This blog has over 8,000 comments, mostly from job seekers wondering why they haven’t heard anything from an employer they interviewed with, and wondering what they should do next, while they wait for that job offer that may be coming very soon.
The recruiter/HR person/hiring manager said they’d make a decision before the end of last week. Or by the middle of last week. Or before the end of last month. Or…
And, the deadline is long past – maybe days, maybe months. But, you haven’t heard from them. Yet. And, you may not hear from them. Or you may hear from them today.
Don’t assume that no news is bad news for your job search!
Job seekers always seem to assume that the process works perfectly and smoothly on the employer’s side. But, speaking as someone who has been on the “other side” of the process, that assumption is often totally wrong. The reason you haven’t heard from them could have nothing to do with you, or it could have everything to do with you.
You may never know which is happening, but don’t discard an opportunity too soon. It almost always takes employers more time to fill a job than they believe it will take. Particularly if it has only been few days or a week past the date the employer said they’d get back to you, don’t give up on the job.
Don’t wait for an offer, or count on it coming through for you, but don’t give up on it either.
10 Things that Could Be Happening While You Wait
SO many things can disrupt the plan for hiring, particularly in large organizations.
At the start of the process -
1. Someone necessary to the process is MIA.
Hiring someone usually involves more than one person, and someone necessary to the process might be missing – out of the office (vacation, illness, death in the family, business travel) or on high-priority assignment. Until they are available, the process goes on hold.
2. The other interviews are taking more time than expected.
If you were the first candidate interviewed, it may be a long wait for you, as they talk with the other candidates.
3. They are getting ready for the next round.
Then, they may be scheduling a second (or third or fourth) round of interviews for the people who did well on the early round(s), after they determine who made it to the next round (which also takes time to figure out).
After a round (or two) of interviews -
If you’ve been through multiple rounds of interviews, and are still waiting to hear, other things can get in the way:
4. They are working their process, tying up all the loose ends, checking off all the to-do’s.
They are checking references and running background checks on all the finalists, and waiting for results before they make their decision.
5. Someone is MIA, again.
Again, someone critical to the process may be unavailable, and nothing goes forward until they rejoin the process.
6. They may be restructuring the job.
Someone(s) is holding out for the “perfect candidate” (who didn’t apply), so they may be discussing re-posting the job or re-structuring it to fit the best candidate they have.
When it is finally time to make an offer -
If they told you the interview process is complete, all drug tests, background checks, and everything else is done, and a decision will be made by last week (or even last month), it may still take longer because:
7. More MIA decision-makers, higher up the chain.
Yet again, someone important in the decision-making may be out of the office or unavailable for some reason. The right people need to approve new hires, often in very specific order up the organization’s management chain, and decisions wait until the appropriate approval is received so the paperwork can passed on up to the next level.
8. Business has changed unexpectedly, and they are waiting for the dust to settle or adjusting to a new reality.
So budgets are being juggled because of an unexpected increase (or drop) in business, and they won’t contact anyone until they know they can afford to fill the job.
9. Definitely restructuring that job. Probably… Maybe… Or, maybe NOT!
Again, they haven’t found the perfect candidate, so they are reconsidering the structure of the job. When they are done, it may be a perfect fit for you, or not. They won’t know until they’re done making the changes, and, of course, you won’t know until after they do.
Maybe they will decide, in the end, that it’s too time-consuming and expensive to re-post and go through the whole interviewing process again, so they’ll go with the best candidate they’ve got. Which could be you, IF you are still available (don’t wait, though!).
10. Waiting for a decision from candidate # 1. You are candidate # 2.
They could have offered the job to someone else and are waiting for that person to accept (or not). Or are in the process of negotiating the job offer with the person. It ain’t over until the person starts the job (sometimes not then, either). If that person doesn’t accept the job – or doesn’t stay very long – you might be next in line!
Or, you may be completely out of the running, and they don’t contact you because they don’t have the time, technology, or manners necessary. Or they are afraid of hurting your feelings or getting sued.
Try not to assume the worst until you know for sure, or until several months have passed with no word and no responses to your efforts to get an answer from them.
If it doesn’t work out this time…
Perhaps you felt a “connection” with one or more of the people there and would be interested in that employer if another opportunity developed, ask those folks to connect on LinkedIn (what do you have to lose?), and stay in touch. Perhaps, send them a thank note for the opportunity to meet them and to learn more about the organization. It can work!
