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
- 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.
- 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. Learn something new (that may be relevant to the job you want). 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.
- 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 g!
I’m so sorry you have to deal with this maybe-yes, maybe-no interview limbo. I’d try one more time, politely asking if it’s ok to keep checking in. After that, I’d let it go and if they do call eventually, take it as a nice surprise. This might indicate what they’d be like to work for, but then again there can always be special circumstances (like sickness or emergencies).
In the meantime, I’d use this to motivate me to redouble my efforts at networking friends, family, former colleagues. Sometimes on this blog people even write to tell me the next opportunity was the right one.
Much luck. Please let us know how it goes.
~ Ronnie Ann
hello thank you for your response,i didnt call the interviewer/job after writing to you,i did visit the store after getting some info from my network but no luck.I really wanted this job but i was realistic and i kept looking around for other jobs…and i got a job!It’s not what i’m accustomed to ,career wise,but i’m blessed to get a job.Again thanks so much for your help.
Congratulations g! I’ve had many jobs that didn’t line up in a linear fashion with my career. It helped me learn new skills, and eventually helped me become a well-rounded consultant AND write this blog!
Best of luck. And if I may leave you with this…do whatever you do with your full heart engaged and look for opportunity wherever you are.
Hi Ronnie Ann,
Just wanted to thank you for sharing such an insightful article.
Like many others, I’m waiting to hear back about the outcome of my interview, so it’s comforting to read this.
Thanks for helping me keep my sanity!
And thank you so much for the kind words, Helen! Glad the article helped, although I know it can’t make the frustration of waiting disappear completely.
I wish you much luck, Helen. Please let us know what happens.
Good morning Ronnie,
OMG! I am feeling so restless waiting for a call or an e-mail . it’s been 4weeks since I had an interview and was told I got the job but we still looking for clients . It’s a health care job . what do I do now …driving me crazy .
Have a great day
Hi Esther!
I can well imagine how you must be feeling. Unfortunately, it’s not a for sure job until you get the official offer letter. So meanwhile, please keep looking just in case!
When was the last time you spoke to them? It’s probably time to call and ask how firm this offer is and if they have a start date in mind. You might also suggest starting part-time right away (if that works for you) until they get the new clients, just so you could be there already.
But meanwhile, use some of the ideas in this article to stay sane and keep looking!!
Best of luck. Please let us know what happens.
I had an interview last Wednesday, they said they would know the outcome by the “end of the week” but no calls on Thursday or Friday. Is that a bad sign? The interview went great!
Hi Jen!
These things often take longer than expected. Of course, there’s no way to know for sure until you actually hear from them, but this is not a bad sign.
If you’ve already sent your thank you note, then all you can do for now is wait. Considering what they told you, it would be ok to contact them by about next Wednesday to check on your status and ask if they need any more information.
Good luck!
Hi All,
I came across this blog looking for a safe haven from the insanity inside my head.
I had a first interview recently for an entry level job in my industry — it would be my first as a recent college graduate. I have a contact at the company, and she graciously got my resume into the right hands.
I was super prepared, dressed appropriately, and on time. The interviewer was 15 minutes late, which I understood due to this industry being VERY fast-paced/busy.
All seemed to go well, except for the fact that there were very few questions asked of me, and the interview was mostly the two managers telling me about the job. It was a very pleasant interaction, and I promptly sent email thank yous within hours of leaving the interview.
Shortly after, I was asked to come in for a callback interview to meet one of the higher-level managers. I was told by my contact that it was down to me and one other candidate at this point.
I was told ahead of time that this would be a very brief meeting — that he just wanted me to meet his boss, basically. I arrived on time, well polished like the first round. The interviewer did not arrive to greet me until 45 minutes past our meeting time. Of course, I was very calm and collected. I sat politely in the lobby, and when he finally did arrive, apologizing, I assured him it was absolutely no big deal.
