Ok, I know that there are some obviously answers to this question. You know that you bombed the interview if:
- You asked to pass on a question or asked to phone a friend for help
- You asked for a few minutes of silence so you can look over your resume
- Any of these Top 10 Reasons
The Perfect Interview
It’s pretty clear that you bombed an interview if you did something or said something that made you immediately undesirable or unqualified for the job. Unfortunately we all can remember putting our foot in our mouths and blurting out some insanely personal story or flirting with the recruiter, ok well maybe not everyone flirts with the recruiter (flirting with the recruiter is an automatic job offer 
…ok not really…seriously folks don’t flirt cause it makes things awkward).
I’m talking about the interviews that you know you did perfect in. I mean so perfect that you wish it was recorded and could be submitted to the International Olympic Committee and then awarded a gold medal without actually doing anything athletic. The point is, if you did so well why weren’t you hired?! The most common reasons you may not get the job, which you have no control over is because of target hires and/or nepotism. Even if Recruiters already know who is going to get hired we still have to go through “fake interviews”. This is to make sure that the target hire is actually the perfect candidate, which is not always the case but we are forced to hire them anyway.
I Blame the Hiring Manager
Hiring managers can be funny people to work with. Sometimes the power to hire whoever they want gets into their head. As a recruiter I need to find candidates that I think can do the job. Hiring managers sometimes want to hire their friends or family even though they are not qualified for the job. I understand the pressure to hire people you know but at the end of the day I need to be confident that the person I suggest and vote for will not be sitting infront of HR again discussing grounds for termination. If this “friend” or target hire doesn’t work out it looks bad for the person who suggested them. I care about my reputation too much to be pressured to hire a friend who isn’t qualified.
Three ways to tell if you are not going to get the job:
- You Are Only Interviewed By The Recruiter
- You’re Not Asked Any Interview Questions
- (#3 is a 2-4-1 deal today)
If They Don’t Ask for References
If a manager is not present and you are only sitting face-to-face or on a phone interview with just the recruiter you are not going to get the job. This is because a manager makes the decision to hire not the recruiter. We are just the ones to find the right candidate. If you find yourself in front of a recruiter minus a manager then use this “fake interview” as another practice run. Listen to all the questions and really try your best. This scenario usually happens when the manager has a target hire or nepotism is involved, either case you couldn’t control. Just do your best and hope the recruiter thinks of you when another similar role comes up.
I’m all for turning an interview into a conversation but the conversation should still be about the job, your skills and how they match. If the interview turns into an update of “The Bachelor” or “what do you think will happen next on Gossip Girl?” then you are not going to get the job. Small talk to try to get the nerves out of the way is fine but that’s why it should be small talk. As a recruiter we have to ask the same questions over and over again if we can change the subject a little because this interview doesn’t really count (sorry but this does happen) then we will so we can kill 20-30 minutes.
You should always have a list of references ready to hand over but wait for the interviewer to ask for them. If they are keen to hire you they will ask immediately after the interview and if they don’t ask at all, you are not going to get the job.
If You Don’t Hear Back From Them
Well this is an obvious one and I’d like to apologize on behalf of all the lazy and rude recruiters (you know who you are) who don’t call candidates back to let them know they didn’t get the job. During an interview you should always ask when they expect the interview process to be finished and when you should expect to hear from them. If the interview process will be completed by the end of one week i.e. Friday then you should hear from someone on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. If you don’t that means you didn’t get the job. Some recruiters will say that it might take awhile to offer a role and blame it on bureaucracy. If you were the successful candidate they would call or email you right away. This is because the recruiter wants to get the references started and hopefully get you to accept and provide notice to your current employer. Its really to get the ball rolling while paperwork is being completed. If you are the candidate they want you would be hearing from the recruiter right away.
At The End Of The Day
Target hires, nepotism or the recruiter is just blind and can’t see that you are the best candidate for the role, whatever the reason you didn’t do anything wrong. You did your best and that’s what matters.
Need help with writing a resume or have a question…Ask Dorothy!
photo by: A National Acrobat
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{ 1201 comments… read them below or add one }
Good article. I just experience one of those fake interviews. I have a feeling that they went with someone from within the company. I should have known it was a fake interview after they didn’t ask for a face t0 face interview due to the job being in a different state from the one I currently live in. On top of that, it took them 3 weeks to get back to me. But during all 5 interviews, all interviews went extremely well and the hiring manager even said to me I really like you blah blah blah…. they told me another position will be opening up soon similar to the one I applied so I should apply for that one. anyways we shall see….ohh well, I bought myself some happiness and went to buy some nice clothes. Now it’s time to submit more resumes.
Hi Allen,
Glad you enjoyed the article. Sorry to hear that you were involved in a “fake interview” but at least you noticed it as a fake. If the company told you about another position that they think you should apply for than you should definitely apply! They probably do not have a target hire this time and you have a better chance of getting it. Good Luck!
Thanks for the article. I experienced a fake interview two weeks ago with a company that I previously worked for (left company on good terms). The recruiter called me and then an hour later the hiring manager called me and asked if I could come in the next day for the interview and I said yes. The interview was with the hiring manager and she gave me a lot of compliments about my work history listed on my resume. She only asked me basic questions about what was on my resume and what style of training, style of management did I work best under. The final clue that I wasn’t getting the job was when another manager popped in during the interview. I felt like that was a way of cutting the interview short without being rude. They were both very nice and I appreciate that. I asked when I would hear back and she said within 7 days. On the 8th day I called and asked when she would decide and she said not sure since they are still interviewing since they need several associates for the position.
Hi Crystal, thanks for sharing such a great fake interview example.
Thank you for the article it made me feel much better after being rejected for a position I was certain I had in the bag.
I was actually contacted by the manager to apply for the job and had an interview the next day, I thought it went well, it lasted over an hour and I had a great rapport with the 2 interviewers but I got a phone call that afternoon saying I didn’t get the job.
The manager rang me with the news and I did have a chance to ask for feedback, the reply really confused me, he said I gave a great interview and not to change anything about my approach, that I was articulate and well presented, I answered the questions thoroughly and I had researched the company well, infact he said he really had no reason not to hire me and that it was unfortunate there were not 2 positions available. Was I just a fill in interview? Your feedback would be appreciated:)
Hi Belinda,
When the manager tells you that you did great and should not change anything isn’t actually great feedback because if you were so great why didn’t you get the job. The reason was probably because they had a target hire or he/she was pressured into hiring someone’s relative. The only thing you can take out of this fake interview is that this manager thought you presented yourself well and that you shouldn’t change anything re: your interview style/approach. Not many people get that sort of feedback and I’m sure this made you feel great and even a little more confident for your next interview. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hi Dorothy,
I applied for a vacancy for a Receptionist for a company that was opening new offices in the summer. That was back in March. They acknowledged my application by email. I heard nothing until a call came through on my mobile at the beginning of May asking me to attend an interview in London ( I live in Birmingham, England). I turned them down as it was too far. I received a call later that day in the evening saying the HR person would be in Birmingham one day the following week could I attend an interview, which I said yes. I attended the interview which I thought went extremely well and she said it was a pleasure to meet me. It was just me and the HR person. She said she had others to see and would let me know in 2 days. I have not heard anything since. I emailed her a week later to thank her for interviewing me and asked whether a decision had been made. She never replied. Thank you letting us know about these fake interviews. Just think, I could have travelled 100 miles to attend this interview and would have never have got the job. Thanks Gemma
Hi Gemma,
Sounds to me like the company and Recruitment team is really unorganized. I can’t stand rude recruiters who say they will call you in 2 days and than never do. I’m so glad you didn’t waste your time and traveled 100 miles for the interview. Thanks for sharing your story. Dorothy
I was recently flown to the corporate office and had great individual interviews with the executive management team. A week later I was contacted by the HR internal recruiter about their interest in me. I was told they would not be filling the role that I applied for but that they were “working on something for me” which included relocating to their corporate office. It’s been 4 weeks since I last heard from the recruiter and there has been no response to my e-mails and phone calls. I am beginning to wonder if what the recruiter told me was legitimate. Why is she now beginning to ignore my e-mails and phone calls when she started off responding back with quick follow-up? Do you think she told me this because she might have felt bad telling me they were really interested in the beginning but not anymore? I would like to also know if I should reach out to the VP that I interviewed with to find out the status? I’m really bewildered my the cold treatment I am now receiving.
Hi Kim,
Well at least they told you that they wouldn’t be filling the original role. Meaning they didn’t find any candidates that they liked or budget fell threw and they had to close the opening. When I tell candidates that I’m “working on something for them” that usually means you did well in the interview and I would love to have you on the team but essentially I don’t have a position open right now and I hope you keep looking at our job board/postings online. Even if they were “working on something for you” you would probably need to apply for the job and start the interview process all over again. Sounds like the recruiter was just trying to keep you interested in the company. Maybe they thought another role would be surfacing but it didn’t and now they are ignoring you like the plague. So yes, I think the recruiter is feeling bad that she couldn’t find you a role but her job was to keep you interested and she has for 4 weeks. It’s time to move on. I would not recommend you contact the VP. They probably have forgotten about your interview. If you are truly keen on working with that company for a particular reason I would keep emailing your HR contact. Be polite and try not to show your frustration with the lack of communication on her part. If she continues to ignore your emails then unfortunately for this company they lost an opportunity to hire a great candidate. Some folks should not be recruiters if they don’t like giving bad news to someone. I’m sorry that she is being rude to you but not all recruiters are cold. I would focus on how well you did in your individual interviews and bring that same great positive energy to another company. Good Luck and thanks for the comment
I would love to hear your feedback on something….I attended an informational interview with a TV station. The sales manager stated if anyone was interested in the position to get back to him and he would email a “project hire” form. He said that was his way of eliminating those who were not serious about the position. Well it was tough but I completed it and turned it in the next AM. I didn’t hear anything so I sent a follow up…nothing…I then called him a few days later and he stated that he didn’t see anything turn up in his email. While on the phone he found it and stated he would look it over and call me back next day or so, he was making an effort to set up interviews for the following week. Well nothing again! I have sent another follow up and still nothing! Its confusing because the project hire was difficult to complete and I feel like its weird after all of my follow up (great for sales) that he hasn’t at least said no thank you? I haven’t even interviewed yet…thoughts??
They actually own 2 stations and the 2nd station is also hiring for sales and I was wondering if it would be tacky if I contacted them? I really would LOVE to work for them….Its a career I would love to have and this is a great opportunity.
Hi Jody,
I think the TV station is actually hiring for sales but they are not looking to fill any roles right now. During the informational interview they asked people who were interested to fill out a “project hire” form and this would tell them how many people are in fact interested in the position. I think they were just conducting some research and holding on to resumes rather than actually interested in filling a role. Trust me the Sales Manager is happy that you completed the forms and are following up and he does probably have a role open but in no rush to fill it and that’s why he’s not telling you that you don’t have the qualification or aren’t right for the job. You might be perfect but he’s just not keen in really reviewing your application. If you want to work at the station I would absolutely apply to all the stations that have openings. This will show them that you are serious and keen to work there. It would definitely not be tacky to contact them but be ready to fill out more complicated and time consuming paperwork. If it’s the career/job you want than keep following up and never show your frustration with the process. Always be extra polite and always enthusiastic to join the team. Keep applying and when they finally come around to hire, your application will be front and centre in their minds. Good Luck!
I would love to hear feedback for my situation:
I went to an interview about 2 weeks ago on May 20th with the VP of the department I would be hired for. The interview went seemingly great. It was at the end of the day on Friday the 20th so I didn’t hear back until Monday the 23rd. The recruiter contacted me saying that it went well and that they will go ahead with the background check and once it’s clear they’ll be prepared to give me an offer. I want about 4 days and I receive another email from the recruiter saying that the VP wants me to meet with my potential team leader and manager for a 2nd interview. It was scheduled for June 3rd. I went and I met with the two and they seemed impressed, everything went well. I even got a couple “great answer” from the team lead herself. During the interview, the manager and her both wrote down the name of the VP of business management and they both looked at each other and said, “I thought the same thing.” Turns out they thought I would be great for what he’s looking for too and I was sent on an impromptu interview with the VP of business management after my 2nd interview with the team lead and manager concluded. I ended up talking to him for about 45 minutes. It went well but I wasn’t interested in his department. The interviews concluded at around 5pm, so naturally I knew I wouldn’t hear back until Monday at earliest or Tuesday. It’s now Wednesday and I haven’t heard anything back. I mean, I got the verbal offer after the first interview, what do you think this silence means? I’m tearing my hair out over here in anxiety! I want to know so bad but I don’t want to pester the recruiter. I’ve done my due diligence and sent all my thank you notes and everything. Please let me know what you think of my situation!
Hi Ryan,
Well this company definitely made you jump through hoops. What I think happened was bad interviewing. So I think your May 20th meeting with the VP went just ok. I think the VP jumped the gun and gave the recruiter the thumbs up to check references but then the VP changed his/her mind about you. The VP and recruiter than felt bad about telling you that they will check your references so they invited you back in to meet with the team lead and manager and get their opinion. At this point since the VP thought you were just ok the team lead and manager really didn’t want to hire you either so they pushed you again to another VP. The fact that you got a “great answer” doesn’t mean a lot (sorry). People who don’t know how to interview sometimes say that because they are uncomfortable or simply don’t know what to say. Plus since they won’t be hiring you they want you to leave with a positive interview experience and telling someone that they gave a great answer makes them feel good. I think this company should have just ended the interview here but the team lead and manager did not want the responsibility for telling you that they were not interested so they pawned you off to another VP. So to sum it all up, you met with too many “important” people and the recruiter feels bad to tell you that they are not interested so they told you that the role is on hold. Reassessing their need means that they didn’t find a suitable candidate. They want you to still be interested in the company in case they post the role again and they get no other suitable candidates. Technically you’re still in the running but you’re not the best candidate. They will keep looking for a better candidate or they will change the role completely and you will have to apply and interview again. What should have happened was a panel interview so the decision to hire wouldn’t be on one persons shoulders. I would definitely be disappointed too and If you really want to work with these people I would ask the recruiter for a timeline for their decision as you will be interviewing with other companies. They will probably tell you to go ahead and look at other opportunities as I don’t think they are really serious in hiring you. What you did get from this long interview process was interview experience. Hopefully you learned different interview skills and will now be more comfortable in future interviews. I don’t think you did anything wrong. I think the company’s recruitment process stinks. It’s like a break up….It’s not you it’s me…..and I’m being serious when I say I really think it’s not anything you did you just weren’t right for the role. It’s the company and the recruitment process that screwed up. Thanks for the comment and Good Luck.
The plot thickens.
I followed up with the recruiter today and she told me that they were put on hold right now because they want to reassess what their actual needs are.
This only means a couple things to me: either they’re prolonging my rejection or they’ve already hired another more qualified candidate but they still like me so they’re trying to see if there’s a spot for me in the company. Either way, I’m extremely disappointed at the moment and am still keeping my fingers crossed.
What do you think Dorothy?
Hi Ryan,
I think I summed up what I think happened on my response to your original comment. Again, it’s a case of a bad break up….it’s not you it’s me. I think the recruitment/interview process was horrible and you shouldn’t have met with so many people. One panel interview would have saved you days of different interviews. I think they did not find a suitable candidate but they still want you to be interested in the company and essentially not hate them for making you jump through hoops. If they do get back to you I think they will change the role and make you apply again if you’re interested. If you’re really interested in the role I would ask very politely and professionally for a timeline on their decision as you will be interviewing with other companies. I hope this works out but I have a feeling it won’t. Sorry for the bad news but I do hope someone wakes up over there and realizes that you are a great addition to their team and hires you. Thanks again for the comment and I’ll keep my fingers crossed too but think you shouldn’t hold your breath on this one.
Thanks Dorothy. I wasn’t holding my breath on this one. I knew something might not have clicked when they sent me over to the other VP that I was never scheduled for. What made it worse was after his interview, I asked if I can check back in with the other two before I left and he contacted them and they basically said “no need.” The most horrible thing is they knew I lived 50 miles away from the company and they had me go out there two times. I wish they had just been upfront about their decision, but I know we don’t live in a perfect world. What I’m confused about is my interview though. I think I interview really well and I’m quick on my feet and I’m extremely well spoken and personable. Are there any tips you can give people like me who think they are good at interviews but maybe we’re not all that hot? To be quite honest, I was shooting for the stars, I went in knowing I was slightly under qualified but altered my resume a little to better fit what they where looking for and I spent at least 3 hours studying their policies, history and responsibilities of the role (it dealt with Mortgage). But, better luck next time I guess. I’m still employed, but was just looking for other opportunities. Thanks Dorothy! I’ll keep looking.
best,
Ryan
Hey Ryan,
I wish they were upfront with their decision too. Keep in mind even if you do perfect (if there is such a thing) and have the right answers for all the questions in an interview you still may not be the successful candidate because of personality. Recruiting is difficult because not only are we trying to find a person who can actually do the job but a person who’s personality will work well with the rest of the team. What I can suggest that always works is just be yourself in an interview. Don’t be too cocky and go the more humble route. Especially if you’re going in knowing your a little under qualified you can’t be to be confident or showy. The best approach is showing enthusiasm. Emphasizing the best skills and experiences on your resume that qualifies you for the role and the rest of your energy should be focused on showing enthusiasm to join their team and how easily you would adapt to the company’s culture and management style. Studying a companies policies, history etc is what you should do for every job interview. It sounds like you were well prepared just make sure that you show more enthusiasm and real interest for the role and the company. Also, so this doesn’t happen to you again (being pawned off to other VP’s etc) ask the interviewer some straight forward questions about the role, what they are really looking for, what the timeline looks like for a start date and ask them how they see you as a fit for the role and their company. Make the interview feel less formal and have just a frank discussion. It’s amazing what you can learn when everyone isn’t focused on a just Q&A session. Keep shooting for the stars Ryan I’m sure you’ll find something fantastic.
Thanks Dorothy!
UPDATE: I have finally been asked in for an interview that is scheduled today. Now I am wondering if he is just doing it because I have bugged the guy so much…LOL. Or does it look good that he did ask me to come in? Would he really waste more of his time if he wasn’t filling a position?
Jody that’s great news! They maybe super slow in filling roles but with your persistence you got an interview and that’s amazing!!! I honestly think they do have open roles but at the time of your application and maybe even now they aren’t in any rush to fill. The fact that you did follow up and “bugged them” but in a professional way got you an interview. This is your chance to show them that you are qualified to join the team and are an overall wicked person
If this is the job/career of your dreams than you need to prepare well. Study the company, history, mission statement, see if you can learn about the interviewer by searching them on LinkedIn and don’t forget to go over basic interview questions. You need to blow them away with your enthusiasm so they are going to want to hire you right away. Congratulations this is really great news!!!
Last update I promise..LOL.
Ok I have to tell you this and get your thoughts. I had my interview today and it went extremely well. He told me I interviewed well and commented that I was very smart. After talking for a while, I asked him the next steps and he said “glad you asked me that”….He wants me to contact and meet with 3-5 sales managers combined in the field of TV, online interactive media and radio. He wants me to request an information interview with them to ask about the industries and what daily life is like. I guess he was asked to do this at the start of his career to make sure the field of media sales was for him and to also prove he could head hunt. He mentioned he is doing this so potential candidates can “hire themselves” since he doesn’t feel he handles the interview process well. His thoughts are he is given the right answers, he thinks they are great, hires them and then they aren’t around 6 months later. He wants this process done and for me to email saying I am ready to go. (he said that twice). Its confusing since I already completed the first step which took me over 4 hours to complete, I get excited about actually starting a job and now its taking even longer. I completely understand where he is coming from, he wants someone to desire and work for the position. Good news is he gave me tips and tricks on how to get this done, even resources and ideas. From what I understand everyone wasn’t given that advantage nor where they invited to participate in the next step. He was honest about that. He also stated I would probably get job offers from me meetings which was funny. I guess I am wondering what this means and if it sounds like something promising? I have never experienced something like this before. I NEED to work ASAP but its also important I am with the right company but feel a little defeated that this process is so crazy long…….I hope this makes some sense. Thanks in advance!!
Jody,
Wow they are really putting you through the ringer but you know what they say…no pain no gain. Just stay positive and I’m sure this long process will be worth it or at least I hope so. I’m not to happy that the interviewer said that “he doesn’t feel he handles the interview process well” and that you “would probably get job offers from the meeting”. This sort of smells like busy work to me. Again, I’m not convinced that they want to hire anyone right now and they are just testing you but lets hope that I’m wrong. Good luck with your sales manager information interviews and I bet at the end of all this not only with this company want you but you will have job offers from the information interviews you set up. Go Jody Go!!!!
I love your updates so please keep them coming
Thanks Dorothy, It is great to have a pro to ask about all this stuff!
I do have one more quick questions…do you think its a waste of my time to do all of this, or do you think I have a good chance if I do it? I know it is hard to call, but I am curious what you think about that. Llike most people, I need to start a real job to pay bills. As much as I want this, I cant continue to spend weeks on their process. I can do as much as I can to get this done next week, but I don’t want to waste time for a potential boss who may never hire me. I admit, I get where he is coming from but I am also annoyed. My husband said “Doesn’t he realize people right now cant spend weeks trying to get the same job, tell me yes or tell me no so I can move on”..LOL. I completely get where he is coming from!! But I have to say, the manager did seem honest and stated that he was always hiring….who knows…
It’s hard to tell Jody. I don’t want to say that this whole thing is a waste of time because I really hope it’s not. I think if they were hiring right now they wouldn’t make you jump through all of these hoops. Have you actually applied for a specific job opening at this company that has an end date? If this was just a job you applied for that you didn’t really care about than I would say don’t waste your time setting up those informational interviews. You did say that you would really REALLY love to work with these folks and this is the career you would love to have. You already said that you did have the time this week to set these interviews up so why not just do it. You don’t want to pass up this opportunity and have regrets later. The worst thing that can happen is that you get other job offers if these folks flake out. I would see this thing through and see what happens. Stay positive and professional.
Unexpected twist:
I just received the job offer. Dorothy, I’m thoroughly confused. Can you shed some light on what you think happened?
best,
Ry
Hey Ryan,
I think when they told you they had to reassess their needs really meant that they offered the role to another person and they declined. Now that they don’t want to go through the whole interview process again they have offered it to you. This is great news if you’re still interested in the role. Maybe once you start you can make some suggestion to the company regarding their recruitment process. Congratulations and since they might be desperate you can probably negotiate for a better salary. Congratulations again!!!
Thanks Dorothy. I guess I’m the last step before the gun. HAHA. I accepted the offer and I’m thoroughly excited. Of course I’m experiencing the new job jitters already and I’m not even there yet. Quitting my current job is going to be like ripping my own arm off, but it’s time. I’ve grown so accustomed to the job I’ve held now. Any advice for new job jitters? This is the first time I’m switching jobs as this job offer I just received is my 2nd job.
Ryan, Recruiters/HR do not want to see anyone fail. Especially a new hire. I”m sure you will receive plenty of training and have access to resources that you will need to succeed in your job. Stay positive and these new job jitters don’t last more than a few days to a week at most
Congratulations again and Good Luck!!!
Hi Dorothy,
Just letting you know that I was contacted by the manager who said I gave a fantastic interview but “sorry” no job, I was offered a position at another location and start tomorrow, I guess it pays to put your best foot forward at all times (even when your feeling down on another rejection) and never discount that no after a failed interview.
Belinda
Congratulations Belinda! Obviously you did give a fantastic interview and the company was smart enough to keep your resume in their mind when another position came up. This is what every company should do. Good luck in your new role and Congratulations again!!!!
This blog is really something else. Thanks Dorothy for all the insightful words. It’s really helpful knowing someone on the other side of the door.
Thanks again
Hi Dorothy,
I came across this blog tonight because I was so upset at my previous experience. (I interviewed for a position that I felt I was perfect for, and we really clicked but the company never called me back).
Anyway, I was hoping you can shed light on something else- this same organization has interviewed me before for position A, then decided I was not fit for it, so asked me to interview for position B. Position B was the one I REALLY wanted badly but they never called me back (it’s been 2 months now, so I get the hint). However, last week another recruitment specialist from the SAME organization saw my profile on Linkedin and said she would send my resume to the hiring manager and perhaps schedule an interview next week for another position- position C. However, I made the stupid mistake of telling her that I had previously interviewed for a position with the same organization before. I didn’t tell her about position A, but I admitted that I did interview for position B. Do you think that will hinder my chances for this coming job? Does it raise a red flag to recruiters?
