Why the delay? (Interview related)

[HRAdviceNeededPlease]

I went for an interview yesterday, went ok….lots of things I forgot to say and couple of times I got a bit tongue tied but ok, wasn’t anything I couldn’t answer I don’t think. The interviewer said she would get back to me today, and has instead sent an email saying she will be in touch early next week.
Anyone with experience of sitting on an HR job interview panel - what would the reasons for this delay be?!

I know I was the last person to be interviewed so it’s not that they have others to interview.
Could it be they are waiting for someone else to accept and are keeping me on the back burner as option number 2?
Or that they are checking whether they can accommodate part time working? (They said they could in the interview )
My anxious mind is working overtime wondering what it could be?
thanks in advance for any help!

Stop overthinking it. The next day would normally be very soon to hear back.

Loads of reasons. Busy with other stuff. Wanting to speak to a colleague about it.

Hi OP, I've been in your position twice before, and it was bad news once and food news the other time.

Once, the preferred candidate (not me) had asked the panel for a couple of days to mull over if they wanted to accept the job.. everyone else was originally told they'd find out that day but were then called and told they'd find out in a few days. (Obviously the panel didn't say this to the non successfully candidates. I found this out afterwards as I happened to know the successful candidate).

The other time I was preferred candidate. I had asked at interview if they'd consider different hours. It took longer than expected to get a call; I think they'd originally said I'd hear back on the same day, so when I didn't I assumed I hadn't got it. When they phoned it turns out I was preferred candidate all along but they said they took longer to call as they needed to clarify with management if they'd okay the different hours I asked for.

Good luck and please keep us posted

Thanks for your replies! I do really want this job so I’m hoping it’s not because I’m not the preferred candidate……also annoyed with myself for forgetting to mention really key things I’d practiced saying beforehand!

I know what it's like OP, still cringing at things I said (and forgot to say) in a recent interview!!! But I got the job so can't have been too bad. I try to tell myself that everyone is in the same boat and will have forgotten a few things.. really hoping for you that you've got it 🤞🏻🤞🏻

thanks @DancinOnTheCeiling and congratulations on getting the job!

Honestly don’t worry. I’ve been on lots of panels and it takes ages to consolidate everyone’s notes, someone from the panel might be on leave today. You can’t do anything to change it now, good luck!

I’ve recruited in previous roles and several things can hold a decision up:

If one or more panel member is busy with urgent work and can’t meet right away to discuss their thoughts/feedback.

If the role has been offered to the top candidate and they’re waiting to hear back, or the preferred candidate has higher salary expectations and they need sign off from higher ups first. Or like you, there might a special working arrangement needing sign off.

If the panel genuinely can’t come to an agreement.

its annoying to be waiting over the weekend but until you hear a no, you’re still in the race!

There could literally be a hundred reasons. Decision-maker tied up with other stuff. Delayed interview with someone else. Key client event. Don't read the tea leaves; assume you haven't got it unless and until you're told you have, and focus on other applications.

It might be a reflection on the types of places I've worked, but I have never received an answer/feedback on the day they told me in interviews! It's just one of those things.

Best of luck!! 🤞

Often people are just too busy to deal with it. Not necessarily the recruitment team but the hiring manager. I used to work somewhere and sometimes it would take my boss two weeks to get back to someone. I thought it was rude but I imagine that there are plenty of others like this.

Thanks!

Ps I'll send good vibes for you ☺️

When I interview I try and contact people on the day, but if the person you offer the job to doesn't immediately say yes, everyone else has to wait for the outcome (because if they say no, you can then offer your number 2. If number 2 says no, you go to number 3 etc.... But you don't want to tell 2 and 3 they r reserves!)

Maybe you r number 2? Or maybe the panel just wanted to sleep on it. It happens :)

Good luck 🤞

I was interviewing recently and promised I’d get back to people the next day then quickly realised it was impossible because I had to get final sign off from HR on the salary before I could make an offer and no one in our HR department seemed to work Fridays.

Good luck!

In general, jobs are like dating. If they want you, they like to close it down fast.

Same for you - keep lots of applications on the go. I know it's hard, but it stops you showing up as someone with all their eggs in one basket.

then you don't have to be too focussed on the inevitable rejections. Some will be upfront and some will fudge the issue. Either way, like dating, nothing to do with you. Just not a right fit.

Good luck xx

Did you hear anything today @OP?