If you worked with a recruiter, send the recruiter an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Most recruiters welcome all connections, and connecting with them makes you more visible to them and to the recruiters and employers they are connected to as well.
More About Waiting to Hear After an Interview
How Often Should I Call an Employer After My Interview?
After an Interview: Can Weekly Follow-up Calls and Emails Help Get You the Job?
How to Tell If a Job Interview Went Well
I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
They Reposted the Job. Should I Kiss It Good-Bye?
Working with External (Agency) Recruiters
Rejection Follow-Up (Job-Hunt.org)
Turning Rejection into Opportunity (Job-Hunt.org)
© Copyright, 2012, Susan P. Joyce. All rights reserved.
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About the author…
Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. In 2011, NETability purchased WorkCoachCafe.com, which Susan has been editor and publisher of WorkCoach since then. Susan also edits and publishes Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Google+.
I am a recruiter interviewing for an internal corporate recruiting position with a soild corporation. I am interviewing with a consulting compnay that is embedded into the corporation. Both are large compnaies. I interviewed a week ago. The person I interviewed with told me things that would be hints of a future interview e.g.: “When you meet with HR director-give me a call to prep”
It has been a week. Should I send out an email?
Dude,
If you haven’t sent out a thank you note email yet, then you definitely should now…I think you could safely follow-up this week and express your continued interest. But remember that hiring takes time — especially at big companies…
Good luck,
Chandlee
Hello,
I am writing here because I mainly need support, please. Waiting is so difficult. Especially when the job I’ve been interviewed for is not just a job, it’s a career and also so much depends on me getting it. I’m sure it’s the same for many people, of course. Well, I sent my CV to this company and then I asked to meet with the main person there and he agreed, and said he was actually really looking forward to meeting me. At the meeting, he showed that he really studied my CV, knew a lot about me already. Then he said I’d most probably be invited for a proper interview, and 3 weeks or so later, I was. Or rather, I was asked to come by “for a chat” but it turned out to be a proper interview, with him and another person. I was prepared and I think I did quite well, I don’t know. I was told that they had other candidates to interview during the next 2 weeks. I then write a thank-you note where I also mentioned a couple of extra points that I’d forgotten to mention during the interview. Got polite replies from both of them the same day. I guess it doesn’t mean anything, but still. Then I left for a week on a work trip and as I came back, yesterday, I emailed them again, with some extra info and re-iterated my interest in the position. One of them got back in the end of the day and said that they were still interviewing other people but that it was “nice to know” that I was still interested. Don’t know what this means – maybe just him being polite and nothing more.
So I’m going crazy waiting for a reply… If they really wanted to hire me, I guess I would’ve heard by now?.. I don’t know. I really hope this works out. I need your support. Please keep fingers crossed for me… I’ll do the same for everyone on this forum in a similar situation.
Thank you!
Liska
Hi Liska,
Yes, waiting is VERY difficult, but that’s really the only option you have right now. You ARE receiving responses from them, so far, which is a good sign either about their interest or about the way the run their organization.
Stay calm. These processes almost always take longer than anyone – on either side – expects them to take. I wouldn’t reach out to them again for at least another week, longer than a week, if you can manage. You don’t want to seem too needy or too aggressive by being a nuisance to them.
Keep looking for a job. Don’t wait for this one to happen for you, because it might not happen at all.
Will definitely keep our fingers crossed for you! Let us know what happens.
Good luck!!
Susan
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your reply. This is indeed driving me crazy, but I would imagine the wait won’t be much longer. It’s been 2 months now. Two interviews, one informal and one a proper one, then a couple of weeks ago they asked me to do a written test. The deadline for it was Tue. I submitted it way before though, last week. I was told that only shortlisted candidates were asked to do the written test, and it’s 3 of us. Have sent an additional info email on Monday. Tuesday comes – nothing. Then yesterday a brief email, saying they have received the additional info, thank you, and will be in touch shortly.
So that was yesterday. I guess they are just polite and that doesn’t mean a thing. And I guess I will hear a yes or no today or tomorrow. This wait is killing me!
What are your thoughts?
Thank you!
