too am stuck in the waiting game.
Beginning in early August, I began the job 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 Human Resources person called me several days after the first round and asked if I would be available to go through a second round the following week which would include dinner with the core management 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 job 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 decision…
Since then, not a word. I’m still waiting!! I have sent personal notes to everyone from the company that I met with in an attempt to reconnect and have not heard anything.
Just wondering, should I just give up on this job 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?
Oh, I almost forgot…my last direct communication with anyone from the hiring company was 6 + weeks ago.
I am very confused and would welcome your perspective.
Thanks!
Tyler
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Hi Tyler!
Wow. I can well understand why you’re feeling the way you are. You were given green lights all the way along the interview process and seemed to be one of the top candidates. And now no one has even contacted you or answered an e-mail all this time? You have the patience of a saint. 
Although on the surface it looks like they may have hired someone else and not even had the courtesy to inform you (this is shameful if true), there are also other possibilities such as emergency situations that delayed the decision or the economy leading to the position being put on hold. (Still, they should have let you know.)
But before giving up…I suggest you go beyond e-mail and call the person you had the best rapport with. If that person isn’t available or doesn’t take your call, keep trying until you actually get someone on the phone. Better to find out now than to be left wondering.
Hope you get a good surprise. As unlikely as it may seem, you could still be in the running. But if you aren’t, give yourself credit for the GREAT job you did and how close you came – and use that positive energy to set your mind on nailing the next one!
And don’t forget…a NO now could be the beginning of a YES next time. So if you didn’t get the job and still want to work there, then make sure you let the employer know you are still interested and will redouble your efforts to let them know you’d be a great addition to their company! (Assuming you still want to work for folks who left you hanging, of course. Once you get the details, you can better weigh these factors. Who knows? You may even have lucked out.)
Please let us hear what happens, Tyler. GOOD LUCK!
Ronnie Ann
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If you’re curious…this post comes from a 10/23/08 comment in another post:
Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
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Although I had to stop answering individual questions (to preserve my sanity), your thoughts and stories are VERY welcome here.
