To think I've not got this job

[tiddlydum]

There are 15 positions going. 30 people interviewed. I did really well in the interview. I was told I'd hear on Wednesday.

Tw of my friends also got interviewed. One also got told they would hear on Wednesday and the other got told the end of the month. They were interviewing until Wednesday morning.

This is for a government organisation that always let you know either way. I've always been rejected in a day or two when I've applied previously.

Wednesday came and one person who is friends with the interviewer got a call late afternoon to say she had been successful. My friend and I have heard nothing. It's now Friday.

I've never had this before.

I felt I did really well in the interview and I was hoping to be a first choice. Now I'm thinking all the successful candidates have been contacted and my friend and I will have to wait for a long time until all the successful candidates have formally accepted. Does this seem likely what has happened? We're both so anxious and stressed about this. I want this job so badly I've been in tears since Wednesday and just don't know what to do.

Should I just forget abut this job? I've not been successful have I?

[TiredMumToTwo]

Can you not call them & say you were told you would know by now & you just wanted to know if you could find out by the weekend. Sound keen & polite & they won't mind. Good luck

[tiddlydum]

If I chase it up I could rule myself out of a job. They usually reject applicants that do that to get them off their back.

[gamerwidow]

I think if they wanted you they would have told you by now. It takes so long time do pre-employment checks for government agencies they normally want to get everything going as quick as possible.
Sorry!

[blackcatlover]

Is it via Civil Service Jobs? If so it takes at least a couple of days to input the info and let CSR know who the successful candidates are before they release it.

A bit unprofessional not to let all the candidates know at the same time IMHO.

[tiddlydum]

They only reject the definite no candidates. Notify successful candidates but keep a few from getting any news incase the successful applicants don't accept. It's awful.

I just want to know either way. It's not looking good and it's so unprofessional to not let us know what's happening. :-(

[Whereisthecake]

I once got interviewed for a job. They didn't get back to me when they said they would (although said they would either way) so I emailed them. (I usually wouldn't do this) but I got an answer, and was successful.

They may just be wanting to go over everyone to make sure if they were still interviewing Wednesday.

[blackcatlover]

Who is it for? For CSR (most Govt depts) it it either offer, reserve list or reject. Normally within a week. This is an appalling way to treat people - you are better off elsewhere.

[Bluntness100]

You're just going to have to wait it out, I'm sorry. Try to stay calm, you will get contacted.

[Dozer]

They would be very unfair to reject people for seeking news after the date when they'd promised to contact people.

[tiddlydum]

I know someone who took 6 weeks to get a job offer from them.

Yes it's horrible. I've decided to apply for other positions. Keep my mind off it and have other options.

[Dozer]

Yes, definitely apply for other things in the meantime.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

Just try to be patient and stop stressing yourself out. What will be will be.

Hiring people isn't always straightforward and it sounds like maybe you weren't an immediate first choice but that doesn't mean you don't still have a chance. It could be, for example, that of the 30 interviewed, 5 people were seen as outstanding and offered the job immediately (your friend could be one of these). 10 could be rejected outright and perhaps the other 15 (including you) were potentially good but maybe not outstanding and they're still deciding who to select. Or they could also be waiting to see if the candidates they've offered accept or reject their offer in case they need to offer to a second choice candidate before notifying unsuccessful candidates. It happens. Don't give up hope until you hear.

I should add that thinking you had a good interview doesn't necessarily mean that you've got the job. I don't want to upset you but it's something you should be aware of going forward. I do a lot of interviewing for my company, hiring both for my own team and other teams. Just because we're had a good chat and got along and maybe had a laugh even doesn't mean I think you're the right person for the job. I may have smiled at your answers and nodded sympathetically. I'm just being polite and professional. I might really like you but that doesn't mean I think you're the right person for the job. I interviewed a guy last year who I really liked and I know he'd do a good job but he just wasn't a cultural fit for my company and I know he'd upset too many people so I had to reject him. By contrast, I've been to interviews that I thought went badly and been offered the job (the worst example being where the interviewer yelled at me and called me a liar - it turns out he was testing to see how I reacted under pressure as some of the people I'd have to work with were quite "brutal"). So you never know. Hang in there.

[TiredMumToTwo]

I can't understand why anyone would let a good candidate go for asking for an update - that's insane!

[ChrisPrattsFace]

MY current job I was told I would hear by the Wednesday, I emailed on the Friday, just asking to chase it up and ensure my contact details were correct encase of a problem. I was successful, life and business got in the way.
Similar for a friend, she waited almost 6 weeks, and had started another job in the mean time.
Try not to worry, and don't be afraid to ask for an update.

[NashvilleQueen]

Is it in the same organisation as your current post?
I am in CS. We generally phone the successful candidates very shortly after the interviews have concluded. Once they have all been told and accepted the post then we move to advise the unsuccessful candidates. In a campaign where they are recruiting a number of people then there is usually a merit list and the successful candidates are ranked in order. So you may have passed the board (if it is on promotion) but not been high enough on the merit list to secure a post. Also the decisions won't be affected by you contacting resourcing and asking when the outcome will be available.

[PigletJohn]

it might be that you are not top of the list and they will offer it to someone else first. If that person doesn't accept they will ask the next suitable person.

[tiddlydum]

Thanks everyone. I doubt anyone will turn the jobs down. I'm gutted that it looks like I'm just a reserve. I felt I did really well but the jobs go to internal applicants. So frustrating!

[Mrsmadevans]

My dd was interviewed for a nhs job she said it went really well and the interview lasted for 45 mins and they were lovely to her etc etc, they didnt ring her that night and I knew she didnt have it . I hope you are wrong op but just in case you don't get it ...Good Luck next time and keep trying

[HundredMilesAnHour]

I doubt anyone will turn the jobs down

You'd be surprised. It happens. Especially if people have more than one role that they're interviewing for.

So don't give up hope yet. But yes, looks for other jobs in the meantime. It's always better to not put all your eggs in one basket.

[tiddlydum]

I've applied for another job.

I really really wanted this one though. It's hard.