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?
I’m going mad!!!! So, I had two interviews that went great. Then waited patiently ONE WEEK for the background check, and I passed with flying colors. Then I got this email:
It looks like HR received the report and everything looks good. They’ll
be in contact with you shortly with a formal offer that contains all the
details. Congrats!
I know this is Thanksgiving week, but I have NOT had an email sent from H.R. I got ballsy, and called the recruiter back. He said He will contact H.R, to see what the hold up is, NO RESPONSE.
Should I be worried? Or am I just having a Woody Allen moment? ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
Geek Girl,
Be patient… You did the right thing by contacting the recruiter. Let’s hope HR is slow and you hear real soon!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Like geek girl, I had two great interviews couldn’t of gone better everything was positive nothing negative at all. Got in touch with hr after they said every went really well from their end but head office wants them to interview more people, hr said they will be using me as a benchmark but need to complete the whole process, is this normal?
It’s annoying
I GOT THE OFFER!!!
H.R. is doing a “re-org” and the holiday didn’t help.
@Trying to be patient:
I would keep my options open and look for other jobs while they are trying to make up their minds. It almost sounds like a date, instead of a Job Interview. “Oh gee, this person is really good, but something better might come along?” Screw them! Do you really want to work for a Company so wishy-washy. If you did excellent in the interviews, they should give you the offer. PERIOD.
What is also annoying is when they say that, and hire their daughter n law’s friend over someone who is more qualified for the position. It’s rough out there!!!
I’m also in the same predicament. I finished my last round of interviews last week (Wednesday). During my last interview, I asked when I should expect to hear back by. The business director told me I should hear back in a few days. HR called me the next day asking for 3 business references. I provided my references but they didn’t reach out to them until this Monday. On Monday night, I emailed the HR coordinator reminding her that I’ll be going away next week (everyone knew about this already…I’ll be traveling for 5 weeks). I got a call the next day (Tuesday) from the HR manager telling me that they’d like to move forward (she didn’t use the word “offer”) and would like to discuss my salary expectation. I knew all of my references got back to the company on that same day. So it has been 4 days since I last spoke with the company. I’m getting a little antsy since I’m leaving the country mid next week. I’m tempted to give them quick call on Monday to request a status… should I???
Cangirl- if they are getting back to you as soon as they are, that is a very good sign you might have this gig slammed dunked. You have to remember this is the holiday season so HR is definately going to move slower than usual. I would call them Monday and request a status. Just don’t go overboard and call them once a week. That might turn them off.
Human Resources means well, but they are so detached from the realities of a job seeker’s desperation for a yes or no answer. We have bills to pay, mouths to feed, while they are “trying to decide who is the best fit and what’s for lunch?” Frustrating!
Great comment! You might want to check out this post too
After an Interview: Can Weekly Follow Up Calls and Emails Help Get You the Job?
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
I recently had a phone interview then in person interview….they seemed to really like me and said they were getting back to people by Monday. Monday came and she sent an email saying they need more time because of all the great candidates. I’m so nervous. I want this position very bad. This is my first “real” job position besides minimum wage.
Hang in there! The hiring process can have many ups and downs and delays along the way. Being anxious and nervous is part of the process.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
I’ve been waiting a week and can’t stand it. It’s rude when a company says they’ll call you ‘soon’ and don’t.
Tim, It can be agonizing to wait to hear back on a job offer. Hang in there, hope you hear real soon!
Hi Ronnie Ann!
First off, thank you for all the great advice!
Secondly, I had an interview about a month ago and today I received a request for a pre-employment drug test. How good of a sign is this?
Thank you for your help, I appreciate it!
Greg,
It’s a real good sign!!!
Hello. I need some advice from you to assess my situation.
I’m waiting to hear back from a company I interviewed with late last year. What was promising when I applied for the job was that I know one of the two hiring managers in charge of filing the position, and he said he would recommend me. But the other hiring manager had been set on an internal candidate, and apparently I didn’t impress him enough during my interview to change his mind. All candidates also took tests to assess their ability to perform the job, and I was told by the person I know that my test was the strongest and he would use it to push for me.
