3 weeks after interview and no decision

Gael23

As the title says Im not almost 3 weeks after an interview and I haven't been given an answer. Im getting really frustrated at this point and I dont know how to push them. First they told me they had more interviews to do and last week it was someone was on holidays.

Jimbob1977

Hi there,

This is one of the most frustrating aspects of job hunting.

From your perspective, it's the most important thing happening for you at the moment.

For some Human Resources departments, there are multiple roles to fill and you are 'one of many'. A number on a list.

Is this a large company with many roles to fill? The summer is holiday season for many recruiting managers and HR staff are on holidays.

If it's a small company, I'd be more frustrated. Although the hiring manager might be on holidays in a small company too.

Here's what you could do. Write an email and say that you were delighted to interview with Mary/Joe on xxth July. Just enquiring about the next steps of the process. Polite, shows interest, but not too heavy.

One mistake I made last year was probably being too annoying with follow up calls. Although they kept me hanging for over a month. Big corporation with hundreds of roles to fill.

Gael23

Yes it's a large company, no idea how many open roles they have. My last call to HR on Friday last week was that the hiring manager was on holidays until Tuesday but now we're at Thursday afternoon and still nothing

Jimbob1977

OK. Rather than having another weekend hanging over you, a gentle phone call or email to HR tomorrow (Friday) would be reasonable.

At least to establish some concrete timelines in your mind.

The hiring manager could have returned to 1,000 unread emails and a few headaches in their department.

Keep the tone upbeat and enthusiastic. But try get a commitment.

I probably came across as 'needy' and 'desperate' in my jobhunt last year. HR departments are notoriously bad at responding to applicants.

AlmightyCushion

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

OK. Rather than having another weekend hanging over you, a gentle phone call or email to HR tomorrow (Friday) would be reasonable.

At least to establish some concrete timelines in your mind.

The hiring manager could have returned to 1,000 unread emails and a few headaches in their department.

Keep the tone upbeat and enthusiastic. But try get a commitment.

I probably came across as 'needy' and 'desperate' in my jobhunt last year. HR departments are notoriously bad at responding to applicants.

I'd be wary of doing that. You're more than likely just going to annoy them which isn't exactly gonna help you get the job. You don't know what's going on in the company, they could be flat out and constantly phoning or emailing for an update could work against you. And believe me I know what the OP is going through. For my current job I didn't get a job offer until about 5 weeks after the interview. After a month, I just assumed I hadn't gotten it and they never got around to sending a PFO. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the email with the job offer a week or so later.

Meeeee79

This job interview may be the top of your priorities at the minute but in a large company I can assure you it is not the top of their priority if they are just back from holidays. It takes afew days to catch up and you have to understand that.

As AlmightyCushion said id be wary of contacting them again too soon. You run the risk of giving them the wrong impression if you are over eager. They may see this as pushy or that you have too much self importance to believe you are entitled to an answer when you want it. Let it take its course. You are not the only one in this position but you may well be the only one hounding them for an answer. Keep sight of the bigger picture.

Gael23

I really want this job and just want to know where I stand. If I'm not getting it then i'd like to know that rather than being dragged out for weeks and then told.

Redfox25

Not sure if this helps but if you went through a recruitment agency to get the interview, ring them up and get them on the case. They dont get paid unless you get the role so its in their interest to get an answer.

If you didnt, I would give them a shout at the 1 month period to show that you are professional enough to follow up on things. Keep it cool and say that you are looking at other options but your first preference is to work for their company.

In reality, alot of companies are very lax with call backs from my experience, the bigger the company the worse they get.

Best of luck with it.

ForstalDave

Gael23 wrote: »

I really want this job and just want to know where I stand. If I'm not getting it then i'd like to know that rather than being dragged out for weeks and then told.

Some companies can take an age to get through the process and size doesn't mean anything, Iv had an offer for a job before i got off the dart home and iv waited well over a month for others all i can say is dont stress, dont be afraid to email and just ask for an update(dont email constantly a check every 2 weeks or so is ok though)

Gael23

Redfox25 wrote: »

Not sure if this helps but if you went through a recruitment agency to get the interview, ring them up and get them on the case. They dont get paid unless you get the role so its in their interest to get an answer.

