Some of you may recognize this from a previous longer post. Since I get so many e-mails and comments from people suffering through the agony of waiting waiting and then waiting some more after their job interviews, I thought it was worth posting again on its own.
Hope it helps!
Things to Do While Waiting to Hear Back After a Job Interview
- At the most basic level, try daily breathing exercises. A good one suggested by Dr. Andrew Weil is to breathe in to a count of 4, hold for a count of 7, and breathe out for a count of 8. I do it and it helps.
- Take up a new hobby – something you’ve always wanted to try. Yoga. Meditation. Tai chi. Tae kwon do. Knitting. Painting. Photography. Guitar. Acting. Whatever piques your interest or moves your spirit.
- Rent LOTS of movies and re-direct your obsessive behavior in that direction. Not sure a therapist would suggest that, but I’m just trying to get you through the interview process.
(To keep costs down, you can always join NetFlix for a month or two and then stop.) - Go to the library or local bookstore and find a bunch of books you’ve been meaning to read. This is the time.
- Volunteer somewhere. Turn your energy into something that helps others.
- Enlist the help of your friends and loved ones and make sure you get them to do things with you that keep your mind occupied.
- Also try putting your extra energy into doing extra things for people you care about. Hard to stay too obsessed about the interview when you’re obsessing about…I mean doing something wonderful for a loved one.
- Keep looking for jobs! No matter how great this one job is, it helps to keep the energy aimed at finding work you really want. Sometimes an even better job comes along during this time.
- Write about your thoughts and feelings. And let your thoughts fly. Maybe you can write a short story about a character going through what you’re going through. Maybe even give the protagonist super-powers to break through barriers and make things happen.
Or you can even turn your story into a great country or blues song! “I’m waiting too long. They done me wrong.” - Exercise. Even if it’s only walking 10-20 minutes a day. Movement is good for helping get you out of the obsessive thoughts. Use the time to think about something you like to do or someone you love or a place you would like to visit. (No…not the office where you interviewed. Sheesh.)
- Singing while exercising or even on its own helps you redirect your thoughts. For me…it’s show tunes or good ole rock ‘n roll.
- If all else fails, I use bad TV to get lost in. Oh sure…it’s not the optimal prescription for mental health, but we’re just talking about making it through the interview process!
Good luck! Please let us know what happens and how you get through the awful wait. 
Ronnie Ann
Related Work Coach Cafe posts:
After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
I Got the Post Interview Temporary OCD Blues (original article)
mFormm
New Work Coach Cafe Policy:
Although I had to stop answering individual questions in detail (to preserve my sanity), your thoughts and stories are VERY welcome here.
The “keep looking for jobs” advice is spot on, Ronnie Ann. First, it’s just plain smart—you can’t tell what the outcome will be on an interview, no matter how well it seemed to go. For instance, a friend who thought she had a great shot at a job recently didn’t get it because the person who’d been leaving the company changed her mind and stayed! And second, it helps psychologically. When I’ve been in the job hunting mode, I always tried to have letters and resumes circulating at multiple places. That way, if one doesn’t come through, the blow is somewhat softened by knowing you’re still in the running somewhere else.
I find it helpful to remind myself of “The Four Agreements” (book by Don Miguel Ruiz) of the Toltec:
1. Do your best.
2. Be impeccable with your word.
3. Make no assumptions.
4. Take nothing personally.
It’s all about putting yourself out there with integrity and accepting what life presents. Or as a Buddhist saying goes, “high involvement, low attachment.” That “low attachment” refers to the outcome.
Terry B: You’re so right about the psychological benefits of keeping your resumes out there until you get an actual written offer in your hands! Sorry about your friend; but it’s a good reminder.
eLiz: Nice to see you. And great advice. Low attachment is such a lovely thing to aim for – as is the ability to detach when it’s time to let something go!
Ronnie Ann
I agree with both the above posters. I am in this position right now, at the mercy of an especially long vetting process for a state job. While everyone is acting like it is a done deal, nothing is done until I get the offer letter. Travel across the country to visit them, fill out forms, take a physical, fly back, fill out more forms that someone “forgot”, send more requested info…it is enough to drive one mad! So the breathing really helps, as does looking for things to do that I might not have the time for in the future. I am re-reading some amazing books, and spending more time with my animals. My pet peeve, however: EVERYONE asking me why I have not “gotten the job yet”. Applying for a state job is like no other process I have ever been through, and it is lengthy. The entire process from first contact to the present has taken almost four months (which is only one month longer than I have been unemployed). However, I believe that the wait will be worth it.
This blog helps tremendously.
Matthew
Thanks as always Matt for adding so nicely to the conversation. And I have to laugh at the extra frustration well-meaning friends and family can add to the already grueling process. So hard to explain that these things can take what seems like forever.
My crystal ball – and a little southern birdy – tell me your patience may soon pay off and your wait may indeed be over soon. I look forward to receiving the “all clear” message.
~ Ronnie Ann
I’m in this situation now, and its killing me. Been informed that I should know ‘by the end of the week’. It’s now 13:31 on Friday afternoon, and still waiting. Crikey, the tension is unbearable.
Its now 14:32. I have both phones sitting beside me, and check my email compulsively every 2 minutes. Drving myself nuts.
Hardly slept last night.
They must call me before 17:00, I can’t bear going through this agony over the weekend.
Grrrrrrrr!
Its 15:19. Just checked, and when they initially asked me to attend the 2nd interview, the call arrived at 15:51 on a Friday afternoon. So I’m thinking/hoping/wishing that’s it not long to wait now.
I really hope they do call today, since I’m working from home. On Monday, I’m due in the office, and waiting for their call will be a huge distraction, not to mention agonising over this during the weekend.
I keep remembering the end of the interview, when I was told that I ‘should hear back by the end of the week’. I even continuously read the notepad where I’ve jotted the words ‘End of week’. There are now 96 mins left in this working week, and I continue to wait.
15:24
16:38, and still no call or email. Looking very much like it’ll be next week now. Feel like I’ve just wasted a day, needlessly freting, not to mention the sleep deprived night.
Gah
Thanks for sharing this with us, Derek. This is exactly what so many folks are going through. We really feel for you – and way too many of us have been there in your shoes. (Well…maybe different shoes, but you know what I mean.)
When an interviewer speaks, we hear and remember every word – like in a relationship. And although they might mean well and be giving you their best estimate of timing, things happen. Hope you get word soon!!
Best of luck, Derek!
~ Ronnie Ann
Thanks for your reply, Ronnie. I never did hear anything last Friday. Spent yesterday in the office, constantly refreshing my email, but nothing. Last night, while laying awake in bed at 4am, terrible thoughts of possible things I may have said wrong in the interview were running through my head. Irrational I know.
So today, I bit the bullet and sent them an email to chase up. Was very careful with my wording, so as not to sound pushy, and now I wait.
It’s been an hour and a half since I emailed them.
The tension within me is stifling because I want out of my current role just as badly as I want this new role.
Oh Derek…I wish I could speed up the process for you. As one of my best friends always says, no news is no news; so it means you still have a chance. (I hope.) More fun to stay in the hope than the dread, if you can manage it.
At this point, since you’ve done all you can, the best you can do is use whatever techniques relieve the most pressure and also go find another job or two to apply for. Or a person to network with. For some reason I’ve found action often helps the much-awaited pot to boil. And you never know – something even better may show up.
Good luck getting out of the old into a MUCH better new! Fingers crossed for you, Derek.
~ Ronnie Ann
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