Liska
Hi
I have a question. I had an interview with a company on 2/6. I was the first interview, the Hiring manager said they bring in typically 3 people for the interviw. During the interview, he asked me to send him references and more samples of my work. I did all of this. So on 2/20 I contacted the HR person to get the status of the position and she said the hiring manager was still interiewing people, Okay I called the HR lady again on March 11, and her voicemail said that she was out of the office until March 21.
My status on the company website still says “under review” from my interview date. The position is still listed on their website.
I guess my question is it has has been 6 weeks, did I not getthe job? I heard it is usually a good sign when hiring managers ask for your references, and the inteview lasted 45 minutes longer than originallly scheduled. This waiting is draining me. I just want to know if I’m still a candidate..does it look like I still have a chance at getting this job?
Hi AmazingAsh!
Yes it is very draining and discouraging, but it is also VERY common, particularly since it sounds like you’ve done everything right when it comes to staying in touch! It could also be that someone involved in the process is out sick, working on a crisis, or otherwise unavailable for a while… Hard to know.
Have your references been contacted? If yes, when? That would be good information to know because it could give you some clues on what is going on. If they have contacted your references, that’s usually a good sign.
Since you were the first person interviewed, I might reach out with a letter or an email following up on some point that you could have covered better in the interview, an additional reference, or something else to remind them of how good you are.
And, I would keep looking. This may work out, and it may not. Best not to be counting on this one until you get that offer letter.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
Hi There,
So I had 3 interviews with a company, and the process was fast, after my last interview i was told ” i cant say for 100% but if your references checkout then you know… we really like you” then the person who did my reference checks told my references (including my current employer) that they were most likely offering me the job… my last reference check was on friday… and it is now thurs and friday of this week is a holiday and I still have heard nothing… I understand 5 days does not seem like a long time, but the process has been quick up until now… its come to a halt, I did expect with what they had said to my references that I was going to be getting an offer on monday or tuesday. I want the posotion and was confident I would have an offer by now. The lady who did my checks even called me and left a messege saying my references were all good and she was calling to ease my mind. When should I follow up? I get anxiety over these things as the last 3 jobs have given me the run around… even being verbally hired by one company then never sent the contract and never returned my emails. Then a few said they would set up interviews or second ones but then never did… hence it has been very difficult on me and my selfesteem.
Am I just letting the waiting game get to me?
Thoughts please!
Hi Fenek17,
You are not alone in finding this a tough process to handle! It is VERY hard for job seekers to wait and wait with no information.
Sounds like you still haven’t heard from them, so it’s probably appropriate to reach out to the contact who did the checks and called you to “ease your mind” to see what is happening.
My bet is that someone necessary to the process took time off over the holiday that wasn’t expected by the HR people. Or, when it comes to actually making the offer, things can slow down because they usually want to make sure everyhing is in order, all the appropriate paperwork and approvlas have been made, and the rest of the administrivia is complete before they issue the offer.
So, since it has been more than a week since your last discussion with them, reach out. Don’t be angry or upset or frustrated. You are just “checking in” to see how things are progressing because you have things you need to do on your end as well.
Good luck!
Hello,
I’ve recently completed two rounds of interviews at a hospital located 4 hours from my current place. The first interview went well; ended with the P.I. saying that she was very interested in hiring me as a tech in her lab. I have also had my 3 references send out the letter of recommendation to her in less than 5 days. She has repeatedly told me that she is very interested in hiring me. The second interview went really well; I gave a 30 minute presentation on my undergraduate thesis and had some coffee with the lab members afterwards. She told me she was very impressed with the presentation. Also stated that she does not see a problem with giving me the job offer and that she would get back to me in a weeks time. It has been exactly a week and I have not heard anything back from her yet. This will be my first job offer out of college so I have no experience with this. Any suggestions on what I can do at this point?
Jack,
If you’ve sent her a thank you note, all you can do is wait. Recommend you sit tight and see what happens. In the interim, make sure you also keep an eye out on other positions as well. Good luck!
All the Best,
Chandlee
Thanks Chandlee.
I actually sent another letter yesterday (7 days after the 2nd thank you letter) to touch base with her and to ask about when she would be finalizing her hiring decision. I hope that I wasn’t being too intrusive.