The hiring manager is on vacation, and she wont be back until Monday June 18th. It is up to the manager if she wants to meet with me or not after looking at my resume. The recruiter said that she will get back to me regardless if the hiring manager wants to interview me or not. Do you think I will hear back?
I’ve been unemployed for almsot 2 months now and I’m so worried I won’t find a job. This one seems really good too because its related to what I did before my MBA. (I am a new graduate).
Thanks Dorothy!
Hi Elle,
) but candidate deserves to be contacted with an answer. It’s also your job to be persistent and ask for feedback. Don’t let this company play you into getting excited for these possible “fake interviews”. Get concrete answers/feedback about your interviews and find out what they are really looking for in a candidate and what do they see in you that makes them invite you back but not decide to hire you. You mentioned you’re a new grad. Did you change careers or are you new to the working world? If your new to the working world than have a little patience as they may be a little hesitant to hire a new grad. If you’ve changed careers I hope that during your interview you are giving examples from your past experience that relates to your new career choice. Thank you for leaving this comment and please come back and leave an update as I am curious to see what happens. I do hope that you get the job and remember be persistent, polite and professional. Good Luck!
I think that since this organization has invited you to interview with them a few times means that you obviously have something they like i.e. qualifications or a great personality. I think that it’s great that they invited you back for position B when you weren’t a fit for position A. This means that the recruitment team knows what they are doing. I don’t think it’s stupid that you told her that you already interviewed with them before but next time try not to mention it unless they ask. Once you’re in the system they will see that you have been interviewed before but let them do the homework rather than you give up too much info. It’s not a red flag but maybe a pink one. Sometimes a company or department is small enough that if you’ve already seen one hiring manager and they didn’t like you i.e. personality or qualifications chances are another hiring manager in the same department may not either. The recruiter will ask the managers you interviewed with how it went and why they didn’t hire you. Company culture is really important so if they feel that you won’t be a good fit than you won’t get the job. I really, really, really hope that the recruiter does get back to you regardless but it’s very common and especially with your experience with position B that you won’t hear from them. Not only because you seem like a regular to this organization (with so many interview you might as well be an employee
Hello, I recently went on a job interveiw two weeks ago. It went very well. My friend works for the company and she recommend me for the postion. I showed up twenty minutes early for the interview with the hiring manager. We have a very good conversation the interveiw was suppose to be with two managers and during the interview the other managers called and ask does he need to come in and ask questions the hiring manager assure him no the interview is going extremly well. During the interview he tells me the location of the job the salary and I would have my own office and the staff members names and the company would give me a personal blackberry, and HR would call me with a offer that I can neogaite for more money if I choose to, After the interview was over I ask my three questions and he assure me that day was the last day of interviews and I would definitely hear from him in two weeks if I don’t he gave me his card with his num and email and told me to give him a call. I sent and thank you email within 24 hours and waited two weeks exact and left a voicemail stating I am still interesting in the postion. I am still wondering if I am going to be offered the postion?
Hi Sherrele,
Thanks for your comment. My first question is where was the recruiter? The hiring manager that you interviewed with sounds very unprofessional. The fact that he felt that he could go ahead and tell you about the salary, office perks and tried to tell you that you could negotiate more money makes me think that he is not a good manager. He probably thinks he can interview people but he cannot (lacks basic interview skills) and needs to have a recruiter there with him. If HR let him interview alone than they probably don’t take him seriously. The fact that he promised you that someone in HR will call you back and they haven’t and he hasn’t either tells me that the interview may have not been taken seriously by HR. He may not even have the authority to hire. It was too bad that he stopped the other manager from coming to your interview. I’m 100% positive that your interview would have been very different if there was a second hiring manager present. If I was you I would email HR and copy this manager asking for a response ASAP. Don’t be rude or sound frustrated but be very polite and professional. If you don’t hear from anyone than call HR and tell them that this manager has offered you this job (he did tell you that HR would call you with an offer) and you are essentially waiting for an offer. Again, I can’t stress enough that you need to stay professional and respectful but at the same time insure that you are treated with respect. They need to know that you hope that the interview you had was not a waste of your time. My fingers are crossed for you and I hope you hear from them very soon. Thanks again for the comment.
Hi Dorothy!
Thank you so much for your response!
So far, she has not contacted me (last time we spoke she said she’ll get back to me by the middle of the week because the hiring manager was on vacation). I really hope this job search pulls through because I’m getting frustrated and tired.
I am a new MBA graduate. I did 3 years work experience prior to school. I just finished in April. So it’s been 2 months and I’m still unemployed sadly. I am hoping that employers do not care about the number of experience because I really don’t have that much.
I will let you know what happens this week!
Thanks so much for your lovely blog 
Hey Elle,
If you don’t have a lot of work experience make sure you highlight other related experience such as volunteering, being a member of certain organizations, committees or associations. Lack of experience is the number one problem with new grad resumes but you can still have a professional and impressive resume when you get a little creative with your background, school experience and team affiliations. Remember juggling life, possible part-time or full-time work and going back to school to get your MBA is a huge challenge and I’m sure has changed/improved you and taught you skills that are invaluable.
Hi Dorothy!
Thank you, so much for your response, I have taken your advice and I have email the recuiter and let him know I am still interested in the postion and patiently waiting for a prompt response.
Hi Dorothy!
Thank you, so much for your response. I have email the recruiter again and let him know I am still interested in the postion, and I would like a response back, so I guess I will wait for an answer. I will continue to look and apply elsewhere. Again thank you, for your advice.
I have just received and response via email. And this is what was said. I guess there is still hope!
Hi Sherelle,
Yes, a decision can generally take about 2 weeks.
I have not concluded the interviews yet.
You will be contacted by HR once a decision is made (it shouldn’t be more than another weeks).
Please be patient with the process.
Good Luck!
Hi Sherrele,
Absolutely there’s hope! That’s a great response and if this was me I would thank the sender for the update and make light/reference to my persistence and the fact that I am very interested and qualified for the job. Try to leave a lasting but professional impression. This is great news and my fingers are crossed for you
Hi Dorothy,
Two weeks ago I had a phone interview with a recruiter and everything went fine. At the end he told me that he would email within two days the date and time to interview with the director and that most likely would happen the following week as she was on vacation. I never received the email .I did a follow up with a phone call and nothing , then I saw that the position was not longer listed. However, just yesterday it was listed again,should I call him again ?? He never returned my follow up calls.
I really want to work for that company .
Hi Sandra,
Sounds to me that the recruitment process started a bit to early. It’s hard enough to schedule an interview with a Director let alone right before they are going on vacation. I think what happened is that the Director or someone in HR closed the role because they either didn’t find any good candidates, the role needed to be changed or wasn’t needed anymore. Now that the Director returned from vacation they realized yes, we in fact need this position so they have posted it again. I think the recruiter never returned your call because so much time has passed and he’s a bit embarrassed or you aren’t exactly what they are looking for and they are hoping to see if they get better candidates in this batch. If you really really want to work for this company and you think you are qualified for this job than apply again and email the recruiter. Tell him that you are very interested in this role and explain how you think your experience and skills would be an asset. This is where you need to be persistent but extremely polite and professional. Just mention to the recruiter that you noticed the job posting again and that you are very interested and looking forward to the opportunity to meet with the Director. Let me know how it works out and Good Luck!
Update: It’s Friday and she hasn’t responded to my email or voicemail. She said she’d get back to me mid week (ie Wednesday) and never did. She also said she’d get back go me regardless and never did. The hiring manager just came back from vacation on Monday. So I’m guessing the hiring manager didnt like my resume and doesn’t want to meet with me?
Im pretty upset right now.
I want to stay positive for you Elle and say that you should wait until Monday to hear from the recruiter. The first week back from vacation can be very busy for anyone and recruitment may not be a priority for the Manager. On the other hand the manager might have spoken with their colleagues who you interviewed before and decided to pass on meeting you. I can see why you would be disappointed but I would email or call the recruiter Monday to get closure and than move on. Other opportunities will come and you are now better prepared for future interviews. Sorry Elle
Thank you Dorothy, I got an e-mail on Friday stating that if the recruiter sees I’m a fit for the position he would contact me otherwise that’s the last I would hear from them. I check again the website and the position is not longer listed. It’s been tought getting an interviewet alone a job. I’m currently employ however I’m trying to change careers. I don’t Feel that I’ll growth there and my commute is 2 hours each way .
and telling it like it is.
Thanks for everything
Hi Sandra,
At least you’re currently employed while you’re transitioning to a new career. Finding a job can be hard but stay positive. Have you updated your resume? I can review it for you if you’d like. You need a really well written resume especially when you’re changing careers. Good Luck and remember to stay positive and I’m sure you’ll find something soon.
I found your blog sometime ago and I find it very useful. I’m hoping for your perspective on a recent interview process.
So a friend of mine that I used to work with asked me to go to work with her on a team at a new job. I submitted my package to a recruiter, she submitted it to the team and I was brought in for an interview less than 4 days after hearing about the job.
My friend and her teammate interviewed me. I felt the interview went well. My friend said at the end of the interview that I should expect to hear back within two days, that the boss likes to make decisions fast and that she thought I’d be a good fit, but the interview was largely about impressing the teammate, which she said she believed I did.
The recruiter called me today (as it’s a contract job and the recruiting firm handles the contract and pay for the position). The recruiter asked me to hold tight and that from the feedback she received they were very interested and impressed by me, but that they had one more person to interview on Friday. I’m concerned because I didn’t get the impression they were interviewing anyone else and my colleague/friend said she expected I’d hear back sooner. I’m worried that I didn’t impress them enough and they brought in someone else to interview. Additionally the original recruiter is going on vacation and she is passing me off onto another recruiter to finish out the process. Do you think I have a reason to be concerned about that, the recruiter’s response or the bringing in of someone else to interview several days later? Did I miss my chance or could other factors be at play?
Hi Tim,
I think your friend and her team had a hard time finding a person to join their group. So they were asked to ask friends and colleagues if they knew anyone. Your friend asked you as I’m sure her other colleagues asked their friends. You were invited for the interview and did well. Great! but now the recruiter is interviewing the other candidates that the other team members suggested. Don’t be fooled if they gave you an impression that you were the only one they were interviewing because that would be a huge lie. The only time a company would only interview and hire one person is if they were VERY desperate. In this case, they are not desperate and the recruiter is just looking at another candidate that was submitted. I’m sure you blew them away and your friend is telling everyone that you are the BEST and need to be hired right away
I don’t think you should worry about the original recruiter passing you off to another recruiter because she is going on vacation. That is normal but if I was the recruiter I would want to finish the process. Did you contact the new recruiter? I would introduce yourself and ask where he/she was in the recruitment process. I honestly think since your friend was on the interview panel she would be the best person to ask re: who they are going to hire as they would be the first to know. The difficult part in this scenario is that the other person they interviewed is probably a friend of a person on the team, which means two people on the team are voting for their friends to get hired. This makes things difficult unless one person out shined the other in the interview. I really believe you should talk to your friend. Thanks for leaving the comment and good luck!
President of company (big company, private, $1B in sales) called me after seeing my resume. Interviewed me 3 weeks ago (6-16). Interview went well, he said he would “put something together.” Said he would call the following Tuesday, no call. I left him a message on Tuesday (6-21) and a message on Thursday (6-23). Earlier the next week (6-28), I dropped off some info pertinent to the job at his office. Today has been three weeks since the interview. I know his HR guy was on vaca last week (holiday week). Probably the guy I interviewed with was on vaca as well – July 4th. Lastly, this is a new position for the company, no other candidates that I know of.
Should I just wait at this point ? What else can I do ? I think the holiday has something to do with it. Why would he say he would “put something together” if he had no intention of doing so ? At end of interview, he gave me his business card – I did not ask for it. Also, his son stepped into the office while we were interviewing and he introduced me to him. Help !
Hi Ken,
Were you also interviewed by a recruiter from that company? If not, this does not look good I’m afraid. I have been interviewed by President’s/Senior level folks in companies but it is always followed up quickly with another meeting with some partners and HR. I think the President of this company liked your resume but not the interview. People, just to be nice, will often leave interviewees with the impression that they did well such as saying “I’ll put something together” so you leave feeling great. Giving out the business card is nice but doesn’t mean anything and being introduced to his son only means that he is not a rude individual. I personally think especially since it’s been 3 weeks and that you have tried numerous times to get a hold of your contact that this is not meant to be. Maybe for a moment he/she thought you were good for the role but since that meeting they have changed their minds and sadly said they would call and hadn’t. If you want closure try emailing your contact one last time asking for an update of the recruitment process because you are considering other offers at this time. They should respond to you and if they don’t, you unfortunately know your answer. Sorry.
Thanks for the fantastic post. I was feeling very down after I attended interviews in 4 different places, did 3 rounds each in each place and got rejected in all of them in the final round. I was beginning to think I am good for nothing. It’s hard to believe that there was nepotism in all 4 of them, maybe I was not convincing in the final round. But this still replaces the confidence in me for a little while longer to carry on with interviews in a fifth place.
Hi G,
Thank you for the comment. Job hunting is difficult. I’m glad to hear that you are making it to the final rounds of the interview process. Remember to always stay engaged throughout the process. Always try to bring something new to the table. When it comes down to the final round, a persons personality has a huge impact on the decision. Try to befriend the recruiter and hiring manager. Stay professional but make sure some of your personality comes out and they see you as a cool guy to hang out with in the office. Thanks again for the comment and good luck!
You wrote a fantastic article, Dorothy
However, I was hoping if you could give me some advice…
At the end of January, I applied online for a position at the pool of a prestigious resort. Two weeks later, at the beginning of February, I was called in for an interview. I went in for the interview, and as I was waiting for the candidate before me to finish up his interview, I heard someone in the office next to the interviewer’s calling several more people for interviews, so they must have had many open positions. I did great in the interview; however, my availability may have been what killed me in consideration. I had been going to school and was only available weekends. So a month passed by, and I called in to follow up on the interview. The lady who answered (not the interviewer) said all positions were filled and they would let me know of any other open positions. I thanked her, but the next day, they had sent me one of those generic rejection emails. I moved on with my life… but a few weeks ago, I saw the same position re-posted on the website. I thought to myself, well what the heck, and re-applied for the job. My availability is wide open now and I’m itching with anticipation to see if they call me or not. It’s been three weeks and the job is still posted. Should I call them and explain myself to them, to try and convince them to re-interview me? I don’t have much to lose… please help!
Hi Zach,
that you did not get the first job because of you availability. I’m sure since you waited one month to follow up…NEVER WAIT THAT LONG!!!!…they had forgotten about you and therefore once you called and reminded them that you were a candidate they sent you the rejection letter. I’m glad you re-applied but you should have made it VERY CLEAR on your cover letter that your availability is WIDE OPEN! Since it’s been three weeks and the posting is still up I would apply again with a new cover letter stating your availability and then call the recruiter. Tell them that you had interviewed before and at that time you could have been offered the job but you could only work weekends. Now your situation is much different and your availability is wide open. You need to stress that you really want to work for this resort. Do you remember the names of the people who you interviewed with i.e. the recruiter, or managers? See if you can get there numbers or emails and contact them directly. If you had a great interview (you did say you did great) than they will remember you and want to hire you right away 
Good Luck and STOP WAITING (I don’t mean to yell but this is important) weeks to follow up on your interviews. You should send a thank you email the next day and follow up a few days after that depending on how long the interview process was going to take as per the recruiter.
I am 100% sure (even though I was not on the interview panel
Hows’s it goin dorothy, ive just been reading up on a few of your fans concerns and you gave really good answers and helpworthy info for people to help get on the right track for getting there next job. I used to be so cocky and confident because after every interview i would land the job so easy. im currently lookin for another job and im having a complete opposite experience then what I used to have, I ran through 3 different interviews with no results of being hired . After the first 2 interviews ive really humbled myself but i didnt feel like i would go into a interview thinkn i would “ace it”. Just doin really well on interviews normally landed the job. Being let go from your recent job does that have some sort of effect on landing my next job? Also im not a criminal there shouldnt be anything on my backround check im clean as i can be nothing to hide. This is a learning experience for me that it isnt as easy as it looks. Im getting alil tired just hanging out and having fun and at the same time looking for another job. Also the three interviews i had were career changing jobs , just trying to get my foot in the door but at the same time im interested in the job as well. I would love to hear your feedback so i can get on the right path to landing another job. What am I doin wrong .
Hi Timothy,
The first thing I want to say is that you’re probably finding interviews a little more difficult because you are changing careers. You obviously have a good enough resume for you to get interviews, so that’s good. Maybe you’re too relaxed in these interviews. Maybe you’re not taking these jobs seriously enough, as you stated you’re just trying to get your foot in the door. Changing careers most of the time means starting at the bottom. Maybe you’re applying to junior level roles that are really too junior for you. It’s really hard to say anymore without more information. What about your knowledge of the company? Are you doing your homework? Are you proving to them that you would be an asset and showing them with examples what you would bring to the team? In regards to being let go from your last job and that having an effect on landing your next job, it all depends on why you were let go. Were you fired? did they at you go due to restructuring? and please don’t say “it was mutual” because there is no such thing. So it really depends. Sorry I couldn’t be more help. I think if I had more information I could give you some more insight. Thanks for leaving a comment and stay positive! Good Luck!
Things are going well. Thanks for asking
I was recently given a verbal offer after my interview and told that I just had to get a screening call from a recruiter as part of HR protocol. The recruiter was suppose to call me the next week but no call. The Hiring Manager reassured me and had me speak to his National Manager, which went well. The Hiring Manager said that the paperwork had been submitted for approvals. The recruiter was suppose to call me last Tuesday or Wednesday and that they were shooting for a start date of Aug 1 or 8. I never heard from the recruiter. I followed up with the Hiring Manager on Thursday by leaving a VM on his cell phone. He never responded. I emailed him again today but no response. What do you think is happening? It was my understanding that everyone loved me, i.e. the Hiring Manager, the market VP and the National Manager. Could the Hiring Manager be playing games?
Hi Maria,
Good Luck and keep me posted.
Well, as usual I don’t like that a recruiter was not involved in your interview. There is a lot of back end paperwork that needs to be handled before a candidate can be hired. This includes a lot of approvals including finance. What might be happening is that the hiring manager is jumping the gun. Usually they cannot offer a candidate a role and that was his/her mistake. Since the hiring manager started the ball rolling a little ahead of time, the recruiter and HR might be just trying to catch up. If this is the case than you should hear from them soon. I don’t actually like that no one has responded to you thou and this may mean that everything is a bust. I don’t think the hiring manager was playing games with you but probably moved too quickly. Since no one has gotten back to you I would email the recruiter and copy the hiring manager, if you have there contact info. I would state that you were verbally offered the job and you are waiting for the job offer to come through. As usual I cannot stress this enough but you MUST stay professional and polite at all times. I am sure once you send this email you will hear from someone very shortly. Make sure you mention your start date of August 1st or the 8th
Hey dorothy thanks for responding . I was let go because me and the lead assistant wasnt getting along . Of course theres always 2 sides to a story, I was feeling alot of neglect from him when in worked there. I was an account rep. at Rent a Center where I was in charge of collections , did deliveries repo’s and made sure people were paying there bills on time so we can finish and meet the stores qualifications at the end of the week . Basically you had to have a backbone at that job or you wouldnt even last . They also have a very high drop out rate and I lasted 8-9 mths there. Any ways me and this guy openly admitted that we are very anti social and these type of people dont get along to good but also be best of friends , because my best friend is anti social and me and him would disagree and argue and once fought over alot of irrelavant stuff. But that wasnt the case for this situation , the guy automatically judges people past and present that start working there, It was a very stressful. When I first got there he yelled at me over the phone about some stuff that had nothing to do with so when I got back i asked if we can talk in the office and he literally told me we have nothing to talk about and started yelling and goin on. That moment was when i realized we werent gonna get along and that he wasnt as proffessional at all. So we would bump heads alot ,the hours were long so everybody bumped heads. I would always text him when the shift was over and talk with him thru a text and we would come to an agreement.The problem was that he was the type of person who would get personal with you because of the position he held was higher so it was somewat of an dominance and having advantage over me and used that to his advantage. I messed up because i let it drag on so long and never went higher than my bosses boss. My boss was cuban and he was hispanic and they weren’t as proffessional as they looked, another story. But 1 day I got fed up because I was fed up with his overpowerment and I never had a problem with listening or taking orders or nothing. He called me a lier about something that had nothing to do with me . I told him I was tired of him taking advantage of me calling me a lier and carrying on so I will be talking to the higher ups about my concerns. He never denied anything told me i sounded like a broke record and so on and all of this was said in a texts messages ,We always talked thru text messages after wrk so I told him we can talk about it when you clocked out. Nothing new, he used it to his advantage to the higher ups made the higher ups perceived it{threat} in a negative way and there was my job. The job was very unprofessional they treated employees like crap, We had 2 convicted sex offenders working with us, I was stressed out im just glad it didnt work out there. now im collecting unemployment looking for new work. I also need to work on my interviewing skills. you hit it right on the head with that part. Im just hoping that isnt whats keeping me from getting my next job. Because i have tons of experience, have my resume ready [going to update soon} and I jus wanna get back to work. I need pointers dorothy. In the meantime im still looking and I know that jobs do alot of hiring late july and august because of college students going back to school. Im 21 so age isnt a factor. I also realized that i have to work on my inteviewing skills. I dnt do researches and im not as strong as Im suppose to be when interviewed. I just started looking at pointers online about becoming better.
ps: It was also stated that jobs are only allowed to display if you’ve worked there and your release date, even the other day my friend jus got hired at his job and they said they are only allowed to know your start and release date and cant disclose any of information that is goin to slander you. I can understand if you murdered someone on the job but that pops up on a back round check lol
Hey Timothy,
Sorry to hear about your co-worker and your experience at your last job but don’t let that define you. Move on! You’re only 21 and you will unfortunately meet and work with other people who maybe annoying, rude, manipulative etc. Use this as a learning experience and be honest when you’re asked why you left your last job but be professional. Just say that you did not get a long with another co-worker and you let things go on for too long. You wished it didn’t end the way it did but you’ve learned from that experience and want to move on. It’s great that you want to get back to work so focus on that. Do some research on the companies that you get interviews with (always stay positive). Have you signed up for my newsletter? I give out some great common job interviews questions and even provide you with some great questions to ask your future employer/recruiter. In regards to background checks, companies are definitely careful not to give out too much information in case it is taken or used as slander but all ROE or record of employments that are given out when you leave a company (get fired or quit) will have the reason why you left i.e. termination with or without cause.
Hi
I went on a interview today a fwe hours later I recieved a call for a second interview. They want to do a background and consumer check what will they actually check for
Hi T,
Good Luck on the 2nd interview and get your references ready.
A background check or sometimes called a consumer report in the HR world, is a report that allows employers to check you background i.e. credit, criminal and past employment. It is usually done by a third party and they want to see if you are a responsible individual but keep in mind a decision not to hire you cannot be solely based on whether you’re paying your student loans on time or have filed for bankruptcy
Thanks for your insight. Unfortunately, I do not have the contact information for the recruiter. Do you think I should contact the market VP who had me come in for the interview with his lead manager and gave the OK to hire me? I don’t want to go over the hiring manager’s head, but I want to move on if this job offer is not going to come through. I have put everything on hold as I wait for HR. I should also mention that the Hiring Manger even had me come in for a day of training with his teams from different regions. However, after talking to the recruiter at lunch, he sent me home becaue she cautioned him that I was not an employee and should not be in training. This is so confusing. Who is calling the shots?
Hey Maria,
I would try to find the contact information for the recruiter. Try the website of the company. Ideally I would email the recruiter and everyone you interviewed and state that you are waiting for the job offer that was verbally made to you and further more that you should be compensated for the day training that you were asked to come in and do. This is not really confusing. Again, a manager is trying to do a recruiters job and something is holding back the recruiter to hire you. I bet that the recruiter can’t hire you because the approval didn’t go through. Don’t just email the market VP etc. because he/she doesn’t know what they are doing. You can always find an HR contact on the company’s website even if it’s just a general email. You need HR to see this email and respond. Also, never agree to come in for training unless you get paid. I think its horrible that hiring managers are not trained properly and can easily waste a candidates time. I hope your time is not wasted and HR forwards you an offer after they receive your email but if you don’t get an offer don’t sweat it. Sounds like this company, HR and the Management staff need to be retrained. Good Luck!!!
What would be some reasons that could cause an approval not to go through? Also, how important is your credit score? Could they have run a report without my knowledge?