Last week, the manager I’m connected with said they almost made a decision, but when I asked him where I stand, he wouldn’t tell me anything by email and told me that he’d call me. But he didn’t call me, so I decided to call him and emailed him next day to ask him what time he’d be free to take my call only to get an automated email saying he’s away. So I emailed the other hiring manager with little casual new year’s greetings and asked him for an update. He said they’re down to a few finalists including me, and they’ll get back to me once they make a decision.
I haven’t talked to the person I know since he came back, and I’m a little hesitant to call him to ask because I’m worried it might annoy him after all those emails lately and I’m afraid he may tell me what I don’t want to hear.
Based on what I’m saying here, what do you think is going on there and what do you think my prospects are?
Hi James,
I hope I’m wrong, but it doesn’t “feel” like they are going to hire you. It is very difficult to beat an internal candidate. That person often has many allies in the organization, they know the organization better than an external hire does, and they are a “known quantity” (rather than a stranger, even one who tests and interviews well).
Given that the hiring manager you know didn’t want to put anything in writing, I’m also feeling like he is in somewhat difficult political position inside the organization. And, even if he is your brother or best friend, he’s got to protect his own job.
So, I would back off. I’d drop him an email, and thank him – very sincerely – for his support. Reiterate your interest in working for him and your hope that you will be hired for this job, but ask him to to stay in touch in case someone else is hired this time. That way you are letting him off the hook, and – hopefully! – maintaining a good relationship with him for next time. Assuming you’re still available, then…
Good luck!
Susan
Hi everyone, I need your help figuring out this…
I’ve been back and forth with a recruiter for a few weeks and I finally had an interview last week. It went well and they sent me some material to do a test and find out if I was right for the job. I completed the test and I sent all the material to the recruiter who then forwarded to the manager at that company. Next day I get a call from the recruiter telling me that I have the job and I could start in February first, and since I told her that I was set for another interview the next day, she told me to cancel it (which I didn’t… thank God!!).
I email her couple of days later and told her that I needed a written job offer so I can go ahead and resign from my actual job and give the two weeks notice. She email me back saying that HR is “catching up on paperwork and will have everything ready soon”… well… the recruiter called me the next day to tell me that they’re still working on it and Monday will wrap it up!… today is Monday… and I have not received anything… not even a call…. What is going on???
I can’t quit my job for something uncertain…. Any ideas???
Hi Marga,
How terribly frustrating!
You were very wise not to cancel your other interview, or quit your job, once you were offered this new one. You should absolutely wait until you have this in writing.
Several things could be happening here:
* It’s just taking HR a little longer than expected to do the paperwork.
* There’s some kind of shift within the company and the position they offered you no longer exists, or is no longer open.
* The company decided to go with someone else.
* The company is facing sudden internal turmoil and isn’t taking on new hires now after all.
* There is miscommunication between the recruiter and hiring company.
* The recruiter is disreputable or not very good at her job, and she made you an invalid job offer.
* Any number of other confusing possibilities.
You should have been called on Monday. I would definitely get back in touch with the recruiter. I think you are owed an explanation, especially since she actually offered you the job. But you may never find out what really happened, so try not to fret about it too much. It probably has nothing to do with you. Continue looking elsewhere for other opportunities.
Good luck with this dilemma!
Meg Guiseppi
Member of the WorkCoachCafe Team
Hi Meg,
Thank you so much for your answer! The last time I spoke with the recruiter, she told me that “I was in” and that HR was swamped with work and they didn’t have the paperwork done, that was on Friday. She also said we will have everything done by Monday.
Since I didn’t have an answer on Monday, I sent her a short email asking about the status of the paperwork and I didn’t get an answer from the recruiter. Should I call her today (Tuesday) and find out? or should I send and email directly to the manager of the company I’m applying for?
I feel very frustrated and also angry, because is unfair that someone offers me a job that doesn’t exist and also suggest me to resign my actual job and cancel an interview.
Thank you so much for your help!
Hi Marga,
You have every right to be plenty angry.
Because the recruiter told you you were “in”, you have even more cause to call her and get some kind of answer, than if you were just given a “maybe” or “it looks good”.
But, before you call her, calm yourself. You don’t know what happened yet. You can’t assume she’s to blame, so you don’t want to unload on her. After all, she’s your ally here, or should be. And you don’t want to blow your chances by coming off as a hothead.
