Never heard back after interview - quick question.

waves

So I went for an interview with a business I have some business dealings with.

There were only 10 interviewed for the position and I was told only 2 or 3 would be asked back for a second interview.

I did the second interview and have not heard back, even though they said that I'd hear back in two weeks... it's about a month now. both interviews went well I felt.

So, I am surprised that they haven't called me one way or the other - to tell me if I have it or not....

I would have thought, seeing as I have done, and still do some business with them, that they would have called.

Of course I could call and ask but that would make me look desperate.

What's normal business procedure these days about getting back to interviewees.

AARRRGH

I would send them a polite e-mail asking them when they think they'll have a decision whether they want to proceed with your application...

gandalf

Send a polite non pushy email. At the moment things are moving a lot slower with companies recruiting so they may not have made a decision yet or may not have filled that position.

Good Luck.

mrpink6789

yep it's defo ok to follow up after an interview, especially if it's been a few weeks after they said they would get back to you. An email or phone call will suffice, however you are probably going to get a quicker response from a phone call. Just keep it polite "Hi I am just checking in to see when you will be making a decision on this role, I interviewed for it a few weeks back and I am very interested etc." Don't mention that they said they would have feedback 2 weeks ago, that will sound pushy.

M@21

Waves,
I was in the same situation as yourself.
A polite email looking for an update on the position got me a response.

Don't worry about looking desperate - there are enough job candidates out there so you have to look out for yourself.

As already mentioned it is a tough time for businesses, and some will even put these positions on hold, but you have given them enough time to decide, so enquire politely.

Good Luck with it!

axer

People should generally follow up on an interview anyway. Just an email to thank them for the interview and to tell them how much you want the job and re-highlight you strong points. That way they will more than likely respond and you are always reminding them of your strengths.

AARRRGH

axer wrote: »

People should generally follow up on an interview anyway. Just an email to thank them for the interview and to tell them how much you want the job and re-highlight you strong points. That way they will more than likely respond and you are always reminding them of your strengths.

Yeah, I agree with this.

I always send a thank you e-mail after an interview, and reiterate how I would love the job.

doolox

I have heard of people being asked to show letters regarding job applications to Social Welfare to demonstrate their looking for work......

vikingdub

that happens but usually after you have been claiming job seekers for a number of months.

DTTfan

Hi all, right where do i start.

To date i have done 42 interviews in the past 3 months, i have 20 years sales experience in the retail sector and 5 years management experience. And i have not got one job.

Reasons and feed back why>
Too experienced for this sector.
Not enough direct product experience.
Not enough sales experience
Too much sales experience.
Someone better got the job.

My question, does anyone know of any law or legal right that you can reply to some of the feedback you get.

the most recent " Not enough sales experience"
History_ i attended an interview last week for a pet food company, who were looking for industry experienced people.
I had worked for a pet food company for 14 years with 10 years being sales and 4 as sales manager. Exactly what they were looking for. They even specified that if a candidate came from one of the top pet food companies in Irl that it would be an advantage, i did.

2 days later, I got a call, saying " I didnt have enough sales experience and they felt the pet products i was selling were too easy to sell!!!!!

I am fuming, i have no answer and hence i am looking to see if there are rights out there for employees in relation to feedback.

Anyway, any help would be great.

J

axer

DTTfan wrote: »

My question, does anyone know of any law or legal right that you can reply to some of the feedback you get.

I believe the only thing they could be caught legally for is discrimination. After that I believe they can give whatever reason they want or no reason or contact at all.

dade

is there not soemrthing that HR have to keep a record of candidates and how they are weighte. this couild be more a recognised HR practice than an actual law though

vikingdub

You can contact the company and ask for the interview notes, and also what type of rating, ranking system was used to evaluate the candidates against the preset competencies of the job. You are legally entitled to this information do not be fobbed of. From what you say of your years of experience I am assuming that you are too old for the job from their viewpoint, however, under Irish law it is illegal to discriminate against an applicant on the basis of his/her age. You could take a case to the Equality Tribunal on the basis of age discrimination, in that you were denied access to employment on the age ground. The employer will have to prove otherwise. If you wish to contact me by pm I can provide you with more details of what you need to do to take a case. It is open to non-employees to take a case on the basis of denial of acces to employment on any of the nine grounds of the Equality legislation.

waves

So I emailed them with a polite email just asking if there was any development/decision made.....

That was two weeks ago - so it's over 5 weeks since I did the second interview.

I am not holding out for the job but I am really surprised at how unprofessional the firm were not getting back to me.

vikingdub

Even in the "good" days it was very interesting how many companies and recruitment agencies did not acknowlege applications and/or advise unsuccessful candidates that the position had been filled post interview. As we are now in an employers' market we can expect greater levels of ignorance and discourtesy from employers. These are the same employers who, when the good times return, will wonder why they have difficulty filling their open positions.