Maria,
Before a person can be hired a lot of things need to be approved. Maybe finance fell through, maybe the staff plan did not allow another role to be created. I can go on and on but all of these things are handled my HR/recruiters. Regarding your credit score, most companies do run a background check or consumer report but they either need your written approval to run the full report or at least your consent to view parts of it. If you are worried about what is on your credit report you should view it yourself by visiting annualcreditreport.com.
I went through first interview, had interview with store manager. Everthing went well. I got the job and was set up for training. Five days later I was told that the job was given to someone inside the company and there were no other jobs in the store. The store is a major retailer going through a massive re-model. What gives??? Any insights????
Hi Linda,
This situation is rare but it does happen. Technically an employer can let you go for any reason during the probation period. Maybe they decided after your training that you weren’t the right person for the job so they decided to give it to someone else. Did you come to work late? How was your attitude during training? Did you get a long with everyone? The probation period can be an extension of the job interview. You need to be in your best behaviour. Like I said, an employer can let you go for any reason during the probation period and obviously they felt you weren’t a good fit. I”m sorry.
I have applied to over 30 interviews this month and the results were: 25% informed me that they were in fact not hiring (then why have an interview?) 10% gave me the old we’ll be in touch, 15% never replied but continue to post job listings and 50% only sent me applications to wire transfer scams and mystery shopper jobs. I am tired of having my time wasted and I am tired of spending carfare to visit places that are always located in remote, secluded areas of another borough that requires me to take two trains both ways. I am standing on the threshhold of homelessness, I can’t pay my tuition which is making my credit score drop considerably.
Hi Ellen,
Send me your resume to review. I want to see what it looks like and maybe it will be clear to me why you’re not getting the results you want. You also can’t give up. I don’t know anything about you i.e. what jobs you are looking for, what you’re interested in etc. so it’s hard for me to comment. All I know is that job hunting and interviews can suck. Saying that you NEED to stay positive. Please send me your resume so I can try to help.
Hi, I was just interviewed for an internal job for which I was one of the best qualified candidates. However, I was unable to make the original interview time, due to having to accompany my husband to hospital for pre-admission tests prior to cancer surgery. The convener emailed me to say sorry about my personal circumstances, but the recruitment schedule must be adhered to. It was only manager intervention that secured me an interview the next day. The job involves the amalgamation of two customer service teams, one of which I already lead, and I have initiated several work-related eventsbetween the two teams in the past. The job went instead to an exec assistant who has no experience of either team, and does not deal with customers in any way. When I tried to lodge a protest, the HR manager advised me that he was too busy to look into it for two weeks, plus there was already a contract in place (I lodged my protest the day after being informed of the outcome) and it could not be overturned, regardless of the outcome of the investigation into my claims. Plus, he was the one who signed off on the recruitment, so is unlikely to report any inconsistencies that may or may not show up in the recruitment process. I know the successful applicant quite well, and am aware from my own conversations with her that she does not fulfil at least two of the ‘essential criteria’, yet have been informed that essential criteria are not in fact actually essential. This is a government position, where rules and regs are meant to be especially stringent, yet the goalposts keep shifting. Fake interview, much?
Hi ND,
Unfortunately, government jobs even with there rules and regs can sometimes be the worst perpetrators with regards to fake interviews, nepotism etc. I agree with you that HR will unlikely report any inconsistencies. I just hate to hear stories like this. It seems so unfair but I always remind myself that things happen for a reason. Maybe you will be offered a great opportunity in a few months that you would have never considered if you had gotten this role. Stay positive and especially professional if you want to stay and be happy in your government job. Do not let this experience define you and hold you down from applying to other jobs. This decision had NOTHING to do with you and your skill level. The only thing that I would suggest especially in government is to network. Meet and befriends with as many people, hiring managers etc. Obviously job criteria’s and job descriptions are not important. It’s who you know. Thanks for sharing and again I’m so sorry that this happened.
Hello Dorothy – first of all, you’re amazing! Thank you for taking time to reply & post all of this helpful information. Your responses to everyone are like bonuses because they have so much insight as well! I came across your site as I googled “interview went really well, but I didn’t get the job.” I interviewed at a credit card company last Monday, one of Fortune’s “BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR”. I submitted my application to their website, a recruiter called me the very next day, she asked if Id be available for a telephone screening, we set that up. It went very well, we shared a few laughs then a couple days later they contacted me for a interview. I went in, met with the hiring manager, then after her, 2 of the team leaders, I thought the interview went perfect. We covered my entire resume, they put me in scenarios & said I was great, we even spoke about personal stories. It lasted an hour. I went home, nervous but confident. 72 hrs later, I received an email stating they are sorry but I have not been selected. I was devastated. I even cried. (Don’t tell anyone). I’m 26, and I worked at my previous job for 6 yrs. Before that, I had only had 2 jobs, 2 years at each job, and one was my fathers company, the other I got hired on the spot, no interview. This was actually, to be honest, my first REAL interview. I believe that’s why I’m taking it so hard. I keep replaying it wondering what I did wrong? Could it be because I told them I don’t do well with change? I explained I meant that I’m loyal, I don’t like to move around & switch jobs a lot. I fear they took it as me not accepting change within the work environment. But could 1 flub really mess the whole thing up? I’m trying not to become discouraged but I’m taking it so hard. I should get over it & move on, I know. :0/
Hi Jamie,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I’m glad that you’re enjoying my website and that reading other peoples comments/stories are helpful as well. In regards to your situation, it sounds to me that you’re just not used to the interview game. Yes it is a game and it can be very hard to play as the rules seem to change all the time. Since you don’ t have a lot of interview experience I think you don’t know what to look for when your critiquing your interview. You need to remember to stay professional during an interview. I’m not asking you to lie about your skills or what you’re comfortable doing but no one is perfect. I really think that telling the recruiter/hiring manager that you’re not comfortable with change was a BIG mistake and possibly the main reason you didn’t get the job. The fact that you have been with a company for 6 years already shows that you’re loyal. When it comes to answering interview questions you need to be black and white with your answers. Try to not leave any room for their own interpretation of what you said or what you meant. If I was sitting in on your interview I would probably think this person is sweet and the interview seems very light do to the laughs you shared. Then you hit them with your “I hate change” statement (I know it’s not exactly what you said but that is how it comes across). Overall, this interview seemed to light for me and you came across as a little unprofessional. You need to remember to be friendly and personable but also that an interview is two sided. It’s not just you hoping that they like you but they want to know if you want to work for them. When you’re too busy trying to make sure that they like you, you look desperate. So I think the combination of your desperation and your “change” statement were the reasons you didn’t get the job. You need to practice your responses. Also, it does’t matter how you got your jobs i.e. father’s company etc. or how long you worked there. The point is that you got the job and you gained some amazing experiences and learned some invaluable skills. You are a talented person who works very hard. You just need to work on your interview approach. Have you signed up for my newsletter? I provide some great common interview questions that you should practice with and also provide fantastic questions that candidates should ask the recruiters. I think you should get over it and move on but before you do that learn from your mistakes so your future interviews will be more successful. The more practice you get the better you will be. Good luck!
Hi, Dorothy! This blog is just so helpful I HAVE to ask you advice. Ok so, June 30th I was called by an HR Recruiter from an big media company to come in and interview for a position. She was very nice and upbeat. No phone interview surprisingly. She just wanted me to come in. She emailed me the job application, requested references, electronically sign off to give them permission to check my background etc.
July 8th I went in for the interview and interviewed with the dept. manager. Interview went really well. Very relaxed. At one point he told me, “I don’t know why you’re nervous because you know your stuff.” After the interview he said he wanted to show me around the company. He took me up and down and all around the company. Introduced me to everyone. I shared a couple of laughs with them. Afterwards he escorted me to the door and I asked when I should hear back from them. He said probably up to 2 weeks. Ok, fine.
That following Tuesday the company emailed my references for info on me. Very detailed reference questionnaire by the way. And I haven’t heard anything from them since. Its on week 3 now. I contact the HR rep twice. Once by email to thank her. The second time was because I needed the dept. manager email address to thank him and it wasn’t in the previous emails she sent me. ( I ended up going old school and mailing him a card). She never responded to me.
My question is should I called the dept. manager instead to check the status or keep waiting. I went online to my account with them and the position just says “You are currently being considered for this position.” What should I do? Why the lonnnnggg wait? Thanks and so sorry for the long letter! Thanks!
Hi Silent,
Was the recruiter in your interview? I’m not clear if she just set up the meeting with the dept. manager. It sounds to me like she wasn’t and I hate when HR is not involved. Hiring Managers do not know how to recruit and overall just want you to have a good interview experience. I don’t like that you describe the interview as “very relaxed”. People tend not to be professional when they are “very relaxed”. I’m not sure that the hiring manager took this interview seriously. I bet he didn’t even write down any notes from your discussion. Taking you around and introducing you to people is not professional. I knew a manager who did that only because he wanted to waste a little more time and he was sort of flirting with the candidate (hope your situation is not the same). In any case, 2 weeks to wait to hear back is a long time. That kind of tells me that they are not in a rush to hire at all. Huge red flag that the HR rep didn’t respond at all to you as well. I would definitely suggest that you call the dept. manager right away to find out an update. My feeling is that you were not exactly what they were looking for because if you were you would have gotten an offer by now. All recruiters assume candidates are interviewing with other companies and this is why the process is fairly quick. We don’t want to lose our best candidate. Again, I would call right away and then email the HR rep and ask for an update as well. Always be professional and polite but don’t be surprised if you don’t get a response from either one of them. In regards to checking your account online, recruiters will never change the status of a candidate who they might still consider until the job is filled. I have offered a job to one person and they end up accepting but then something falls through and I lose them. Now I can go to my plan B candidate and offer it to them but if I changed the status to “not longer considering for position” (or whatever) than plan B candidate would have accepted another job with another company and I would have no candidates left and would have to start the recruitment process all over again. I hope I’m wrong and you get a great response from them but from experience I don’t think I am. Thanks for your comment and I’m crossing my fingers for you
Dorothy, thank you so much for your positive feedback. You are of course quite right, and hopefully my dream job is just out there waiting for me. I am not from a government background and although I throw myself into any role I do, I have found the entrenched attitudes and lack of willingness to take accountability for actions and decisions very frustrating during my time here. So hopefully I can now find an organisation that is a better fit in terms of professionalism. I am a naturally sociable person, however in order to improve processes for my team (to improve customer service delivery to residents), I have had to stand up to some people who probably didn’t appreciate it. I went about it in a pleasant, professional manner, but I suspect I was viewed as a bit challenging. I know my team appreciates how much I have improved things for them, and fear my traditionally quick response to issues raised will, under the new structure, be lost in ‘process’ as is the government way. The last overall manager actually refused to speak to people at all, and I see the new one behaving the same way. Still that’s no longer my problem, and I will put the valuable experience I have gained to good use somewhere else, hopefully. Thanks again for your kind words and insight.
Hi ND,
You sound like a driven person who goes for things that they want. I like that. You’re also right that it’s not your problem that your manager refuses to speak to people. Don’t let other peoples hang ups or bad behaviour effect you. The hardest part of a job is trying to get a long with everyone. My one suggestion I gave to another “challenging” manager was to just loosen up and relax a little more. Let things unfold before you rush in and try to control the situation. I’m not saying you’re like that at all but I think everyone and it doesn’t matter what level of seniority they have should relax more and show some common courtesy/respect to other people. If we all did that office life would be so much more pleasant. Thanks again for the comment and good luck.
Thank you Dorothy! I took in everything you said, and I realize that I tried to be TOO personable in my interview. As in, I made it more of a casual atmosphere, so they’d see HOW I AM, rather than making it 100% professional & convincing them of HOW I WORK. Also, I wanted to ask, could the following factors also have been deal breakers? First; at my previous job I was making more than the job I interviewed for. Second; I went to college, and the field I went to college for, is nowhere near the field I would have been hired in. (Think “veterinarian” to “credit card specialist”) Very apples & oranges type stuff. The hiring recruiter warned me, that the hiring manager may see my pay cut if I take this job as a risk meaning I would leave the first chance I got if I were to be paid more. The starting pay of this job is still way above average though, so I let her know I did not mind. And third; in the first interview with the hiring manager, she brought up that I have been an office manager for 3 companies, basically my entire life, and that the position I would be taking is not that at all. She said she thought it may be hard for me to take direction after being in a higher position for so long. I reassured her, that did not bother me as I am very much so a team player. Then the last interviewers brought up my college degree wondering if I would decide to pursue that in the future. I’m thinking they also may have wondered if I’d up & quit if I suddenly had a change of heart. It felt like I had 3 strikes against me; the pay cut, the office manager positions, and the schooling, all before I even had a chance to prove myself, what is your take on this? I’m learning a lot from this process though & I’m going to definitely sign up for that newsletter! :0)
Hi Jamie,
How much money you made in your previous job should not matter when you’re in job interviews because they should not know how much money you made. You NEVER want to tell anyone how much money you make. If the new job is considerably less money than you are used to than it’s your decision to take it or not. If the company finds out that you made $100K and they can only offer you $50K max than yes that is a concern but it all depends on how you spin it. You maybe changing careers and that often leads to a salary cut. If you’re entering a new field you need to show/prove during the interview that money is not a concern it’s the experience and skills that is more important to you. Remember someone can be making over $100K and absolutely hating their job and then they find there dream job or passion and they end up earning only $40K. They earn less but are SO much happier. In regards to the college degree, for me it doesn’t matter what field people graduate with because honestly the majority of people just don’t use their degree or work in the field that they studied. I actually graduated from University with a bachelor in Economic, Urban Geography. I worked in Urban Planning for one summer and hated it. I did go back and get my HR degree but before that I just told employers that it’s just simply not the field I wanted to get into. A lot of people also get certain degrees because they are pressured by parents, friends etc. So the answer is no it doesn’t matter that you went to college for something completing different but just be aware you will be asked why that didn’t work out and you just need to be honest.
All of your challenges; not using your college degree, applying to less senior level roles, making less money (even though I can’t stress enough that it’s no ones business how much you make) are not real challenges if you are changing careers. You need to be upfront in your first interview when you’re asked “Tell me about yourself”. This is where you can explain your situation. These 3 strikes will no longer be strikes for you when YOU bring them up. During a job interview you need to be honest and confront these issues and then quickly focus on how this new job better aligns with your future career goals and how your skills are an asset. Hope that helps and good luck
Dorothy, again, thank you for your time! I’ve always known not to discuss pay in an interview, it was actually the recruiter over the phone who asked what my starting pay and ending pay was at my previous jobs. And of course, that’s when the pay issue got brought up with her over the phone. Nevertheless, I sent the interviewers Thank You’s anyways, and have decided to use their interview as practice & know now how to better conduct my next ones. Thank you again for all of your help. I really appreciate it, best of luck in the future to you (and Pepper) as well! :0)
Hey Jamie,
Finding out what a candidate is making is honestly like winning the jackpot for a recruiter. Your job is to hold back from answering this questions until you are offered the job. I wrote a post on How to Answer the Salary Question. I agree that you should take each unsuccessful interview as a practice run and hopefully learn from your mistakes. Good Luck!
Although I haven’t been to a fake interview.. (that I know of anyway.) I still feel like I have submitted resumes and then followed up for jobs that lead nowhere.. The one I was the most frustrated with was one I was very qualifed for. I had previously worked for a company that did the same exact thing, but the only difference was I have a Masters and they were asking for people with Bachelors.. Seriously.. It’s frustrating because I didn’t even get called for an interview..
One of my other friends was telling me that sometimes recruters scan resumes and those programs look for specific words then pull those resumes for review… Is there any truth or help for this topic, because I have a lot of experience, but no one is taking any bites..
Thanks again for the article and I look forward to reading others..
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I completely understand when people feel frustrated when they don’t get interviews. Unfortunately, when you become a chronic job hunter you forget about the importance of a good cover letter and resume. Make sure that you are changing your cover letter and resume to really fit each job application. Also, you should also not only submit an application but call the company, HR, recruiter or who evers contact you can get and start selling yourself. People tend to be passive job hunters and if you are feeling that it’s not working anymore than you need to try something new. In regards to what recruiters scan for when reading a resume, recruiters are looking for specific “keywords” that tells us that you have read the job description and are qualified for the job therefore, you will be invited to an interview. Some scans are done by the recruiter and others are done by the recruitment application system. You can read more about “keywords” on this post I wrote on How To Find The Right Resume Keywords. I hope that helps.
I also had another question??
One place I applied called me to ask me some further questions after I submitted my resume, cover letter, and writing sample. She asked me some further questions like why I wanted to work for the company, why I wanted to work in Adopiton, and if I plan to stay in the area since I had just moved from a city 5 hours away to be closer to my family. They question I wasnt prepared for was when she asked my if I had applied for other jobs and which ones? How do I answer that question? I said I had applied for some jobs in other fields but I wasnt sure if I wanted to work as a Medical Social Worker instead of in Adoptions…
I received another email from them later saying that they did fill the position.. As far as I can tell that would have been the only question to eliminate me from recieving an in person interview.. Any suggestions?
Lot’s of spelling errors in that last comment.. sorry… LOL
Hey Lisa,
How did she know that you moved 5 hours away to be closer to your family? sounds to me like your adding some personal points in your cover letter or resume that should be omitted. The best way to answer the question “Have you applied for other jobs and which ones?” is to say yes, I am currently looking for other opportunities and applying to jobs that interest me. You NEVER want to say what other jobs or companies you are applying to. It’s simply not there business and it shouldn’t make a difference either. If they hear that you are applying to jobs that are in different fields because you aren’t sure if you want to do than it looks like you are unorganized and not focused. Not traits that a company is looking for in a candidate. Stay focused and don’t get caught answering phone interview questions that are trying to screen you OUT rather than screen you in. Any reason a recruiter can find to omit you from an interview allows us to focus on more serious candidates. Thanks for submitting these great comments. I’m sure other people will find them helpful. Thanks and don’t worry about spelling mistakes as I am the worst when it comes to grammer, spelling and punctuation 
Good Luck!
You need to be careful with phone interviews. Always be prepared and tell a recruiter what they want to hear so you can pass this test and be able to meet the hiring manager in a face-to-face interview and blow them away with your charm and experience
Hi,
I enjoyed your article.. I am a new graduate and after I received my Bachelors I went on through to get my Masters in Social Work. I did my internship in Child Protective Services, which for the social work world it’s basically the best one you could get.. BUT.. As I was completing school and my internship hours I found that I really want to explore the Medical side of social work. It is extremely hard to get experience in a hospital. I have tried to apply for social work positions that are open in all the hospitals in my area, and have even applied to become a volunteer. I have even gone as far as to apply for lower positions that just require high school diplomas sometimes. Now 6 weeks later almost all of the positions I have applied for have either been denied (with a lovely rejection email) or are yet to be filled.. How can I gain experience if I’m given no chances? And once summer ends (because most volunteer positions are closed for summer too) should I continue to try to volunteer with the hopes I will eventually gain enough experience to get some type of job… Let me know if you have any suggestions.
Hi Sarah,
When your goal is so specific i.e. to work in a hospital setting the key to land an interview and then hopefully a job is to change your resume. In your case I would dumb down your resume. Possibly remove your Masters degree but that depends on the job you are applying to. As you know recruiters don’t want to hire over qualified candidates and if you are applying to be a cleaner, Admin Assistant etc. your Masters degree is very confusing. Also, hospital settings are usually filled with union jobs that are alone very difficult to get into. I think you need to volunteer at a hospital and then network and meet as many people as possible. I’m sure once a few hiring managers get to know you as a volunteer they will help open doors for the career you want. Remember to dumb down your resume and don’t just submit applications online to a hospital. Go in and apply in person. Try going directly to the volunteer department and sell yourself. Again, this is when being passive will not get you the job you want especially in a difficult setting like in a hospital or union job. Good Luck!
I love your website! And I would love to get your opinion on something.
I am in the process of relocating from Chicago to Columbus. I am a graphic designer and was recommended by a friend for a job in the marketing department at a retail company in Columbus. A day after she sent my resume and website to HR, I got a call to set up an interview. They were very excited about my portfolio and said the Director was thrilled with my work. I was very excited because the position would be a great opportunity. I had my first interview over the phone with HR and it went well. Then she called me about 2 days later to set up a second interview. She wanted me to come for an in-person interview, but unfortunately I had some scheduling conflicts because I had a few major deadlines at work that week and a week long vacation planned for the following week. Therefore, they agreed to so a Skype interview and seemed very understanding about my conflicts. I met with four different people during the Skype interview and it took about 3 hours. They even had IT set up a large screen and projector for the interview. I thought this interview went really well too. The Director was even talking about how they would love to have another Ohio State alumni working there and spent most of her time talking to me about my job responsibilities, and less time actually quizzing me. After the interviews, the HR woman said they would be in touch within two weeks and asked if I would be available to talk, if they needed to contact me during my vacation. I said I would be, and I also let them know that I could come in for an in-person meeting after I got back from vacation, because my deadlines and schedule would be much calmer. I sent thank you emails to all four people that I spoke with before leaving for vacation, and I never got a response back. Now I have been anxiously awaiting to hear back from them, and it’s been a week a half. I sent a follow up email to HR Monday evening (very short, just saying I was still very interested and would still be available to come in and meet the team in person), and she hasn’t responded either. I am now getting really worried because I thought it went so well, and I was recommended for the job by someone who works there. What should I do if the HR recruiter never responds? Is it a bad sign if no one responded to my thank you emails? And is a week and half a long time to wait after a second interview? The HR recruiter did mention during my interview that they are still talking to other candidates and are hoping to fill the position soon.
Hi Erin,
I think it’s great that you were recommended by a friend but dealing with candidates that are out of town is difficult. Skype is a great tool but most of the time hiring a local is quicker. I understand that you had scheduling conflicts but since they are hoping to fill the position soon it might be easier to hire someone local rather than wait for you to give notice and relocate. Regarding your Thank You note, normally you do not get a response or need one. The point of that letter is just to say thank you for taking the time to interview me and leaving a professional and lastin impression. Since you sent a follow up email with no response my feeling is that you did not get the job. I think this interview might have just been a courtesy interview for your friend who recommended you. I maybe wrong but in my experience for an out of towner to be hired they would have to have blown everyone away in the interview. It all comes down to how quick they need to fill the job and if you were the successful candidate they would have started the ball rolling already. Hope I’m wrong and thanks for leaving this comment.
Thanks for the tips..
The person who called me was taking the information about me moving from Spokane to Seattle from where I got my degrees to where I am currently living.. but you offered a lot of help to me in changing how I respond to those questions from phone interviews..
Thanks so much!!
I am curious if my interview yesterday was a fake interview. I got a call from their HR department for a job out of state. She informed me they wouldn’t assist in relocation and I let them know I was okay with that. She had originally mentioned me to come for a face to face, but was willing to try to schedule a phone interview since of the large distance. I assured them I would travel if needed. The Marketing Manager contacted me via email that night and was very nice and set up a schedule for a phone interview to make sure I was a good fit before I traveled all the way out there. We had a few email exchanges and set the interview for the next day. On the phone she was very pleasant and we seemed to get a long great. She discussed the company and the expectations of the job and I followed up with a handful of questions. She acknowledged that she thought I would be a good fit but mentioned the only difficulty is the distance, but said that I seemed that I would work with them on that. After our “interview” was over she said she should be finished with her interviews by the end of next week and if it was decided to be one of the top candidates then I would be called to come in for a face-to-face. She didn’t ask for references and I also didn’t get any reply to my follow up “thank you” email. Which perhaps that is too much to expect her to respond, but she had been so quick with her replys prior to our interview, I was a little surprised of the no response. She also lead me to believe she actually wrote the ad, and being the Marketing Manager, it seems that she is the one making the hiring decisions. So I am thinking perhaps it was fake, or she would have scheduled me to come in person right then and there. What are your thoughts? Thank you.
