Theyre just not that into youI've seen a lot of people here express concern about how they had a dream interview two or three weeks ago and haven't heard back. I'm one of them. I've also seen a lot of explanations from the other side of the table; these things take time, you aren't the company's only priority, yada, yada... I keep dreaming that I'll pick up the phone and hear. "Hi, this is the job of your dreams. The one you applied to last month? We interviewed 100 people and you were our favorite! When can you start?" But I'm starting to get a sad dose of reality and I realize how foolish that is. Do you know why you always find something in the last place you look? Because when you find it you stop looking. Why wouldn't hiring managers be any different? I can see a week of giving some of the other candidates a fair chance, but two or three? My own experience is that if they don't call in four days they probably won't call. Do any of the applicants have a story that begins with "it was two week since the interview and I hadn't heard back" that didn't ultimately end in tragedy? I think a week or two is jut too short these days. I have gone through interview/decision processes that have lasted months. But my general feeling is that a smart employer who has interest in hiring you will keep you "warm"... let you contact them, keep you up to date, ask you to call if there is going to be a change in your availability, etc... If you are going weeks without feedback, yes it's time to move on. The only time I waited 2-3 weeks after an interview and recieved another interview was for a position as an entry level consultant...WHICH WAS GREAT! I did the the interview after that, and they went months without providing me feedback, and they eventually closed the office, so I didn't get the damn job.
Sometimes it takes a while for everything to be finalized. Sometimes you are not the 1st choice, but still have a shot if the 1st choice backs out. Sometimes they have to wait for someone to get back from vacation. These are just some of the reasons a decision may be prolonged. This being said, if you are one of the front runners, the hiring managers will usually respond to your inquiries and provide periodic updates, make sure you are still available and that you know what's holding up the process. If there is dead silence, it's a "no". I am going through the same thing. I had two phone interviews and a face to face. I was informed almost immediately that the job was on "hold". I inquired a week later just to check things. She replied again with the on "hold" thing and threw in; "I don't know when or if it will be available again". Also stated that I had positive feedback from the people from whom I was interviewed. Now either I made such a good lasting impression on the HR person that she feels that telling me the truth would hurt my feelings or the job is still a possibility. After asking some of my friends, it is not really a good response. I really liked this place though, and the HR women was very professional. I just wish I knew what the hell was going on behind the scenes so I can move on. I know I should NEVER stop looking. But I am not desperate. I can afford to pick and choose and find the right fit. Years ago, companies didn't keep you dangling so long as they do now. And they would acknowledge your application with a note. But today, it's a different story! Many companies don't even acknowledge your sending a resume or applying for work. And they keep you waiting longer after interviewing. But that's the way it is today, and you just have to live with it and realize it's normal. Not every employer treats applicants this way, but it's not unusual either, and I would have to say that most do treat people in this manner. And FYI, with teaching interviews, you generally hear back quicker than in business. But my observation is that if they are interested, they call within 0-4 days. Even if it is just to apologize that they dont have any concrete news they call to make sure that you know that they haven't fogotten you. Because good candidates are hard to find, and they don't want you to slip through their fingers. If they don't call within that time you firmly in the maybe pile, where you may still get another interview, but your odds are better in Vegas. My advice to people who have had the interview of their dreams but then was left sitting by the the phone, is to call the HR rep and the hiring manager only once, just to make sure that your HR rep isn't in the hospital.(actually happened once) Then let it go. They needed a good excuse for not calling you for you to remain interested. | |
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