not sure where I stand after interview

stinkle

Hi,

I'm a bit confused. Last week I travelled for a face-to-face interview abroad after Skyping the boss and other people in the team since November. I spent all day there, and had one-to-one meetings with the boss as well as other group members and I gave a presentation of my career to-date. We've been to-ing and fro-ing for a while and I know I was a strong candidate and being asked over was a big deal (it wasn't a scheduled interview period, and I have no idea if others have interviewed). Also, certain phrases were used during the interview alluding to me getting the job (stuff like "by the time you start, x wont be an issue").

That was last Tues and I heard nothing in the interim, but with travelling etc that was ok. I sent a thank you email yesterday and just got a reply, which basically just thanked me for visiting.

I'm already having a crap day and maybe oversensitive, but the tone seemed quite non-committal. Fair enough if I didnt get the job, but I;d like to be told for sure... This is also complicated by the fact that my line of work relies on external funding and I applied for funding to work with this boss recently. I wont hear about that outcome for a few months, and it was really competitive, so there's no guarantee I'd get that.

I'm really confused as to where I stand. I'd like to just send a direct email asking, but dont want to do anything too drastic right now. Could I be reading too much into this?

Nody

In essence yes; if they have multiple candidates and even if you were not the prime candidate they would not tell you no until they had someone else say yes basically.

stinkle

ok thanks, that's reassuring. My field is a weird one, and I know other people applied for definite, but no idea if anyone else has got to interview stage. The reason I was asked to travel was to meet everyone and I guess to see if I was a good fit as the boss had a bad experience before hiring someone without meeting them. That's why I suppose I'm a bit sensitive - if I looked that good on paper I must have said something/acted in a negative way if the answer is no!

Is there any point replying to today's mail so? I'm asking cos I'm reluctant to be in the same position in a week or two and kicking myself for not being direct at the time.

Nody

Not really; simply wait and see.

Jim2007

stinkle wrote: »

Is there any point replying to today's mail so? I'm asking cos I'm reluctant to be in the same position in a week or two and kicking myself for not being direct at the time.

Well first of all did you ask or were you told their timeline for making a decision?

You did not say which country you travelled to, but you need to understand that many countries, particularly European countries, do not have the same quick turn around you have in Ireland. For instance here is Switzerland it is not at all unusual for the recruiting process to run for two months, if the company is not under any pressure to get someone on board.

If you do decide to reply to the emil, the best thing would be to ask them for the timeline they are working to....

stinkle

Thanks for feedback! Job is in north america so any European norms are moot

finisklin

Pick up the phone and request feedback. As they're an American company they are probably well used to people being direct.

stinkle

It isn't a company, it's an academic job so I'm dealing directly with the boss, who isn't American. I've been speaking to friends who advised to hold off for a few days.

I'm thinking a lot more clearly too - there's a definite job vacancy but I have applied for my own research funding to work there too. I won't know if this application was successful for a while yet, and unfortunately it's really competitive. It's possible that he's in no rush to say yeay or nay based on this uncertainty - I.e. if I get the funding then he can hire someone else as well. Other candidates may be in a similar position so maybe there's some deadlock till things become clearer .

My concern is to how I communicate my queries to put my mind at ease one way or the other. I need to know if I will be applying for a visa any time soon as being without my passport affects my personal travel plans as well as travel for my current job. A friend suggested I keep applying for other jobs and if anyone responds then I can use that as leverage too

hzhang

I'd say whether you follow up with them or not, would not change their decision. So my advice is be patient and hope for the best.

irishguy1983

stinkle wrote: »

It isn't a company, it's an academic job so I'm dealing directly with the boss, who isn't American. I've been speaking to friends who advised to hold off for a few days.

I'm thinking a lot more clearly too - there's a definite job vacancy but I have applied for my own research funding to work there too. I won't know if this application was successful for a while yet, and unfortunately it's really competitive. It's possible that he's in no rush to say yeay or nay based on this uncertainty - I.e. if I get the funding then he can hire someone else as well. Other candidates may be in a similar position so maybe there's some deadlock till things become clearer .

My concern is to how I communicate my queries to put my mind at ease one way or the other. I need to know if I will be applying for a visa any time soon as being without my passport affects my personal travel plans as well as travel for my current job. A friend suggested I keep applying for other jobs and if anyone responds then I can use that as leverage too

Is it a University job that involves research funding and you need a Visa?

I work in this area in Ireland and these things just take ages!

stinkle

Yup, you're right! Ah am just fed up at all the dancing around. Was cahtying to a friend earlier who also got strung along for ages about a job and it was because the boss had a few people to interview and give them all a fair chance. It was reassuring to hear its common enough, albeit v frustrating

stinkle

Update: unfortunately I don't have a lot to say apart from more confusion of the issue. The job is still advertised online, and may have been reposted since my interview - I haven't been actively looking since the start of the year, so can't comment on whether it's just a "rolling" advertisement. I don't think there's a particular closing date on it.

As I said in an earlier post, I applied for my own funding anyway, which if successful means this advertised vacancy still needs to be filled. I won't know about my funding application until the summer though, so it means a long wait and potential disappointment. Another funding opportunity has arisen, and I figured that would be a good excuse to contact the boss, but unfortunately details are not forthcoming at the moment and I'd rather have a bit more info before contacting him about this. I might just be overthinking that though and should just bite the bullet.

I did get lucky and am skyping another place later on this week, which is good for my confidence. Obviously I have invested a lot of time, money and effort in the first one, I know I'd like to work there, and it is great to know I'm in demand elsewhere. I'd really like to contact the first place this week (I had it in my head I'd do it today but am disappointed that I dont yet have new funding info). I'm tempted to at least wait until after I skype the other crowd later on in the week and see how that goes before contacting him though.

stinkle

BUMP: Update

got offered the second job yesterday. I still haven't heard from the first place, and am in limbo due to the funding application. I was advised to contact them today and let them know I've been offered a different job. I found drafting an email quite difficult though!

Anyone got any advice for me? I'm thinking of writing something like this:

"Ive been offered a position at X. I'm still interested in working with you, and am would like to know if I am still being considered for the advertised position. I need to let them know by <date>.

Both places have pros and cons. If I do get the funding I'd like to go with the first place still. BUT I've gotten a much better vibe from the second place for lots of reasons.