If you need to, write down what you want to ask her and rehearse it a little so you’ll be calm when you talk to her.
If you can’t get her by phone, I think you should send her a brief email simply asking what’s happened.
By all means, don’t quit your job or cancel any other interviews.
Good luck, and let us know what happens.
Meg Guiseppi
Hi Meg,
Again, thank you for your answer! So far this week has been an emotional wreck for me, but it was great to find this blog and feel that I’m not alone on this.
I waited a couple of hours to calm myself down because yes, when I’m frustrated or angry I’m a hothead! I did a couple of hypothetical emails, writing down what I felt and it helped a lot. I called the recruiter and she told me that HR is still doing the paperwork and that she may get an answer by the end of the day, she said that hey’ve been very busy hence the delay.
I’m hoping to get an answer tomorrow, but if I don’t hear from the recruiter by next week, I’ll send an email directly to the manager. In the mean time, I’m not going to worry any more with this job. I’m moving on with my job search and hopefully I may get a real offer.
I really appreciate your help and your time. I’ll keep you posted if something happens.
Thank you!
Hi Marga,
Well, that sounds like good news to me! I think that, if you were no longer in the running, the recruiter would have told you so.
You have a good plan. Wait until next week to act again, if you don’t hear anything this week — but we’ll keep our fingers crossed that the job does come through very soon! Meantime, put this job opportunity aside and continue with your job search plan.
Oh, and I’m so glad you took the time to write down some thoughts and calm yourself before calling the recruiter. Communicating (with anyone, really) when you’re in a state of intense anger is never productive and rarely has a satisfying outcome for anyone.
Best,
Meg Guiseppi
Hi,
I interviewed for a position on Dec. 22. (Horrible timing with the holiday!) I thought my interview went great. The position wasn’t even publicly posted (still isn’t), nor did I apply for it—they approached me. They asked me when I could start and I told them right away. Because of the holiday, they said they’d be in touch after the New Year.
I e-mailed on January 10, just to check in as I hadn’t heard anything. I received a reply on January 18 saying that they hadn’t made a decision yet and apologizing for the delay, as things has been crazy. They asked for my references, which I sent immediately, and was told “We’ll be in touch soon.” One of my references called me that evening and said she had given me a stellar reference and my other two references followed suit, so I know that they were all checked.
Now what? Am I being impatient by wanting to check in one week later or is that okay? FWIW, this is a big company so there is likely HR rep tape.
Hi LO -
The 18th was only last Wednesday, and, yes big companies often do take a while – all the various minions in all the various locations following the official processes can really slow things down, particularly if someone somewhere is sick, off-site, or otherwise unavailable to add their contribution in a timely manner.
IF you can – waiting another day or so is probably a very good idea. Friday morning can be both an excellent and a horrible time to call. They might be mellow, contemplating the weekend ahead, or they might be frantic to get things done before the weekend starts. But, Friday is almost always better than Monday morning. Thursday afternoon could be the perfect time.
The signs look very positive! Just be patient with the big-company processes.
Good luck!
Susan
So
I just wanted to give an update! Luckily, I didn’t even need to contact them. I just got an e-mail asking I’m available to meet tomorrow!!!
Thanks for your advice. Your site has been invaluable to me throughout the hunt and the waiting game.
Excellent, LO! GOOD LUCK!
Oops, *If I’m available tomorrow.
Hi everyone!
After holding my breath for a couple of days and trying to distract my mind in other things, I finally got a call from the recruiter today! She explained to me that the company has changed their policies and they have a new system for new employees, so next Wednesday I have to go directly to HR and do all the paperwork with them, and they will also introduce me to the team! Hopefully in a couple of weeks I’ll have a new job
Meg, thank you so much for your advice, your words were so kind and helpful. This blog definitely helped me to keep my mind sane, I felt that I was not alone in this. I’ll keep you posted
Marga
Hi Marga,
YIPPEE! I’m so happy to see all your smiley faces — that means you’re feeling good about what’s happened. Sounds like things are progressing nicely, and you should be in your new job soon.
I guess we both jumped to a negative conclusion too quickly. Just goes to show, you never know what’s going on behind the scenes with hiring.
It was my pleasure to offer my two cents and some advice.
