Job Interview - How long to hear back...

[enchantingodin]

I've worked in retail all of my life. And I've had enough. Don't get me wrong I actually like it most of the time. But I am tired of not having a "normal" schedule. So I've been on the hunt for something different since the new year.

2 weeks ago I had an interview for an accounting type position at our local hospital. It seemed to go really well. A lot of smiling, nodding, and over all open body language. I was introduced to the rest of the team (only 3 other people). To me that seems like all good signs.

Day after I sent a thank you email. 8 days after the interview I sent a polite inquiring email about when the time line was for a decision. Got one back the next day simply saying she hadn't made one yet. **sigh**

Today was the 2 week mark after my interview. How does this process normally take? Like I said I've only ever worked in retail. And at all those jobs I've been hired on the spot. So I don't know what to expect.

I don't want to come across as pushy. But the waiting is KILLING me. When should I contact her again?

 

[2Kds2K9]

From my experience, you may not hear anything at all and that's VERY frustrating.

DH has been out of work for almost 2 years and had many interviews. The last one was extremely positive and he felt it was in the bag. Did all the right things and sent a Thank You etc. Has not heard a word. But that is just the latest one. On all of his interviews, he's not heard anything or if he did, it was through the grapevine.

My experience has been the same. I started looking last July. My first interview was very positive and felt I was a shoe in. Never heard a word. I had an interview for a retail job and found out through a friend who worked there that I did not get the job.

It's extremely frustrating that these people will not take two minutes to make a phone call or even send an e-mail. I find it very rude and makes the whole process seem so futile.

Good luck!

 

[Disney Daniel]

I just graduated from university last year so most of the job interviews I went through are still pretty fresh in my mind. I have had waits ranging from one week to not hearing at all even after contacting the company to inquire about the status of the competition. The methods of contact have ranged from "Dear John" type emails to phone calls with an offer for an additional de-briefing meeting (I had come in second place in that interview process and they basically offered to discuss that). My job offer came via email, so don't forget to check your email regularly if they have your email address.

Not trying to be overly blunt, but a response (if any) is basically at the employer's convenience at this point. You never know, someone on the hiring committee may be ill or on vacation which is slowing things down or perhaps reference checks may be taking longer than anticipated. If you feel comfortable enough to ask one of your references if they have been contacted, that may be another way you can "stay in the loop" so to speak without directly contacting the employer.

In my opinion, if you have sent a thank you note and contacted the employer a few days ago, they know you are interested. I would not keep contacting them at this point, but only you know the employer you are dealing with.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you though and I agree that it is quite frustrating to not hear anything. That is something I have kept in my memory so that someday down the line when I am in the hiring chair, if at all possible I would want to keep the candidates updated.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I sympathize. I applied for a job with my town back in January (the closing date for applications was February 7). I didn't hear anything until March 3rd, when I received an email that a test for the position was scheduled for March 10th. Took the test...got a call on March 24th to come in for an interview on March 31st. I also thought the interview went quite well and we all seemed to get along quite nicely. They said they would be in touch after the background check.

I'm still waiting to hear something back...

 

[sharbear]

I'm also looking for a job. I get called for an interview, it goes really well and then nothing. It is so fustrating.

My DD is looking for an internship. She is having the same thing happen to her. Called for an interview, things look promising and then nothing. No call, no email, nothing. She interviewed for a job last week. They said that they would let her know if she got the job or not either last Friday or Monday. Nothing. So she thinks she doesn't have the job but she wishes they would just email her.

Only 4 people interviewed for the job and she is a female engineering student. Really thought she had a chance. She is really down about not finding a job. It doesn't help when people tell you you have no chance for a job without an internship. She's been applying and applying.

 

[Katy Belle]

It can take a while, especially if you aren't their first choice. They may offer it to someone else, then give them some time to make their final decision...and if that falls apart, then offer it to you, or someone else. So by the time they negotiate with a few, it takes some time. Frustrating. Good luck!

