After interview

socks1107 · 2025-09-04T19:02:57+00:00

My dd has been through a selection process for a post grad job and early last week was told she’d hear back latest early this week: in between they’ve approached her references, asked for pay slips from her part time job but no offer or rejection. she chased yesterday and they said they hope to update her this week but the wait is driving her mad. is this normal in the private sector? Should she chase again tmrw? She goes on holiday Saturday so would like some closure tbh

FinnJuhl · 04/09/2025 23:51

I think it's great she followed up yesterday, but it might be overbearing to chase again so quickly. The signs sound good though! I wouldn't say it's been a particularly long wait.

AmberDuckBlue · 04/09/2025 23:56

The way the job market is at the moment I'd carry on looking until an offer is made in writing. That way you are too busy to be disappointed if it falls through!

I'd also make sure all comms in between are extremely nice, 'I'm really impressed / keen / interested, etc.

EBearhug · 05/09/2025 00:02

Seems normal to me - they say they'll update by next Friday and then a key person is out on leave or something and they can't, and also don't say, sorry, it will be longer than expected. It's tedious.

So I wouldn't worry yet.
Good luck to her.

Original poster

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 08:30

Ok she was going to send a polite email today as it’s the second deadline they set themselves and with her holiday she’s so stressed about it. I don’t even think she’s sleeping she just wants a yes or no now after this long. The whole process has been six weeks of interviews and exams and presentations

OP posts:

Booneymil · 05/09/2025 11:07

Some manager may have gone on annual or is sick

Do not chase. It looks bad

purplecorkheart · 05/09/2025 11:23

She chased it yesterday, it is too soon to chase it again. Unfortunately her holiday is not a reason to send an email today. She will look pushy.

Original poster

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 12:22

Well she has chased because they promised early this week. Then they promised by end of the week.
it’s rude and unprofessional to lie about deadlines you can’t keep. They’ve raised her hopes and then done nothing.

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Original poster

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 12:23

And she chased Wednesday as it had already passed their own set deadline. I’ve told her to move on they clearly aren’t worth working for

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WaitWhatWhatWait · 05/09/2025 12:29

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 12:22

Well she has chased because they promised early this week. Then they promised by end of the week.
it’s rude and unprofessional to lie about deadlines you can’t keep. They’ve raised her hopes and then done nothing.

It's not the end of the week yet. She should have waited until Monday, at the earliest, but I probably would have waited until Wednesday next week.
I don't think this is a good look for her, chasing twice in one week and within their given timelines.

Companies have more going on than just her interview, I appreciate it's frustrating but she needs to wait.

EBearhug · 05/09/2025 12:33

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 12:22

Well she has chased because they promised early this week. Then they promised by end of the week.
it’s rude and unprofessional to lie about deadlines you can’t keep. They’ve raised her hopes and then done nothing.

It is rude and unprofessional, but it is also entirely normal in recruitment. Years of experience means I never believe an organisation which says, we'll let you know by...
Don't chase again.

Booneymil · 05/09/2025 12:34

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 12:22

Well she has chased because they promised early this week. Then they promised by end of the week.
it’s rude and unprofessional to lie about deadlines you can’t keep. They’ve raised her hopes and then done nothing.

No it is not.

You need to be flexible.

A manager may have gone off sick. They don't have control over sickness

PinballWizened · 05/09/2025 13:21

End of week is close of business surely?

I’ve stayed late on a Friday before to get responses to applicants within the timescale offered, and a lunchtime chaser would most likely rub me up the wrong way.

backandforthup · 05/09/2025 13:25

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 12:23

And she chased Wednesday as it had already passed their own set deadline. I’ve told her to move on they clearly aren’t worth working for

Wow. That is such poor advice to give your DD. HR often functions differently to the core work and aren’t the area to base your career choices on.

stop encouraging her to be a pain

Original poster

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 14:21

She won’t be emailing again. They did reply and said they are still reviewing her application.