Congratulations on getting the job offer and I hope things go well next week with the paperwork and meeting the team.
Meg Guiseppi
Hi Meg,
should I call the recruiter tomorrow if I don’t hear anything?
I’m feeling that I’m on square one again… Today I went to my prospective job and the manager was waiting for me along with other ten members of the team at the conference room, each one with a copy of my resume… It really took me by surprise since I was expecting a more friendly reunion. Even thought it was scary at first, I was able to handle it and I had the chance to meet everyone and talk about my future responsibilities. I was excited at the end until I ask the manager when will I start, she said that she will let my recruiter know about that, and then she left me at the HR office to fill the employment application. Once i finished filling out the paperwork, the lady from HR who apparently was clueless about the position told me that “they’re still interviewing other candidates and they will call me if they’re interested..” WHAT???? I was very confused and FURIOUS! I immediately called the recruiter about this situation and she told me that what she said was kind of a “standard” wording in HR and that she will finalized the details with the manager today. :-/ I’m still waiting for her call and may be I’m pessimistic, but I have a bad feeling…
Thanks for your help again… I was hoping to bring good news…
Hi Marga,
You must be pulling your hair out in handfuls with this latest development! So sorry you’ve been hit with this.
I agree. This doesn’t sound good. But who knows what’s actually going on. Could be that one hand (or one department) doesn’t know what the other is doing. Maybe the group that interviewed you didn’t communicate (or didn’t communicate well) with the lady from HR. So many things can happen from day to day. It doesn’t mean you don’t have the job.
But, unless you have the firm offer in writing, it doesn’t mean you DO have the job either. Whatever you do, don’t assume the job is yours — don’t quit your current job and don’t quit your job search.
Give the recruiter today to get back to you. Call her tomorrow morning (Friday). Maybe wait until late morning, to give her a little more time to hear from and process whatever the company tells her.
Meantime, try not to jump to conclusions until you know for sure what’s going on. Try to distract your thoughts from this, as much as you can. Try to stop that incessant loop running through your head that’s making you crazy.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed for the best outcome!
Meg Guiseppi
Hi Meg,
Thank you so much for your advise, it really helps at this moment since I’m very upset for what happened yesterday. Even though the recruiter literally told me “Congratulations you’re in”, it is clear that I was not. I’m grateful that I listened to my gut feeling and I went to this interview and I still have a job.
I was thinking to call her today, but I’m so mad that I need some time to cool down. I also want to send a thank you note to the manager, but my mind doesn’t let me think. I’m trying to relax and be positive, may be I’m overreacting… I don’t know. I’ll definitely keep you posted and see what would be the outcome for this. Is not the end of the world and I’m sure that if a door closes another will open.
For all job seekers out there, keep trying and don’t loose your faith. Just remember that if you’re working with recruiters, they will not treat you like a person but more like a commission. It is all about business.
Best of luck!
Marga
Hi
I completed my final or 4th interview. i think the interview was very good .and lastly he told me hr will get you .now one week over they didnt contact me yet. I have contact number of hr ,did any thing wrong to call or email them? Howlong will i wait for ?am so despair .actually howlong will take their interview procedures after the final interview?
Hi Shafi -
If it’s been at least a week since the last interview, it would be OK to call to find out what is happening.
Be polite and calm.
* Tell them your name, the name of the person who told you that HR would contact you, the date of your last interview, and the title of the job.
* Ask them what happens next and when it will happen.
* Ask them who you should contact in the future if you have any questions and the preferred contact method (phone or email).
Then, thank them for their time and assistance.
Good luck!
Susan
I am from Hong Kong and glad to reach this website for its positive messages and useful advices.
I had an interview with a Fortune 500 for a middle level position before Christmas. The hiring manager was nice and asked in details about my previous working experience. She always referred to what I’ve done before when she talked about the direction of her team in the coming year, which I believe was a good sign as I appeared to be a good match. She also mentioned that the current person would be leaving by mid-Jan and asked whether I would be available by then. I said yes and She said she would asked HR to contact me if I was shortlisted.