 

[java]

Ugh DH is going through this right now. The worst is the one's that say Call on Thursday and we'll have a decision- and then still put you off for another week. If you don't want him just tell him.
All bets are off now. So I would say just be patient. Good Luck.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I'll probably be flamed for this, but since I'm retired and out of the job search business, I'll reveal a little method I used (sometimes successfully, sometimes not): After what I considered a reasonable amount of time, I'd call the hiring office or HR or my contact or whomever might be able to give me an answer and say "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I just learned that my answering machine isn't working properly; it accepts messages but doesn't play them back to me. I'm afraid I may have missed some important calls, including one, I hope, from your office. Can you tell me if someone there may have been trying to contact me? I'd hate to appear uninterested in the position!" All of this said with a huge smile in my voice. If you're not uncomfortable with a little white lie (which is highly unlikely to be discovered), give it a try.

Queen Colleen

 

[sajetto]

I'll probably be flamed for this, but since I'm retired and out of the job search business, I'll reveal a little method I used (sometimes successfully, sometimes not): After what I considered a reasonable amount of time, I'd call the hiring office or HR or my contact or whomever might be able to give me an answer and say "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I just learned that my answering machine isn't working properly; it accepts messages but doesn't play them back to me. I'm afraid I may have missed some important calls, including one, I hope, from your office. Can you tell me if someone there may have been trying to contact me? I'd hate to appear uninterested in the position!" All of this said with a huge smile in my voice. If you're not uncomfortable with a little white lie (which is highly unlikely to be discovered), give it a try.

Queen Colleen

I'm glad this worked for you, but from experience hiring quite a few new employees over the past year, this "white lie" is something HR is very familiar with. We won't call you on it, but we know the deal so we return the "smile in our voice" and provide the information you're looking for.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Well, when I used it, 100 years ago, it was new, so that's probably why it usually worked LOL! Most of my working life was with the US Gov't, so once I was in...

But on behalf of those trying this little subterfuge on your company, thank you for providing the requested info with a smile in your voice as well. It's a tough economy out there and every little act of kindness is surely appreciated.

Queen Colleen

 

[deedeetoo]

I just went through a job search where I got the job. Even though everything was positive from the start, it took two months from the first interview before I got the offer. At one point, I was convinced they had changed their mind because there was such a long break in communication. It turned out they were just very busy and the hiring process got pushed to the back burner. Then I was told they would have an offer to me by a certain date and it didn't come. When I inquired why, it turned out that someone who had to sign off was on vacation so they were waiting for him to return. Unfortunately, sometimes it can just take awhile even when it does work out.

 

[enchantingodin]

Thanks for all the best wishes everyone.

I have asked the administrative coordinator (kinda like a HR person, and kinda not) at my current job to let me know if she hears anything. I saw her Sat, and she hasn't heard anything yet. But I doubt she'd be the one they would actually talk to. So who knows...

Another tactic (white lie) I thought of trying was the, 'I have another offer.' Something like; you are my first choice but I've had another offer, when do you think you will make a decision. But I think this may be too risky, and possibly backfire. On the one hand, if they really wanted me it might motivate them to move it along. On the other if they were kinda ify on me they might just blow me off for someone else. Thoughts?

 

[dizluvah]

Thanks for all the best wishes everyone.

I have asked the administrative coordinator (kinda like a HR person, and kinda not) at my current job to let me know if she hears anything. I saw her Sat, and she hasn't heard anything yet. But I doubt she'd be the one they would actually talk to. So who knows...

Another tactic (white lie) I thought of trying was the, 'I have another offer.' Something like; you are my first choice but I've had another offer, when do you think you will make a decision. But I think this may be too risky, and possibly backfire. On the one hand, if they really wanted me it might motivate them to move it along. On the other if they were kinda ify on me they might just blow me off for someone else. Thoughts?

Personally I don't think trying to force their hand is the way to go. Just try to keep positive and be patient.