I have just had an interview on 3/19 and I thought everything went really well. I figured that being that it was an engineering interview that I should bring in a work sample (prototype) relevant to the product the company manufactures as this would give me an edge. The entire interview process lasted about 1.5-2 hours (most of my interviews go on for 4-7 hours). I asked the director of engineering how long would it be before I should know something; he replied that it should take about a week or two. The HR rep gave me the usual “we have some other candidates to interview” response. I thought I was a shoe-in for this position because I demonstrated I was fully capable of doing the job by bringing in an example of my work (despite the risk of having it confiscated by TSA for mistaking it for something else…).
Anyway, I sent the obligatory “thank you” email to all of the interviewers the very next morning. The director did state that I could contact him if I had any further questions, so I cracked this past Wednesday and left a voicemail asking a pertinent question about the position but using the opportunity to express my continued interest in the position as well as offering my phone number in case he had any additional questions. I’m beginning to regret having made that phone call because it may have indicated desperation. I have not gotten any response whatsoever-I usually get an offer no more than 1-3 days after the interview. There’s a lot of anxiety because this position is a perfect match and everything has to be perfect or else you’re immediately taken out of the running.
What could this possibly mean?
I should also mention that they called one of my references two days after the interview and asked him a lot of basic questions (nothing about my job performance or skills) and ended the call. They only called one reference. I have no clue what that is all about.
Jeffrey,
Normally, employers never cancel other previously scheduled interviews AFTER they’ve had a good interview. That they called a reference is a good sign. I recommend that you sit tight and wait to hear back. If you don’t hear back and haven’t done so already — and are in engineering — I recommend you get involved with a professional society in a relevant area of interest to you. They can provide you with good access to jobs.
All the Best,
Chandlee
I’ve heard that sometimes companies say they are interviewing other candidates in order to make you believe the position is competitive-even if you are the preferred candidate. I simply do not think they’re going to find someone else more qualified but like you said, they could have other interviews they have to get out of the way (there’s no way for me to know how many others have applied as they obviously will not tell me).
I’ve already done the networking/specialty recruiter route (I’m uneasy contacting complete strangers on Linked In for purposes of “networking”) but I get better results applying directly to the company and following up my resume submission with a phone call.
Also, why would a company only call one reference and not the other two?
Hi Jeffrey,
A company may call only one reference because that’s all they have time for, or they got such a great recommendation that they don’t need the others. It’s hard to tell – varies from person or person and employer to employer.
Unfortunately, being “perfectly qualified” does not guarantee you the job offer. Someone else may also be well-qualified but might have been referred by an employee. Or a current employee may have applied for the job, too. So, be careful of “counting chickens” etc.
Keep looking!
Good luck with our job search!
Susan
I called HR one day last week and she indicated they were still interviewing others. I may be a traditionalist (old school) but I think that if a company were really interested in you they would make you an offer in a matter of days so that you do not write them off as being indecisive (even if they are still “interviewing others”). If you have a good match it makes better economic sense to make him an offer right now and place other interviewees on hold instead of letting the good match potentially get away while you pursue the golden goose. I had a colleague that was once offered a position almost six months after he interviewed for it! What kind of nonsense is that? He could have been gainfully employed somewhere else before this company decided to quit hemming and hawing over making him an offer.
Hi Jeffrey,
Well, these days employers have many more applicants than in the past, and they want to choose the best one to hire. You would want to do that, too, if you were in their shoes. Business is very competitive right now, so hiring “the best” is important for long-term survival.
They also understand the risk that you might find another opportunity, but, for them, that risk is balanced by the probability that someone as well – or better – qualified will still be in the pool of applicants available to them.
If you want a very quick decision about being hired, focus on very small employers (10 or fewer employees), who often have a more urgent need to fill their openings. If you are applying at larger employers, learn to be more patient.
Taking time to fill jobs is just a fact of life right now.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
I called one of the employees that interviewed me back today in an attempt to get more information about the job only to be told that they hired someone else. All this time (a month and a half) I had been waiting for them to contact me; the HR rep would tell me they were “still interviewing candidates” and lead me on. Why can’t companies just be honest and tell people the truth? I would have been less upset a month ago. I wonder if they had already made a decision and were just going through the motions for my interview (no wonder it was only 1.5 hours; my interviews are usually 4-6 hours).
Hi Jeffrey,
Sorry to hear this news!
