Waiting to hear after interview - when do you give up hope?

[basildonbond]

I had an interview on Wednesday which I thought went really well- the panel chair said they had one more interview to do yesterday and they'd let me know by Friday (ie today)

If I haven't heard by close of play today do I assume it's a thanks but no thanks? I am massively overqualified for the job and the person who would be my line manager looked about 12 so that may well have gone against me :(

[HermioneGrangerHair]

If the said Friday, and you haven't heard yet, I guess it's a no. A bit crap if they haven't let you know, but they often keep their options open until their preferred candidate has actually agreed, so if there's been any negotiation, or their first choice was hard to get hold of...

[NiceBitOfCheese]

As well as what Hermione said, sometimes when the panel are keen to get someone appointed they tell the candidates a date for a decision, forgetting that the HR department may take longer to do whatever they do before contacting the interviewees. Fingers crossed.

[MagpieCursedTea]

With my current job I didn't hear back from them for over two weeks. I assumed I hadn't got the job and was quite miffed at their rudeness. Turns out they're all just really disorganised.

Fingers crossed for you!

[BikeRunSki]

Is it public sector? They can take ages - at least 2 weeks if they are interviewing a lot of people, or for several positions, at once.

[PowderMum]

When I was employing people I would always make an offer and get it accepted before I said sorry but no to the other candidates especially if it was a close contest. I also often was not able to make the decision as quickly as I hoped especially when the interview panel had differing views.

From the other side, when I was looking for a new job last year and applying below my 'pay grade' it seemed that if I was contacted very soon after I had applied or interviewed then I had a chance otherwise it was a lost cause.

[BestIsWest]

I'm still waiting to hear about a public sector interview I had 2.5 weeks ago. As BikeRunSki said, they were interviewing a lot of candidates and I know I will definitely hear one way or another.

[Plateofcrumbs]

In my experience of recruitment, I often can't inform unsuccessful candidates as soon as I'd hoped if there is still a discussion going on with the preferred candidate. So it may mean they are talking to someone else.

On the other hand I've also had situations where an interview has been postponed so the decision has been delayed for that reason. I do try to keep candidates updated but sometimes I've simply not had time to do so as promptly as I'd like to have.

[mumofthemonsters808]

Don't give up hope, I did not hear from a job interview that I thought went well, three weeks later, a contract and welcome letter came through the post. I should have known there and then that the organisation was not up to much.Apparently HR had forgotten to call me.

[KingUnitt]

I didn't find out I'd got my current job for about two weeks after they said I'd hear.

It was down to there being a lot of debate about who was going to get the job, as they had a preferred candidate in mind but I threw a spanner in the works

I really hope you hear something soon. It really isn't necessarily bad news. Good luck

[Flingingmelon]

Good luck Basildon!

I always try to remember that anything could have happened with the person that makes the decision and I'm just one thing on a big long to do list.

Occasionally I have emailed to thank the interviewer for their time (I'm a freelancer) to jog their memory a little but that really depends on the company. Other wiser posters will be able to give their opinion on that.

[ProfessorPickles]

I ring up and ask because I got the job when I last had an interview and the person who the manager told to let me know had forgotten!

[basildonbond]

I crumbled and called ... They still hadn't had a meeting to discuss all the candidates but will do so and let everyone know on Monday... I was hoping to have been put out of my misery before the weekend

[MagpieCursedTea]

Not long to wait now, hope you get good news soon!

[molyholy]

I could have written your OP. I went for an interview on Wednesday. Interview went really well. They said they had a full day of interviews on the Thursday and they will be making their decision Friday and contacting people Monday - i.e. today.

I can safely assume I have not got the job and there was somebody more suitable for the position.

I just want them to put me out of my misery. A quick thanks but no thanks email.

I have been involved in interviewing etc., and there is no way I could keep somebody hanging on like this. First all over the weekend, then leaving it to practically the end of the working day.

[basildonbond]

Finally got a call at 5 - didn't get it, it was v close between me and one other candidate apparently which frankly isn't much consolation

Hope you got good news molyholy

[MagpieCursedTea]

Sorry to hear that OP
At least you won't be working for a 12 year old though right?

[molyholy]

Ah sorry to hear that OP, but you still done really well. I would like the job, but I would still be proud to come a close 2nd. I received an email just after 3pm apologising that I had not heard and they will be contacting me today with a decision. So another day of that anxious feeling. I think its a bit off making people wait this long. My boss thinks its because they are having a tough time making a decision. I hope it is that and not just because somebody was off sick