Hi Mike,
I don’t think this was a fake interview at all. I think candidates need to realize that applying and getting a job that is out of state without physically meeting the team is difficult. The face-to-face interview is so important and that’s why locals have an edge. I think you need to stay focused and stay engaged with the recruiter. Don’t let them forget about you. Send another email reminding them that you have the qualities and skills that they are looking for. Did you befriend the recruiter? Developing a good relationship with the recruiter is key so he/she votes for you when all the cards are down. In regards to your “thank you” email. Why and what kind of a response where you expecting back? The point of a Thank you email is simply for you to thank them for taking the time to meet/speak with you. They are not going to respond back to thank you for your thank you email. That’s just silly. She didn’t ask for references probably because she hasn’t interviewed enough candidates. She wants to compare you to other perhaps local candidates and thats why she didn’t invite you to another interview right away. I think you need to be patient and wait for her response. Also, it’s usually never up to one person alone to make a hiring decision. Be patient and I’m sure you’ll hear back from them soon. If it’s takes more than a week as they promised then contact them and ask for an update but always be polite. Good Luck and stay positive
Hi Dorothy,
Your article is really helpful. I just had an interview today and I am not sure if it was a “fake interview”. I really prepared for this interview and I know I was able to answer all his questions very well. I actually applied for a personal banker position. They only have openings in Ohio and Florida, and I am currently staying here in Virginia. I still applied anyway, and I did not mention in my application what state I would like to work for because I was hoping that an opening would come up here in Virginia. So, last week, I got a call from HR (no phone interview) inviting me for a face-to-face interview with the HR recruiter. During the interview, he would always say “very good” after I answer each of his questions. However, the only thing that he wrote down on his notes was if I would like to work on a full-time or part-time basis. Then at the end of the interview the recruiter told me that there are currently no open personal banker positions and if ever a new position becomes open, they would look for internal candidates first then with external candidates. At that point, I really felt that I did not get the job, and when I asked when I can expect to hear from him, he told me that he does not know because there are no open positions yet. Then he also said that the interview was not so bad. When he said those words I knew that the interview did not go well at all because if it did, he would have used the words “good job” instead of “not so bad”, right?
So do you think it was a “fake interview” or I just did not do well?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Jenny,
This was a fake interview. Since the company has openings in Ohio and Florida they probably have some sort of policy to post the jobs in all of there locations and if local people apply they need to interview. The recruiter was clear with you and said that there weren’t any open positions available. He just interviewed you because he had to due to policy and/or so they can see what kind of candidates they would potentially recruit for this job in the future when there is an opening. He did not write anything down because this was more of a conversation/informational interview rather than the real thing. I think you probably did well but since they are not hiring right now they weren’t really looking at you as a potential candidate. If you really want to work there than I would suggest keeping an eye out on their job board for local position only. At least you noticed this as a “fake interview” and hopefully you can bounce right back and be ready for your next interview. Sorry but again each interview is great practice and makes you more and more comfortable. Thanks for leaving the comment and good luck!
Thank you for this article. I had a job interview where I knew 3 of their current employees in the department. They were looking to hire someone immediately and I was jumping at the opportunity to get hired right away. It seemed like a perfect match and the job was everything I had ever wanted. I was called in for a first interview with the director and it went much better than I had thought. At the end of the interview, she told me she would love for me to come in for a second interview with a panel. The second interview came and I felt very confident about it. I felt like I nailed every question they had and was also able to develop really great repor with the panel. They all seemed to really like me and the unique answers I gave. After that second interview, I waited almost weeks for them to contact me but they didn’t. So I sent an email restating my interest in the position, and asking for an update. The director emailed back and said that there were numerous applicants in which they had only asked 3 candiates to come back for a second interview (me being one of those). They had an extremely tough decision making the final decision and they had narrowed it down to me and the other candidate. But they offered the job to the other candidate because he/she presented with more experience in that certain position. — Anyways, I was so disappointed. I felt like I had the job in the bag. I am disappointed that it always has to come down to the experience (which I don’t have very much of other than internships I had in college and graduate school). But, I was very glad to hear that even with hardly any experience, I was a top candidate.
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for sharing your story. I bet if they could have hired two people they would have hired you too. Unfortunately companies do want to hire the best person with the most relevant experience over the candidate that might be a little more green. Sounds like once you get some more work history on your resume you will have no problem getting job offers. Stay confident and since you were one of the top candidates in this interview try to remember every answer you gave so you can use it again
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for your reply. You gave a complete different perspective on potential signs that I deemed to probably be negative. I have some renewed hope that I still may get a follow up interview. I had thought of befriending her on LinkedIn, but was hesitant if that would be on the “too aggressive” side, so I haven’t yet. I understand exactly what you meant regarding the thank you letter. I didn’t expect her to thank me for it, perhaps I was expecting a generic email just saying it was nice talking to you, we will be in touch…yada yada..but you are right. That expectation is silly. The references thing I think I read from one of your other blogs being a potential sign of not getting a job if they don’t ask for references, but perhaps I misread it and it didn’t apply to this circumstance. Nevertheless, I understand the difficulty of applying for a job out of state and patience is the name of the game. I appreciate your advice and hopefully will hear something soon.
Its not true that if they don’t ask for references you are not getting the job. That is not the case most of the time. Some companies have policies not to contact previous managers and rely on a background check
Hi Anonymous,
It’s true not all companies do a reference check but the majority of companies do check references and/or do a background checks. Either way they need your permission before they can contact anyone. If they don’t ask your permission then it doesn’t look good for a candidate but if they do that means they are interested enough to go to the next step of the process and that’s what everyone wants when they go to a job interview. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Dorothy,
I am grateful for finding such insightfull responses. I feeling a bit down about the rejection email I received this morning. I tend to always end up sales positions almost as a crutch. I got marrried recently, and left my job prematurely in search of a more stable 9-5 job. I know that your should never do that, but I did. I am 30 and looking for a long career. Interviewing has been one of my strong suits until recently? I learned several years ago “winging it” does not cut it. I found a company I have been wanted to work for applied for a good job online. Passed online test, passed onsite assessment, and first interview with recruiter. I was extremely prepared, made it all the way to the second interview with the managers. It was behavorial interview, and I felt really confident based on their responses. Manager even thanked me for such a productive interview and for my articulate answers which was good feedback so I thought? They were smiling, engaged throughout the interview. The interview was an hour, flowed nicely. I ask what the next steps in the interview process was etc. I have had bad interview before, but this felt great. I am so confused??? This process is very daunting. Thank you for any feedback.
Hi Anonymous,
First I want to say that you need to stay positive and remember that no two interviews are the same. Secondly, it is very rare that you would receive negative feedback during an interview. The recruiter and hiring manager want everyone to leave thinking they did a great job in the interview so that is why everyone occasionally will hear statements like “good answer” or be thanked for a productive interview or any other compliments. I don’t think you need to change a thing in your approach to a job interview. If you feel that you are strong in interviews than I’m sure you are. Your confidence is going to help you land a job. I’m sure you really wanted that job and I’m sorry that they didn’t pick you but maybe the interviewers thought that you would not get a long with the rest of the team or wouldn’t fit well with the company culture. Having a great answers to interview questions and being confident is absolutely the way to go to get a job offer but it also does come down to a fit with the company. In any case, don’t be confused because you did great! Keep applying to other jobs that interest you and you will find a company that will think that you are a fantastic package; great qualities, experience and personality. Good Luck and thanks for the comment.
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for a great article! How often is it that companies ask for references? I’ve had 3 serious consulting/project management jobs so far and nobody has ever asked me for references.
Roy
Hi Roy,
I have spoken to many HR managers and recruiters and we all fee that conducting reference checks are very important. Saying that, I do know that some companies are fine with brief background checks. These checks pretty much just verify employment rather then being provided with references from a past manager or supervisor. Also, if you were referred to the company by a current employee some companies take that as a references rather then formally asking you for references. There are a lot of companies out there and they all handle references a different way. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Dorothy,
This is what happened to my friend: he got an interview with a car dealership for a car sales position. He went on a Monday and told me his interviews went pretty well. Then, the HR department called him back Tuesday and asked him back on Wednesday for second (an apparently) final round of interviews. My friend told me, the managers were impressed and everything went pretty well. Finally, the HR guy told him they were going to call him back the following monday with an offer. Her never called….. so my friend waiting until Wednesday.. the HR guy called him back later that day saying they were going to start sending the offers that afternoon.. nothing happened… my friend was so discouraged.. he waited a full week, and got the same answer from the HR guy. I told him, he might not get the offer, but why would the HR person be like that? I mean, if he did not get the job, just say so? My friend is still waiting and hoping for the best. He has not been able to find a job in quite a while. Is there something going on we are not aware of? Or, what do you think?
Thanks!!
Luis M.
Hi Luis,
Did they check references or do a background check for your friend? Sounds to me that this car dealership either does not have a really HR department, meaning they just gave some guy the extra responsibility to look after hiring and they have no idea what they are doing or that the HR guy is just really bad at his job. I hope this is not another case of a recruiter who can’t do his job and just tell a candidate that he is not right for the job. The only other thing I can think of is that the HR guy tried to explain that offers are going out this afternoon and if you don’t hear from us then you were not chosen. Either way it’s not the right way to treat a candidate. I totally agree with you if a person did not get the job then the recruiter should just say so. Thank for the comment.
I had an interview with at&t for an Assistant Manager Position. I was called by the recruiter and met with the hiring manager. I recently finished school. I graduated with a Bachelor Science Psychology. My interview was this past Friday. The interviewer said that internal interviews were to be done on Saturday. I am not sure how long it is supposed to take to get a call back. I met with the hiring manager and was asked to bring two copies of my resume. When I got there she asked for the copies imediately and I answered some scenario and personal questions about what I feel is ethical. I think the interview went good. I would like to be hired and I think at&t is a strong company for promising employment. At the end of the interview she said I have great communication skills and thats good. She also said that she would never send anyone to a second interview unless they were 6 months to finishing their Degree or had one currently and that I feel in that range. I am not sure what that means. Interestingly enough I didnt bring my cell phone on the interview because i didnt want an interuption. However, her phone was turned up and it rang three times. Each time she ignored it. I dont think I will get this job, but I guess its just another practice if I dont hear back from anyone this week. However, Ive heard it can take a while for anyone to be hired at this company. Ive never been given positive feedback on any interview so this is the first comapny to actually catch my attention. Im looking to make enough to sustain myself. This comapny offers a good base pay.
Hi Elise,
I don’t see why you think you will not get this job. Everything sounds good to me so far. I would send the recruiter a Thank You email and remind them that you are still very interested in pursuing this role. Next time you have an interview really ask them for a timeline on when they will get back to candidates. This helps you relax because it gives you an actual date on when you will hear from them. The most important thing is for the company not to forget you. So follow up and stay positive. Good Luck and thank you for the comment.
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for your post and all of your follow-up comments! I tried reading them all to see if a scenario like mine has been addressed, but I thought I would just go ahead and ask you what you think of my interview situation…
July 4th: I submitted an online application (stating an employee referral) to the job of my dreams for a very large, world-wide company. I am currently employed but trying to transition into another industry.
July 5th: I got a phone call from an out-of-state recruiter, asking if I had time for a few questions or if we should set up another time to talk. So excited, I told her that I could speak to her then. The screening went well, I thought. I answered her questions, tried to do a little small talk, and I gave her the name of a person inside the company that told me about the job. She told me that the hiring manager should contact me in 1-2 weeks. (Apparently, right after our conversation, she called my friend and asked him about me. He said that she seemed to really like me and that he recommended me for the job.)
July 17th: I hadn’t heard from recruiting or the hiring manager, so I sent a quick email for an update. The recruiter answered back the next day, saying she wasn’t sure why the process was taking longer than expected, but she was thankful that I followed up. She mentioned that she spoke to the hiring manager “late last week and he is definitely interested in speaking with you”.
July 27th: I got a phone call from someone at the local branch to set up an on-site interview. She originally wanted to schedule it for the following Tuesday, but since I would be out of town for work, I asked to schedule it on Thursday.
August 4th: Interview day. I was nervous, even though I had prepared. I arrived 20 minutes early, but instead of waiting for the manager, we just started the interview early. It was mostly small-talk – no real tough interview questions. He asked if I knew about the company, the position… I said yes to both with details, and I told him I spoke with my former colleague about the position. He started to tell me about the benefits and asked about salary requirements. He heard that his manager was in the office, so he brought her in, who asked me more questions. I feel like I did well, and she even commented (several times) that I hit the nail on the head. We talked and laughed. When it was my turn to ask questions, that led to more discussion of the position, and I felt that it only showed my interest. I asked about the next steps in the interview process, and they said a second interview probably won’t be needed since I was able to come at a time when the manager’s manager was in that day. I asked when I should hear back from them, and they said “we’ll let you know next week”. After his boss left, it was just me and hiring manager again, and we talked for a while about different things, mostly about his professional career. I was probably there for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.
Today has been a week. It’s so hard to think of anything else. I felt like I did well, though not really well since I was a little nervous. I know their process has been kinda slow, but I feel like if I did well on the interview, and I’ve been recommended by an employee, it shouldn’t take that long to give me an offer – if I was to get one.
Sorry for such a long post! What are your thoughts? Please help!
Hi Worried,
Here is what I think. I think this company is not in a rush to hire. They posted the job and you were referred by an employee (Great!). Since they think you did very well in the interview and so do you I think you don’t need to worry. You unfortunately just need to wait. This is obviously the hard part, even harder than actually going through some interviews 
Since they said that “they will let you know next week” I would send them another follow up email. Keep in mind since you’re a referral they probably know that you won’t be accepting other positions and are keen about working there. For them they don’t need to rush you an offer cause you aren’t going anywhere, which is not a bad thing. So I suggest that you keep the lines of communication open but don’t pester them or be annoying or you’ll lose it. I would also ask your friend who referred you if he could find out what the hold up is or if they are thinking of offering the job to you. Other than that I say that it sounds like you did very well and I’m sure an offer is coming but again the company is not in a rush and neither are you since you are working. Do you have the email of the hiring managers that you met? I nice follow up/reminder that you are perfect for the job email wouldn’t hurt either. Just be patient, don’t let them forget about you and try to get some sleep. My fingers will be crossed for you 
Thank you for the very detailed comment. I actually really like long posts
Thanks so much for your quick response, Dorothy!
I feel somewhat confident, since I had a fairly good interview, and I have a good recommendation from an employee that is in the same position that I am applying for – only he works at another location. He said he will try to find out what’s going on.
I will also send an email to the hiring manager, asking for an update and again expressing my enthusiasm for the position. Should I send an email to his manager (the other one that interviewed me) for an update as well? Or just the hiring manager?
The main reason why I am concerned about my situation is because the same thing happened to me two weeks ago. Had a great interview with another company and an employee referral, and I waited over a week to find out I didn’t get the job. I did get positive feedback from the recruiter when he called me back to follow up, saying the hiring managers had no negative comments whatsoever about my interview, which is good and bad – how can I improve if I don’t know what I did wrong?
Bottom line is I don’t want a repeat of my last interview – this is my dream job!
Thanks for your time!!
Hi Less Worried,
I would send an email to the hiring manager only. When a recruiter tells you they had no negative comments that actually is just an easy way out. Next time I would tell the recruiter that you want to know why you were not hired so you can improve on anything. Don’t be pushy but polite about it and stress that you would appreciate the feedback only to help improve your interview skills. Good Luck.
Hi Dorothy,
I went on an on-site interview two weeks ago. At the end of the interview, the HM said they will make a decision the following week (i.e., last week) about selecting two candidates to have aother interview with the technical leader from the headquarter in another country. Last Friday I followed up and was told “Thanks for your follow up. I am glad that you are still interested in the position. The position is still open as we are still in the interview process. I believe you will know something more from us in the next 2 weeks. ” According to your understanding of this message, do you think they have some reason for delay in making a decision or I am not one of the two candidates selected for the next step?
Thank you very much for your inputs.
DZ
Hi DZ,
Sounds to me that you are not one of the two candidates selected for the next step. They don’t want to go out and say that you are not until they actually get the contract signed so you are on the B list of candidates. If the person doesn’t accept then maybe they can go back and ask the B candidates. This is the reason they are “glad that you are still interested in the position”. Sorry DZ and good luck on your next interviews.
Hi Dorothy!
I had an interview last Wednesday, August 10th for an Accounting position. I was interviewed by the accounting manager and supervisor. The interview went well and they also discussed the benefits of the position such as 401k, work hours, etc. After the interview, they told me that they will still be interviewing other candidates and that they will call me on Friday afternoon (August 12th) for the results. Today is already Friday, and they didn’t call. Does this mean I wasn’t chosen for the job? I thought they will still call even if I wasn’t chosen for the job. What do you think? Thanks!
Hi So Sad,
Sometimes recruiters are busy or get overwhelmed with other interviews that they are doing. I would not be discouraged just yet. I would wait until Tuesday and if you don’t hear anything by then I would contact the recruiter via email or phone on Wednesday to ask for an update. Recruiters are busy. Your role is usually not the only one they are working on. I hope you hear from someone on Monday but if you don’t remember to be patient
Hi Dorthy, I’m looking for your take on my situation.
I applied for a position with a competing company that was opening a new location in my city. I am extremely well qualified for the position and had really good references on my side. I first interviewed with the manager and everything seemed to go really well and he told me that he would set up a second interview for me with his assistant manager who is in charge of the hiring. Two weeks went by before finally getting a call for the interview. This interview went as good as it could have in my opinion. We had a great conversation and really hit it off, and everything was looking great. He said the only thing he needed to do was to get permission from corporate to hire outside of the company as they are big on promoting within.
Two days after the interview, I followed up with a thank you letter to his email. Over two weeks went by and I hadn’t heard anything, so I figured that I didn’t get it, no big deal. So I sent an email to the assistant manager again, simply thanking him for his time, and that I was sorry thing didn’t work out. I thought that would be the end of it. He then responded to my email by saying that I’m still the one he wants to hire and the process has started, he’s just waiting for HR to do up the papers. He asked me to be patient and that he looks forward to working with me. Another two weeks went by without me hearing from him. He then phoned me to tell me that the VP was coming to town this week and wants to meet me, and he’ll let my know a time and place ASAP. Well, again I didn’t hear anything for a week, so I emailed him asking for any news. He responded saying that the VP didn’t come to town, but was coming this week instead and he would let me know a time. This was a week ago today, and again, I haven’t heard back.
Thoughts? Suggestions? I don’t want to seem impatient, but also don’t want to seem like I’m not interested. I do currently have a good job, so I can’t really lose in this situation, but obviously I’m anxious for some finality to this situation.
Hi Paul,
Good Luck!!
It really sounds like they are not in a hurry to hire AT ALL. I don’t care that he said that they like to promote from within because if they had a good internal candidate this process would be over all ready. If you really want this job then I would be patient. Especially since you currently have a good job. The more patient you are the more the hiring manager is going to want you. Stay polite and continue to send follow up emails after deadlines that pass but you don’t hear anything. I have a feeling if you stick around and wait for this very SLOW process to finish you will be offered a job. They have invested so much time that I believe you will be able to negotiate a fantastic package for yourself. Be patient and stay positive
Hi Dorothy,
I need a little advice regarding a situation I am in right now.
My former college advisor knows that I want to get into the advising field. She lets me know anytime a position opens up at her university that she thinks I should apply for. About a month and a half ago she had lunch with her friend who is also the director of advising, she gave her my name and told me to apply for a position that she was hiring for….I never heard anything, so I just moved on.
Then about two weeks ago my advisor forwarded me an e-mail that the director sent her saying that she had the position posted and that it took longer than she anticipated, but she just wanted to let her know in case her referral is still interested (me). She even remembered my last name. I still have not heard anything, but my contact sent me another e-mail in which the director told her to tell me to apply for another position as well as the one that I had already applied for. This sounds really great because the position she wants me to apply for is a higher paying position then the other one.
I am just confused and trying not to get my hopes up because I still have not heard from her directly. Could it be that the hiring process just takes a long time?
What is your take on this?
Thanks so much!
Hi Kristine,
I think that you should never just put all your hope and eggs in one basket i.e. your referral. When a friend refers you, you still need to be an active candidate and apply online to roles in that company that interest you. Since the Director said that it took longer to post the job than she expected I would then be a little more patient as the hiring process sounds like it maybe slower than usual. I would ask your friend if it would be alright for you to email the Director yourself. If she says yes then email the Director to let her know that you are interested in the two jobs that were referred to you by your friend and if she needed anymore information from you to please contact you anytime and that you are really looking forward for the chance to interview for both roles. Be patient as the the hiring process does sound that it will take a little longer but be proactive and stay engaged and follow up. Good Luck
Thank you very much for the advice. I’m trying to patient, but it’s just not in my nature to sit and wait. I like to talk, and have everything out in the open. It’s a lot easier since I do have a job that I’m good at and that I like already, but I feel as though I’m not fully applying myself with this possibility on my mind. I do appreciate the advice and hope that you’re right about a pending offer:).
Dear Dorothy,
I hope that you are doing well. I enjoy reading your posts and wanted to ask for your advice on a recent interview. I’m a recent grad with an MPH and was referred by a friend for a position at a local health agency. The agency is a strong match for my skills and interests, and I spent 3 months pushing for an interview (either informational or for an open position). I finally got that chance on August 3 when a dept. director (not HR) called my cell phone at 9 PM on a Sunday to set up an interview for an open position (weird, I know…but stay with me).
Interview day arrives, and I show up 30 minutes early. When the interviewer’s assistant takes me to her office, the interviewer is engaged in a long conference call. I sat and waited for 45 minutes (15 of which were past the scheduled interview time). Undeterred, I entered the office when it was my turn to speak with her and was met with a barrage of questions about my experience, salary requirements, and capabilities. I pushed specific internships that were related to the job at hand, stressed the skills that I gained from said internships that would be necessary for that role, and responded to the salary question with “I seek a salary that is the standard amount for a candidate of my background and experience.” I also stressed that I work well in groups and actually enjoy that and do have experience in grant-writing because those are required of the job in question–and my resume highlights those traits.
While I know I maintained eye contact and was sincere in my answers, I have a sad feeling that she was a little too relaxed and disinterested during the process. Needless to say, she had no problem about rushing me out of the office. I made it a point to follow-up with a thank you letter to her, as well as my referral, indicating my interest in the position and how I would be the best candidate.
Honestly, this interview and potential decision have me on edge. Although the interviewer was on vacation all of last week (she mentioned this when we were on the phone to schedule my interview), she indicated that she would try to have a decision for me last week. It is now Monday, August 15 and no answer in sight. I would like to send her a follow-up email tomorrow morning–is this a good idea? I’m at a point where I think there is something wrong with me and how I interview as I’ve been on 15 in-person interviews with one offer (the offer unfortunately fell through). What’s your take on the interview/potential decision?
Thank you so much!
Hi Marilyn,
Don’t ever question a follow-up email. The idea of a thank you and/or follow-up email is for the interviewer to remember you. A follow-up email is just another way to stay engaged and keep you in there minds. When you’re polite and professional a follow-up email shows interest and persistence. Saying that I feel that this role may not be for you and you were part of a Fake Interview. First you pushed for 3 months for an interview and were also referred by a friend. I think the company felt pressure to interview you and since they had an opening (many companies don’t like or have the time to arrange informational interviews) they invited you in and might not have cared if you were qualified or not. You came in and the interviewer was too relaxed and disinterested during the process probably because he/she was just doing a Fake Interview. I am sorry but that is my take on your interview.
Please don’t think that something is wrong with you. This line of thinking is not productive and has a huge impact on your confidence. Finding a job is VERY difficult. Keep trying and perhaps review the kind of roles you are applying to. Try not to look desperate even though I know that can be hard if you’ve been out of work for a little while and have gone through 15 interviews. You just need to remember that it’s not just your answers that hiring managers are looking at it’s body language as well. Stay positive and don’t ask for informational interviews unless you are changing careers and want to learn about the career and business. If you are asking for informational interviews in roles that are in your field it makes you look desperate and that’s not what you want. Thanks for leaving your comment and please STAY POSITIVE I’m sure you’ll find something soon but you need to be confident. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I’d like your help in trying to figure out why I can’t get hired, even for low-level positions. I’m a recent public employee retiree with 25+ years experience in communications who relocated out west. I’ve been on job interviews in my field, one group and one departmental, and have interviewed as well as for other positions (sales, valet, clerical) that I’ve had some experience with during the course of a 40+ year work history – all without success. I’m well educated, experienced, have a professional appearance and I’m extremely healthy for a 60 year old.
During my most recent interview for a full-time communications position at a prestigious hotel/resort, I made it to the second interview that was conducted by a twenty something year old. Like the initial interview with the department head, I believed the interview went well. I strongly felt, and was told so by the department head, that I “had the experience and skills” fit for the position. A few days later, I received a form email stating that I was not selected for the position.
It has been 30 years since I had to interview for a job so I have researched online about interviewing techniques and prepared for each interview. I’m beginning to get concerned that I might be turned down because of my age (I know that will never be cited as a reason) or because I don’t have “corporate” experience.
Any input into my situation would be much appreciated. Also, the job I alluded to above, is it acceptable to call or email asking if they could offer me any feedback from my interview and any strengths and/or weaknesses that they saw so that I can improve and be better prepared in the future.