The interview with the manager itself went well, but it was more of the same. Very basic questions were asked, and a lot more of telling me about the job. A couple times, the manager mentioned, “You’ll be working…” etc., making statements that sort of insinuated I had the job, but I know sometimes these phrases come out either inadvertently or as a tactic. They asked me how soon I could start (as they had in the first interview), and was told by both men that they hoped to make a prompt decision, and I should expect to hear back either later that day or the following Monday (today).
Needless to say, I’ve had quite an anxious weekend.
** What are generally the odds of getting an offer after a second interview?
** Have you ever heard of a company rejecting a candidate for needing to give two weeks’ notice to their current employer?
Ah! I want this job so bad. I’ve struggled for a year now, after graduating, to find work in my industry, and this job would be perfect for me! In the interview, they kept mentioning how they like to promote from within, so the entry-level position is perfect for getting one’s foot in the door in the industry!
Employers seem to have all decided they can jerk candidates around all they want. I cannot tell you how many times it has been between me and “ONE other person” and that I would hear back by tomorrow and then heard nothing. The jerks were too rude to even respond to an email and then ANOTHER email.
That’s why I would create a brand new disposable email address and pose as an angry customer (if possible) or just wait a while and detail how rudely you were treated on a site like Glass Door (obviously don’t give too much identifying information in the interview).
Welcome to the world of jerks.
Hi J!
Workplaces really are unpredictable. I’ve been in companies where just squeezing in interviews required a lot of serious juggling of schedules – and no way to stop other previous meetings from taking longer or emergencies from arising.
The fact that you saw this in their interviews tells you it is probably not a slow-paced place. Assuming there’s a fit, it could make it more interesting – and all the better if you are looking to make your mark and get ahead.
There’s no way to predict the outcome or percentages, since each case is unique to that company and its management. But it does sound like you did well. At this point it’s about the fit, and the attitude and demeanor you conveyed during the interview and follow-ups – even small things – can make all the difference. I have a feeling you did well in that too.
Oh…btw…sometimes when they do a lot of the talking it means they are pretty happy with what they see and are just trying to get more of a feel for you (How well do you listen? Do you seem engaged? Do you seem like someone whose energy they’d like to be around? ) and are not all that interested in pumping you for answers to boring interview questions. But of course it can also mean they are not professionals at interviewing…just in the work they do.
I have my fingers crossed for you. Hope you get some good news soon!
Hey Ann,
I really want to get one job and had an interview last week. Since then I started to learn a software that was mentioned several times during the interview and is very important to get the position. Now, I have basic knowledge of it.
At the end of the interview, the interviewer told me that I need to wait 3 weeks until their final decision.
My questions are, should I tell them my efforts on learning this software? and when? and how to mention it?
I really hope you could give me some suggestions and help. Thank you very much!
Hi Cathy!
I think you asked this question elsewhere on the blog. I don’t know for sure, of course, but might be worth mentioning in a polite note to the HR manager or the person you interviewed with whom you connected with most. To me, it shows initiative and strong interest for the job.
Good luck!
I just had an interview yesterday. In fact, I had 2. I was asked a lot of tough questions.. I dont know whether to think I did good or bad… wish me luck
My pleasure. Good luck, boschi!
I went on a interview 8/18/11. He kept saying to me I’d need you to do this and that, that’s if you get the job I felt very comfortable at the interview. After the interview was over he said ” don;t get upset if you don’t hear fom us right away were interviewing into next week. I sent a thank you note the very next day. It’s been 2 weeks and no word. Do you think the Don’t woory line was the kiss of death line for no we don’t want you? The wait is killing me as this would be the perfect job for me.
Hi Janet!
There’s no way to know for sure, but what he said was actually a good thing. He was letting you know these things take time – and they really do. And it shows me he’s a nice guy. Some places don’t even tell you that. Plus it’s the holidays, which delays things like interviews and hiring.
If you haven’t heard anything by early next week, feel free to give him a call.
Good luck, Janet!
