Screwed up chances by calling after 1st interview?

[pandarific]

I'm waiting on a notification of whether or not I'll be called back for a 2nd interview at a PR company, a job I would really absolutely adore to get. I'm a career changer and it's a junior role, but I don't mind this at all as prospects are great there.

I had my first interview on the 28th, there was no word last week about a 2nd interview, though I had to chase to get invited for the 1st interview though, and they mentioned in the interview they'd been interviewing other candidates.

I wasn't sure of the timescale of the recruitment process, i.e. when they'd let those who'd made the 2nd interview know, and I was finishing up my current position on the 6th Dec, which they knew of. when I'd not heard by Wednesday last week, I gave the company a call, to see if I could feel out when they might likely make a decision on 2nd interviews. I asked if HR manager who'd interviewed me was there, was told no, she was out sick that day. Lovely receptionist took a message for me, just me asking if they knew what the timescale was for hearing back about 2nd interview, but I didn't hear anything on Thurs.

So late Friday afternoon (yesterday) I called again, asked for the HR manager just to see if I could ask her about it, receptionist went away, then came back and said that she'd said she's been in and out of meetings all week, but that she will get back to me.

I'm now worried I may have damaged my chances by calling and potentially annoying the HR manager. I just wanted to demonstrate how much I want to work for them - it was really very much a dream job for me, I really really wanted it.

Are there any hiring managers here or just anyone who's had this kind of experience who could tell me if they think I've damaged my chances? I really hope not - I just want the job so much, very much wasn't trying to annoy. The interview itself I think went really, really well, and they seemed impressed with me.

Well the time to ask about timescales for 2nd interviews was really at the first interview itself. The fact that you are available from 6 Dec is not going to influence their decision-making in any way.

If you had your first interview on 28th and didn't know when second interviews would be scheduled, it was a bit "keen" to phone chasing less than a week later and then to phone again 2 days later! The HR Manager has been ill and is obviously busy and if they are interviewing candidates over a period of time, scheduling 2nd interviews may not be top of her priority list. She may not have seen all the candidates even once yet!

I don't think you have damaged your chances although I might be a bit annoyed that you had called a second time, particularly as you knew I had been ill. Just don't call again before they come back to you!

Thanks unexpected - I know, I feel like a bit of an idiot really. I'll stay quiet and unproblematic from now on.

If I was interviewing people for a job, I would want the best person and certainly wouldn't rule someone out for having phoned to follow up a couple of times - that would be foolish.

I don't think you have damaged your chances. It shows you are interested.

Unfortunately recruitment processes only run as quickly as the hiring company want. From the outside it can seem slow but you just don't know what is going on inside (illnesses, awaydays, crisises etc).

However I would also say I wouldn't assume you'll get a 2nd (if you are) and keep on job hunting.

Good luck, sounds exciting changing completely.

You haven't ruined your chances.

If you'd chased me and I had two messages, is probably be more embarrassed that you'd called twice .

If she's a standalone HR manager then her time will be pulled everywhere. Like MrsMargo said, other things comeup which are priority over recruitment sometimes (investigations, grievances, meetings about meetings...)

Keep searching, it's unlikely they'll be making offers this side of Christmas.

Welcome to the world of job hunting...

You haven't screwed up your chances but they will operate at their own speed.

I always keep looking whether I really want particular job or not.

Just had an apologetic email from HR manager, 2nd interview next week! Thank you so much for calming me down - literally couldn't sleep worrying about it.

So delighted, really hope it all goes off well. But I've taken your advice on keeping searching, and am applying for other positions too - have even found some other really nice sounding roles and am applying for these too.

Am applying for JSA today to tide me over in the interim period.

Ooh exciting!

Good luck and post an update on how it goes!

Well done OP and let us know how you get on.

On calling to enquire after interviews, it is exactly the right thing to do.
Where there are many applicants for posts you need to give yourself every advantage and doing this makes you look keen and interested. It will give you an edge over other candidates.

Good luck x

Second interview went… okay. Not anywhere near as amazing as the first, but that was the best interview I think I've ever done in my life.

I think problem was that they'd asked for two pieces of work (a presentation and a piece of work) and so when I went into the interview I was thrown by another person being there who asked all of the same questions as I'd been asked first time around, so we didn't spend much time on the pre-prepared work. My answers weren't terrible, but not as sparkling as first time round, obviously. Ugh, I just know I wasn't very impressive though - balls. The new person in the room (director) really didn't seem to warm to me at all, but the HR manager from the first time was brilliant - she actually kept talking about what I spoke about last time, leading me in questions and so on - she seems really keen, but I'm just not sure about the other person.

Sorry, brain dump! I'm just overwrought about the whole thing, just had my very first signing on session this morning, worried about everything, have another interview tomorrow for a different position and don't think I can handle the stress of it all. Not to mention the guilt/obsessing about if I fuck this last one up, the waiting game, the disappointment if it's a no. After all that, I'd be gutted.

I'll hear back about the 2nd interview one probably this week, but definitely before christmas. Just hope all of my hair hasn't fallen out by then. Blargh.

Don't beat yourself up Pan, it's done now. Would it be working for this director or in his team?

We account for nerves etc in interviews and normally 2nd interviews are a good indication they like you - they tend to want additional people in the business to meet you.

[Wine]

Just wanted to let you guys know... I got the job! Just had the call this morning. Really happy - thank you so much for being supportive and great! X

Congratulations! And Happy Christmas!

Lovely xmas news!

Congrats! What wonderful news!!

Merry Christmas!