If you didnt, I would give them a shout at the 1 month period to show that you are professional enough to follow up on things. Keep it cool and say that you are looking at other options but your first preference is to work for their company.

In reality, alot of companies are very lax with call backs from my experience, the bigger the company the worse they get.

Best of luck with it.

I dealt directly with the Companys HR Department

Meeeee79

Gael23 wrote: »

I really want this job and just want to know where I stand. If I'm not getting it then i'd like to know that rather than being dragged out for weeks and then told.

I understand that but all the other people who did the interview want the job too. You unfortunately are not as important tot he company as you might like to think you are. Hold tight another week at least would be my secondary advice and then maybe follow up if you cant hold out any longer.

BetsyEllen

If I were in your shoes, I would probably take the frame of mind 'I didn't get the job' and keep looking for another role.

Put it out of your mind and if they call, great.
If they don't then you've already mentally prepared yourself for that.

If you are the person they want, they will call you when they are ready to.
It is frustrating for you I know (I've been there) but you have to understand that these are busy people. If the decision maker was away until Tuesday then they likely returned to a full inbox, numerous calls to reply to, lots of paperwork and will get to you when they have time.

Annoying them by keep asking for an update is going to put your name in their head but for the wrong reasons.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Gael23 wrote: »

I really want this job and just want to know where I stand. If I'm not getting it then i'd like to know that rather than being dragged out for weeks and then told.

50/50 when there is an unreasonable delay with stupid excuses you are an alternate candidate.

IE 10 jobs, 10 candidates, 5 alternate candidates in case someone pulls out or refuses the job or is quickly dismissed after starting.

That said in this time of year 3 weeks is not an unreasonable delay.

Gael23

So I should do nothing for another while then?

corvus4906

Gael23 wrote: »

So I should do nothing for another while then?

I work in a place like this (IT Sector in Dublin City) and it's commonly like this due to the process/number of peoples feedback form all the interviews.

Usually its a good thing i think the longer they're taking as it means you're a contender. But (certainly in my company) the HR dept are receptive to people asking for info on the delays.

If it's a large company that's growing and they may have multiple similar roles and by chance you're not successfully, ask if there's similar roles or if they will keep you in mind for the next one

LollipopJimmy

Gael23 wrote: »

So I should do nothing for another while then?

I wouldn't contact them again. It's not going to speed up the process nor is it going to make them look more favourably on you. At this point you are probably a backup candidate, it's a pants place to be and I get your frustration so best to keep hunting. What kind of rile is it? If it's entry level to middle management and they are still interviewing candidates 2 weeks after your interview then they weren't convinced you fit the profile they want.

thanos93

In the exact same position right now chief. A swiss company flew me out 2 weeks ago for a final interview after almost 2 months of skype interviews etc. The ceo took me out to lunch and said everyone likes me, I have fresh ideas and can help them grow. And even discussed my relocation package. He also said there was one other person coming in the next day. its between He and I. And ill hear back over the next few days.

Fast foward to today:nothing.

I have 3 standing offers from companies in dublin I have accepted one and I am due to start on the 21st of august. i really want switzerland so bad !!

I just found out that the hiring manager who i have been in touch with from day 1 is on holidays for 2 weeks . So I should likely hear back next week as she's back on monday. So Ill wait to send a check in email till maybe next tuesday morning.

Gael23

corvus4906 wrote: »

I work in a place like this (IT Sector in Dublin City) and it's commonly like this due to the process/number of peoples feedback form all the interviews.

Usually its a good thing i think the longer they're taking as it means you're a contender. But (certainly in my company) the HR dept are receptive to people asking for info on the delays.

If it's a large company that's growing and they may have multiple similar roles and by chance you're not successfully, ask if there's similar roles or if they will keep you in mind for the next one

Thats the tactic I was thinking of. Contact them enquiring about other suitable roles and then its up to them to say I'm still a contender for the orignal one.

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

I wouldn't contact them again. It's not going to speed up the process nor is it going to make them look more favourably on you. At this point you are probably a backup candidate, it's a pants place to be and I get your frustration so best to keep hunting. What kind of rile is it? If it's entry level to middle management and they are still interviewing candidates 2 weeks after your interview then they weren't convinced you fit the profile they want.