 

[enchantingodin]

I guess I really don't get why it's all so clouded in mystery. If I were a hiring manager I would be very honest with people. Something like, 'I've had 6 other interviews. And have an additional 2 more this week. Right now you are ranked 3rd on my list of candidates. Unless one of my upcoming prospects does really well I would expect that to stay the same. If my offer to the first 2 falls through I will let you know with-in 2 weeks.'

How hard is that?

 

[kwelch10377]

I guess I really don't get why it's all so clouded in mystery. If I were a hiring manager I would be very honest with people. Something like, 'I've had 6 other interviews. And have an additional 2 more this week. Right now you are ranked 3rd on my list of candidates. Unless one of my upcoming prospects does really well I would expect that to stay the same. If my offer to the first 2 falls through I will let you know with-in 2 weeks.'

How hard is that?

There are a seveal reasons. They may not know where you fall on the list of prospects at the time of the interview. Many times there are several people interviewing one person and/or reviewing resumes and there is a discussion to see what everyone together thinks of the prospects. Most people aren't going to make a call where you stand with them at the end of an interview because they need time to reflect on the interview itself and review notes.

In this job market businesses are get SO many applicants and it takes a lot to go through everything and many times there is just not the time to get back in contact with everyone. There is also the issue that many companies post a job, start to interview for it and then find out they no longer have funding for the position.

 

[enchantingodin]

Fair enough. My point was I don't understand the lack of communication. Especially in this day and age. It takes 30 seconds to shot me an email, even less if you are sending it out in mass, to let me know what's going on.

For example I applied for a job with the town about a month ago. 3 days after it closed I got a quick email from an HR rep saying (paraphrasing) 'We have received 157 applications for xyz position. We expect to take 2 weeks to go through them. If you don't hear anything by then you were not selected for an interview.'

That shows me the people there are on the ball and know what they're doing... So in hindsight maybe I DON'T want to work at the hospital...

 

[FlightlessDuck]

December 1998, I interviewed for a job with my current employer. After not hearing back for awhile, and it was getting close to Christmas, I called the manager of the department I was interviewing and just flat out asked her what gives.

She said I had the job.

Probably not "etiquette", but it worked for me.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I think it is a hospital thing.

I work for a hospital and it took about 3 months after submitting my application before I even got an interview. At the interview they told me I pretty much had the job, they just needed to make sure my drug test and background check came back without any issues; I finally got a phone call telling me I officially had the job about 1-2 months later.

I'm now in the process of trying to transfer to a different department (I finished my MA schooling). So far, the positions I have been interviewing for have taken 3-4 weeks to send me out a rejection email.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I can understand your frustration. My supervisor takes forever to hire someone. I don't know why, but it always takes her at least a month or two. I work in a hospital (not saying they are all the same, they aren't), and some of it is HR procedures that take awhile, and some of it is not. Our HR department only sends out an email or letter (depending on how you apply, I think) after someone has been hired to let you know you didn't get the job. There is no other contact until a decision is made, unless they want a second interview or something like that. I applied for a job in a different department a year or so ago. I had the interview and 5 weeks later got the email that the position was filled.

 

[JLTraveling]

I feel your frustration. I'm a freelance writer, so it works a little differently for me, but at the same glacial pace. For one of my current employers, I had to spend two weeks in the equivalent of writers' boot camp, creating a website and filling it with well-crafted articles, while competing against an unknown number of other writers. I found out pretty quickly, but unofficially, that I got the job, but I didn't hear anything official for another week!

Individual magazine queries are even worse. It took literally three months to get the go-ahead to write one particular article, another two months (and a couple of rewrites) for it to be published, and then another 30 days to get paid! Nice, fat check, though, when it finally came.

But worst of all is the book publishing process. I'm currently in the "find an agent" stage. I've queried agents and waited anywhere from one week to six months to get a "no." Several I haven't heard back from at all. I hear that once I get an agent, it'll be another X months to find a publisher, then another year or two to actually get the book published!

Sending great thoughts your way! I know just how frustrating waiting can be!