Thanks
Travis
Hi Travis,
Unfortunately, you might be right that you are being turned down for roles due to your age. This isn’t right and no company will ever come out and say that that is the reason. If your resume states that you have over 25 years of experience than recruiters and hiring manager know that they are looking at a more mature persons resume. Since you are obviously being invited to interviews (you resume is obviously not the problem) maybe it is your interview skills that need critiquing. Since I’ve never seen you interview I’m going to trust that you are well prepared and have good answers to common interview questions. I hope that you are up-to-date with technology/social media especially when applying to communications/PR/Media roles. One way to get some feedback on your interview skills is to go into a career center in a local college or community center. They can do some mock interviews with you and help you with any weakness they find. I am also a big believer on asking for feedback from your unsuccessful interviews. This is the only way someone will learn how to improve. The other thing I would suggest especially if your interviewee is in there 20′s is try to either relate to them or prove that customers/clients often prefer to speak/deal with a knowledgeable veteran rather than a younger person who is often perceived as a rookie and less knowledgeable. You need to exude confidence about your age, experience and knowledge. I hope my suggestions help you approach your next interview a little differently. Thanks for the comment and Good Luck!
I had an interview last Friday from 10am-4pm. I presented for 1 hr and then had 2-30 minute interviews with 2 individuals. I then had a lunch interview and a t0ur of the facility. I then had a 1 hour techincal interview followed by a 30 minute interview with the hiring manager. The hiring manager said it needed to be a unanimous decision and he would get back to me within two weeks. I finished the day with one last 30 minute interview and everything changed. The interviewer sat down and asked me if I was ready, I said yes and replied are you ready? I don’t think he liked that at all and I must of misread his intentions with that comment. The next 30 minutes made me very nervous. Because it has to be a unanimous decision I am worried based on the last interview. Any suggestions?
Hi JDAWG,
Your interviews sounded pretty intense. I’m not clear how many interviews you attended (meaning applying for separate roles) since you spoke with a hiring manager that said that he would get back to you within two weeks and then had a 30 minute interview. In any case, I’m sure the last interviewee was just trying to test you by seeing how well you would deal with pressure. You may have done really well all day and they wanted to see if they can make you crack. I wouldn’t over analyze it too much. Just be patient and don’t forget to follow-up with a thank you email. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Your comment and this blog are terrific! Thanks for providing such valuable advice.
Ok, so here is my scenario.
I applied online to for a position and was contacted through linked in by the VP. I contacted him back and we had a terrific phone interview. He wanted to bring me in to meet with HR and the Pres right away. The HR guy called and set up a meeting with himself and the VP. Not the Pres. We had what I thought was a great interview. They gave me scenarios, and full info about their company and what they were looking for. I felt like I had the perfect answers and that we were a good match. I ended the interview asking if they had any concerns about my experience and ability regarding the position, so that we could address them. The VP immediately said no, he did not, and followed up with but we also talked earlier. The HR guy stated they would like to digest our conversation and that they have a few more interviews scheduled and will be bringing back “a few candidates” to meet with the Pres.
No salary was discussed in this meeting, and so I am a bit disappointed. I sent follow up thank yous to each person and both wrote me back. The VP stating that he hopes to speak to me soon and the HR guy restating that they are interviewing more candidates this week to bring in a few for the Pres.
So, am I getting the brush off, or do you think I am still in the running? I really want this position, and it seems perfect for me. Do I do anything else to convince?
Thanks for any insight!
Hi AJ,
First, don’t be disappointed that salary was not discussed as salary is usually never discussed in interviews especially with the VP present. This would be discussed when an offer is made. I honestly think you are still in the running for this role but definitely make sure that you follow up or send a thank you email especially to the VP. In this email you do need to stress that you are not only a fit for the role with your skills and experience but are a fit for the company and you look forward to being part of such a great team. Don’t let them forget about you and also every recruiter/hiring manager will say that they are meeting with other candidates so you are not left thinking that you got the job or that they are desperate for any candidate. Remember to stay ENGAGED with the recruiter/VP or who ever you feel you made a connection with. Hope this helps and be patient but also persistent. GOOD LUCK!
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for this very informative site. I’m curious, however, why I see so few posts from folks who have been out of work for months, if not a year or more, in the present economy. I have been barely surviving on unemployment plus a part-time cashier’s job since my company outsourced our entire department in May 2010. My state has the 3rd highest jobless rate in the U.S. and I’m told there are literally thousands of applicants for most openings. Yet most of the posts here are by people who are currently working and wish to change jobs, or who have only been looking for a few weeks. Are folks like me not salvageable?
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for leaving a comment and unfortunately many people are in your situation and are unemployed/on unemployment/have a survival job but don’t want to share that publicly on a website. Many people feel more comfortable contacting me directly through my contact me page where they share their stories and frustrations with the job market and economy. So it’s definitely not that you are not salvageable so please stop even getting into that mind set. You need to stay positive and feel confident that these hard times will pass. You are not alone.
Hi Dorothy,
this is a wonderful blog. thanks for taking time out to read and help other people.
I was planning to apply with a university for an academic position and had got in touch with the lead recruiter ( a senior professor) identified in the advert. After initial exchanges, he asked me to apply and I was working on my CV etc. Now during that time, I saw another new advert with the same dept – similar position but on a different subject. I felt that my competencies had better fit with the new advert and thought that it was right for me to apply for the new post. Since the new post was with the same dept – but with a different lead recruiter, I wrote to the earlier recruiter who had encouraged me to apply thanking him for his encouragement but letting him know that I felt that I had a better sync with the new advert job and was planning to apply for the same instead of this. He replied thanking me and wished me all the best. After this, I got in touch with the new lead recruiter (another senior professor given i the advert) and he too encouraged me to apply for the new job and also said that he would be willing to discuss the post with me. A colleague had told me that it is always better to meet the recruiters in person before short listing process begins, so i wrote to the lead recruiter that I would be happy to come down to the Uni (which incidently) is in a different city than mine (about an hour by train) and discuss the post informally with him. It is five days and I still have not heard from him. I wonder whether I made a mistake in asking him whether i could come down for a meeting with him? Why do you think he has not yet replied? Is it wrong to meet candidates before the formal interviews or is there any other cultural reason – I am not from UK and so would be greatful if you could shed light on this. Have I already blown my chances for this post. I feel very anxious about not hearing from the professor as he had seemed very positive about my applying for the post..
ria
Hi Ria,
I honestly believe that recruiters or hiring managers don’t have the time to meet with potential candidates to discuss a role before an interview. That is what a formal interview is for. I would have not listened to your friend and just spoke with the recruiter on the phone. Having a real conversation rather an email is much more personal and that’s where you can try to connect with the recruiter and see if you have other things in common. I think it’s fine that you asked to come in but now you need to follow-up especially since you received no response. Don’t be passive that’s the worst thing you can be. Be active and call the recruiter. Recruiters love a confident candidate who does not hide behind an email. Call the recruiter ask them again if they think it’s a good idea for you to come in person to discuss the role before the formal interviews and if not you would be happy to speak with them over the phone first. Stress that you are very interested in the role and working at the University. Try to mention a few of the qualities that match their requirements for candidacy and I’m sure they will be happy to talk with you. People have to remember and not to be afraid to take initiative. Don’t just always put it on the recruiter. Pick up the phone and say that you would love to come in person to discuss the role rather than wait for the recruiter to read an email, then forget about the email and essentially forget about you. Being persistent, confident and an active candidate will land you an interview and hopefully the job. It’s not to late Ria, contact the recruiter and Good Luck!!
Thanks Dorothy for your advice!! Keep up the great work, this forum is really great for all of us anxious job seekers. Best, AJ
Thank you so much for your advice, Dorothy! I will definitely work on the confidence bit because you’re right, landing a job is simply hard work. Being negative isn’t going to get me anywhere. A question regarding informational interviews: Is it okay to out-right ask a place if positions are available within their department or will that just lead to a fake interview? I asked some department chairs about hospital positions and have a phone call lined up for Monday and want to avoid fake interviews from now on. Thanks once again! ~Marilyn
Hi Marilyn,
If a department has an opening it will usually be on the job/career portion of the company’s website. If you go ahead and ask they will either refer you to the website or give you a fake interview. I would go ahead with the phone interviews you have on Monday as this is always great practice for you but again, if these are informational interviews than don’t expect an offer. Most hospital jobs are unionized and that makes it harder to get in. Think about applying to a more junior job so you get your foot in the door and then apply for the job you want as an internal candidate. This is just my experience working in a hospital setting. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for your advice – it has certainly boosted my confidence. Will now call up the recruiter to follow up on my email.
You are doing such a fantastic self-less service. May god bless you with every success in your own life…
warmly
Ria
I had a phone interview with a company and I felt that it went fairly well. After months of waiting I finally heard back. The hiring manager said that they would be “pursuing other candidates at this time” but she encouraged me to apply for additional jobs at the company. I was polite and thanked her for calling (because a lot of times you NEVER even hear back from companies to begin with). What I really wanted to do was ask her “Why?” Why didn’t I get considered for an in-person interview? Why did she feel I was not qualified enough? etc. Is there a polite and professional way that I can ask these questions in the event that other hiring managers call to tell me I did not get a job? Or is this something I should avoid altogether?
Hi Veronica,
You’re right that you never hear back from companies after a phone interview. My rule is to only get back to individuals that I have invited to an interview in person. They are the ones who took time off from there busy schedule to come in and talk with me. Unfortunately, phone interviews are used more to weed people out rather than in. The key to passing the phone interview because it is usually with the recruiter, is to tell them what they want to hear. Make yourself look sound like the perfect candidate meaning prove to them that you have all the requirements that they are looking for and that you are ready to start with a little bit of notice even if that’s not entirely true. Your main objective is to pass the phone interview and get invited to the real interview with the hiring manager. You can go ahead and ask why you weren’t short listed for an in-person interview but I can almost promise you that they will just say that they found other candidates that fit the requirements a little more. Phone interviews are tough but like anything else you need to be well prepared and confident. Try to think over your answers and if they don’t 100% prove that your the candidate they need to meet with then that’s the problem. Practice, Practice, Practice. Good Luck.
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for all the insights. I have been through “fake interviews” myself without even realizing they were fake. Here’s my situation.. please advice.
I have 6 years of experience, working in reputed international call centers and have excellent communication skills. 3 months back, i quit my job as a Team Leader for a MNC call center where I as working for 8 months. I had no choice but to resign because of severe health issues. I have now recovered from my health condition and am trying hard for a similar job.
In every interview that I attend, I’m able to get through until I meet the Senior Operations Manager or VP. Everything goes great. But no one gets back to me with an offer. I’m confident about how I present myself and the interviewers show real interest in hiring me. But i just cant understand why none of the 6 companies where i was interviewed want to hire me. Are they suspecting that my health will pose bigger problems again or they just thinking that I’m faking an excuse for quitting my last job?
I’ve lost all sleep over this. Please advice.
Hi Varalakshmi,
To be completely honest with you, companies are very hesitant to hire someone who has already quit a job due to health issues. This is a red flag for a recruiter. It makes us immediately think that you will get sick again and use up all of your sick benefits, which is expensive for a company because not only do they have to cover your sick time but they will probably have to hire another person to take over your job while you’re away on sick leave. I don’t think they think you’re faking an excuse for quitting your last job because again it’s not a great excuse in the eyes of an employer. I would suggest you try not to bring up the fact that you got ill and had to quit your job. I’m not asking you to lie but I am asking you not to tell the whole truth. Just say that you decided to leave because you weren’t challenged or something. I’m sorry that you were ill and I’m happy that you’re feeling better but it’s not something a recruiter and hiring manager want to hear.
Hi Dorothy,
I’m a recent college graduate with a degree in Psychology and Communication Studies. All the jobs that I’ve had during my college career were temporary and in sales (retail- to be more specific). Now that I’m graduated, I obviously want some real experience in the the working world (not a mall-job).
I apply to several different jobs a day, I particularly hear back from jobs that are sales-based. However, my career goal is to get into HR and become a recruiter in the long run. What are some helpful tips/ advice you could give me?
I have a phone interview for a Recruiting Assistant position. i REALLY want this job, as this may be a great stepping stone towards my career path. I was wondering if you could give me some tips on how to ace the phone interview for this position – as I do not have any HR/ recruiting experience.
Thanks so much!
-Sam
Hi Sam,
Trying to get a job with no experience in the field is hard. Since it’s a beginner/junior level job you might have a better chance of getting it but you are going to have to really think about why you want to get into recruiting. If your “career goal” is to get into HR and then recruiting I would go back to college and take some courses so it actually looks like you are serious about this goal. It’s hard to take someone seriously when they have no experience and no academic experience and recruiters would rather hire HR grads. Your job will be to win the recruiter over with the fact that you are looking for an entry level job in recruiting so you can see if this is in fact something you want to do. Good luck.
Hi Dors,
I got a call inviting me for an interview here in Riyadh, a global legal firm for the position of PA. During the interview I was so very confident and I do believed I answer them (panel interview) very great. But after 3 days, I talked to the Office Manager whom always calling me and I ask her what will be the next move since they tell me that they need the new guy ASAP. She said please wait till the next today because they are still conducting interview. Then they will call me. (Please answer me)
Hi Markus,
I would be patient Markus. It’s great news that they need someone ASAP. That means they should make a decision very quickly. If you don’t hear from them today I would follow up. Good Luck!!
Hi Dorothy,
I am really glad I found this website. I had an interview two weeks ago that went really well. I first interviewed with the supervisor and she complimented me ofter on my attire and work experiences. She said that I would probably have to come back for a second interview becasue the director was not in. On my way to my car she called me and ask to come back in because the director came back in time from meetings. When I met the director he said she couldnt stop talking about me and was raving about me. The interview went so well with the director, he said that if that if the other candidates were anything like me they will need to open positions. At the end of the interview they said it should take two weeks because they have other interviews as well. I sent a thank you note to both interviewers and followed up with a phone call and was told by the director that they are “wrapping things up and will make a final decision on Monday”. Well today is Monday and its almost the end of the day and I havent heard anything. Does this mean I didnt get the job even though they said all those wonderful things about me : (
Hi Christina,
From your recollection the interview sounded pretty freakn amazing. So my suggestion is to not worry and be patient. You never know if they had an interview today (Monday) and then they will make a decision. Since you were told that they would be making a decision on Monday I would contact them tomorrow morning for a follow-up. Make sure you sound excited and interested in the role (obviously). The tone of your voice is very important. Make sure you don’t sound desperate but that you are interested in there decision as you really enjoyed meeting the two interviewers. Make sure if for some reason you are not the successful candidate that they provide you a good reason as you received more than positive feedback on the day of your interview. My fingers are crossed for you! Good Luck.
Hi Dorothy,
Your article is amazing. Very well written. I had an interview last Thursday for accounts receivable. The finance officer who interviewed me said she was impressed with the fact that I worked my way from the bottom to the position I’m in now at my age (I’m in my mid 20′s) and needed someone with dedication and ambition. We had the interview for over an hour and along with my skills, she talked to me about the procedures in the office, and the fact that she needs help, since none of the 15 people in her department have enough experience in accounts receivable to do do the job well. She told me she would call me so she and the administrator can have a second interview. I was optimistic at first, however, another person told me since she talked 90% of the time (with 70% being how unskilled the staff is, how much work needs to be done, and how she needs trained employees to help, all the OT they want) her being 30 minutes late for our interview (she told me she was in a meeting with her staff about the horrendous AR and the mediocre quality of work in registration) and the fact that it’s Monday and she hasn’t called, that there was no intention on hiring me and there was an attempt for me to be dissuade from the job. Does it seem like that to you? Should I call the manager or would that seem desparate? Was this a fake interview?
Hi Jayda,
For your situation, I don’t like that she spoke about the other employees in a negative way. That’s just not professional. Saying that, she sounds like she needs some help fast so I don’t necessarily think this was a fake interview. After an interview I would always send a thank you email. I would definitely follow-up with them and they didn’t give you a timeline so when you speak with them try to get them to commit to an actual date on when they expect this new hire to start. It really sounds like you had a great connection with her so definitely call her and remind her that you are still interested in the job. Good Luck.
Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you liked the article
Hi Dorothy,
It’s Christina, I emailed you yesterday regarding that wonderful interview that I had. I still did not recieve a call back and last time I spoke to the director (last Thursday) he said that they were wrapping things up and will make a decision by Monday and I would hear back either way. I took your advice and called back this morning and tried to contact the supervisor but I got no response and did not leave a message. I left her a message last week and thats when I decided to call the Director and spoke to him. Do you think I should call the Director again or just wait for them to call me like they said they would? or maybe try the Supervisor or HR? Also, I am trying to think what could have changed their mine about me…I left my pervious job after I went on Maternity leave and decided to take the year off. During the interview I said I left for personal family matters. Someone told me its not good to say you left after maternity leave..is that true? Also, by law does my last employment have to keep my maternity leave confidental if a potential employer contacts them?
Hey Christina,
Just because you called them and left a message last week doesn’t mean you can’t leave them another message. You need to show them that you are interested in the role and leaving a message if they don’t answer is the way to do it. You need to be firm but polite and say that you recall being told that the decision to hire would be finalized on Monday and you were just hoping someone could call you back for an update. I’m glad you said you left for personal reasons because saying that you quit while on maternity leave is awful (for a company that is). It is definitely not good to say you left after maternity leave. If your employer was asked why you left the company they may say that you decided not to come back from maternity leave but it depends on what was written on your ROE. It also depends on what you said on your resignation letter.
Hi Dorothy,
I hope you are doing well. I posted on this site a few months ago- and since then, I have been on vacation and going through grueling rounds of interviews with major companies. Sadly, as of last week, I got rejected from ALL but one of them.
That one company, ABC, is the same company that kept jerking me around the last time. I went to the first interview, and I really clicked with the manager (she seemed to really liked me). She told me on the spot that she’s moving me to the final round. So a week later, Tuesday August 10, I had a very casual interview with 2 of her subordinates. It was only half an hour, and they seemed like they just wanted to have a casual conversation with me. They have expressed many times that they think my profile fits the role. Now, it’s been a week and I have not heard back from them. The hiring manager told me that she needed someone “ASAP” when I first met with her. Today, I called the HR recruiter, the girl who I have been in contact with (I don’t have the Hiring Manager’s business card) says that the Hiring Manager did not get back to her yet. But she will let me know either way (good or bad).
Do you think they are just dangling me along? If they really liked me, wouldn’t have offered me the job already? I still do not understand. Why didn’t she just say “no, you didn’t get the job” and let me move on with my life?
I feel like I’m at someone’s mercy. I don’t know if I can continue applying and prepping for interviews anymore. I really want this job.
On that note, I have been very depressed lately- and what a nice coincidence that I came across ur new article about depression. Thank YOU dearly for writing that. It certainly help me put things into perspective- but a big part of me is still longing for that job because, well frankly, I need it.
*Sorry, not tuesday august 10. My last and final interview with the company was August 16.
Hi Elle C.
I’m really glad to hear that you are getting a lot of interviews. Have you really looked at yourself and how you interview? I only suggest it because one of many reasons you may not be getting job offers is the way you answer the interview questions or the way you come across in an interview. It’s always good to really be honest with yourself and try to improve. Have you thought about getting a survival job? Something just to help pay the bills while you look for something more permanent? I’m glad you liked my recent post and hope you use some of the suggestions such as networking and meeting people that can possibly help you get the job you want. When you’re feeling really down go out for a job, a bike ride or swim. Sweat out all those bad thoughts and don’t let them linger and make you bitter. I am POSITIVE you will find something soon if you stay confident. Thanks for the update Elle 
I know you REALLY want this job but sometimes when they say that the hiring manager is still deciding or hasn’t even gotten back to HR then maybe that’s true. I know it’s hard to stay positive but please STAY POSITIVE
Hello Dorothy,
I love your site, it is extremely helpful!
I had an interview three weeks ago, like everyone else, it went well. The hiring manaer says everything went well and they are still in the decision making process. I immediately sent a follow up thank you email 6 hours after the interview. I followed up a week late, he says still have not selected a candidate. Then two days ago, I sent an email stating that i was still interested in the job and was wanting to see if it had been filled. He responded by saying that the position was still not filled, but should be by the end of the week. He asked me to follow up with him on Thursday and I told him i would call him at 2pm, he said he was looking forward to it.
Your thoughts please.
Hi Devin,
I’m afraid that you may not be the successful candidate. I say this because it looks like a few weeks have passed and they still have not selected a candidate and then stated, after your follow up email, that it is still not filled but they should be making a decision at the end of the week. I think they are moving forward with another candidate. Also, following up does not mean just calling HR and asking them if they filled the position. Following up means yes, seeing if they made a decision but if they say no then you need to remind them why you are the perfect candidate or help them recall how pleasant the interview/meeting was. You need to be more active and less passive. Don’t be afraid to show initiative. It’s people who show initiative and drive that get hired not the ones who just ask if they position is filled i.e. you probably didn’t pick me and I wanted to make sure. Sorry and I hope that this is not the case.
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for the tip. I did leave another message and i will follow up again by the end of the week if i don’t hear anything. Also, for future interviews, how should i go about my last place of employment, leaving after maternity leave. I will continue to say I left for personal family matters however when they call for reference, is it out of my hands at that point right? Will this have a negative impact on my job searches and can this delay the process even more?
Hey Christina,
I’m glad to hear that you left a message. In regards to your reason for leaving your last job, I would continue to say that you left for personal reasons. It really depends on what your references say but I’m sure your record states that you quit/resigned. Leaving after taking maternity leave does not look good for you as other companies , if they find out, will be worried that you will do the same thing while working for them. In any case, HR is not that worried about it as it’s not something they can prevent or see coming so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Just make sure you ask your references to state, if they were asked, that you left the company due to personal matters.
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for your response. You’re very sweet. I have been told by all interviewers that I have a great attitude and lovely personality. Only thing- there’s always someone with better skills/experience than me.
I only have 3 years work experience and an MBA from a top school in Canada. Sadly, it has not gotten me anywhere.
Also, can you share your insight- how do you know I have not be rejected already? What makes you so sure that the HR is genuinely waiting to hear back from Hiring Manager? I’ve heard stories that if you don’t get the offer within a few days, it means “forget it”. I also heard that sometimes it’s a ploy- they don’t want to say yes to you until they can secure their first pick.
Hey Elle C.
I don’t know for sure that you have or have not been rejected already. I’m trying to be positive. As a recruiter I have to wait to hear from hiring managers all the time so that is a legitimate excuse but you’re right and I have said this in various posts that if you don’t hear from the recruiter in a few days of the interview (depending on what timeline they gave you) than they probably didn’t chose you. When a recruiter gives you excuses or dangles a carrot in front of you then they are usually trying to secure their first pick. Since you have only 3 years of work experience (not sure if that experience is even in the field that you want to be in) your goal even with a MBA is to find an entry level position. Many new grads start in a company at the bottom and work themselves up. Make sure you are applying to jobs that you actually have a good chance of getting. Don’t pin yourself against other candidates that have way more experience then you.
Hey Dorothy,
I still havent heard anything. I tried calling the Director, Supervisor and HR and no answer, just their voicemails. I guess at this point if I do not hear back today, then I should just move on. I read the post above and if I dont hear back within a couple of days of the day they told me they were make their decision (Monday) then most likely they selected another candidate. What s strange to me is that I looked at the job posting on their website to see if it was removed, it was still up but they slighty changed the job title. Does that mean anything? Thanks again
Hi Dorothy,
Also, I put my last supervisor as my reference. I havent spoke to hear in a year but she was my boss. Do you think it’s a good idea to contact her by email or phone, and ask her if it is ok for her to say I left for peronal reasons? Im not sure who else i can use for a reference since she was my supervisor. I was a good employee, its just that when i had my baby, after my maternity leave, i couldnt afford daycare on the salary i had. I had to stay home with my son. I just dont want this to be the downfall for me finding a job now.
Hey Christina,
It depends on what kind of a relationship you have with your reference but I think contacting by phone and explaining your concerns is the clearest way to do it.
Thank you for the article it made me feel much better after being rejected for a position I was certain I had in the bag.