I called HR to follow up in early Jan. She was clueless and needed to check with the hiring manager before getting back to me. I waited for another 2 weeks and called the HR again, as I don’t have the contact number of the hiring manager. She was away from office and mailbox full. As I wanted a result so much, I tried calling the general line and surprisingly, I reached the hiring manager! LUCKY. I reminded her about myself and asked if the position is still available, or any decision has been made. She said she was busy for year-end since meeting me and she has no time to interview others. I stressed that I am still very interested in this position and my experience and skill are good match to the position. She marked my phone number and said she would get back to me after Chinese New Year holidays (Jan 23 – 25) on status update.
Do you think this is promising? Should I do further follow up if I don’t hear back next week?
Thanks and Have a Fruitful Year of Dragon!
CY
Hi CYLo,
Yes, I think this is promising, and your follow-up was excellent. Since the Chinese New Year was this week, I would wait until next week or the week after to contact the hiring manager. With all the holidays plus apparently a lot of year-end tasks to complete, being patient is good. For a while, at least.
Just keep yourself on her “radar screen” without being annoying. Easier to write than to do, but you’re off to a very good start, I think.
Good luck!
Susan
Thanks Susan!
As an update, the hiring manager called this morning with a proposal of turning the position from permanent into a 3-month contract. The reason is that it is hard to convince her boss for making a decision when she had interviewed only one candidate. But she needs someone asap to take care of the back log as the current person had left already. She will keep interviewing other candidates; at the same time I can have the “trial version” of working in this company to see if I am still happy with this role when actually working on it.
I can still get the permanent contract if 1) I have a good performance in the contract period and/or, 2) she can’t find someone more suitable in further interviews, which she said that is somehow for “convincing her boss.”
She will call me again to confirm further details after talking to her boss.
How does this arrangement sound to you? I would like to seek more advices before talking to her.
Thank you very much!
CY
Hi CY -
This is a good option, given the circumstances, and the 3-month contract will give you both an opportunity to decide if this will work. And, worst case, it will fill a gap on your resume for you.
Ask her for some guidance on what “good performance” is, and how you will be measured and judged during these 3 months. If it feels reasonable and do-able to you, accept it. If it doesn’t feel reasonable to you, see if she can be flexible about some of the measurements or terms that you don’t like. That’s a good test of the long-term working relationship, too.
Good luck!
Susan
Yes this arrangement seems fair to both parties. The hiring manager called today saying contract’s ready and I will start working next Monday! Yippeee~~~~!
Thanks again and your advices has been a great help and support to me!
CY
Yippeee~~~~! Indeed!!!
Excellent news, and nicely done. It looks like the lucky Year of the Dragon WILL be lucky for you!
Thank you for letting me know how things turned out. Hope it turns into a permanent job very soon!
Cheers!
Susan
Hello! I’m so glad I found this site. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one having problems out there in the job-hunting world. I keep hearing on the news and reading in the paper about how the economy is doing “better” and things are “good” and businesses are “hiring” but I feel like I’m going around and around in circles with these phone interviews, then a face-to-face interview and then hearing nothing but static. I’ve had five different recruiters contact me for the same job in one day–both on the phone and through email–and I still don’t hear back from anyone. Short of drinking myself in a bloody haze every night, I’m not sure what else to do about trying to find a job. I know I have to hang in there and keep trying but it’s hard when you leave every interview feeling hopeful only to have it slip through your fingers. Wow, this has really turned into a woe-is-me comment, hasn’t it? lol
Hi Melissa! Yes, it’s easy to fall into woe-is-me mode. Been there; done that.
A few years ago – in another tough job market, an outplacement counselor once told me to keep a running list of “No’s” (and not hearing back) after interviews.
Write them down on a list. No. No. No. No. etc. And before I got to 50 of them, I’d have a job. Sounds very negative and scary, but it became kind of an “upper” strangely because I kept hearing him say, “Every ‘No’ gets you a little closer to the ‘Yes’ you’re waiting for.” As in, “chalk up another one,” and keep plugging.
For many people, volunteering helps keep up the spirits and also expands the network. Unpaid volunteering. Any political campaigns have your attention? Any illness or other special cause mean something to you? Rather than contribute cash, contribute some time every week. It will get you out of the house and away from your computer. Get your mind off your own troubles for a while, too, maybe?