She asked for an updated timeline so most likely out of the running now. I wouldn’t work for a company so unable maintain deadlines so she’s right to walk away

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EBearhug · 05/09/2025 22:21

I wouldn’t work for a company so unable maintain deadlines so she’s right to walk away

Right - but so many companies are like this with recruitment, it's not going to be an easy principle to stick to if she needs an income.

Of course they should keep to the guidelines they say, but so many don't.

IDontHateRainbows · 05/09/2025 22:26

She asked for an updated timeline?

She clearly hasn't got the memo that the candidate is a lowly worm in this scenario waiting on the all powerful employer to dp the eenie-meenie-miyni- mo after a protracted period of waiting on tenterhooos then?

She needs to wise up as this is sadly quite normal behavior from many many employers.

MissHollysDolly · 05/09/2025 23:39

socks1107 · 05/09/2025 14:21

She won’t be emailing again. They did reply and said they are still reviewing her application.

She asked for an updated timeline so most likely out of the running now. I wouldn’t work for a company so unable maintain deadlines so she’s right to walk away

They’re not asking you to work for them though are they? They’re interviewing her. Stop being so overbearing.

IDontHateRainbows · 06/09/2025 01:59

I cam just see OP writing a letter of complaint if OPDD gets a no.

Unfortunately this is what often happens OP I had a friend who had 8 separate interviews for a job then heard nothing for 2 weeks thought he'd been ghosted/ unsuccessful but eventually they came back with a lowball offer luckily by then he had another iron in the fire which came through so he told em to jog on.

Otherwise he'd have probably taken it as out of work and desperate m

Original poster

socks1107 · 06/09/2025 08:53

IDontHateRainbows · 06/09/2025 01:59

I cam just see OP writing a letter of complaint if OPDD gets a no.

Unfortunately this is what often happens OP I had a friend who had 8 separate interviews for a job then heard nothing for 2 weeks thought he'd been ghosted/ unsuccessful but eventually they came back with a lowball offer luckily by then he had another iron in the fire which came through so he told em to jog on.

Otherwise he'd have probably taken it as out of work and desperate m

well then you’re wrong. I wouldn’t write a letter don’t be so ridiculous. I asked for advice given this is the first time she’s ever had experience of applying at this level. I’m in the public sector and recruit regularly and all always keep the deadline so this is new for us. And I say us because I’ve been supporting her. I’m not overbearing and I only give her support when she asks.

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NowYouSee · 06/09/2025 09:33

OP you’re comparing apples with oranges and need to realign your expectations s.

Delays in recruitment processes are entirely normal in private sector for all manner of reasons. They are much more fluid and people based than public sector. Frustrating for sure but this “they’re not worth working for” concept will rule out many employers quickly if you take that approach. They said they were HOPING to update her this week - that was probably the best case scenario so it’s not like they lied.

In her shoes I would take the view that it remains open but best to assume nothing will come and keep applying elsewhere. I would follow up in another week but not before.

NowYouSee · 06/09/2025 09:36

And FWIW I say the above as someone who has been actively recruiting in the private sector and has made three job offers this week and hope to make 1-2 more next week.

Original poster

socks1107 · 06/09/2025 10:02

@NowYouSee thank you. That’s the advice I have given her. She won’t be around this week which is why it stung so hard for her to have an email saying this week and then nothing as she starts a holiday. The interview process itself has been intense with five parts over the last six weeks.
she’s applied for 100 plus jobs and got nowhere apart from a retail position which she starts in two weeks but it’s far from what she wanted and has studied for.
I would assume it’ll come to nothing and she spent last night in tears. Lots of studying and hard work feels to her right now a waste of time and debt as the job market is not great.

As her mum I’m far from overbearing but I feel her anxiety and hurt just as much as I did when she was a child and hurt herself. I asked for advice so thank you for giving that and we’ve taken that on board.
Ive told her to take a week out, enjoy the rest and when she comes back she start looking again.

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IDontHateRainbows · 06/09/2025 12:41

Unfortunately it is not at all uncommon to be ghosted after a long protracted interview process with multiple stages, and one of the evils in this world. I've had it several times, once when I emailed a week later to see what was happening the hiring manager had fucked off on holiday presumably having offered the winner with absolutely no thought for the 'also rans'