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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Original poster

chorltonwheelies · 08/01/2018 21:36

Thanks everyone.

It feels agonising. If I have got the job, then a lot needs to change in terms of our routine, including things like sending DS to Nursery for the first time, so we've been spending the past 8 weeks working out hypothetical scenarios.

It's crystallised the fact that I really do want to go back to work FT. I've had 9 years of having and raising babies and am climbing the walls, but opportunities like this are few and far between. The money would be properly life-changing.

Have I said yet that I really want the job?!

OP posts:

edwinbear · 08/01/2018 21:38

I spent 10 months job hunting and interviewing last year. I think they still haven't made a decision. What I learned going through the process, is that obviously for you, it's all encompassing, but for the Company, recruitment (rightly or wrongly) takes a bit of a back seat to day to day, business as usual.

Original poster

chorltonwheelies · 08/01/2018 21:40

@tedster77 No weeing in the street, or being hoisted on piggy-back with no knickers on NYE. Maybe next year.

OP posts:

usualGubbins · 08/01/2018 21:42

When I got my current job I'd been told that I would be told at the beginning of the following week (interview on the Wednesday). I told them I was going on holiday for a week with a big timezone difference (8 hours) So I was glued to my phone all week. No calls or voicemails. Though oh well (and I really wanted the job) Middle of the following week I rang the (internal) recruiter who told me that she'd not heard of a decision yet! I eventually found out I'd got the job 3 days later, so almost 2 weeks after they promised I would hear.

Having been in the job for a while now I can see how other things would have taken priority, but it didn't help me! Just have patience, while it's a no response it's not a 'no'!!

Botanicbaby · 08/01/2018 21:42

Like PP say there could be a myriad of reasons why they haven't contacted you yet so don't write it off.

However, you sound hugely over-invested in this one role even with all the going over hypothetical scenarios for 8 weeks. I know it is understandable and that you really really want the role but it never hurts to cast the net a bit wider, not put all your eggs in one basket. I do wish you luck and hope that you get it . Though if you don't get it - at least see the positive outcome that after 9 years the application process has crystallised in your mind that you do want to work FT which is a further step on than before you applied.

Shakey15000 · 08/01/2018 21:44

Nothing to add except good luck vibes

SimplyNigella · 08/01/2018 21:50

The real positive here, whether you are successful in this role or not, is that you now know for sure that you to return to employment rather than staying freelance. You also know that you interview very well to have got to the final stage.

Don’t assume this role is a no yet, but also start contacting recruiters in your field to see what other roles might be out there. Not every role is advertised, nationally or otherwise, so it may be that there are similar opportunities that could come your way once the right people know you are looking.

BewareOfDragons · 08/01/2018 21:51

Fingers crossed for you, OP.

HermionesRightHook · 08/01/2018 21:54

Far too early to worry or write them off as unprofessional. If you haven't heard by Thursday then I would say they're being really off.

But anything could have happened, from illness to waiting on a budget holder for approval that hasn't come yet.

SparklyLights · 08/01/2018 21:54

Good luck! Like PP have said, there's lots of reasons why they haven't called (yet). From your OP I thought you were going to say it was a no, so to find out you're still in the running... happy days! (although, your impatience is totally understandable of course).

Wait until Wednesday and then maybe consider giving them a very polite call if you haven't heard. Hopefully you'll get some good news before then though!

Viviennemary · 08/01/2018 22:04

It's annoying but it doesn't sound that unusual. They may have offered the job to another candidate and are waiting for them to accept or decline and then might offer it to you. Or it could just be they've not decided yet. Try to be patient. I agree it certainly doesn't mean a no.

agacia · 08/01/2018 22:04

They will be in touch with you tomorrow. I know it is difficult but I would not worry. Watch a movie!
Good luck!!

soundsystem · 08/01/2018 22:06

I think I've had this with pretty much every job I've ever got. It's so frustrating, but is definitely give them another day or two before chasing. Good luck!

Abbotswood · 08/01/2018 22:13

Is it the NHS? you could be waiting a long time....

That said, maybe they are getting your references

Where is the unprofessional behaviour?

Sparklesocks · 08/01/2018 22:13

As others have said anything could be happening - a key person could be off sick, or two people stuck in meetings couldn’t meet up to discuss properly, there could be some disagreement about salary bands etc. It also might be that they’ve offered it to someone else and that person is still mulling it over.

See what happens, until you get a no you’re in with a shot!

Tapandgo · 08/01/2018 22:15

Hope phone rings

MidniteScribbler · 08/01/2018 22:18

Don't panic. I'm on a recruitment panel, and there are a million reasons why a decision may be delayed or not had a chance to call - someone gets sick, waiting on call backs from references, or even just being busy. The job I'm in now, I got called two weeks after the interview when I'd given up on thinking I had the job. They'd had someone off sick and were really busy, so it was just put to the side for a little while.

I think the fact that they gave you a 'holding' phone call shows that they are professional and will contact you one way or another.

Moanaohnana · 08/01/2018 22:20

I hope you have changed some details here, OP, as this is quite a recognisable scenario if anyone involved in the recruitment sees this. It may make them consider YOU unprofessional for complaining to an online forum that you didn't get a phonecall. If you haven't changed details I'd get it deleted.

Original poster

chorltonwheelies · 08/01/2018 22:55

It's why I changed name, so I couldn't be identified via previous posts and the dates have changed too. It's highly unlikely that those involved would be trawling MN AIBU on a Monday night.

I realise I am over-invested, not least because this is potentially a big life-change for me, whereas for them it's a case of whether Chorlton is going to be the best person for the job.

I don't mind being told IABU or unrealistic, it's why I asked! But thanks for the advice everyone, appreciated. I'll keep you posted and fingers crossed.

OP posts:

seastargirl · 09/01/2018 07:40

Songs to me like you're a close second, they're holding off while waiting to find out if the other candidate accepts. Good luck!

seastargirl · 09/01/2018 07:40

Sounds not songs!

lonelymum86 · 09/01/2018 07:47

I think you’re second. They’re waiting to see if the other candidate says yes before letting you down.

chatwoo · 09/01/2018 07:52

I have found that recruiters/hiring managers never respond by the deadline they set themselves.

Sadly I also find that the longer they take, the higher chance of it being a negative response ().

I've sent emails before, something like 'really enjoyed our interview etc, any sign of a decision yet?'

ArchchancellorsHat · 09/01/2018 08:14

I'm still waiting to hear back from an interview too - I was told I'd hear by the 18th so also think it's quite unprofessional not to have even sent a holding email. Though I also know that there are likely to be other factors.

I hope you get it though OP.

BarbaraofSevillle · 09/01/2018 08:17

They’re waiting to see if the other candidate says yes before letting you down

Sorry but this is probably the result. In my experience they offer the preferred candidate the job and they have to accept and provide references and perhaps go through security clearance etc and only once this has all been sorted out will they tell the other candidates they were unsuccessful.

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