The hiring process was extremelly long including three phone interviews, flying to another state (on their dime) for four more interviews at corporate and then two more interviews at the actual facility closer to home. Everything went wonderfully until I meet with the last individual. The questions she asked I felt were deeply personal and not at all related to the job at hand. Overall I probably had spent 8-10 hours interviewing over a two week period only to be told I was “too perfect.” What in the world does that mean? The HR recruitor who I had interviewed couldn’t (or wouldn’t eloborate) yet appeared as flabbergasted as I felt. Your feedback would be appreciated:)
Hey Tammie,
When i think of a “too perfect” candidate I think of someone who was not genuine in an interview but answered all the questions perfectly. This is someone who has interviewed so many times and memorized all the best answers to all the common interview questions but came off sounding phony. The personality of the candidate did not come across and they were worried about their answers more than learning about the job and seeing if they are a fit for the role. That’s the only thing I can think of. The recruiter unfortunately was lazy and didn’t want to give you proper feedback, which seems to me more common and sad. I don’t think this was a fake interview since you had to endure nine interviews. Sorry about your experience but thank you for sharing it.
Hi Dorothy,
I have an update. I finally got through to HR and they said that the Supervisor and Director are still doing interviews and they have two more people to see and should be done by next Wednesday. HR said I am still in the running and that they now have two open spots. They will start making calls by next week. What do you think. I can’t understand why the Supervisor and the Director did’nt just call me back with an update. Thanks for your reponses they have been helpful. It feels good to have someone to talk to during these frustrating times.
Hey Christina,
You found out that you are still in the running, which is great! I do think if you were one of the successful candidates they would have contacted you to tell you that they were taking a little longer in the interview process rather than you only finding out when you contacted them. Hopefully I’m wrong. Supervisors, Directors and who ever else is in your interview don’t usually have the time to contact every candidate that follows up. They just attended the interview and still have a full-time job to do. The recruiter is the one who should get back to you because that is their full-time job. I think you left enough messages for them to know that you are interested in the role. I would suggest only if you have the Director and Supervisor’s email to email them and explain again making sure you are very clear that you have all the qualifications (and hopefully more) that they are looking for in a candidate. You don’t want them to forget about you or just remember that you were the one who called and left a few messages asking about an update. Sell yourself and make sure they know that you are perfect for the role. Good Luck!
See this is why following up and keeping engaged with the recruiter is important
Hi Dorothy,
I’m a little bit taken aback. I just got back from a 2nd interview with a company. I met with 3 people. The third person who interviewed me asked me about my family life, what my father/mother’s occupation is, when I came to America, where I’m from, etc.
I’ve NEVER experienced those questions in an interview. What is your feedback on it? I was feeling very overwhelmed that such personal questions were being asked.
Sincerely,
Sam
Hi Sam,
I can see why you would be taken back or overwhelmed with these questions if they were asked in your first interview. Since they were asked in a second interview the person probably already looked over their notes from everyone else who’s spoken with you and didn’t really have anymore questions to ask. So why not get to know you a bit better and ask a few personal questions. Try to never feel flustered. Who ever is interviewing you is also seeing if they can be your friend. Remember they are picturing in their minds if they can sit and work beside you for 8 hours of the day. Asking a few personal questions is just another way to get to know you. Usually these questions are ice breakers and help candidates calm down as well. Remember to send a thank you email and follow up.
Hi Dorothy,
UPDATE: The day after I wrote you, the finance manager called me to come in the next day for a second interview. I had an interview with each department manager and the general manager. The
sorry hit publish before I finished.
The finance manager and I talked after the interview and she thanked me for the thank you letter (the general manager said I was the only one who sent a thank you letter) and apologized for the way she came across in the first interview. She was late and upset because she just had a meeting where she had to fire two people and had to restructure her department due to it. She hoped I understood that was not a regular attitude or occurence. She said she would call me by the end of the week. two hours later, I was offered the position. Your advice on the thank you letter was priceless and probably helped me get a job. Thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I’m very happy for you Jayda
People forget how important Thank you emails are. I wish you all the best with your new job and thank you so much for the fantastic update.
Hi Dorothy,
Just to follow up- I have contacted the recruiter again on Friday and she told me that the hiring manager still has issues she needs to work out on her end and that’s why the hiring manager did not reach a decision to inform the HR recruiter I spoke to.
I’m getting really annoyed- why would they interview me if they are not sure about hiring. The only thing giving me hope is that they still have not told me “no”.
Hi Elle C,
This is really annoying. Did they give you a timeline on when all these “issues” will be straightened out? I don’t know why this company decided to post a job when they can’t move forward with actually hiring someone. Maybe business isn’t good. I would do some research and check if they are in trouble right now and maybe will be letting people go instead of hiring soon. If you really want this job keep following up and try to get a timeline from them so at least you can move forward and apply to other jobs. Maybe by the time they do offers you’ll already have an offer from another company and you’ll be in the best seat to negotiate
Hi Dorothy,
Its Christina, I was called in for a second interview. What do you think that means? Any suggestions? I didnt send an email to them.
Hi Christina,
It means that they think you’re a good candidate. You mentioned that they changed the job posting slightly. Make sure you note the changes and make sure during the interview your answers show that you have all the qualifications they need. Do you know if your interview is with the same Director/supervisor/hiring manager etc? If so, make sure you’re really relaxed as second interviews should be less stressful as they are just making sure that you understand the role and they can relate to you as a colleague. If it’s with anyone new then it will probably be as formal as the first interview. In any case, don’t be nervous because the fact is THEY LIKE YOU! You might be the only one who was asked to come in for a second interview and they just wanted to meet with you one more time to make sure that you are genuine and that you really want this job before they send you an offer. Congratulations and this is GREAT news!!!
Hi Dorothy, I had a really great interview and would love your opinion on something.
HR mentioned at the end that a lot of people applied for the position, and they were doing interviews all week, so I wouldn’t hear back right away- though I was given a specific date.
Is this comment typically a way of softening the blow/ preparing me for not getting the job since there are so many other candidates or harmless? Curious what you think.
Hi Hannah,
Telling a candidate that they were interviewing a lot of people is a common thing and for most of the time it’s true. Recruiters would say this to all the candidates even the one they think will get the job so they don’t let you think that it’s that easy to work there. Since they gave you a specific date I would wait for that date to pass and if you don’t hear anything then follow-up. Remember to send a Thank you note! Thanks for the comment
Hi Dorothy!
First and foremost, I just wanted to let you know that I find this blog so incredibly useful. Especially being a recent college grad, I’m learning little tips here and there from reading all these posts + your responses.
I thought it would be a great idea if I got some feedback from you in regards to my situation. As I had mentioned earlier in the previous posts, I had a phone interview for a position as a Human resources assistant (last Tuesday – Aug. 23rd). Since I’m the type to get nervous over the phone, I had prepared immensely prior to the phone interview. I did great and was asked to come in for a face-to-face interview, as well as turning in an Employment Application with a list of my references, social security #, etc.
So last Thursday (Aug 25th), I went in for the interview. The lady (Cara) who I spoke to over the phone sent me a message after the phone interview to ask for her when I come in. Well, I went in- asked for her- however, the HR Coordinator came to receive me. He told me that the Cara had an unexpected meeting and that he would interview me instead. The interview with him went well, we spent about 45 minutes talking, asking one another questions, etc. And then he goes, “let me see if Cara is free now”. So he leaves for a few minutes, comes back, and says “Ah I’m going to have to keep you company for a little while, because Cara’s not free yet”. So we talked for about another 15 minutes about school, hobbies, etc. And then Cara comes in followed by her co-worker, who also happens to have a HR Manager title. We greeted one another, and Cara goes, “Elena is going to interview you now”. The interview with Elena went great as well. After that interview, Cara comes in the room and says, “It was really nice meeting you. Do keep in touch with me over the next week, we should have a decision made by the end of next week. Keep me updated on your schedule. You are the first person we interviewed, we still are screening other candidates and have scheduled interviews with them. But keep me updated!”
I sent in a Thank-you note the day after my in-person interview. I also sent a follow-up email yesterday morning to let her know of my schedule and availability for this week.
So, I have a couple of concerns here. 1) Cara mentioned that I was to meet with her in person for the interview, however she was unavailable to interview me. Does that already put me at a disadvantage because she was busy in a meeting and I didn’t get the opportunity to impress her in person? Because if she’s screening and interviewing other candidates, chances are that she’s going to be meeting with them in person?
2) Since I was the first person that they interviewed in person, does that already put me at a disadvantage?
3) I did not a receive a response to my thank-you email nor my follow-up email from yesterday. After how long do you reckon that I should get back in touch with them to see how far along they are in the interviewing process?
A couple of side notes: the job qualifications states that the person who holds this position should have 1-2 years of recruiting experience. However, when I spoke to Cara over the phone, I let her that even though I may not have recruiting experience- I do have transferable skills that I have gained from my customer service background that may be applicable to a role in HR. (I think she liked that I said that, which is why I MAY have landed with an in-person interview, maybe?)
I read in the previous posts that it is important to stay patient, however I am just very concerned and I’m being impatient because I know that I’m already at a disadvantage for not having met Cara in-person because an unexpected meeting had come up + I also know that there ARE other qualified candidates that they may be screening.
Please let me know your feedback! Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Sam
Hi Sam,
Thank you for your comment and lets get to your concerns. 1. I personally do think that it does put you in a disadvantage that you did not interview with Cara. She probably will interview other candidates herself and not only will she remember them since she actually interviewed them but they might have the recruiting experience they are looking for. 2. Being the first person interviewed does not put in a disadvantage but it definitely makes you want to follow-up and be more ACTIVE since you don’t want them to forget about you. 3. DO NOT expect a response from your Thank you note or Follow-up email as you are thanking them for taking the time to meet with you and you are providing your schedule as per their request. They are not going to reply and thank you for your thank you and schedule. That’s just time consuming and silly. In regards to the next time you should touch base with them, I would give it 3-4 days and then call them and ask for a specific date when the interview process will be over and this is a great chance for you to ask them if they need anymore information from you. You mentioned that you provided them with a list of your references. Make sure you prepare your references and ask them to call you right away if they get contacted by this company. Being patient is key but being an ACTIVE candidate especially when you have a disadvantage (do not have the experience) is important too. Do you have the email of the HR Coordinator that interviewed you? It sounded like you spent a lot of time with him so I would suggest you reach out to him for an update. When you know you’re at a disadvantage think of other things that you feel you can bring to the table. What makes you unique?
Hey Dorothy. I have applied to a small jewelry store and got an interview about a week later. I got interview by the manager and the recruiter. The funny thing is they didn’t know what to interview me about, they had nothing on their hands but a blank piece of paper and a pencil to jot down answer from me. They kept looking at each other asking what they should ask me and that its so hard because they don’t have their book of questions to ask. Which i find it really unprepared. Before the interview i showed up 20 minutes early and had to wait about half an hour in the store for the interview. I had a great chat with the recruiter which i didn’t know that she was going to interview me too. She seems to really like me. after the interview the manager told me shell contact me on Friday to follow me up, but its been almost two weeks and i have heard nothing. I felt that the interview went great and that they bot liked me. We joked and talk about personal thing at times too. I need your feed back on this, if it was a fake interview or that i was not the one they want to hire. thanks again.
Hi A Vang,
I have never heard of a recruiter being so unprepared. Yes a hiring manager but never a recruiter. Anyway, I think what you need to focus on is the fact that you may have befriended the recruiter. Do you have her contact info? If not try to search it out. The fact that two weeks have past is not a good sign either. This might have been a fake interview but I’m not sure why they wouldn’t even just fake it properly and be a little prepared. After the interview did you send a thank you email? Did you follow-up within the two weeks? If not, make sure you do that the next time and at least you can put this interview in the books as the worst interview you have ever attended
Hi Dorothy,
I dont know if this is considered a fake interview but i feel like there are some red flags, can you tell me what you think?
I recently applied for this part time position as a sales associate for a mortgage company and the receptionist called me that afternoon for a phone interview. I was on campus and dont think i did too well on the phone interview but I dont think i did exactly horrible as well. She scheduled me for a person interview the following day (today) with the president of the company. Right off the bat, he introduced himself and says he does all his interviews short and to the point. He did ask me questions relating to the job but the interview was a bit short. He also asked for my schedule but did not ask me for a list of references. Is it because this position is part time? This position is an entry-level positions for undergrad students or post-grad students. We did talk about our similarities on how we both attend(ed) SDSU and talked about how he loved the current restaurant im currently working at. How would I know exactly if it was a fake interview or for sure know if i didnt get the job? He said he had other interviews for the week and will let me know latest by Monday. I’m so nervous! Please give me your advice!
Hi Stan,
I don’t think this was a fake interview. The president of the company was upfront and honest with you that he does all interview short and to the point. Some recruiters or people who have hired before have a good sense of people. For some interviewers it can only take a few minutes of a conversation and they know right away if that person can do the job or not. You are applying for an entry-level sales position so he probably was making sure that you sounded confident, looked good (dressed appropriately) and can have a conversation with. When a position is for an undergrad or post-grad student and it’s part-time the interview is definitely less formal. This doesn’t mean it’s less formal on your end. Make sure you send a Thank you email right away and send them a list of your references. Remember you are trying to sell yourself and they want to see if you can sell yourself and if you do then you’ll probably be a good sales associate. Be ACTIVE and definitely follow-up on Monday if you don’t hear from them by then. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I had my second interview and in my opinion it didnt go as well as the first. For one, I thought this was going to be a follow up from the first interview but it turns out that I was being interviewed for a different position. The supervisor I interviewed with the first time briefly mentioned it to me the first time but I was not told by HR that I was intervieweing for a different position. The Supervisor that i met with the first time sat in on the interview but didnt say much. The supervisor for the new position did most of the talking. I feel as though i didnt do my best because I was thrown off but tried my best anyway. I feel as though she wasnt even prepared because it seems as though she was looking at my resume for the first time ( which i provided her with). It felt like she was trying to throw me off with some of her questions also..it just didnt feel right. She said that they are still interviewing and I should hear back in a couple of weeks. I called HR after the interview to find out if the position was filled for the first position i applied for and they said no it wasnt and she was sorry for not telling me i was interviewing for another position because i wasnt given the job description to prepare for and that she was not informed as well. She said she would get back to me, so i guess i will wait to hear from her. At this point, I feel like they are delaying the process and Im just given the run around. I feel dissapointed and confused but i guess it was not ment to be. I will stay positive and continue to look for a job.
Also, HR sounded like she wasnt to happy about the situation and she said that she likes to let her applicants know what they are interviewing for so they can prepare. She said that before I called her they were trying to call her but she was in the middle of doing something. She said she would let them know and will get back to me. That was over 2 hours ago and it is not past the work day. What do you think about the situation. Was this a fake interview after all? This whole process started Aug. 8 when i had my first interview now fast forward to september 1 my second interview for another position. Eventhough the positions are similar it still a different position. And now they said i should hear back in a couple of weeks
Hi Christina,
This interview sounded really messy. I’ve had a candidate come in for an interview and thought it was a different role even though I sent them the position description before hand. In any case, we pretty much wrote that person off because they weren’t prepared. In your case it wasn’t your fault because you were mislead to think this was a second interview not a new interview for a new role. Since they didn’t ask for your references or even look like they want to hire a person quickly (they said you would hear back from them in a couple of weeks) I would write them off and move on to other job interviews. It’s just not clear what they want and you don’t want to waist your time. I would also really, really think twice about going in again if they call and invite you for another interview. Sorry.
Dorothy,
I GOT THE JOB!!!! thank you for your response!
CONGRATULATIONS STAN!!!! I wish you all the best
Hi Dorothy,
I was wondering if you could clear something up for me? I had a phone interview, then group interview then one-on-one interview (from 150 applications I was in the top 15). I felt I did really well, I was very communicative, friendly and remembered all the facts and details about the company, I even espouse all of their principles and was fully avaliable etc. However I got the call (when promised which was nice) saying that I was unsuccessful. The manager said I interviewed very well and was very friendly and that I should apply for another position they have at another location. I cannot figure out why I did not get the job? I am qualified and obviously interviewed well (as she stated emphatically). I am aware that this company is notorious for hiring internally and I am fairly certain that is what happened here (in fact it has happened to me before – they rescinded their job posting). My question is; how are you supposed to get in there?! I understand the positive points about hiring internally, less training, easier transition etc, but it is so unfair for us ‘outsiders’. I really need a job.
Thankyou for any advice
Hi Ally,
Internal candidates and nepotism are two of the most common reason why you wouldn’t be the successful candidate. To get into a union environment or to even beat internal candidates to the job offer the key is to network. You need to know someone who is in the company or in HR who can recommend or vouch for you. LinkedIN, Twitter and Google plus are great ways to connect with a company. Good Luck and thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Dorothy,
I thought I was definitely going to get the job I applied for because not too many people have experience in this particular branch of my field. I was called in for 2 interviews (done the same day) less than 24 hours after sending my resume. I was asked to come in for a 3rd interview hours after my set first interviews. I feel like all 3 went very well but, I haven’t heard a peep in almost 2 weeks.
I sent thank you letters to all 3 interviewers and left 2 voicemail messages (1 week apart) for the HR rep since the initial interviews. Nobody has not responded to me AT ALL! So, today, I sent an email to the Hiring Manger directly asking the status of my application. Was this a bad move? I would rather hear no than nothing at all.
Well, just found out after contacting the Hiring Manger directly that the position was given to an internal candidate and I was #2. Like that makes me feel better but, it’s better than no answer like i’ve been getting from the stupid HR guy. I sent a thank email for getting back to me. : /
Hi Beverly,
I’m glad you feel better after hearing from the hiring manager. If you were the #2 candidate I would have expected them to respond to you almost immediately. I can’t believe they took over two weeks to respond and they didn’t really get back to you because you called and contacted them. That is so rude. When you don’t hear from a hiring manager or HR for more than 2 weeks than of course its ok to email them to find out what’s going on. Usually that amount of time means that you didn’t get the job but you still deserve a call to be told that. I think HR and hiring managers are just forgetting about common etiquette. They should call, thank and let every candidate know the hiring decision because many people took time out of their busy day to come in and speak with them. Thanks for leaving the comment and sorry you didn’t get the job
Hi Dorothy,
Hoping for your insight since this is my dream position for a reputable company and I’m starting to wonder if they had a target hire all along.
My interview was August 29th and was told they would have an answer Sept 12th. So the wait time is definitely making me over think everything.
Overall it went really well, and I wouldn’t change anything 0n my end. Unfortunately there were some possible red flags. First, it was a panel interview of four and I thought it was strange no one took notes on my answers. The questions were fairly simple for this type of position.
Also, the only two ladies on the panel would joke with me throughout (in a professional manner) which was fine, just strange. Lastly, it was short, lasted about 20 minutes but the man from HR mentioned at the end he always keeps them brief. One more note I thought was odd, I was the one to initiate the hello/goodbye and handshake.
I felt like they were judging my personality more than anything.
Besides that, I’m confident in my ability to give a great interview. I sent a thank you email the day after and will follow up later this week if I don’t hear back. Does it sound odd to you as well or am I just over thinking it all?
Hi Dorothy, Thanks for your previous comment. I didn’t get the job, so its ok just wish I knew if there was a target all along.
Keep on with this great site. Its obvious you’re doing something you love and helping people in the process. There’s nothing much better than that.
Hi Hannah,
Your interview did sound odd. Sorry that you didn’t get the job but it was obviously a fake interview so it had nothing to do with you. I hope you continue to be confident in your ability to give a great interview because it’s that confidence that will win you your next interview. Good Luck and thanks for the kind words
Hi Dorothy,
I need advice on my interview this past Friday. It went really well. I got past the screeners (HR and Office Mngr). I’m not sure who the third person was, as far as his position in the company. But he complimented me on my resume and said he felt I would be the perfect fit for the position. But he said he still had to follow through interviews until Tuesday. He even said that out of hundreds of resumes mine stood out and that he liked what I had to say and how I presented myself. Do you think the chances of me getting the job are good or bad?
Hi Daisy,
I think since they loved your resume and said that they liked what you had to say and how you presented yourself you have a very good chance of getting the job. Remember to send a thank you note and follow-up if you need to. Did they ask for references?
Thanks Dorothy for a quick response.No references, but now they are sending me on a second interview for tomorrow at their corporate office. I am nervous because they did mention it was down between myself and another girl. I really hope I’m the girl they choose. Any words of advice for the second interview?
Hey Daisy,
Stay positive!!! Be friendly and enthusiastic about the role but still be professional. Think about 3 or 4 major skills that you will be bringing to the role. What makes you unique? Just reinforce that you are the perfect candidates by looking over the job description and remembering some of the questions from the first interview. If you exude confidence you will do great!!! Good Luck and try not to be nervous
Hi Dorothy
First of all, thanks so much for writing this excellent blog. It’s very useful.
I went for a job with a large international firm on Friday. Prior to the interview my recruitment agent submitted my CV and was asked to arrange an interview on the same day.
It’s a fantastic opportunity and the interviewer is at the absolute top of her field.
I was slightly nervous in the interview but while we didn’t discuss anything personal or build a strong personal connection I thought the answers I gave were fine. The q+a session was relatively short and we discussed the role the rest of the time.
At the end of the interview she told me she was interviewing other candidates and would get back to me by the end of this week. She replied to my thank you email on the same day stating she promise to come back soon and she looks forward to keeping in touch.
My agent gave her a call today and was told that the interviewer enjoyed speaking to me, and that there has been a delay in the iinterview process. My agent asked me if there was anything else I wanted to apply for. I have received no feedback either before or after the interview on what the interviewer thought of me.
Maybe it’s just jobseeker nerves but I am wondering if the interviewer is just trying to leave me dangling while she hunts for a better candidate. Is my agent trying to let me down gently?
Hi Chloe,
When working with an agent make sure you start off the relationship by stating that you want them to be completely honest with you. Not to sugar coat feedback from interviewers and just to be straight forward. Hope that helps and thanks for leaving a comment.
How is your relationship with your recruitment agent? I ask because he/she would be able to give you the real story if this is a legitimate delay in the process or if they are indeed looking for another/better candidate. I don’t mind that your agent wanted to know if you wanted to apply for anything else because clearly from the feedback you interview well. If I was your agent I would be pushing the company to move forward with hiring or at least tell me if you were one of the top candidates and they are seriously considering hiring you once they get over this delay. Either way I would also be sending you out to other job openings because at the end of the day you might end up getting two job offers, which is great for you
Hi,
I been to many interviews last 45 days. I went through 30 interviews. Out of 30, I would say i did well in 5 of them and went till final round/stage. In UK most of the companies have 3 stages of interview (IT profession). Telephone, Test, Face to Face. I been to final stage in 3 companies. 2 Companies asked for references and they never comeback. When I contact them they say they are still finalizing candidates. It been 2/3 weeks now. I am not sure what is wrong. How do I make sure that my X employer is providing good reference. I resign my own for personal/professional reason from my last role.
I am mentally upset and disturb. I am good what I do and still finding it difficult to get job.
Any suggestion/advice welcome
Hi Fawad,
As IT continues to evolve so does work of computer engineers, network analysts etc. IT is a very popular profession and one job posting can warrant hundreds of applicants. You obviously have a well written and impressive resume but have trouble with the face-to-face interview. Interviews for roles such as IT, Engineers, and Finance can be a little more tricky because the interview itself tends to be more technical a.k.a. dry. I’ve rarely witnessed an energetic IT candidate who not only knows his/her stuff but is personable and can have a relaxed conversation. I would suggest you do your research and try to find out if you have anything in common with the hiring manager or recruiter. Try to be personable and friendly. Don’t answer interview question with one word answers. In regards to your reference, a past employer is called to verify your employment and they would confirm that you resigned. That’s all. If you provided references such as past supervisors, managers etc. these references were chosen because they can speak positively about you and your work. You can always contact them to make sure that they can provide a good reference for you. When you are asked why you left your past job what do you say? Make sure that you make them believe that even though you decided to resign you had a positive experience and enjoyed working there. Don’t give up Fawad. Try to network more so you can be recommended/referred by an employee of the company. Stay positive and Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy, thanks for posting so quickly. I have another 2 interviews organized for next week! I wish i made more of a personal connection with the first interviewer since the first job is my dream job but the other interviews will make the wait more bearable. Hopefully one of these will result in an offer, and I can then turn around and ask the first company for a quick response. I will keep you posted.
That’s great news Chloe! Don’t give up on your dream job. Keep on your recruiter and I bet you will soon have to decided between multiple offers
Good luck on the interviews and I look forward to your update.
I will keep my question brief. So I went for a interview, nailed it in fact, and was called back for a second. Within 5 minutes of the second interview I was offered the job. I am to start next week, now they are asking for references, after the fact? Any reason why they would ask after the offer was made?
Hi Tony,
Congratulations!! They are simply asking for references to have something on file. They want to do their due diligence and handle each new hire the same meaning interview, offer and references. Why do you think they loved you so much? Did you do anything unique to be offered a job within 5 minutes of the interview?
