Waiting for a job interview date... what to do?

[TheMasterBaker]

I'm trying to get back into work after previously being self employed for 5 years and the last 3 years as a SAHM so I'm well out of practice with job interview etiquette.
So I applied for a job I really really want, perfect role, location, hours etc, they wanted me and one other to come in for an 'informal' chat to sit with the other 2 members of the very small team. Then if they approve, you meet the directors for their approval before the job is offered. Had my informal chat which I think went very well, relaxed, and they seemed really happy with what I was saying. They said they still had to meet the other person and then I'd be called back for interview.
The chat was last week and I'd have expected to have had some contact about the formal interview part but I haven't had any contact as yet.
Do I keep being patient? 2 family members are saying I should call them to see if there's an update. Another says email them. I really want the job but don't want to call or email them if they're going to think I'm high maintenance or nagging? But if I don't attempt contact, I worry they'll think I'm not that bothered about it.
I'm naturally quite an anxious person so I'm overthinking it I think!
Any advice welcome. Thanks

I would call, its been a week so not unreasonable

Definitely email. You’re just being proactive. Worth referencing how valuable you found the informal chat, and that you’re looking forward to the next stage.

I think a week is a good point at which to follow up, I don't think it will be seen as nagging at all, unless they've stipulated a 2 week decision date, for instance. If I'm feeling super anxious, I will give it the pretext of 'just checking to be sure I haven't missed any notifications'. That somehow makes me feel a bit more confident about asking.

Thank you, I think I'm going to leave it today and keep checking. But I will give them a call if I haven't heard tomorrow. I should have asked in the 'chat' but I completely forgot. No timescales were mentioned and I know that it can be a nightmare getting the 3 directors together to meet as they tend to mill around and don't come in on set days. I'm guessing the office ladies already know which of us they would want but it has to go through directors so I'm thinking that's where the delay is. I just really hope it's me and I think it's why I'm so anxious about it, this is me getting back to being 'me' again and not Mum 24/7 so I'm very excited about it.

Well, I called this morning but the lady I have been dealing with was in a meeting so was going to call me back. That was about 7 hours ago so I'm guessing she's not going to be calling back anytime soon. I just wish they'd be quicker at updating, I'm assuming they don't want me as I would have thought good news would be quicker? Been checking my phone and email all day just in case, but nothing :(

Still not heard anything. They were so positive when I met them and said I'd be coming back in for the interview with the Directors. I'm just assuming now they've decided on the other person but it would be nice if they could just email me at least :(

Sorry to hear that OP, did you contact them? That is crap, especially as you took the time to meet them and there was only one other person being considered (so not like they had to give feedback to loads of people). I hope it doesn't knock your confidence and you find something soon ')

Sorry to hear that OP, but they sound quite disorganised and actually a bit disrespectful - leaving prospective candidates in the dark like that is bad form in my opinion, it’s not hard to send a quick email. Maybe they wouldn’t be that great to work for after all so it’s for the best. You can do better!

Thank you.
Yes I called on Tuesday and the lady was in a meeting, it's a very small but very busy office so wasn't surprised. They left a message for her to call me back but I've not heard anything. If they're trying to pin down a date where all the directors can meet or something, surely they could just drop me a line to say it's still in hand, just confirming a date first or whatever. But I'm wondering if they've decided they prefer the other person and are seeing how they interview first before they turn me down?
It's so frustrating as I have such limited hours I can work until the youngest starts school full time in September next year, and there's just nothing about that will work around childcare for him. I can't afford to pay for extra for him so can only put him in extra if I can get the 30 hour funding, but it's still going to be during normal school hours so I need a 9-3 job. This job is exactly the sort of thing I love to do, no chance to get bored as there's so much work on, perfect hours, flexible days etc to work around my husbands strange shift pattern. I really want to get back into work but I feel like the longer I wait, the less appealing I'll look to employers as I've been a SAHM now for 3 years.
If they don't want me, all I want is a quick email or call to tell me so I can get rid of the tiny bit of hope I have left that I'll get it.

Please don’t let this get you down OP, I’ve just been back in work for a couple of months after being a SAHM - the job searching is so hard and frustrating. You will see jobs and apply thinking ‘that’s the perfect one’, but trust me, if this doesn’t work out something else and possibly better will come along! Don’t give up. I know job hunting and trying to work around childcare is such a ball ache, but it will be worth it in the end. You got through to the interview which means you had a good application which I’m sure will get you another one if needed. They may still get in touch, but until they do it might be worth looking for something else while you wait - no doubt as soon as you start looking you’ll get a call or email from them! And if not you’re already focussed on the next thing and that will help you cope with any disappointment.

Well, they've emailed this evening to tell me the position has been filled. I'm upset I didn't get it but most of all I'm annoyed that they told me I'd come back for the official interview but they didn't even bother with it, just hired the other person. Obviously that person must have been better qualified, or they thought they'd fit in better or whatever, just wish they'd told me the truth and not left me hanging. Been looking at jobs again today, just can't see any way I'm going to find something I can work around the DCs school hours. I so want to get back into work, the older 2 are big enough to be left for a couple of hours in the evenings or whatever but I can't do that with the little one so it leaves me with 2-5 'school' days that I can work. Everything that seems perfect requires weekend working or working outside school hours.