I dont want to say too much about the role just in case I identify myself but its a fairly junior role. The little bit of feedback I did get was that they thought I had good experience to fit the role but that was a few days afterwards

LollipopJimmy

Gael23 wrote: »

I dont want to say too much about the role just in case I identify myself but its a fairly junior role. The little bit of feedback I did get was that they thought I had good experience to fit the role but that was a few days afterwards

The decision making process for junior roles wouldn't normally carry on this long, some companies will never regret candidates for these roles and just leave it until they go away. Keep hunting and hopefully something else you like pops up, once September hits the jobs market goes into overdrive

Gael23

I might wait until Monday

Elessar

It's incredibly frustrating and disheartening, and it happens to lots of people. I did an interview a couple years ago for a position I would have loved. I was told I'd hear back but never heard anything, despite repeated attempts of asking the recruiter.

8 weeks later I finally got a call asking me to do a second round interview :eek:

More recently I did a phone interview and was told I'd hear feedback through my recruiter. Despite the recruiter following up, I never heard from them again. Really rude considering the time and effort you put in to interview with them. That company is on my blacklist now, I am not going near them again after it.

Gael23

I rang them on Friday and the last interview was being held on Friday.

LollipopJimmy

Gael23 wrote: »

I rang them on Friday and the last interview was being held on Friday.

How many times have you contacted them?

AlmightyCushion

Gael23 wrote: »

I rang them on Friday and the last interview was being held on Friday.

It looks like you're contacted them at least 3 times and they haven't even finished interviewing for the role. Seriously, if you actually want this job, STOP CONTACTING THEM. It's not going to get them to make a decision on the role any sooner and it will only hurt your chances.

Sebastian Dangerfield

I dont think there's anything wrong at all with a polite follow up, once its done in the right manner (Id recommend an email).

I would have no problem personally asking for an update or an estimate of when there might be one, if 3 weeks have passed. I have hired a number of people and had that happen once or twice, it never damaged my opinion of that person. In some cases we knew approval to hire was forthcoming and tried to make a headstart, only to encounter a delay (approver being on holidays etc). These things happen, I wouldnt assume OP hasnt gotten the job.

Edit: I didnt read the whole thread. If you have contacted them already, definitely dont do it again

hanky2016

Waited 7 weeks to hear back from a company I interviewed for before I was offered the job. Emailed once after 4 weeks and was told they were still deciding. Contacting them that much seems OTT in my opinion.

Gael23

Just seems excessive to take this long.

LollipopJimmy

Gael23 wrote: »

Just seems excessive to take this long.

To be fair you were given some sound advice on this thread which you chose to ignore, which is your right of course, it does seem excessive but it tells a tale. To my eyes they are not happy with the standard of candidate they have seen so far. Ringing them every few days is not going to help your cause and will paint you in a bad light, there's a fine line between being eager and being a pest.

Meeeee79

Gael23 wrote: »

Just seems excessive to take this long.

Im sorry but you need to get your own sense of self importance down a notch or two. It has possibly already been detrimental to your chances of getting this role.

AlmightyCushion

Gael23 wrote: »

Just seems excessive to take this long.

You don't know what is going on in the company. The people who conduct interviews and make these decisions could be insanely busy with other much more important stuff and interviewing/deciding on a candidate is further down their list of priorities. It sucks for you but pushing the point and contacting them multiple times won't help get you that job and could badly hurt your chances.

Gael23

They just offered me the job 😀

LollipopJimmy

Gael23 wrote: »

They just offered me the job 😀

Great news! The lesson here is to be patient!

Meeeee79

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Great news! The lesson here is to be patient!

Or not as they weren't patient at all!!

Well done OP, glad you got the outcome you wanted.

Fian

Gael23 wrote: »

They just offered me the job 😀

congratulations and good for you. Honestly I think your pestering them could have cost you the job, glad it didn't.

nutjobb

Congratulations on the new job! I have been waiting 9 weeks now since interview, was contacted 1 week after and told I got the job just to sit tight for another while

Jimbob1977

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Gael23 wrote: »

They just offered me the job 😀

Great news! The lesson here is to be patient!

In this case, it was the exact opposite

Motivator

Gael23 wrote: »

They just offered me the job 😀

You won't last a month.

dazberry

Motivator wrote: »

You won't last a month.

They don't call you Motivator for nothing