And, a really big help for getting rid of what I call “the job search blues” is joining a job search support group. Not a pitty party! A support group, hopefully led by a career professional. You can often find them through your local Career OneStop Centers in the USA, many places of worship run or host them too (and often without a required religious affiliation). You may also find local job search or professional MeetUps (MeetUp.com) that can be great for your morale as well as expanding your network. Even some LinkedIn Groups meet in real life, too.
It’s a hard slog, and it’s not fair! But, you’ll get through it! Hang in there!
Good luck!
Susan
Hi! I had an in-person interview on Jan. 17th, I met with HR and the person I would report to. During the interview the would-be boss asked if we could continue past the time he had scheduled for the interview. 2 hours later I left. About an hour later the HR mgr. called me asking to clarify a question about my bonus on my application. I sent both people thank you emails the next day and the HR manager responded saying Thank You. I sent a follow-up email yesterday (2 weeks post interview) and didn’t hear back. I’ve read a couple reviews about the company online and supposedly there is a lot of red tape involved as the parent company is based oversees.
Hi Margaret,
Since they didn’t indicate when you would hear from them again (correct?), I would wait until next week – 3 weeks post-interview – and give them a call to see what is going on. It’s too easy for email to go astray or be discarded, but a phone call is often more effective.
Be polite and confident. Don’t expect them to remember you, the job you interviewed for, who interviewed you, and when the interviews happened. Tell them all of that information at the beginning of the call. Ask them the status of the job, what the next steps are, and what the best way for you to stay in touch is (don’t ask for permission to stay in touch, ask HOW to stay in touch). Then, follow up.
If there is a lot of red tape involved, this could be a long drawn-out process, so prepare yourself to be patient. And keep job hunting! Maybe a better job at an employer with less red tape may appear before this employer has gotten all their paperwork done.
Good luck!
Susan
I am starting to worry – I had an interview last week (Wed. January, 25). I was told about this position months before from the director of the department. She saw my CV and was impressed and told me she was hiring. I felt the interview went well and they were impressed with some of the ideas I had for the position. They said they would get back to me on Monday. That same day, I sent everyone who interviewed me a thank you email. It’s now Wednesday (a week later), almost Thursday. I am concerned since they said they needed someone right away because this would be coverage for someone going on maternity leave. My friends keep saying to be patient. Should I follow-up? Is there an appropriate timeline for this?
Hi Jen,
It’s so hard to tell with these situations. Sometimes, employers think that if a job seeker is REALLY interested about the job, they will reach out and ask about it. Others (the majority, it seems) complain about being contacted too often, finding it annoying. Which leaves job seekers in the middle, wondering.
Since Thursday will technically be “more than a week” since you spoke with them and since they indicated that you would be hearing from them on Monday, I think that you are safe in making a follow-up phone call to see what is going on.
Be polite, not annoyed and not worried.
Don’t expect them to remember the details or even your name. Remind them of who you are, when you interviewed with them, the job you interviewed for, and the people you spoke with. Then, ask about the status of the job since someone (name the person if possible) told you that you would be hearing from them on Monday, and you are very curious to know what is happening.
If they are still interviewing people, ask them what the next steps are, when you can expect to hear from them, and what the best way to contact them is. Then, follow up, as appropriate.
Good luck!
Susan
I need advice!
I had an interview that went VERY well, they told me the process was that once they decide on the candidate they have to get signatures from higher ups, then get approval from HR before they can make an official offer. I sent a professional follow up letter and waited two weeks. Nothing. Sent email and received response apologizing for the delay, thanking me for my letter and my patience and “we are currently awaiting approval and you should be hearing back from us soon”. Approval to me sounds like they’ve chosen someone- does this sound promising that it’s me? I’m going crazy!
Hi Meg, (and everyone…)
Now I can officially say that I have a new job!… yippee!!!
Great News!
Yesterday I got the call from the recruiter along with an email with a new contract!
It seems like there was some type of miss-communication between the department I’ll work for and HR. I confess I was a bit insecure about the outcome of this process and I did overreact a little bit, but I’m very glad that my waiting game is over and I look forward to a new job, new perspective and hopefully a better future.
Meg, again thank you so much for your support, it was so refreshing to read your advise. I wish the best luck to everyone in this blog, and I hope soon your waiting game is over.
Thank you so much!