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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Potential new job - unprofessional behaviour?

109 replies

chorltonwheelies · 08/01/2018 20:58

Name-changed as this could be outing. Sorry if long, trying not to drip-feed. Posting this on Monday eves.

I applied for a job which was advertised nationally in November. Closing date was 19th Nov. No agency involved. I've been out of formal FT work for 9 years & freelance, but knew I was more than qualified for this, even though it appears high-level (Job has Director in the title).

The advert said that the interviews would take place 4th Dec and the position would start early in the New Year.

I applied, really wanting the job. Perfect time, perfect salary, perfect opportunity.

They called me for interview, on the 5th December. I didn't think I'd performed as well as I could so was really pleased when they got back to me and called me to 2nd stage interview, which was on Thursday.

Interview was a presentation to a panel of 9 and then a 1-1 with Chairman.

I thought it all went quite well & Chairman told me that they would let me know the next day (Friday) as he understood given my freelance work, I'd need to know sooner rather than later. (If I got the job I'd need to give up my freelance work as there would be a conflict).

I get a phonecall at 5.30pm on Friday telling me that it's just a holding call, they are really sorry but they haven't come to a decision yet, the decision will be made Monday.

I've been on tenterhooks all day sat by the phone, I can't stress how much I want this job, everything about it seems to just 'fit', I really like the organisation and know that I could do such a great job and furthermore really enjoy it too.

Anyway. The feckers haven't rung. I'm presuming it's a no. AIBU to think it's really rude of them not to ring me. Should I ring them tomorrow? They have my email address and have done most of the correspondence via email. It's not hard to ring or email someone with a no, is it, or are they just going to send me a polite letter via snail mail?

I've been out of the workplace for 9 years, so perhaps not up to speed with current practice. . I don't feel entitled to the job, I know they don't have to tell me, but AIBU to feel that this is bad behaviour, as well as feeling a bit crushed by it all.

I've been emotionally invested in this job since November, I had the presentation hanging over me all over Christmas, so surely it wouldn't have hurt to let me know? Meh.

OP posts:
rjay123 · 08/01/2018 21:00

It sounds as if they still haven’t made a decision. Sit on your hands for another 24 hours.

Cherrycokewinning · 08/01/2018 21:00

I don’t think you can assume a no. They’re either still considering or just been too busy to phone- an emergency maybe?

Sounds like you did really well

BellyBean · 08/01/2018 21:01

They said they'd call, so a polite call to your contact is fine. It's possible something major raised its head and they didn't have time to call.

Alternatively you are second choice and they're waiting for a firm yes from their first choice candidate before giving you the news.

AnathemaPulsifer · 08/01/2018 21:01

Quite likely they just haven’t decided yet.

Lovebehindthefool · 08/01/2018 21:03

I hate this aspect of job hunting! However don’t assume it is a no yet, it might have been they didn’t make the decision today. Or it could be a no and the person they phoned to offer it to first is thinking about it? Either way just try to remain calm. I would give it until Wednesday or end of day tomorrow before contacting them. Although I would think I hadn’t got it if I hadn’t heard by then. Good luck!

wheresmyphone · 08/01/2018 21:03

If it is anything like where I have worked previously everyone will be juggling a million other things and tasks and whilst this recruitment is your main focus it is probably only in their Top 20 of stuff of things on their desk. Wait. Do not push yet. They will have probably given a holding phone call to top 2 candidates and binned the rest. Good luck. You have done really well to get this far!

redexpat · 08/01/2018 21:06

They might hsve offered it to another candidate and are waiting to hear if they are accepting or declining. You could be next in line. Or they havent decided yet.

RB68 · 08/01/2018 21:06

Given my recent experience (new job 2 Jan) no its not unusual some managers are crap at time management and crap at meeting deadlines for decisions. Other times life takes over and everyone seems to be super pushed these days - idea why our productivity is down as a country as we all seems to be spending our wheels

emma6776 · 08/01/2018 21:07

I’d wait - I work in recruitment & there could be so many factors delaying the decision - we’ve had so many people off sick over winter that getting final hiring decisions rubber stamped is taking forever as there’s no one here to do it. Hope you get it - good luck!

rightsaidfrederickII · 08/01/2018 21:09

FWIW post interview I've always been told the outcome. The cast iron rule has been email for a no, phone call for a yes, literally no exceptions in my personal experience.

MayhemandMadness01 · 08/01/2018 21:10

Sounds like they may have offered it to someone else but are negotiating terms, if they can't agree then you may still have a chance.

usedtogotomars · 08/01/2018 21:11

I hate it so much when this happens. It makes you feel rubbish, like you’re not even worth a phone call, so I sympathise.

LoveProsecco · 08/01/2018 21:12

Fingers crossed for you

NC4now · 08/01/2018 21:12

It’s possible you are second choice and they are waiting to hear back from first choice. Or someone’s off sick. Or anything really.
Give them a bit longer.
(I’ve just gone from freelance to staff and it’s a bit of a shock to the system. I’d gone a bit feral!)

Haffdonga · 08/01/2018 21:14

A key decision maker may have gone off sick with norovirus
They may be waiting for sign off from director.
They may be waiting for another person to accept before rejecting you.
They may be incompetent, lazy or rude.

You just have to wait. Sorry.

KERALA1 · 08/01/2018 21:17

Good luck op

iMatter · 08/01/2018 21:23

I agree with others.

It's not necessarily a no. I know it's hard but give it another 24 hours.

Good luck Thanks

GardenGeek · 08/01/2018 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TakeTheCrown · 08/01/2018 21:30

Don't jump to contact them yet. Give them till close business Wednesday then send a polite enquiry by email.

Serin · 08/01/2018 21:30

it doesn't exactly paint their company in a great light though does it!

Good luck OP, hope you get the news you want tomorrow.

ArsenalsPlayingAtHome · 08/01/2018 21:32

Good luck, OP.

Keep us posted!

Tedster77 · 08/01/2018 21:33

When you said unprofessional behaviour I honestly thought in the interim you’d been arrested/exposed in a porno/snapped by the local paper weeing in the street on NYE Blush.

I would worry yet - yes it’s very annoying but in my experience not unusual.

Ijustlovefood · 08/01/2018 21:33

Good luck

EmmaC78 · 08/01/2018 21:33

I would also wait a but longer if I were you. I would give them another day at least.

Rudi44 · 08/01/2018 21:35

I think it's fine in a day or so to shoot them a friendly breezy email along the lines of 'am assuming as I haven't heard by now I haven't been successful, I just wanted to let you know that I would be really keen to be considered for any future positions in your company'.
I have done this before and got an email back to say, 'no, sorry, we haven't come back to you because we are just making some changes to the job spec, it's not that you weren't successful.' It's not as pushy as straight out asking if they have bloody well decided yet!
Don't lose hope, it might still be a yes

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