I went prepared, I researched the company, and knew everything about what they did, and was ready for the classic STAR interview. So I already knew what was coming.
Plus it helped that I had 13 years experience in the same type of field.
I made eye contact, and related all my answers to the job being applied for.
The hiring manager basically was like, well… I really don’t have any other questions, you pretty much have proven your value here. He ended on the also classic why should I pick you over someone else.. My reply…. Longevity.
So as advice for all those other ones out there be prepared for the STAR interviews as they call them, you know give me a Situation in which you were given a Task that was hard for you, what Action did you take, and at the end what was the Result.
Thanks Tony,
Sounds like the key is to prepare well, make sure your answers relate to the job that you’re applying for and be confident. Thanks for also sharing your STAR interview process.
Hi Dorothy
I had interview yesterday with hiring manager on phone. But hiring manager did not ask any questions, he just asked me “Do you have questions”. I asked few questions about the responsiblity of the candidate…..and about his team and work enovirnment in the company. hiring manager did not ask for any references. I do not know if I will get this job. Is this normal. this was my first interview for industry.
Hi John,
Is this your first contact with the company? Did you have a phone interview before speaking with hiring manager? This does sound a little strange. I would need more information but I don’t like that the hiring manager did not ask you any questions. Either the hiring manager is lazy, this was a fake interview or they don’t know what they are doing. I would contact HR and ask them if being asked zero questions is a common interview practice for them.
Hi Dorothy,
It’s Christina, and it’s been a couple weeks since we last spoke. I decided to move on since i did’nt hear back from the last interview I had. I applied to a job that has great potential but the salary is lower than what I would want. They called me for an interview and on the job posting, they had the base salary that they are offering. Is it ok to negotiate the salary? Will they offer more to the right person? or is that their final offer to anyone? thanks : )
Hi Christina,
Once you are offered the job it is ok to negotiate salary. Never bring it up during the interview. Since they put the base salary on the job posting I doubt that they will budge and offer more but for the right person I have seen companies either find more money or increase vacation entitlement. Good Luck!
I recently had an interview. They went as far as to call ALL of my references and background check and when I called. They said that they decided to go in a differnt direction. What does that mean?
Hi Melissa,
I have seen this before. In my past experience this means that they gave the job to an internal candidate. They probably shifted the department around, created some job sharing or something but either way they “decided to go in a different direction” and it has nothing to do with you. If I were you I would have asked them to elaborate a little more and explain exactly what that meant. You can always call them back and ask to get some feedback on your interview and see if you can get anything out of them. Maybe your references weren’t as good as you thought. Have you spoken to your references to see if they maybe had anything to do with it? Either way I am sorry to hear that. Thanks for leaving a comment and don’t be scared to ask a company to explain there decision. Just make sure you are polite and professional.
Hi Dorothy
Thanks for your response. I got phone call from hiring manager’s supervisor first and than from hiring manager. Supervisor did ask me few questions about my work and experience and he told me that hiring manager is going to call you tomorrow. During the conversation hiring manager did explain me in detail what they are doing and what they expect from candidate. Please give me suggestions what to do?
Hi John,
Sounds like to me that this was a phone screen. They explained to you what they are looking for and their expectations. I hope you had some good questions for them and spoke about your experience and how it relates to the job on hand. Before agreeing to a phone interview always ask them if they can tell you what you should expect i.e. behaviour type questions, any tests etc. That way you would have know that the hiring manager expected you to do the talking and not him. How did the phone interview end? Did the hiring manager tell you what the next stage of the interview process was? Did you ask? I’m going to assume that you are qualified for the job so if I were you I would follow up. Email or phone the supervisor or hiring manager and be ready to sell yourself again to them, thank them for their time and ask them what the next stage of the interview process is. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy
Thanks for the response. Interview went well. At the end of interview hiring manager did not tell me about the next stage but he did tell me that they are calling more candidates and his supervisor, HR manager will proceed after that.
I did send a thanks email to hiring manager after interview. My interview was on Sept 15, when do you think I should contact or follow up with them.
Hi John,
I would follow up on Wednesday.
Hi Dorothy,
Sorry I asking too much. Do you think from my conversation with supervisor and hiring manager I have some chances . I bit confused. I know it is hard to predict.
Hi John,
It’s hard to tell. It looks like you made it past one pre-screen (hiring manager’s supervisor) and made it to another pre-screen (hiring manager. It’s great that you made it this far but the goal is to hear from the supervisor and HR Manager. I hope that the questions that you asked the hiring manager i.e. about he role, company work environment were well thought out enough that he thinks of you as a good candidate. I still suggest you need to follow up and when you do remember to emphasize some of you key strengths that you will bring to the role. Good Luck!
Dorothy,
First off, great blog, and sound advice. Nice of you to take time out of your day to respond to everyone’s questions and concerns.
On that note, here is my situation:
I was recently contacted by a recruiter via email, and then set up an appt. to do a phone interview/screen (Friday afternoon). We spoke on the phone, and it went pretty well. She was pretty impressed with my quals and background, and an in person interview was set up with the hiring manager on the following Monday.
I went in for the interview, and all was going very well. Then the hiring manager said to me, “I just want to say pretty candidly, that you are probably overqualified for the job”. He went on to ask me if it was something I was interested in, and I reassured him that it was, stating that it had a lot of things that I had been/enjoyed doing in addition to the opportunity to learn new skills, and improve upon other skillsets, etc. He also mentioned that “if this didn’t work out, that he would hand pass my resume to other dept heads within the company”. This left me a little puzzled, as the interview was going very well. Later in the interview, he said that he did have two more candidates to interview, and he would make a decision that Friday. I also asked him if he had any more questions for me, and he stated no, he was very impressed with my background and it definitely tied to what they were looking for.
After the interview with him, I went and spoke with the recruiter a bit. She went over the benefits, and asked me again was it something I was interested in. I told her absolutely, she said she was glad to hear it and that after we did the phone screen the previous week that she was very impressed and that she wanted to get me in with the company. She asked me how I left it with the hiring manager, and I had mentioned that he said he would make a decision on Friday. She walked me to the elevators, and she told me I’d definitely hear from her.
That night, sent Thank you letters via snail mail. That Friday, I didn’t hear back, and I sent a follow up email asking if a decision had been made. To that email, I haven’t heard back. This was actually this past week, so I’m assuming there is always Monday/Tuesday to hear back.
I could be jumping the gun, but I wanted to see what you thought (esp about the “overqualified” statement, the “will pass your resume” statement, and so on.
I tried to reassure them I was interested, but I’m not sure…
– Jason
Hi Jason,
I’m glad you followed-up and I’m sure you’ll hear from them today or tomorrow. Re: the overqualified statement, as a recruiter I love to get a resume and meet a person that has all the qualifications for the job. Unfortunately, being overqualified for some roles is not a positive thing. A hiring manager and recruiter both want to hire someone that finds the job challenging and will learn something and develop professionally from the experience. If you hire someone that is overqualified then they are usually not challenged, will not really learn anything new, get bored and look for another more challenging job and the company and HR are back to square one and have to recruit all over again (costly). If the other candidates that they interview turn out to be awful then you might have a chance for the job but they may also just re-post the job. If they really loved you they may change the jobs responsibilities to make it a little more challenging for you but that would only happen if they really LOVED you. I think when a hiring manager says “I will pass your resume on” he/she really means it but the fact is if they aren’t currently hiring for a role that you would be good for you will just have to wait until they do, which can be months/years. Did they ask for your references? If they didn’t then my gut feeling is that you will not get the job. I’m sure the recruiter was really excited to find your resume but if they find another person who see’s this job as a challenge and who will grow with the company they will probably go with them. Sorry and I hope I’m wrong.
Thanks! Dorothy. I will follow up and will update you accordingly.
Hi Dorothy!
To update you, I recieved a call from HR manager, asking me to come for next round of interview at their company site. HR manager told me that I will have one to one talk with more than 5 members of the team. Any suggestions!
Dorothy, Thanks for the response. I agree as well, from other sites I have read and also your response, I’m getting a pretty consistent idea of what to expect. It’s a shame though, because I was really interested in the job and would have stuck around as it seems to be a great company. When I was speaking with the hiring manager, he kept talking about if they did hire me and if I became bored, that they would try to find something else and allow me to move up and around within the company. I did take that as a flag, as he seemed to be more concerned about speaking of the future with the company than the present position (even though I brought it pack to the position in question multiple times).
By the way, they did respond to my email, the recruiter did say a decision would “probably” be made today, and that she would get back to me once it was (although I didn’t hear anything by COB). So I’m not holding by breath.
Maybe tomorrow.
That poses another question, if there is the slightest hint of being “overqualified”, should one tone down their resume and not speak of their accomplishments in the interview?
Jason
Dorothy – I forgot to mention, they asked for my references in the pre-screen, and I entered them onto their website.
Hi Jason,
If you want a job that you know you are overqualified for but for whatever reason you want to work for the company and perhaps work your way to another role I would then definitely tone down the resume and not mention too may accomplishments during the interview. The goal is always to portray yourself as the best candidate who is in interested in the role because it’s a great opportunity for your career and/or it is a challenge for you.
Good article but I do not agree with points 3 and 4. I have had three successful interviews in the past year and a half and neither of the three fits with your description.
Job 1 – I had an interview in which the HR Manager told me that a decision will be made by next week. I heard from them a month after that they would proceed with my reference check; two more weeks later I got the job offer.
Job 2 – I was contacted by a recruiter and had a first one on one interview with him before I proceeded to meeting with the hiring company. I was not asked for references at all and received a job offer a week after the interview.
Job 3 – Similar to the scenario described in Job 1, after 2 rounds of interview, I was informed by HR that a decision will be made within 2 weeks. 2 weeks later I was called back for an unexpected third round of interview. References were asked a few days after the third interview. I was just informed that they are in the process of putting together an offer for me.
Hi AS,
Thank you for your comment and keep in mind that there are always exceptions to the rules and that the points I raised were for situations where people did not get the job even after a great interview. In all three cases you pointed out you in fact got the jobs. In response you your cases, I believe that for Job 1 you were not the company’s first choice. Getting an offer a month after they said they would make a decision is a clear indication that the first choice candidate fell threw. Job 2, Not all companies ask for references. It all depends on the job you are applying to. Job 3, sounds like the company was not 100% sure about who to hire. They probably were deciding between two very good candidates, one being yourself. After inviting you both back for an unexpected interview they decided to go with you, which is GREAT! You provided a great example on how people need to be patient and that each company and interview process you go through can be very different. Thanks.
How long does it take HR to make an offer for a government job? I’ve heard it takes a while (3-6 months). The hiring manager told me that I did really well in my interview and on my assessment test and that she was sending my files to HR. It has been 6 weeks since my first interview. Should I have heard something by now? I’m a little worried because during my first interview the hiring manager asked me if she could contact my current employer and I said yes. My employer at the time just aburptly shut down his business (about 3 weeks ago) and hired a new manager. If she calls the people there are not going to know me. Should I call HR and let them know?
Hi KT,
I honestly think that there isn’t a set in stone time when the interview process is over for any job not even a government job. Some companies want the recruitment process to be finished in 2-3 weeks but there are so many things that can shorten or lengthen the process. In your case, I would follow up right away especially since you allowed them to contact your current employer and there has been a change in management. I would call HR right away and tell them that you would like to submit a change/update to your references. If you find out that they are still recruiting for the role (6 weeks seems like a very long time and they may have hired someone) then I would ask them for a timeline on when to expect a decision. Remember to be polite and professional at all times. Good Luck!
Hello there, i really enjoyed your article!!
I had a job interview on Monday for a lecturing position – it was a panel interview with five people. I felt that the interview went really well as they seemed genuinely interested in all my responses and even laughed at a light hearted thing i said. The head of department asked me what my availability was like and asked if i would be in a position to start soon. At the end of the 50min interview the Head of dept shook my hand firmly and said he would be in touch very soon. They interviewed for two days; Monday and today. My question to you is when do you think i should hear back…if they interviews finished, say at 3.pm today, surely by 5 they would know who the successful candidate would be – should they have phoned me if i was successful or would i hear back via HR?
look forward to hearing from you.
nicola
Hi Nic,
Good Luck!
You may hear back from HR but it really depends on who contacted you and invited/setup the interview. Did one of the five people on the panel tell you that they will be making a decision by Tuesday? When interviews are scheduled for two days or two weeks the interview panel usually likes to think about all the candidates and that may take an extra day or two. Unless it was a unanimous decision and one candidate was the obvious best candidate. Make sure that you send a thank you letter, be patient and if you don’t hear from them by tomorrow (Thursday) I would call and follow up. Remember to be professional and polite and ask them if they had anymore questions for you to clarify or a take this follow up opportunity and ask them a question about the role. Be an ACTIVE jobs seeker Nic and remember to be confident because it sounds like you had a great interview. Making the panel laugh is never a bad thing
Hello Dorothy,
I think it’s really sweet of you to answer all of our questions. (Good to know there are people who still enjoy being nice to others.)
I had a rather “unique” interviewing experience with a company I really wanted to work for:
I submitted my materials (resume and cover letter) after seeing the job posting. After about 2 weeks, I called the company to check the status. A few days later an HR Manager contacted me and asked when I’d be available for an interview. I interviewed with her that week, was complimented on my answers and moved on to Phase 2: an interview with the CEO. My interview with the CEO went so well. I was then moved on to the hiring exercise.
I worked hard on this hiring exercise and even had a friend who works in the field look over it, he said it was flawless. I turned it in and didn’t hear anything when promised. When they finally got back to me, I wasn’t selected (no surprise there—since we went so long without contact).
I emailed the CEO and HR manager thanking them for their time and asking if they had any interview advice for me in the future. I STILL got nothing.
About a week later, I saw the job was reposted.
To make matters worse, the HR Manager requested a connection from me on Linked In. I know she had to search for me because I have a really generic name and we have no people in common (I checked).
Why do you think a company would have someone do so much and not hire them? And then look them up on a social/professional network?
Hi Amber,
Ok, this is what I think might have happened. I think the company hired someone internally (or they hired someone but it fell through) but you turned out to be a VERY good candidate. So I think they went to finance and got everything approved to hire another person. They re-posted the job and now the HR manager wants to connect with you on LinkedIn to see if you started another job. I personally think you should never decline a connection on LinkedIn if it’s from a recruiter or HR manager. You never know when that connection might be handy. I would accept the connection and then email or Inmail (through LinkedIn) them letting them know that you noticed that the job was re-posted and that you would be interested in the role if you are in fact still interested in the role. In any case, If you are interested in a job or company and you see that they re-posted the job and on top of that they are trying to connect with you I would give them the benefit of the doubt and investigate further. This might be the opportunity that you are looking for the job that you want. It also might be nothing but like I always say stay positive!!! Good Luck Amber
Hi Dorothy,
It’s nice to see someone actually taking the time to get back to people. I’d like to share my interview experience with you and see what you think.
I applied for an advertising position with a media company. The CEO of the company himself scheduled me for an interview, and we spent a total of two hours together. He even showed me around the office and let me meet some of the other staff. By the end of that first interview he told me that they don’t actually offer advertising services in their company but offered me a position in another department instead.
I was shocked. Why call me in for an interview if I’m applying for a position that you don’t even have? I figured he must have been impressed with my CV and must have liked me when he met me. He then said that he’d like me to start as soon as possible and that he’d like me to meet the MD of the company since I’d be dealing with him on a regular basis (or at least more so than with him because he’s the CEO).
Two weeks later, I come back in to meet the MD who told me that I really impressed the CEO. Again, it was another two hour interview. By the end of the interview he (the MD) had told me he’d send me the job proposal within the next few days and would give me a chance to look it over before responding to them. A few days pass and after incessantly checking my email inbox, I don’t see a job proposal. I email the MD and he says that he’s had to travel for an emergency and that he’d get back to me when he returns. Notice that he now says ‘get back to me’ instead of ‘send you the proposal’.
He comes back and I’m scheduled for a third interview with both the CEO and the MD. It was another hour and a half before he (the MD) said “we’ll get back to you by the end of next week at the latest”. Now, I was confused. First I receive a job offer on the spot, and then I’m told I’d be sent the contracts, and now this?
What do you think happened?
Oh and I forgot to mention it’s been over a month now and I haven’t received any news.
Hi Jake,
I think this media company has no idea what they are doing. I am not sure why they would even advertise that they had an advertising position available but they don’t offer any advertising services!? I’m just curious but what job did the MD offer you? Again, this is why HR/recruiter needs to be involved. I can’t believe they would waste your time like this. I can only think that these two guys maybe had an idea of where to put you but it wasn’t important enough or high on the priority list because they forgot about you. I personally would never want to work with this company and would send them an email (both the CEO and MD) and ask them why they wasted your time and not only invited you in for a role that never existed but say that they are going to send you a job proposal and never do it. Say that word of mouth is a powerful thing and you will plan on telling as many people as possible about this experience. Again, that’s personally what I would do. Sorry that you had to go through this. It just doesn’t make sense and I wouldn’t waste anymore of your time thinking about it. Move on and plan on working for a company that actually respects their employees.
Hi,
I went for an interview 3 weeks ago and was told i would hear back during the next week. I received an email earlier this week (i.e. 2 weeks later) from them telling me that they were impressed with my credentials, but are not able to continue discussions at the moment because they are involved in a senior level appointment, and they would contact me asap.
The next day they posted the exact same ad that i applied for again on the same job search website. Can you please advise what this means about my chances, and what their intentions are? (i haven’t heard back since the email)
Thanks in advance
Hi Simon,
The only thing I can think of is that this is there way of telling you that you are not right for the job. After they first posted the job they found through the interview process that they did not find any candidates that they felt matched their requirements. They paid you a compliment and left you thinking that they liked you. This is what they wanted you to feel. They want you to still be interested in their company and keep applying to their jobs in case they change their minds or requirements and decide to hire you. Recruiters like to always have an active pool of candidates to choose from and this is classic example of how recruiters keep you interested. If you’re really interested in the job I would call them and ask them to explain what being involved in a senior level appointment means and has to do with hiring you and why the job was re-posted. Good Luck!
Hi,
Thanks for your amazing blog, it’s very helpful and you are very kind for all of these responses. I’ll keep my question brief…I had 4 interviews for a job that is perfect for me, they checked my references (the whole process took several weeks, when originally the hiring manager said he wanted to fill the position asap). I finally got the call from the recruiter saying they went with someone else who brought “more to the table.” No details. I was pretty shocked. Is it appropriate to e-mail my recruiter and ask why I wasn’t hired? In a professional manor of course. I just want to know what I don’t have that this other person did.
Thank you!
Hi Ashley,
In response to your comment, yes I think it is appropriate to call or email the recruiter and ask them to be a little more specific on why you weren’t chosen. If it’s asked in a professional manor than it should not be a problem. Tell them that you felt that you were perfect for the role and their feedback would probably you get closer to the career/job that you want.
Thank you for the comment and I’m glad you think that the blog is helpful
Hi Dorothy,
I recently had an interview and it went pretty well. I asked when I should expect to hear something back, or how soon they were looking to fill the position and the manager said she is not sure. What do you think that means?
Hi Christina,
I think that means that the manager hasn’t found the right candidate yet or they don’t know how the whole recruitment cycle works in their organization. Did you follow-up with a Thank you letter? If it’s been more than 2-3 working days since your interview I would follow-up and if you really want the job make sure you bring something to the table i.e. remind them of your unique skills, personality, the ability to read minds or something that will make you stand out
Hi Dorothy,
I actually had the interview today. Do you think I should send a thank you card by mail and send it overnight or should I send a follow-up email? Also, should I do the same for the person in HR who did a brief phone interview with me and set up my actually interview? I am really trying to do everything I can to get a JOB : (….it’s so hard now of days.
Hi Christina,
You can send a thank you email and then a letter in the mail if you want. I would send one email that thanks and address everyone that you spoke to. Stay positive Christina I’m sure you’ll get an offer soon
Hi Dorothy,
I actually approached them in the beginning. I sent in my CV/Cover letter describing how I’m looking for a position in advertising with them. Then the receptionist called me back saying that she had forwarded my information to the CEO and that he requested I come in to see him the following day which I did.
So basically I was left under the impression that they were a media company who did offer advertising (I should have double-checked the website or at least specifically asked but still, why call me in for an interview?). I eventually found out at the end of our first 2 hour interview that they didn’t do advertising. However, the CEO expressed that he thought I was a really great candidate in general and that he’d like to offer me a job in their company but in the media buying department. Then he went on to say he’d like me to meet the company’s MD and you know the rest.
It’s been around a month now since that third interview and I have yet to hear from them. I am quite ticked off and in all honesty I wasn’t really excited to work for them in the beginning since I wanted to get into advertising anyways. But still, I was seriously considering the offer and for all they knew I had turned down other offers in the two months they had me coming back and forth to see them.
Hi Jake,
This changes everything. If you approached them then they don’t owe you anything. The CEO was nice enough to interview you because you showed interested in the company and you proved to be an ACTIVE job seeker and he was impressed. He explained to you that his company didn’t offer advertising services, which you should have known since you contact them but he still liked you and wanted you to meet the MD. The CEO could have ended there but decided not to. The MD then liked you and was probably trying to figure out a way to find you a position but that can be hard if they didn’t have a job posting. If they create a job they would probably want to post the job to make sure that you are the best person for the role even though they liked you. If I were you I would be extremely thankful that you have gotten this far. If there is the slightest chance that they might still offer you the job then you need to prove to them that you A) really want it and B) are qualified and have the skills to succeed. I would be professional and polite because remember they don’t owe you anything and they have taken time out of their busy day to meet with you. It’s you who needs to prove that you should be hired and a job should be created for you. Good Luck.
Hi Dorothy,
The thing is, yes, I approached them. But as it turns out, there was a job opening – just not in advertising (because they don’t do advertising). It was a job opening in media buying which the CEO offered me after our first interview. Then I was scheduled to meet the MD who also confirmed that yes I was offered this job in media buying and that he’d send me the contracts to look over. That never happened. Two weeks later I go to the third interview where they say sorry we’ll let you know in a week instead. And now over a month later nothing.
So, yes while I did apply for one job that didn’t initially exist (advertising) I was offered another job which there was a vacancy for in their company (media buying). This was because the CEO who I met with first obviously liked me and seemed to be impressed with me. After the first two interviews it was crystal clear that the job was mine but all of a sudden, there’s a third interview and the MD tells me that actually, he’ll get back to me in a week.
I’m sure in a case like this, I can’t be in the wrong. Even if I applied for advertising, they gave me a position elsewhere – not one that they tried to create for me but one that was already open and that they themselves were trying to fill (media buying). And this occurred over a period of two months.
Hi Jake,
If they had a job vacancy (media buying) they probably saw you as a potential candidate but compared you to other candidates, which applied to the actual job. At the end they probably got cold feet. They wanted to send you the job proposal but then probably thought that you were not the ideal candidate just like you thought that the role was not ideal for you. So when you look at the bigger picture it’s a win win situation. Yes they were a bit excited at first to say that they were going to send you the job proposal but you came out of know where (ACTIVE job hunter) and impressed them. Plus you would not have been happy with that role and they figured out that they had more qualified candidates that matched that specific job anyway. The point that you need to take away is that they liked you and you should keep that relationship open. You never know when another opportunity might come up or they may know of another opportunity at another company and hopefully refer you. Don’t be upset because if you were really honest with yourself that role was not ideal for you. Don’t through away the relationship with the CEO and MD because I bet that will come in handy one day. Al the best.
Hi Dorothy,
I am recent graduate at university and it is on-campus recruiting time. We as students apply to different companies throughou the school career center site . Afterwards you will either received e-mails with preselected, declined or alternate. I have gotten a couple of alternate invitations. I know I am good qualified for the positions but from reading alternate I am sure I am not the first pick. Do you think is possible to turn the table around to first choice?. Curiously I have around 8 interviews on one week. Two on site and six first round on campus interviews. Thank you beforhand.
Hi Mel,
I absolutely think it’s possible to make you their first choice. You need to stand out from other recent grads and one way of doing that is to really research the company, the person who is going to interview you and last but not least the role. All recent grads are pretty desperate to get a job so you need to really show or act like you are really really interested in that job. Sometimes especially when it comes down to recent grads the decision to hire someone has less to do with their experience and more to do with the candidates attitude and passion for the role and the company. Good Luck!
Hi, I just had a quick question. I recently had an interview at a manufacturing plant, met with the head supervisor, the president of the company, and the HR manager. The first part was with the supervisor, and I think it went ok, and answered all of her questions, then she handed me off to the president, same thing asked questions, and let me ask about the company, same with the hr manager. I was told that it would take between a week or two to hear back, going on the second week now I have tried contacting both the HR department and the supervisor who set up the interview and no word back, does this seem like they are just blowing me off now and should move on or is it best to wait a bit longer? Thanks.
