You know the drill. You get the interview. You ace the interview. In fact, it was the best job interview you ever had! You head home dreaming of the offer for the new job you’re pretty sure you just landed. And then…you wait. And you wait. And you wait some more until you just want to scream! And then maybe you do scream. And rant a little. And even think of all the things you’d like to do to that stupid company you once thought was so perfect for you.
But before you decide the company is made up of former Guantanamo guards trained to torture you in some sick waiting game, take a deep breath and let me take you behind closed doors. It’s time you learn more about the mysterious steps of the interview hiring process – what goes on inside the secret rooms – and why you aren’t getting any feedback from the company even though you send e-mails and call them hoping for even the tiniest clue.
Hard as it is to believe, sometimes there are good reasons – really! – why a company’s interview hiring process steps take so long – and why all too often you have to wait forever (or so it seems) before you hear back from an employer after a job interview.
So what does go on behind the scenes after an interview?
I was recently asked to guest post on the Pongo Resume Blog, and decided this would be a great topic since I get sooooooooooo many e-mails and comments about how painful the waiting game can be. I once even wrote a post begging Human Resources people to be more considerate. But sadly, for many reasons, the torture continues and you’re still waiting.
I hope by telling you about what goes on behind the scenes after the interview, you might be able to relax just a little more knowing one week, two weeks, even three weeks or more of waiting can be perfectly normal.
Possible reasons you’re still waiting after the interview:
Here’s an excerpt from my guest post:
- Sometimes HR controls all communication and that means people you write to are advised not to respond to individual candidates. Why? It could be a mandate from legal to prevent any miscommunication. (A poorly worded response from the company could be construed as an offer when none exists yet.) Or it could simply be HR wanting to call all the shots. It happens.
- Someone critical to the process (aka SCTTP) may be sick or called away. Why not work around the person? They could, but sometimes the company prefers to wait for the sake of continuity — even if that means you wait too.
- Our SCTTP may suddenly have been put on a top-priority project that’s taking all their time. Even if they said they want to hire quickly, the hiring process can get put on the back burner. I’ve seen this many times.
- Our SCTTP has been fired or quit and must be replaced first.
- The department is going through a reorganization — again.
- The job is being rethought and possibly needs to wait for HR to approve a reclassification. Why? Sometimes they find a specific candidate (maybe you) whose skills are even more suited to their needs than their original concept. Or they find two people they like and decide to split the job into two different positions.
- Hiring may require numerous people who did not interview you to sign off on various steps of the process. Meanwhile, you wait.
- Sometimes it simply takes weeks to find room on everyone’s calendar for the next round of interviews.
So if you’re stuck in the waiting game, try not to get caught up worrying about things you can’t control…like all the stuff behind closed doors. Instead know you’ve done your best (that’s all anyone can do), make sure you’ve sent a great thank you note and, after a couple weeks have passed, follow up with a polite e-mail and/or phone call saying you’re still interested and would love to know your status. You might even ask if they need anything else from you.
Other than that, you just wait. As long as it takes. I once waited four months and I was their top candidate!
Meanwhile, do what you can to keep yourself busy and diverted so you aren’t obsessing about the wait. Also…keep looking! Not only does the action help you stay sane, but you may actually wind up finding an even better job in the process.
Good luck finding the right job for you.
Ronnie Ann
Some other posts you may find helpful
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
How to Tell If a Job Interview Went Well
I Messed Up My Job Interview. What Can I Do?
Hi,
So I interviewed one week ago for the perfect job at a large corporation. It was an entry level engineering position and everything went great. I interviewed with three different people and my.last.interviewer, who would be my direct supervisor/mentor, even told me he hopes to see me again soon. He was happy with my background knowledge of the products. After the interview I sent thank you emails to the people that interviewed me. Then three business days I emailed the HR admin who originally contacted me with a follow up email. These were her words “Have heard positive feedback. I’m waiting to hear back from the VP. I will call you as soon as I have something solid.” Should I expect good news or is it too vague?
Thanks,
Ed
Hi Ed -
Well, it sounds very positive, so far, but I wouldn’t “count my chickens before they are hatched” as the old saying goes. This is usually just step one, and you made it through that quite well, if seems. I would expect that there may be follow-up, possibly more interviews, reference checks, etc. before you actully land the job.
So, don’t stop job hunting yet. In fact, don’t stop job hunting until you get that written offer in your hand.
Good luck!
Susan
Hi,
This is an absolutely wonderful write up about post interview blues. One gets really frustrated if one applies for a job, gives the interview n then finally hears nothing from them!! Guess I’m going through one of those phases. Gave an interview last week with an MNC. And I suppose all went well, and they said they would get back in week or so. Close to 9 days now, and I’m worried
But yeah all the possible reasons for a delayed call mentioned in this write up seem sensible and I guess about 3-4 of those apply to this particular MNC as well. I just hope all goes well and I get a call from them this week.
I was …..ummm… kind of down on confidence..been like this lately (owing to a REAL bad phase in my life – professionally & personally). This post has boosted my confidence and happiness quotient to quite an extent. Thanx a ton
Hi Poornima,
We’re so glad the blog post was helpful, and boosted your spirits so much!
Sorry you’re having a bad time these days. Unfortunately, professional and personal problems often hit at the same time. Do what you can to make yourself feel better. Have you read Susan’s recent post, Handling Those Job Search Blues? She offers some great tips.