I think that often the HR reps make “generic” answers to candidate questions because they are often not completely sure what is going on with the decision-making process. So, telling you they were “still interviewing candidates” was an easy way out for them.
A better job is waiting for you! Keep looking until you are holding a written job offer in your hand.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
I interviewed 12 days ago for a job with the state department and I called yesterday to see if the position has been filled yet. I was asked by the interviewer if I had received a letter in the mail yet and I said no and she said she couldn’t tell me anything until I receive the letter. What does this mean? I’m assuming I didn’t get the job because I was told everyone that applied will be notified when the position has been filled. So far I have been getting emails to notify me of each stage in the hiring process and I haven’t received a rejection email yet. Is there any chance it could be a good letter?
Hi Chasity,
It’s the Government, so they have their regulations and procedures to follow. You may be fine, or you may be out-of-luck. It’s hard for me to tell. But you should find out soon.
Continue to look for a job – don’t stop your search waiting for this one to come through for you.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your reply. This is indeed driving me crazy, but I would imagine the wait won’t be much longer. It’s been 2 months now. Two interviews, one informal and one a proper one, then a couple of weeks ago they asked me to do a written test. The deadline for it was Tue. I submitted it way before though, last week. I was told that only shortlisted candidates were asked to do the written test, and it’s 3 of us. Have sent an additional info email on Monday. Tuesday comes – nothing. Then yesterday a brief email, saying they have received the additional info, thank you, and will be in touch shortly.
So that was yesterday. I guess they are just polite and that doesn’t mean a thing. And I guess I will hear a yes or no today or tomorrow. This wait is killing me!
What are your thoughts?
Thank you!
Liska
Hi Liska,
At least they are staying in touch with you. That’s the sign of good people (or organization) and, hopefully, also good sign for your chances with this opportunity.
Don’t be surprised if it takes until next week to hear from them. If you haven’t heard by next Friday, reach out again to see what is going on.
And, of course, keep looking for a new job!
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
Hi Susan, or anyone..
My situation is not that complext..yet. Anyways about 2 weeks ago I interviewed for a position with the manager there, everything went well and he said he would let me know how the hiring process proceeds and there would be a second round if I am still in the running I guess he would let me know. Well I subsequently left a Thank you email right after that interview, but haven’t received a reply since. I tried to call him but got his voicemail so I just left a message. This is so nerve wracking, because in the meantime I’ve also managed to get 2 other interviews one is next week, and one is this week, but so far it seems like my favorite position would be the first one! I don’t know what to do…shouldn’t he at least give me a reply acknowledging my voicemail or email? Should I try to call him and get a hold of him on the phone? I’m so afraid this may come off as pushy and desperate.
Any advice is great!
Thanks!
Hi AC,
Since you’ve received no responses to two queries so far, I would back off on contacting your preferred employer for at least a week. Filling jobs usually takes more time than anyone expects.
Meanwhile, focus your attention on these interviews coming up. Getting the opportunity to interview for jobs is an achievement that should be appreciated and maximized. One of these jobs might end up being your new preferred job.
So, put this other job in the back of your mind, and prepare well for these interviews. Then, keep looking until you are holding a written job offer in your hand.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
The thing to do would be to try to nail the next interviews, and use any resulting job offers as leverage to the first interview.
I have this interview last february and I guess it goes well.The employer tells me all about the job and I really like it..They told me they will come back in may for final interview and they wiil tell us the result.But this week I got surprized email from them telling they were pleased meeting me and they look forward for meeting me on may.Im confused,is this a good sign that I was the one choosen,please give me some points of psitive outcome of interview.thank you
Hi Alle,
If I understand what you wrote, they told you in the interview that they would be back in touch with you in May for the final interview. Then, they just sent you an email indicating that they look forward to meeting you in May.
If that’s the case, you appear to be a finalist for the job because they are inviting you back in May for the second interview. But, no, you don’t have the job yet. You may get a job offer if you do well in the second interview. Or, there may be more interviews, tests, references to be checked, and other things to go through before you receive the job offer.
But, this is definitely good progress!