I was recently made redundant and am keeping track of applications ignored, no interviews yet, and even the big names, including some companies on the 100 Best Places to Work list simply ignore applications. Some at least have an automated reply but don't expect a follow up.

waves

I know but this is a firm I do business with, have dealings with on a regular basis and have some other background with.

Just odd.

Idjit

you should ring them. you wont seem desperate if you choose your words carefully. just show casual interest,if its the manager or interviewer you're ringing,ask for feedback from them about your interview and what they think went wrong and right with it.if it all went right they will tell you so and probably inform you then and there whether you have the job. Its in my experience that the company will wait until the last possible minute(if you have the job)to contact you and appreciate it when you call them instead as it saves them the work.

vikingdub

That really is odd, have you been able to establish if the position has been filled? What did they say when you made your follow up call? There are a number of possible explanations:

They have offered the job to someone else but are keeping you in reserve in case a) candidate one rejects or 2) candidate one does not work out.
They have decided to put the job on hold and are still interested in you but are incapable of telling the truth
There is some internal conflict between 2 or more decision makers as to which candidate should be offered the job

They have no idea how to conduct the recruitment process.

Dudess

Unfortunately some places don't bother getting back at all. It's bad form but nobody's putting a gun to their head. Still though, send the email - no harm in it. It's good to show your enthusiasm.

IDCI

I don't think it sounds too desperate or pushy. Just make a quick call and make it sound like you expect they're a bit late contacting you because they're probably so busy etc.

eclectichoney

Dudess wrote: »

Unfortunately some places don't bother getting back at all. It's bad form but nobody's putting a gun to their head. Still though, send the email - no harm in it. It's good to show your enthusiasm.

How long should you wait before sending an email do you think? It's been just over two weeks since the interview and I haven't heard anything back yet - should I give it another week or so before emailing them to ask when they might have a decision (Needless to say, i don't hold out much hope if I haven't been contacted by now! )

ButcherOfNog

At the moment, it can be very difficult to keep uptodate with job applications and replying to people. Any firm that's hiring gets inundated with CV's.

As for the no contact after the interview, ring them, it probably is just clerical error. It happens.

Noel

doolox

For jobseekers this is a difficult situation. Social Welfare look for evidence of jobs applied for from time to time and it is difficult to prove attempts at getting a job if you do not get replies from employers.
Employers will, however, be trying to cut every avoidable cost and if that means not replying to unsuccessful candidates that is will what will happen. Postage costs will be prioritised to chasing up bad debts, drumming up new business, essential comms with existing clients etc. Polite notices to unsuccessful job applicants will be the last thing on their minds. Also with cut backs you can expect every secretary will be working at top capacity and probably doing unpaid overtime just to keep the work moving and will have little time for anything but essential stuff.
Government departments, semi states and large companies tend to do better in this regard but small ones are not as good as their focus is on basic survival in these harshly competitive times.

Dudess

eclectichoney wrote: »

How long should you wait before sending an email do you think? It's been just over two weeks since the interview and I haven't heard anything back yet - should I give it another week or so before emailing them to ask when they might have a decision (Needless to say, i don't hold out much hope if I haven't been contacted by now! )

Oh definitely do it now - two weeks is more than enough of a window.

needajobbad

I interviewed with a well known company more than 3 weeks back.. It was a face-to-face one after 2 rounds of telephonic ones.. I contacted the company recruiter by phone after 2 weeks.. she said they havent made a decision yet and that they would get back to me the next week... the week ended with no news... I then sent a polite email enquiring and havent received any response yet... Am not really hoping for anything but I really wish they would get back to me either way... The whole job search is very frustrating ... Should I consider this over or just wait patiently?

jkmanc1974

needajobbad wrote: »

I interviewed with a well known company more than 3 weeks back.. It was a face-to-face one after 2 rounds of telephonic ones.. I contacted the company recruiter by phone after 2 weeks.. she said they havent made a decision yet and that they would get back to me the next week... the week ended with no news... I then sent a polite email enquiring and havent received any response yet... Am not really hoping for anything but I really wish they would get back to me either way... The whole job search is very frustrating ... Should I consider this over or just wait patiently?

Would say give them another call today - the role may well be on hold etc, I interviewed for a position in Cork 5 weeks ago and after chasing them for the past 3 weeks via phone and mail finally found out yesterday that the position is now on hold, this from a company that advertised 250 new jobs via a fanfare in the press a number of weeks ago!!!

Brgds
Johnny