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?
To read my guest post on the Pongo Blog:
Why the Post-Interview Waiting Game Takes So Damn Long!
Thanks for this article, RonnieAnn. I’ve been waiting to hear from an interview I had (that went very well) back in January. I’ve exhausted the thank you e-mails and follow ups, they’ve checked my references and liked what they heard…It is now May. Most days of the week I’m too busy (volunteering) to think about it, but on the weekends I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bug me. Everyone I talk to says to keep up the good work, that I’m doing the right thing by keeping so busy, and to not lose hope. I just wish I could go back to feeling like I’m living my normal life is all. There are so many things I would love to do and cannot do because I don’t have a salary anymore. That’s the most depressing part to me. I try to not let it get to me, but it’s still there, of course.
Hahahaha, I felt as if you were reading my mind, Ronnie Ann. After being recommended for a position -which I understand did not mean they were making a job offer-, I am again at the waiting game. Next Monday, I will be at the 4 weeks mark since I got word of my “recommended” status-. I heard from various sources that this organization (quasi-public fed job) really like taking their sweet time.
This is worse that waiting for a cute guy to call you. lol!
Ms. Tere: (Love that nom de plume by the way.) Uch. I feel your agony. Yes…you’re doing great, but that doesn’t keep you from feeling down-in-the-dumps sometimes. We can only move for so long until we have to stop and feel the sadness. Money, while certainly not an end in and of itself, can be very handy to have and very awful not to have.
But I believe all that you’re doing is making it better – at least that’s how it’s been for me. And, not to make an obvious point, but if at all possible, please use that energy and determination to get yourself one or two new interviews no matter how great this job may be. For me, I’ve always found the offers come when I have several pans on the fire. Fingers crossed for you.
Ah! Marie. Hahaha! So true about the waiting game often being worse than the dating game.
From what you tell me, it does sound like there’s good reason to feel hopeful. I’ve had government jobs before, and the waiting period was awful. But recommendation go far and if that’s the process, then so be it. Hope you hear some positive feedback soon.
Good luck to you both! Please let us know what happens.
Ronnie Ann
i had gone through the same experience of waiting but in my case, i was impatient and didn’t wait. i was stuck in a job i was unhappy at and i wanted to get out asap! so i took the first offer that came along (which was something i thought i wanted to do, at least) but the offer i was really waiting for came only after i’ve signed to work with that first company!
it all worked out for the best in the end, as i decided the job that i wanted but came too late was not something i’m ready to explore yet. but it really does suck to have to wait for the job offer. after that, you have to hand in your notice and wait to quit. then you have to wait to hear when you report to your new job. it’s a whole lotta waiting!
Hah! Yes. Endless waiting and then you wait to see if the new job works out!
Thanks for stopping by, sulz. Hope you feel better soon. Poor thing. I’m sure there’s something to be gleaned from “having an itch” (as in an itch to do something or find yet another new job
), but hopefully it’s just something passing through. Even there, you’re waiting. Sheesh!
Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
It’s been now 7 weeks since I last talked to the HM; and I was hit with reason #5 as to why I haven’t received a job offer:
“The department is going through a reorganization — again.”
It is a shame, that was my top choice; but it seems that the position is now on a limbo. *sigh*
Awww! I’m so sorry to read this, Marie. But just so you know, this is the time (over the next few months) to stay in touch. I’ve been through things like this many times, and you never know when the hiring action will start up again. Meanwhile, I would redouble my efforts to find another job – and then see what fate provides!
I wish you all the best of luck, Marie. I’ve never gone through a time like this without something else interesting (s0metimes unexpected) showing up eventually.
Ronnie Ann
Thanks, Ronnie Ann.
As a matter of fact I received a call for another interview. Totally unexpected.
When I spoke with the HM yesterday, I followed your advice, and -given the bad news- I sounded positive and grateful when speaking to him (as a matter of fact, I feel very proud about his recommendation). So hopefully, he’ll remember me for a long time. He’s bummed, because he had 4 positions to fill and now 4 people are left hanging because of this re-org.
But hey, at least, the “problem” is them, not me.
Hi again Marie!
Reorgs can be tough. I feel sorry for the HM and all the folks it’s affecting.
But that said…I’m more interested in you.
Very happy to hear about your unexpected opportunity. I just love those. Good luck!
Ronnie Ann
This is happening to me right now.
Hi AJ!
Ah yes…and so you join the many waiting game players. Hope to hear good news soon from you.
Best of luck!!
Ronnie Ann
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Thanks, Ronnie Ann, for all your wise advice. I just happened on your site when I googled “why didn’t I get the job” because I’m in a slump after waiting to hear something from my interview. The interview happened 2 weeks ago, and they said they were going to make a decision by yesterday. Silence only. After dragging through those days, waiting, I almost would have been happy to hear that I didn’t get the job—at least I’d know.
After reading so many of your writings, I feel better about myself, ready to keep myself busy and keep looking. I’ve been actively job hunting for a year, hoping to get a permanent position in the school system where I substitute teach. That way, I can still be with my kids most of the time that they are out of school. My husband has two good jobs, but we are on the verge of bankruptsy. Staying positive, which is my nature, is becoming difficult.
You have given me some hope and some renewed energy to get a job! God bless you for all you do for so many!
Peace,
Shelley
Oh Shelley! Thank you for your what you said about my blog, but when I read e-mails like yours I wish I could step right out of cyber-space and give you a big hug!
I wish there were some magical job search potion I could send you that would make that school say yes! But for now, I will simply send you my best wishes for a real job and some rosier financial days.
BTW…is there a potion I can send your creditors too? As a former banker, I often want to give them a piece of my mind about working with folks like you and your husband who are doing all you can to stay above water. Please excuse my mini-tirade. I just want so much to hear good news for your sake.
Good luck, Shelley!! Please feel free to stop by any time if you have news to share (I hope soon) or just need a friendly ear…er…eye.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
I had a final round interview three weeks ago, and the next day after the interview, the hiring manager asked to see my transcript which I did send to him. He thanked for my quick response, but I never hear anything back from him.
So my question is should I send him an email asking whether they have made a decision or if they have a time frame, etc.. Would that make me looked desperate? Any other advice is very much appreciated!
Thank you,
KY