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
Hi Susan,
Wanted to get your thoughts on the process I’m currently in. I work as a recruiter in the social work field and currently have a job I love but it is not in the city I want to be in. So, occasionally I look for job postings that meet my current position because they are typically hard to come by. This last week I saw a notice for a position in my preferred city. The position was something I am highly qualified for and very excited to do. I received a call the very next morning after applying that afternoon. When I was able to get back in contact with the woman who called, she asked to set up an interview over phone the same day. So we did and had an interview that was not long but not short a couple of hours later. She also pulled in the director of the department on the interview. They stated that they had been looking to fill the position for a while and were actually supposed to have already filled it but the “right” candidate had not yet been found. The director told me I seemed “perfect” for the position and they referred me for an interview by skype with the executive director of the company the next day. That interview was a bit short but she was very friendly and I was asked multiple times when I could start. Salary was also discussed in that interview and we agreed on a number. They stated they wanted to make a decision by the end of the week and that they were going to send me for a drug test, etc. That same day I recieved paperwork for typical background checks, a form to be notarized, and drug test and TB test referral (they even set it up so I could do it in my current city). I was told to keep the original copies of these forms. I had the tests done that same day and scanned and emailed the results to the admin assistant. She was very kind and polite and always replied to my emails stating what they were waiting on and that she would be in touch soon. I then found out that they had called four of my six references and all four of the references got back to her by today (not sure why she didn’t call the other two). However, friday came and went and no word. I suppose I need to be more patient, which I am trying to be, but my real question is, to someone who knows a lot about hiring, does this seem like a pretty good bet that I will get an offer? I don’t believe they were interviewing other people and it seems like a lot of work to go through for nothing…just wanted your thoughts! Thanks!
Good Morning,
I interviewed for a position in the beginning of March with a Phone Interview at first, then I had an in person interview that lasted over 2 hours, with a tour, etc. At that point, I was one of 3 candidates. The organization did the Reference Checks and the Background checks and then stated that I was one of the last two candidates, with a writing exercise on deck to complete. I completed the exercise, submitted ahead of time and didn’t hear back until 2 days after the deadline (On a Wednesday). The Hiring person stated that would get back to me by COB that Friday and Its now Tuesday and no word.
I think its important to keep your deadlines and if you can’t, let the other party know that you can’t keep it. What is going on behind closed doors here? Thanks!
Hi Tamara,
Hard to say what “is going on behind closed doors” in this instance. My guess (!) is that – if they were able to keep to their internal deadline (a big “IF” often) – your were came in second for this opportunity. Or, possibly something happened that blew away their schedule, but they haven’t kept the candidates informed. Not unusual!
You could reach out to them to ask what is going on, or you could wait to see what happens. If you haven’t heard by this Friday, I would ask them next week.
Honoring deadlines and keeping people informed are excellent business practices, and I wish more of it was happening.
Hope this turns out well for you!
Regards,
Susan
Hi Susun, and everyone,
I really don’t know what to think, it’s so frustrating. After 2 interviews and a written test, it’s still no news. I was contacted to do the written test about 3 weeks ago, and given till last Tue do submit it. I submitted it several days before the deadline, and got an instant reply that they got it and I’d have more news soon. Then the deadline on Tue came and went, I presume other shortlisted candidates submitted their stuff, and on Wed I got an email saying, again, that soon I’d hear more. On Fri, I called them in the end of the day, said I was going away on holiday for a week, and said that I’d be available on the phone. They apologised that it was taking so long and said they’d be in touch “very soon”.
So here we are, it’s late Tue, still no news! I really don’t get it. It’s more than 2 months now in total. Have they made an offer to someone else and waiting to hear back, and keeping me on the hook as a backup? Or what? Why aren’t they telling me what’s going on?
Any opinion much appreciated.
thank you!
Liska
Hi Liska,
Yes, it is possible that they have made an offer to someone else and you are the backup.
It is also very possible that the whole process is just taking longer than they expected. As this post describes, it often takes longer than expected on either side.
If you are interested in the job, give them a longer leash. I recommend waiting until next Tuesday before contacting them again.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
Hi, I stumbled upon your sight and found it quite helpful! I have a question for my fiance, not me (although when we move and I have to look for jobs again, I will be asking PLENTY of questions!!)
My fiance is graduating from Architecture school next month.He is one of three people who were selected to interview at a certain firm.Anyways I am biased but it did seem they were very interested in him and they even emailed him asking for a second interview. We know for a fact that atleast one of the other interviewees did not get asked back…so our assumption is that they were only offering a second interview to him or to him and the other candidate. The email discussed how impressed they were with him and said that he still needed to meet a few other people at the office (a couple partners were out when he came for his first visit). He received this email last monday.
