How long can it take?

maxwell smart

I applied for a very senior position in a well known organisation, the closing date was the middle of February. I have since received two emails from them saying that the process is delayed due to various internal difficulties.
Now my question, which my wife is sick of hearing about, hence my posting here, is....what does this say about the company?
I have recruited for positions in my present role and previous role, and always tried to get them sorted out as quick as possible.
Guess I'm just venting here but all comments welcome!!

mrpink6789

Unfortunately you can't put a time on thing's especially in the current climate. I work in recruitment and permanent is moving fairly slow at the moment. A candidate of mine had a 3rd interview 6 weeks ago through me for a Senior role and they are still thinking about it. Power is with the employer unfortunately. The other thing is the amount of CV's employers are getting is ridiculous, huge numbers, even for the very senior roles.

There is a good chance though they are waiting until after the mini budget to see where they stand, a lot of people are doing that. At least they are sending you updates though, most places are not doing that.

My advice would be to drop a call to them after the budget, you can geenrally find out more info by speaking to them.

Best of luck with it,

herya

It may mean that they went into recruitment freeze and they need to hire you (or another candidate) but don't have the money so they keep you hanging. Very popular scenario in these times. Some companies have just started their new quarter (allocating new budgets and such) so maybe some kind of decision will be made this way or another in the next couple of days.

small

You know your own industry to better judge how crucial this role is but in these times A LOT of big, well known organisations are imposing measures such as hiring freezes, and not filling empty roles to save money, and hassle until they know if they have to make redundacies, and what those redundancies will be. Often when a paper quotes "200 redundancies made by x" many of these are roles that have been empty and not filled. My 2c....

Thoie

Sorry to disappoint, but it could take months. I applied to a big company in August of last year and heard nothing at all until the end of November - at least they're keeping in touch with you.

As it's a senior position you will be aware of the types of wranglings going on.

1. They need someone, but hiring freeze has been introduced since, and 23 different people are having to gather justifications to give to head honcho as to why this position shouldn't be included
2. Some other group are complaining that Group A is getting a new senior person, and they asked first
3. Someone in accounts has said "Why not get a contractor instead?"
4. Head honcho has been travelling and can't sign off on it till he gets back

To be honest, I don't think it says anything in particular about the individuals in the company, and more about straightened times, changing plans and factors outside their control. If you finally get the job, bring it up when you've been there a while. Don't bring it up in the interview, and don't let that be the deciding factor in whether you want to accept the job either.

jkmanc1974

Tis taking months for any of the more senior jobs with the bigger companies, as one of the other comments state, business cases etc need to be approved, which is obviously taking a lot longer in these times......

Brgds
Johnny