Interview follow up

[gointothewoods]

I applied for a great job a while back and went through a very rigorous interview/ assessment process that involved 4 different stages including phone interviews and a presentation and case study. The last step in the 4 step process was the 12th of March (a Thursday) and I was told that I would have a decision the following week. I then received an email late that week from HR to say that the decision makers were travelling and I would have an update on the 26th March.

Nothing. So on the 30th March (Monday of this week) I followed up with a brief email saying that I was very interested in the role and was wondering if there was any update. I got a prompt response saying that HR were chasing the decision maker and they knew they were anxious to hire soon and they would get back to me. All very friendly, open, chatty tone to the emails so far. So it’s Friday and still nothing.

I assume at this stage that I haven’t got the job but I’d like to know one way or the other so I can do some work on my CV over the weekend and regroup. Would it be unreasonable of me to email again today asking if there was any update?

I would wait until next week tbh, today's a bank holiday anyway if you're in the UK. If it's any consolation, where I work some things you would expect to be dealt with quickly, like recruitment decisions, are not always. Some senior people mull things over when you might think they'd decide straight away. It doesn't mean they are courting someone else.

That said you have to ask whether you want to work somewhere where they take forever to decide on these kinds of things. It can be frustrating!

Honestly ?
I wouldn't email again
I would assume you haven't got it & work on your cv
I suspect you'll get a letter next week saying you didn't get it

Don't email again - once is enough. You maybe a second choice and 1st choice is dithering (that happened to a friend of mine and took weeks when she should have heard in days - she got the job though)

Get on and work on your CV anyway

Good luck

The sense of time can be distorted beyond distortion at these times I find. Decision makers can take an absolute age and not keep their time promises. I know you need to know but agree leave it another week. Distract yourself, change your focus and yes do a set amount of work on your cv. good luck and definitely don't assume you have not got it. What's for you won't go by you.

Yeah ok I'll let it be!
I invested a huge amount of time and energy in the very rigorous process so am quite disappointed by the lack of follow up.

I've had many an interview over the years, some cases there's been multiple interviews etc, where I've never heard back at all. I'm afraid in this day & age many companies just don't bother with telling unsuccessful candidates as they are only interested in the person they offer the job to.

I was taught that you should never stop job hunting until the day the contract has been signed by both parties, as up until that time offers can be withdrawn often through no fault of the candidate or even the prospective employer - I lost one contract role 2 days before the contract was due and one week before I was due to start because a maternity returner was given the job instead.

I know; you have to invest soooo much time, heart and brain these days into application process.

A couple of years ago I went through similar and I can hand on heart say that I learnt such a lot from that time that still serves me well. That probably sounds completely completely trite but because the emotions were heightened and I was putting in loads of effort, anything I learned knowledge and skills-wise and process wise and human nature wise through the process is now etched on my memory. Effort is rarely wasted even if it takes a while to see a causal result. God I sound like such a wanker this morning but you get my drift. Have a good Easter. 5 targeted cv improvements then enjoy your weekend!

If they mess you about like this you probably don't want to work for them (small consolation).

Unless this job is putting some sorely needed time management / communications in place I don't think this company really has a lot to offer if they are this slack at doing what they've agreed. Their reputation as reliable wont exsist. Their HR are ineffective and there are major hints at blame culture (trying to get the decision maker?) right there.

Great feedback, thanks.
They came back to me first thing Tuesday morning with a job offer and were sincerely apologetic about the delays. Once I accepted the offer they were super quick to respond with the relevant paperwork etc so seems that HR are efficient!

Ahh fab! Well done!