He emailed the employer back, giving them some available dates (like they asked for) and one of the options he gave them was the next monday. When he hadn’t heard back in a few days, he contacted them again to try to nail down a date — and to know if he needed to drive 3 hours for an interview Monday. He received no response and has still not heard from them
What does this mean? What should he do? I understand an employer not returning emails/calls if they aren’t interested, but after asking him for a second interview?
My fiance is more optimistic…he seems to think that they are trying to work out details — IE, when would be best for him to visit, when people will be there, if they will hire 1 or 2 people (there was a possibility of hiring more than one), etc. I am more negative. My assumption is that they left the door open with him, but had a second interview with the other candidate first because she was their top choice…. and therefore, they are waiting to see if she accepts an offer before closing other doors.
What is your opinion? Has life just gotten busy and we shouldn’t assume the worst yet? Or should we accept that this job isn’t an option? And why ask him back for a second interview?
Hi KCB,
It’s way too early to assume “the worst” about this opportunity. I think your fiancé is most likely correct that they are working out the details.
Scheduling candidates to come in for a series of interviews is often a struggle because of logistical issues – all of the people who must be involved may not be available on the same dates and times that your fiancé is available. If more than one candidate is being interviewed, which is likely, that makes the whole process much more complex because everyone should see each candidate. So schedules get juggled and things get rearranged to make the interviews possible. It all takes time.
Don’t “assume the worst” yet. The good news is that they asked him for the dates and times he is available.
Regards,
Susan
Hi Susan,
thank you for the reply. Just a crazy thought – as an expert, do you think it is at all possible that they are not contacting me this week precisely because I’ve told them I was going away on holiday? So even though I did tell them that they can get in touch over the phone, maybe if it’s bad news, they don’t want to inform me not to ruin my holiday or something? Would that be possible at all?
many thanks!
Liska
Hi Liska,
I doubt that they are concerned about ruining your holiday. It is more likely that they haven’t made a decision, have other things to do before they contact you, or a million other things that impact you, but – really – have nothing to do with you at all.
Hang in there!
Susan
Hello,
Not sure if this is something that happens often. I applied for a job at a big corporation a month ago, interview went really well, 2 days later I got a call from HR that the hiring manager’s boss would like to talk to me. He told me that my interview was outstanding and they thought I was more suitable for a higher position that just became vacant, however the job would need to be posted and I would hear back from them. A week passed, I heard nothing. Then the hiring manager called to say that the job I initially applied for has been filled internally and told me to officially apply for the higher position they just posted on their site. HR told me they had to put it up for a week. It has been 10 days now, I have not heard anything back. How likely do you think that something goes wrong during this lapse? I emailed HR today to follow up and they have not replied. When should I follow up again? I have to think that we have come too far to just drop off the process without a word even if it is not good news….
Many thanks,
Colleen
Hi Colleen,
I would call the hiring manager to see what is going on. It would be surprising to have this opportunity go to someone else, but anything is possible these days.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
I went to this interview on April 11th and I thought the interview went great since I had been interviewed by the HR manager and department head on the same day. After the interview, the HR manager asked me to go to a local doctor for body check and she said the company would pay for the check-up. But the HR-manager did say that this was not a job offering, but it’s simply a procedure given to the potential candidates. She also said that because they are hiring in almost every department, I might not get a call back as soon as I hope, it may take awhile for them to go through all the candidates. After the body check, I haven’t heard from them, so I called the HR manager two weeks later and she said they are still going through the candidates’ applications and they will give them a call should the person is hired in the process. So it’s now been almost 4 weeks and I have not yet heard from them, is it safe to assume that I didn’t get the job? Should I give the manager a call again? Or should I just give up all together and assume that I didn’t get the job and move on?
Hi Worried,
Well, I would certainly keep looking for a job, but I would also give the manager a call again. It can take a long time to fill a job, and it sounds like they are doing a lot of hiring, so that can stretch everything out, if they are trying to be carefully in their hiring.
When you call, don’t expect the manager to remember you – tell him or her your name, the job you interviewed for, who interviewed you, and when you were interviewed. Then, ask for the current status of the job.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan