No offer or rejection 2 days later

[Fieldday]

Hi all, I had an interview two days ago and still haven’t heard from them. Would you assume it’s a no? It’s strange because both the HR manager and the HOD, at separate times, said I should hear from them that evening or the next morning at the latest - and now it’s the weekend and still no news. I’m not exactly what they are looking for (no recent experience in the year groups they want and so subject knowledge was a little rusty - though with a little brushing up I’m confident I’d be grand) and so was expecting a straight no. I’m not sure if I even want it but it just feels so up in the air, and unusual in the teaching profession, to go into the weekend with no news.

I'd agree it's unusual to leave you so long without an answer either way.

Sounds obvious but have you checked your spam folder?

I suspect the wait may be because the school are waiting to hear back from their first choice candidate before contacting the other candidates with the outcome. Their first choice may have asked for the weekend to make up their mind, and so they're not in a position to contact anyone until they've had a firm acceptance or rejection from them.

I think if you were their first choice you would have heard by now. That doesn't mean to say you won't still get the job, though.

Thanks EnidSpyton. Yes, I suspect you must be right. I’ve asked for a weekend once too so know it happens. Or, given I was the only candidate on the day - perhaps they are hoping some applications come in from others with more recent experience - which I can’t blame them for. Truthfully I think I’ll feel relieved if it’s a no because I really am very happy where I am and staying will mean some semblance of a work life balance (while moving would mean another couple of gruelling years to get to grips with new texts etc). Anyway, thanks for responding.

Sometimes you need to go to an interview elsewhere to help you realise you’re actually happy where you are!

If you’d feel relieved to not get it (and might feel pressured to accept if you do), then it might be a good idea to withdraw now?

@Fieldday old thread I know but what was the outcome?

@prospectivenhs I didn’t get this one. I stayed where I was and since then have been promoted twice. I’ve also returned to teaching the year groups I hadn’t at the time - so all in all, in retrospect, it feels like it worked out for the best.

@Fieldday thanks for getting back to me. Glad to hear that you've had success in your post since then! Perhaps they'd said the next day in case you were second choice candidate.