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)
Hi Ronnie Ann,
This blog is a godsend for me, as I have recently started to go insane waiting for the result of an interview! I have just been notified that my position will be eliminated, and have been given 3 months to find a new role. Thankfully, I have a strong network and was able to land an interview a few days after I got the bad news.
I started the interview process for a great position about two weeks ago. In the first interview, I met with several directors and managers, as well as potential co-workers. Everything went very well and afterwards, the Hiring Manger said they were just starting the process and would be contacting me soon. About an hour and a half later, I was called to see when I would be available for a second interview. This round would be with some executive directors as well as other groups who I would be interacting with.
The second interview was a panel style with three Interviewers at a time, and it went just as well (if not better) than the first. At the end of the interview, I met again with the Hiring Manager, who asked some follow up questions. I let him know that I was very interested in role and asked for a time frame of a decision.
The Hiring Manger said they are still looking passively through some resumes, but asked if I had any other interviews scheduled. I told him “yes, but these roles are not very high on my list, and the current role is the one I really want” (which was indeed the truth). The manager then said that they will be on PTO for the rest of the week and I should hear something by early next week. I was told there would most likely be a 3rd round with the President, and if selected, this would be confirmation that they are going to select me.
One of the interviewers for the second round was an HR Director who gave me her card and asked me to contact her if I had any questions. After I sent thank you letters to all of the interviewers, I contacted the HR Director and asked for some general feedback. After 3 days, I have yet to receive a response from the HR director.
The headhunter who helped me get this role said the Hiring Manager was very evasive about whether or not they had anyone else in mind. The headhunter also let me know that the company has been trying to fill this role for 6 months, but have had no luck because they are looking for a very specific background (which I fit very well). The lack of response is killing me, and the wait over the weekend is going to torture. I have nothing but a positive experience during the interviews and I think I hit specific traits they were looking for, but I really want this role and I can’t stop obsessing about my performance!
P.S – During the interview, I let them know that my current availability was due to impending downsizing. Was that a smart move?
Thanks and great blog!!
Thanks for the kind words, Steve. Glad we can be of help during such a tough period. Nice reminder for everyone about how important it is to keep your network strong even when you aren’t looking. Siunds liek your eally impressed them.
Hope the weekend wasn’t too horrible. You really had no choice but to wait and do your best to stay sane.
I hope by now you’ve heard something. Unfortunately, when a company looks this long to find the right person, their sense of time and yours are very different. All you can do is wait and meanwhile look for another position as if you didn’t have this possibility.
They may have one or two other people in mind and also it takes time to get a president into a room to discuss all this. They usually want all their facts gathered before doing that. So again, more time.
All you can do is wait and check in occasionally – without stalking of course. And, assuming they asked why you’re looking, you were fine telling them about the downsizing. It’s the truth and it would come put anyway.
I hope you hear some good news soon. Good luck. Meanwhile, please keep looking!
Thank you so much for this! I only had my interview this morning and I’m already turning into a nervous wreck. My family is pretty sick of me jumping every time the phone rings, checking my email every 3 minutes and going over the entire interview out loud repetitively. I was given a time frame of 72 hours, well it’s been 10 and I can’t think about anything else. I will be following your advice immediately by going for a run and renting some trashy films! Thanks
My pleasure, Hanna. You sound great…and exceptionally self-aware. Trashy films are terrific choice for times like this. Fingers crossed for you. Good luck!
Hi Ronnie,
Great to read this blog!!!
Allow me to join the gang.
I got a call from the employer and had a very brief interview over the phone about my experience. Later they sent me an assignment and I did a good job. I was called for an interview with the manager.
I went for an interview for this really nice job i wanted on November 14 (Monday). The interview was with the Manager and it went really well. I showed him samples of my work and he made it clear to me that he would like to have me in the team. He asked me to wait for an hour so that the VP could also interview me. That also went well and the VP told me the CEO would speak to me over the phone and after that their HR team would get in touch with me.
Both the manager and the VP asked me if I would be able to join ASAP and I said yes. They both gave me details about what I would be expected to do after joining and the work atmosphere and all that.
On November 18 (Friday) I called the Manager to know about the status. He was very friendly and told me I’d cleared the interview round with VP. He told me that the CEO was traveling abroad and hence the delay. He also told me that the chances of CEO rejecting me after VP approval was very rare and that I can be prepared to join the company soon.
I know that it’s still a little early to expect a response as the CEO might be caught up with plenty of other work, but I can’t help feeling frustrated and sit in front of the computer twiddling my thumbs.
One important thing: During the interview, they informed me that they are taking me for a post different from what they’d initially advertised for. In this role i was expected to do multi-tasking for a few months until they find more people to join the team. Is it possible that it is taking time for them to decide a profile/designation suitable for me?
Another thing – The manager sent me another assignment on November 21 (Monday) to test my skills and I got to interact with another person in the organization. After I completed it, he praised me for the quick and effective response.
One other thing – the place where I got interviewed is located in one place, the CEO and the HR team is in another State. So, I’m assuming it’ll take time for things to work out.
Do you think I will get this job???
In the meantime I’m composing a list of job interviews I’ve attended in the past and the interesting incidents associated with it to pass time. It’s so terrible waiting to hear from the Employer
Thanks so much for taking time to read through this!
Oh and the job post has been removed after the interview. Does it tell something?
Will greatly appreciate your thoughts on this!!!!! Please!
Hi Rama!
First…you have me smiling because of how you found a way to fill the time – and stay sane. Don’t forget to try some of the other ways listed above if this stops working.
Also, I know it’s hard…but keep looking for another place to apply anyway. It passes the time and, just in case the unthinkable happens, you are already moving forward.
That said…all these signs look very good for you. I can’t know for sure, of course. Anything can still get in the way. But the way they selected you for a different position and have stayed closely in touch all are very hopeful. And yes…all the reason you list makes sense. Depending on the CEO’s schedule, this could indeed take more time than you’d wish…maybe weeks. So just be patient. And meanwhile…keep yourself busy. Perhaps volunteer or write a loong novel.
Best of luck!
Thank you so much, Ronnie. Just sharing it here has made me feel much better!
And you’ve indeed set me thinking… Maybe I should write a novel (or a story at the very least) about a character with super powers looking for a job! (giggles) Yes that’s what I’m going to do and I’ll mail it to you if it comes out fine!!!
I love it, Rama! What a great idea. I’d love to see it one day.
In the space of waiting, new worlds can be created.
Hi Ronnie,
I got the job offer today. Yay!
Will be joining on Monday – Dec 5th.
I sent a mail to the HR person on Friday inquiring about the status, an she got back to me on Monday after talking to the VP an sent me the offer letter today.
My rocket winneth over!
Thank you for your encouraging words during the frustrating waiting period!
This is great news! Wuhoo!! I’m so happy for you, Rama. I wish you much success!