Response time after interview - how long is too long?

[DiamondsAndRust]

Advice needed please, as I haven't been through the job application process for a while and am more than a bit clueless! I applied for a job a while back - it's in a different field from what I've been doing recently, but my skills/qualifications are highly relevant. Didn't hear anything for ages (six weeks or so!) and had pretty much given up, but then I was called for interview. I felt the interview went well, and they gave me some follow-up tasks to do afterwards - they were going to make decisions about 2nd round interviews based on these.

Did the tasks, sent them in as requested - but have heard nothing since. This was more than a fortnight ago now, and I'm wondering where I stand. It's a highly competitive field - think they interviewed about a dozen of us in the first instance - so I'm fairly convinced I haven't been successful, but I'm surprised not to have heard either way. I'm aware that in the current climate unsuccessful candidates are unlikely to be notified after the initial CV stage, but having turned up for interview and effectively done several days' unpaid work for them, I would have expected some kind of response.

Is this the 'new normal' for job interviews? Is it worth emailing them, or should I give up and move on? I don't want to make a pain of myself in case I want to reapply for another position later on!

[oddslippers]

I would email ensuring you are polite and reasonable, you've nothing to lose, good luck.

[EBearhug]

I would send a polite mail, too. 2 weeks should be long enough for them to respond, so it's fine to enquire when you will get to know the outcome.

[hermioneweasley]

Not unreasonable to follow up at all, even if to make sure the papers were actually received

[OlympicSleepingChampion]

I would email also but I know that the last 2 recruitment exercises that were done where I work took much longer than they should have done as they were waiting to interview candidates who were unavailable on the scheduled interview dates.

In one case the final two interviews took place 3 weeks after the rest of the candidates had been interviewed, which obviously meant everyone else had to wait ages after their interview for the results. Whilst there is an argument that if you're not available on interview dates then you should be struck out, employers still want the best candidates so they will extend deadlines if they think it is in their interests to do so.

Definitely follow it up though.

[OlympicSleepingChampion]

And I should add that none of the candidates were officially informed of the reasons for the delay. The internal candidates were just lucky to be told informally, the external ones would not have had a clue. Pretty poor really.

[Putthatbookdown]

These days employers receive hundreds of applications for jobs- so the ball is in their court However, in roles requiring specialist skills or vast experience etc this is less so If it is a job that anyone can do then you could argue they will have more applications and not care a hoot. But if it is a specialist role and they know you are that specialist they will understand that you will want to get cracking and not hang about either ie you may be appyling for other jobs It is all down to supply and demand Another factor is their policies if they are into equal opps etc they may have to follow a fair recruitment process and this takes time

[EBearhug]

These days employers receive hundreds of applications for jobs- so the ball is in their court

Yes, but it's a much smaller pool now they've interviewed.