I’ve interviewed 4 times since April with the same company (a very big, worldwide fortune 500 company). They made a point to tell me that most people they interview for these positions don’t get them the first go round.
It’s really been all one long process. Interview, waiting 2-4 weeks, response (not hired), then they request that I interview for the next position that will open in a week or two. I apply, wait 2 weeks, get an interview, wait 2-4 weeks and it goes on… rinse, repeat.
Well, August 2nd I had my 4th interview with them, this time via webcam rather than phone. After 2 weeks, I sent an e-mail wondering what the status of the position was. Shortly after I receive a response telling me that no decisions have been made yet. Another 2 weeks go by, I e-mail again. Same e-mail response, although a little more detailed and polite.
It’s now September 14th and I’m the 2nd week of the last e-mail which said “hopefully a decision will be made in the next week or two”. I’m going insane with it all. I work in a very specific field, so finding work has been very tough, even just jobs to apply for. I work in television and it’s my only field of expertise and experience.
It’s pretty funny that I never get responses when I apply to smaller companies… but the largest company in the world is continually interested. Just, waiting sucks and I wish these companies had more sympathy in the hiring process toward the unemployed.
Sincerely,
Jason aka laid off 10 months ago.
Hi Jason!
Wow! This really sucks. It’s a twist on the waiting game I hadn’t quiet heard before. Having worked for one of the entertainment biggies myself, i guess I can’t say I’m surprised. They seem to build drama into the process.
There is nothing I can tell you that you haven’t already been doing for yourself. Since you’re in such a niche field, all you can do is keep networking and applying while waiting for these guys to make up their minds.
Fingers crossed that this time it’s for real. PLEASE Let us know what happens. Good luck, Jason.
Aggggghhhhhhhh!!!!! The waiting is so hard, especially when everything went so well, interview lasted for about an hour, very comfortable and surprisingly easy. Excited after leaving interview about how well it went department manager asked how my boss was going to take the news that I would be leaving… and when could I start… 4 days have passed and no real offer. She told me that she would call by the end of the week with hours after she met with the scheduling committee. It’s Saturday morning 7:00 am and I’m starting to loose my enthusiasm rethinking everything over and over making my self crazy…
This job has been posted since July and is a highly sought after position, my application was filed with HR September 3 and my interview was October 11, sent a thank you on the 12th, I realize that it’s only 15 of October but I am sooo ready to change jobs.
I left feeling so positive and now starting to feel deflated, would it be right to call and let the manager know that I am really interested, should I send a email should I wait another week?
The waiting is the hardest part.
Shelly
After reading more on your site I guess this is “normal” I never thought this would be such a roller coaster ride of emotions. I am looking for a transfer within the same company, I know HR handles almost everything. Just trying to stay positive.
Department manager said she would call with hours. So i could give my manager a heads up before HR does….Hopefully will hear something soon. HR calls all the shots, but the new dept manager took my cell# so she could call me with hours 10-10 11-11 12-12 at this point this is what is holding up the process…. As far as I know.
Hmmmmm did I say anything stupid, do I not have enough experience, please help me shut off my OCD
Dysfunctionaly yours,
Shelly
Awww Shelly…how well I understand what you’re going through. And so do my readers. Unfortunately, I have no magic cure for the temporary waiting game OCD. The other articles talk about some methods that can help, but the biggest helper I know is simply to divert yourself the best you can.
When you start thinking “did I do something wrong” or “have they decided to go with someone else” it’s just mind chatter that leads nowhere – except uncertainty since you can’t figure it out…no matter how many times you go over and over and over it! Trust me. I’ve been there.
So when the thoughts come into your head, tell them “not now” and go watch a movie, work on some puzzles, take a walk while singing songs in your head, exercise, go volunteer somewhere, call some friends and ask about THEIR problems – whatever it takes to break the OCD cycle.
You’ll know soon enough. Give them at least one more work day to finalize things. And if you really can’t stand it any more, a polite e-mail or call on Tuesday is totally ok.
Hoping for good news. Best of luck, Shelly!