Meantime, why not get in touch with the company to restate your interest in the job, ask if they’ve made a decision, and stay top of mind with them. It’s been more than a week, and they said they’d get in touch in a week or so. Knowing something about where you stand would probably help.
Good luck with this one!
Best,
Meg Guiseppi
Member, WorkCoachCafe Team
Hi Meg,
Thanx for the reply. Went through Susan’s post. As expected, it was very encouraging. Will make sure I try out those ideas.
As for the company, before I could call them, they got in touch with me and told me that I have been shortlisted for the 2nd round. But the dates for the 2nd round haven’t been finalized. Sounded strange to me because why would a company get in touch with a candidate without finalizing things from their end!
Anyways, I’m happy at least I heard from them. And that too just a day after I posted on this site. Guess it’s got to do with the positive vibes associated with Work Coach Cafe
I’m glad I chanced upon this site
Thanks
Poornima
Hi Poornima,
Thanks for checking back in and congratulations! How nice that they contacted you before you had to do it.
You’ll probably never know why the company hasn’t finalized things for the second round, so I hope you won’t dwell on it. All kinds of things could be going on internally that have nothing to do with you. Be prepared for perhaps a longer wait than you might have wanted for them to get things together and reach back out to you. That way, you may be less disappointed by delays.
And I hope you’ll let yourself “feel” this good news. To move into round 2 is a wonderful accomplishment!
Funny you should mention the positive vibes here at Work Coach Cafe. There have been other good karma stories from this community about posting a comment here for the first time and then landing that dream job they’ve been working on. Hey, you never know. Even if that doesn’t happen, being able to vent and maybe get a little support always helps, right?
Good luck!
Meg Guiseppi
Absolutely. Being able to vent always helps, especially if there are great listeners like you around, who are always willing to understand, support, advise and share.
Yes maybe I should prepare myself for a long wait. Expectation is the root of all heartache. So, in expecting an early call from them, I might end up getting disappointed.
Just to tell you a little more about myself – I have often googled about positivity n optimism but haven’t come across many encouraging posts. This site has ended my search. I guess I share a very strange connect, at a very different, unexplainable level (at least beyond my comprehension!)
I don’t know if this is merely psychological (though I wouldn’t like to believe so) but now, with so much positivity around, things are actually looking brighter.
Irrespective of whether I land up with the job or not, I hope to emerge as a better human being with a more optimistic outlook towrads life. I will definitely continue to contribute to this site for as long as I can. Chancing upon this website is definitely one of the major turning points of my life. I’m evolving into a better person already. I don’t know if I’m sounding like an emotional fool, but I’m writing all that is running through my head right now.
Thank you soo much Meg.
You do NOT sound like “an emotional fool” to me, Poornima. You sound very wise – “Expectation is the root of all heartache” is so true! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and connecting with us here at WorkCoachCafe.com!
If this job does not turn out for you, something better is waiting for you. Stay in touch.
Good luck!
Susan
Hi Poornima,
What a lovely, beautifully written comment! I hope you get to use your considerable writing talent for work, as well as pleasure.
I echo what Susan said. No way you’re an emotional fool. You’re speaking from your heart, which is very appropriate, and appreciated, in this forum. I’m sure your words have hit home with and comforted others here in the WCC community.
Having the goal to become a more optimistic person is an enviable one. Another site that may help you immediately came to mind — Leo Babauta’s Zen Habits. Check out his archive of past posts — http://zenhabits.net/archives/ — including, most recently:
– The Habits That Crush Us
– Learning to Sit Alone, in a Quiet Empty Room
– Life as a Conscious Practice
– Clearing Your Life for a New Year
– How to Have the Best Year of Your Life (without Setting a Single Goal)
I hope you find his posts enlightening.
You made my day by saying this site has been a turning point for you! Please do keep us informed of your job search progress.
Meg Guiseppi
Thanks Susan. Will definitely keep you posted.
Thank you Meg. I’m flattered by your comments. I read some of the posts given in the link that you provided. They sure are enlightening.
Will keep you updated about my job.
Regards
Poornima
Hello,
I recently had an interview at a company. Interview went great lasted about an hr, they asked what I am looking for in salary and how long of notice I would need to give current employer, and 2nd lady I spoke with in interview said she ya soon after it ended. A friend of mine works there are asked her boss what he thought of me he said we liked me alot and I would fit in well there, they also called my references a half hr later. It has been a week since interview and I heard nothing yet, I am getting worried, girl I know who works there said they are making 2 offers to people but the big boss has to do get some codes or something first before they hire someone, When I spoke to woman who interviewed me 2nd time they said a decision would be made by this friday, am I worrying to much, I thought I nailed the interview
Hi Jeff,
This is how almost everyone feels – we all worry and try to figure out what’s going on. But, the reality is that it’s out of your control at this point. The best thing to do is to try to stop fretting about it, and to continue with your job search because this job might not work out this time.
The signs are very good for you, I think. They called your references immediately, and you have a friend who already works there. All very good!
But, don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from them on Friday. It could take a while – longer than anyone expects – for the big boss to get whatever he needs so that he can go ahead with adding 2 new people. Let your friend keep snooping around to see what is going on, if she can do that without putting her own job at risk.
If you don’t hear by Monday, call them Monday afternoon or Tuesday to see what is going on. Don’t be angry or annoyed, and don’t be demanding. Just politely ask what is going on and when you can expect to hear from them about whether or not you got the job.
And, just keep looking for a job in case this one doesn’t work out.
Good luck!
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the advice, I will follow up with them early next week If I dont hear from them.