Hi Jon,
It depends on how long ago you followed-up with HR and the supervisor. I would wait two business days and call HR again. Make sure that you’re not just asking the if the position is filled. Thank them for taking the time to see you and let them know that you are really interested in the role and working for the company. They may be blowing you off but until you know for sure I would be professional and polite but persistent. Good Luck!
Dorothy,
Thanks for all the advice. I recently had a phone interview that I thought went pretty well. They let me know a few days later that I did not get the job. Is it okay to ask them for some pointers or things I didn’t do well on for future interviews? Thanks.
Hi Scott,
In my experience most phone interviews are phone screens, meaning they are most likely screening people out rather than in. Recruiters rarely give feedback to a candidate who was phone interviewed because A) they feel they don’t have to because they didn’t meet you face-to-face (i.e. took time out to dress up and come in for an interview), B) we rarely are asked and C) we don’t have time to provide feedback to every candidate we speak to. I would definitely give it a try so call them and say “I am definitely interested in being better prepared for the next opportunity, whether that comes up at your organization or elsewhere. Could you give me some feedback about why I was not selected?” I hope that works and good luck!
Hey Dorothy,
I’ll definitely take your advice on that!
On a completely different note, I’m applying to a job that is requesting applicants to fill out an application form as opposed to sending in a CV and cover letter. There is a part of the application where you describe briefly your work experience and another section where you include a supporting statement. Do you have any advice/tips on what to do in a situation like this? I know that those two sections in the application are basically like a CV and cover letter but now that I’m being asked to fill out an entire application form what can I do to make mine stand out?
Hi Jake,
When filling out an application you need to make sure that you are using the right keywords. Read the job description very carefully and make sure that you point out that you have a few of the requirements they are asking for. Another way for you to stand out is to send HR a quick email introducing yourself. Explain that you just applied for X job and that you are very interested and excited about the opportunity for an interview because you posses X skills and have X experience. Hope that helps
Hi Dorothy,
This post helped clear a lot of nagging questions most applicants have. Thanks!
What I also want to know is, how soon do recruiters or hiring managers contact an applicant if they are interested in her/him after seeing the resume and cover letter? Is it immediate or do they wait to compile a short list of applicants before they contact each? I’m asking because I know a company has gone through my blog, which they could have only known about if they read my application letter. But I haven’t heard from them. It’s just been 2 days though.
Thank you for sharing with us what you know.
Hi Gail,
It really depends. Some recruiters will wait until the job posting is closed on their website before making a short list of candidates. There also may be more than one person looking through the candidate list and no one will be contacted until all the short lists get short listed again and make it to the final cut. It really depends but if you know that they have checked your blog why not be an ACTIVE job seeker and follow-up by calling them to make sure that they received your application/resume/CV. Before you call them do some research on the company, recruiter/hiring manager etc. At this time try to either speak with the recruiter or hiring manager and be friendly and professional and let them know that you are really interested in the role and tell them why you think your the right candidate. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy
I have got a verbal offer from company HR after interview.Also I signed salary negotiations letter.One week after I sent follow up letter,but I didn’t get any reply for that mail.Three weeks after I have got one call from recruiting consultancy.They said to me they holding my hiring.Also another candidate interviewed with me for another department.He got call letter.I totally anxious what will be happened next?
what do you think Dorothy?
Hi Shine,
I’m a bit confused. If you got a verbal offer than what do you mean when you signed a salary negotiation letter? Did you also ask them why they are holding off on the hiring process? I would recommend you speak with the recruitment agency and ask them for an update and to tell you what you should expect during this process. Don’t be left in the dark and ask questions that you deserve answers too. Hope that helps
Hi Dorothy,
Excellent Blog! Very informative with great tips.
I applied for a Graphic Design position at a company, where the HR Director was my Manager at a different company. The HR Director suggested to the Recruiter to look for me.
I was extended a telephone interview with the recruiter. I thought the telephone interview went well, and was asked to forward on samples of my work so the recruiter could pass them onto the hiring Marketing Manager along with my resume.
The position I was applying for was a perfect fit, and I strongly believed I was qualified for the job.
I didn’t hear back for a few days, so I decided to email the recruiter a follow up letter along with a link to my personal web site showcasing some of the work I do in my spare time.
After I sent that email, I immediately I received an email from the recruiter with the following message:
It was a pleasure speaking with you recently regarding the job opportunity at Home Properties. We have identified a candidate whose qualifications more closely match our job requirements.
We appreciate your interest in our company and the time and effort invested in applying. We wish you luck in your career search.
Dorothy, what happened? What did I do to be not selected?
Thank you,
Jim
Hi Jim,
I don’t think you really did anything not to be selected. Here are the two possible scenarios that I think might have occurred. 1. I don’t know what kind of relationship you had with your ex-Manager but I’ve seen this happen before. Managers/friends want to show you that they are trying to help you get another job when in fact they are doing very little and maybe don’t really want to work with you again. Yes the recruiter called you but you only got a telephone interview. I’m glad you followed up because you found out that you didn’t get the job. I get asked from Managers, Directors and CEO’s to do them a favour and phone screen/interview a candidate/friend a lot. They don’t want to hire them because if they did then they would make sure that person was interviewed and hired right away. On the other hand, 2. The HR Director did their best to try to get you hired but the hiring manager had someone else in mind (another friend or past co-worker) and in my world the hiring manager has the final say. Again, depending on your relationship with the current HR Director/your ex-Manager I would simply contact them and ask them what happened. Sorry to hear that you didn’t get the job but make sure you Thank the recruiter because you never know if another opportunity comes up; you don’t want to burn any bridges. Thanks for leaving a comment and glad you find the blog informative. All the best!
Hi Dorothy
I already discussed with the recruiting consultancy.But they said to me your hiring is holding please to be wait for some more days.One candidate is interviewed with me for another department he got call letter and visa process is going on.I also tried to contact company HR staff, but she said to me.If any feed back they will contact with consultancy, from consultancy you will get answer.What is meant by holding,their is any hope.
your suggestion please
Hi Shine,
Yes I think there is hope. If the company told you that you have to contact the agency and the agency told you that there is a hold for some reason then you will just have to be patient. Next time I would have asked to the agency to be more specific but right now if I were you I would just wait a few more days, three at the most. You don’t want to be an annoying candidate so that’s why I suggest you wait but definitely follow-up with the agency as it would be in there best interest that the company hires you through them. My fingers are crossed
Hi Dorothy,
Great blog – very helpful and informative!
Quick question. When would you say ‘stop’ when it comes to applying for jobs. I’ve applied to so many different places and gone on several interviews and I’m just tired. Naturally I want a job, but do you think there’s a limit to how many applications you can make? Is it better after seriously applying for an extended period of time, to just wait a little bit before continuing to apply again?
Also, two of my worst interview questions are “why did you apply for this job?” and “what can you bring to this role?” How would you answer those questions?
Thanks!
Hi George,
It depends on your situation. If you have a part-time job and can afford to stop looking for a full-time job for a few months then sure why not take a break to reevaluate things. If you’re unemployed and really need a job ASAP then I would consider a survival job so you can again take a few months to reevaluate your situation but still pay the bulls.. Remember it can take an average of 7 months to find a job. It’s not easy and you need to really work on your interview skills, resume, cover letter and networking skills to help land you your next job. Each interview you go to you should come out learning something new about yourself and how you can do better. I don’t think there is a limit of how many applications you can make but I do think that you shouldn’t limit yourself to just popular job boards like Workopolis or Career Builder. Why not try a recruitment agency.
In regards to how to answer the two interview questions, you first need to ask yourself “why did you apply for this job?” Did the company interest you? Is it a change of industry? Is it a role you’ve always been interested in? etc. After you find out why you are interested in the job finding out what you bring to table shouldn’t be that hard. Look at the job description and requirements and see if you have what it takes to do that job. Can you offer more experience? Can you offer a second or third language? Can you offer clients? Can you offer other skills that can be seen as an asset? Can you offer a degree/diploma/certificate? etc. I truly believe that it all starts with confidence. If you believe that you are good at what you do then you can see why other companies would want to hire you. On the other hand, once you evaluated your interview skills, your current experience and education maybe you decide to take a few refresher courses, get re-trained or go back to school. Either way I think self and professional development is important. Hope that helps and glad you like the blog.
Hi dorothy,
Weeks ago, I have been called for the first interview. The interview lasts around 45 mins and went quite okay. Regarding the date of availabilty, he says it will be difficult. After the interview about 1 week time, I received an email from this managing director of the company that the recruitment will be hold back due to the change of plan and certain immediate projects to be fulfilled. Also states that my application would be their priority for consideration. They will assess the situation again and it is a pleasure getting to know me. I am quite confused whether I want to wait or find other job at the same time. Days ago I also found that they are still posting the same job but the application deadline doesn’t change. I need some advice on this. Thanks
Hi Geo,
Good Luck!
Sounds to me that they didn’t find the right candidate. They liked you but they obviously had an issue with your availability. It makes sense then to let you know that the job is on hold, classic recruitment strategy i.e. dangling the carrot but also keep the job posting open in case they get an application from a better candidate. They are obviously not in a rush to hire this role but I would not wait for them to offer you the role, which is exactly what they want you to do. Definitely continue to look for another job and you never know maybe when they finally decided that you are the best candidate and offer you the job that you have been going to other interviews and have other offers on the table. The best scenario for you
Hi Dorothy,
I’m really anxious for my hubby. He interviewed for a position abt 3 weeks ago, and is being asked to return for lunch with the VP. Now they are calling it a final interview plus lunch. What does this say about his chances. Do you think it’s a fake interview? They haven’t said anything about re-imbursing him for his trip either. When is a good time to bring it up? Plus he recently turned down a job with reputable company. the recruiter was pretty bitter and said he shd not apply to any other posns in that company cos he left them hanging at the last minute. how much power does this recruiter really have?
Hi Jane,
I don’t think this is a fake interview. I think the company is having a hard time deciding between two great candidates; one being your hubby. A final interview over lunch is very common. Make sure you hubby is still very prepared for some serious questions even though it will be less formal. The VP probably just wants to get to know your hubby a little more and see if he feels that there is a connection i.e. possible good working relationship. In regards to your reimbursement question, how far are we talking about traveling to these interviews? Is he taking a plane? It really depends on how the interviews were scheduled. In regards to the job your hubby turned down, a candidate can be “blacklisted” at a company. A recruiter alone normally can’t approve this but a recruiter and hiring manager can. It depends on how your hubby handled his decline of the job offer. It’s never a good idea to leave a company hanging at the last minute so if he pissed off a few people, most importantly pissed off important people then if he applies again to that company a message will be attached to his application possibly stating “Do Not Hire” with an explanation included. I have seen this happen before. Tell him to try to be extremely relaxed on this lunch and try to find out what he has in common with the VP i.e. Golf, same age kids, favorite sport team etc. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy
I have contacted you earlier for the suggestions about the job interview. I want to update you about the progress. Recenlty after phone screening I recieved a call from company for on site interview. According to me it went well. I had one to one discussion with 7 members of the team for 30 min each. They asked me about my experience. At same I have them few questions I had about their products in the market. After the interview I asked when I should expect to hear from them. They told me that they are interviewing other candidates. They will make the decision by the end of this week or early next week.
Do you think is it right to ask in interview about their products? I did ask each member, when they join company, how they feel about working for company and so on. Do you think these are good questions to ask. I bit worried. I think blew it….
Hi John,
I would recommend you sign up to get my blog via email as it includes great questions that you should ask a recruiter/hiring manager. Do I think it’s ok to ask about the companies product in an interview? That depends. Did you ask what they sell? or how there product works? If you did then my answer is no. Before going to your interview you should have done some research about the company including what they sell or there products. If you are talking about the product in depth meaning showing them that you have knowledge about the product and your questions were related to the what you already know about it then my answer is yes. Showing that you are interested in the product and have knowledge about it i.e. manufacturing, selling etc. is a great thing. Remember to follow up with the company and send a thank you letter.
Hey Dorothy,
Thanks for the advice. I have another question though. I recently fell ill and had to spend a few months in recovery. So I’ve had a gap in my resume since December. In a job interview, I’ve been asked about this gap and I usually answer honestly – explaining I had to battle a particular illness but have now made a full recovery (basically implying that the illness is gone and won’t hinder my performance). Is that the right way to go? Or is there a better way to spin off an illness?
Thanks!
Hi George,
I am glad to hear that you made a full recovery but unfortunately a gap in your resume due to illness is a red flag for a recruiter or hiring manager. Even though your illness is gone the fact that you mention it will make a recruiter and hiring manager think that you will become sick again and possibly sooner than later, which will hinder your performance, attendance, increase your sick time and benefit use etc. I need to know more about your gap. Did you leave your last employer because you were sick? Were you fired? I would not answer this question honestly in your case but depending on how long a few months really is I would just say that you have just been unemployed and looking for a job during that time. Possibly took a vacation after you left your last job and enjoyed some time off before searching for a job again. These are all better answers then you recovering from an illness. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy-
I hope you are well. It has been an exhausting time for me going on so many interviews and feeling rejected, time has been wasted, etc.
I have two questions, I’m not sure who else I could ask for a straight answer- 1) I was offered a position of office assistant, which semi-interested me. Unfortunately, I would have to sign an agreement that if I were to quit within a year, I would pay a penalty of a few hundred dollars. After the year is up, I would sign another agreement that if I were to quit at any time from that point on, I would be required to pay a larger but similar fine. Is this legal, or common? (I live in Canada) I passed on the job because it seems fishy to me, and feel discouraged.
Lastly, 2) I went in for an interview for a jewelery store where I would create their flyers, advertisements digitally. I have graphic design experience.
I feel this was a fake interview as well.
Well, the owner interviewed me and said I would be better suited for actually selling the merchandise (based on attitude, but mostly I think my appearance). They didn’t even have an opening, but he said he would create a position 24 hours a week because he could see me as a great fit. Well, despite no experience in that field, it ended with him verbally offering me a position, though I never heard back again.
I don’t understand the point of this, to talk to me for so long about an unrelated, non-existent position. Do you think it was fake or just politeness?
Hi Hannah,
Stay positive and good luck!
Looking for a job is hard work and exhausting but you can’t give up so stay positive and remember you have great skills and experiences that many companies would consider an asset. Re: your first question, I am not an employment lawyer and don’t know what your specific job offer looked like but I have seen this type of agreement before. It’s not common but I can see why it can become very popular. When a candidate is found and hired through an agency the agency gets paid a fee. This fee is usually only paid after the candidate works for the employer for 90 days (probationary period). If the candidate chooses to quit before the 90 days the agency does not receive the fee. It puts pressure on agencies to provide better candidates. Some companies are now putting pressure on the employee so if they sign a contract for 12 months and quit before the contract expires then they pay a fee/penalty (usually the same amount for the agency as it will normally cover the recruitment process again). If you feel that a job offer seems fishy you can always get legal advice from HRSDC. Re: your second question, small business’ like a jewellery store don’t normally have a huge number of people on staff. If the owner met you and felt that you would be more suited for a front line role (yes probably due to your appearance, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing) then I think that’s great if you want to be a sales person rather than creating signage. It all depends on what you want to do but I don’t think it was a fake interview. I think the owner has the flexibility to create whatever job he wants if he thinks it will increase his business. Keep in mind you have the upper hand in that situation since he really liked you so you can probably get a better salary even though you have limited experience
Hey Dorothy,
I met with a two recruiters at an info session today at my college. Everything went well I thought and they seemed very interested in me and my qualifications. Unfortunately, as I was leaving I heard the recruiter say to another candidate “make sure you schedule an interview with so and so before you leave”. I have no idea why I wasn’t asked for an interview and I am guessing that this candidate asked for an interview. So, my question is should you ask a recruiter for an interview (I feel like this makes for an awkward situation) or do you not push the issue and wait for them to ask? P.S. This company will be at the Career Fair later this week so there is still hope yet. They told me to talk to them there and should I ask them to go a step further?
Hi Jeff,
I think the best thing you could do in that situation is to show confidence. When you’re talking to a recruiter make sure you did some research and can talk about the role and company. If you see that you are impressing the recruiter I would definitely ask them if they think it would be a good idea to set up an interview with you. So my advise is yes ask them for a chance to interview but show them that you are not waiting there time by learning about their company and the role you think you would excel in. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I read through most of these comments and have learned a lot about interview processes. Maybe you can help me figure out what I should feel about an interview i’m having. Last weds, I had an interview to be a technician at a local school district. I had my interview with the supervisor and head of the department. Everything went well, they liked my qualifications, amount of experiance and the whole. At the end the each gave me their business cards and wrote their personal cell numbers on them so I could reach them at anytime. Fast forward to this past monday, The head of the department called me and asked if I could come the next day for a second interview. He had a few questions about some stuff I said last time, former job I wanted to possibly keep, but after telling him I was ready to go full time into this new position and that the other job would only be during off times,( it is a school district so summer and winter are less hours), he was very happy to hear it and started to then tell me all the new projects that I would be involved in, schools I would work out of and of course, different benefits and salary perks. He said it takes about 2-3 weeks for administration to get everything together once he makes his decision and he would make it by that evening.
So today He actually calls my cell and asks me to call him as soon as possible, then preceeds to call me at my normal job right now and talks to me over the phone. He explained to me that they fill both spots with candidates that had more certifications than me and one had about 10 more years experiance, but that he wants me on their team. He went as far as to say, Dont go interview at other places and take a break from trying to find another job, I will get you on my team because I really like you a lot and think you will make a great addition. He said he already went to the admin and has requested one more slot for a tech and if they say no he will get another department head to hire me then transfer me over. He said it could take a week or so but really wants me in.
The question I have is that, Is it normal for a manager to tell you that you don’t have a job but to quit looking because we will make one for you? Any how long should I give him to try? He said he will get everything taken care of, but I have been told this many times over the years and it’s hard to trust employers sometimes anymore.
Thanks.
Hi Nic,
I’m sorry to hear that you weren’t offered any of the original jobs but if the other candidates had more certifications and experience then there was nothing you could do differently. Now, In my own experience I have worked with hiring managers who created roles for candidates and even split finances with other departments just to get the candidate hired. So I know this is possible. My only concern is even if they created a new role, what would happen if they had to post it? Meaning, what if other more qualified candidates who had more certifications applied? Would they get hired over you? If the school already didn’t hire you because you had little experience and not enough certifications then what makes you think that this manager’s request will be approved? I personally would never stop looking for other opportunities until you get a written job offer. If he said that the paperwork would take a week or so to get sorted than I would wait one week and follow-up. If you feel that it’s not moving fast enough or at all then you can move on. It is very normal for a manager to tell you to stop looking for another job because they truly want you on their team and they don’t want you to start another possibly better job. It comes down to can they get things approved and give you an offer in a week or so? Why not call the manager and tell him what your concerns are? I hope this job does get created for you and glad you learning a lot from the website. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy
Just wanted to let you know that I got one of the other 2 jobs that I interviewed for. I had my references checked and I was told that the final sign off was done on Friday. Hopefully I will receive the formal contract next week. I have not discussed salary with them directly but my agent said it should be about an 8% jump on my current salary.
This job is my second choice. I didn’t get my first choice as they changed the JD and decided to go with a more experienced candidate. I did email the hiring manager at this place afterwards. She said she would be happy to keep in touch and revisit this when I have more experience.
One more question: I only had 2 years in my last role. How do i explain moving on so quickly to future prospective employers? I started looking for a new job because my manager was poached. even though I loved working for him, I had reservations about joining him at his new company because it is a startup. My new job is at a place that has an established rep and is well resourced.
Thanks very much Dorothy for setting up this blog and replying so promptly to everyone’s questions.
CONGRATULATIONS Chloe!!!! That’s great news
I also love the fact that you contacted the hiring manager of the job you really wanted and will keep in touch. Smart move! Just make sure that you do keep in touch. In regards to your question about leaving a job after 2 years. Just explain that you were looking for a challenge and this new role offered that. I don’t think I understand exactly why you left your other job. Not sure why your manager leaving had any effect on your decision to quit but I’m sure it’s a little more complicated then that. Either way I am SO happy for you Chloe and wish you all the best in your new role.
Thanks for this article. I never knew these fake interviews actually existed. I was originally scheduled in to have a face to face with a VP which then got cancelled the night before and switched to a phone interview.The company seemed to be in disarray and very disorganized. THey rescheduled me to a phone interview with an account exec. I didnt feel the interview went great but they notified me a few days later that they wanted to continue the process. I was scheduled a week later for another phone interview with a VP which i thought went extremely well. Great questions all around, really trying to prove their own worth to me as a company i’d like to stay with for the long haul. i was told the next step would be to finally get me in for a face to face with the VP’s director. 2 days later i was shocked to see a generic rejection email. i left that interview excited to finally have a chance to shake someones hand and have them see me. im pretty stunned right now. would it be odd for me to thank the HR for her prompt response in letting me know and asking her for feedback? was i a fake interview for someone whose mom had a direct connection?
Hi Jay,
I agree with you, this company seems very disorganized. I think responding to their email by thanking them for the opportunity to phone interview is very appropriate and of course you can ask for feedback especially since things sounded like they were going well. Keep in mind because they seem disorganized I can see them not providing you with any feedback or even replying to your email but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Needless to say I think their recruitment strategy and process needs a little polishing. Thanks for leaving a comment and Good Luck!
Dorothy
To answer your question, the area I am in is quite specialized, so unless the co made a lateral hire, clients will not come once my current boss has left simply because there isn’t the talent there.
Thanks Dorothy!
Hi Dorothy,
This is probably an incredibly stupid question – but how accurate are salary surveys put out by recruiting agencies? I looked up two of them and apparently, with this job offer, I sit just above the max quoted for my level of experience. It’s definitely very flattering! But it does put enormous pressure on me to perform, especially in this economy. I am really happy that they think so much of me, but at the same time I hope they don’t fire me six months down the track for being too expensive!
Hey Chloe,
I would think like any online salary calculators such as salary.com, payscale.com, glassdoor.com etc. That it probably takes approx. 6 months for the salary information that is gathered to accurately reflect in the reports it generates. A lot can change in 6 months so make sure you do some more research. I wouldn’t worry or put extra pressure on yourself or your performance. Different companies have different salary structures. Remember you will receive some training so learn as much as you can, as questions and do your best.
So I had a third interview with a company on Friday. The two previous interviews were very informal with the man who would be my direct supervisor. This third interview was also with the VP of the company as well as an outside party I would be working with a great deal. So.. it went well I think. They were very impressed with my resume and experience. Seemed to like my work samples that had been provided earlier. They talked about working together and who would do what. I felt really positive leaving.. but now I still havent heard anything and I really want this job.. I should let you know.. my first interview was 6 weeks ago and my second was last Monday and then the final interview was Friday. I said I could start in 2 weeks and they thought that was great and said they wanted someone in the position ASAP. I am still staying positive .. im just impatient!
Hi Melanie,
Don’t forget to send a thank you note to every person you interviewed with. I hope you have been sending thank you notes as your first interview was 6 weeks ago. Make sure that you emphasize on the note that you are really interested in this position and to point out some experience that impressed them. You are trying to stand out from the other candidate so remember to stay professional and polite but also sounding confident. Good Luck and my fingers are crossed for you 
Did they ask for your references? Did you ask the VP when you should anticipate to hear from them? When you’re attending two or three interviews that means they have short listed to probably two or three candidates. I think you should feel positive and yes be patient
Hey Dorothy,
An update:
I took your advice and reached out to the HR Manager on LinkedIn. I explained that I wanted feedback from my interview because I believe it can help me get a position in the future. I explained that my intention is not to change her mind, but simply feedback.
She responded and was very friendly. She said she didn’t know what I knew, but the CEO never hired anyone. She decided to put the position on hold for a while. She also said I interviewed strong and gave me some overall tips.
I feel so much better about everything.
I’m so glad I asked you for advice. It made me feel better to know it wasn’t my performance that led to me not landing the job.
Hi Amber,
Thank you so much for the update! I’m really happy that you learned that not getting the job had nothing to do with your interview performance. I also love that you got good feedback and tips on how you can improve. I’m really happy for you and thanks again for leaving a comment
Thanks! I sent thank yous after each interview and they asked for my references after the second interview. I really feel I have done all I can and presented myself well so now I guess I have to wait..
Hi Dorothy,
Just came upon your website and was hoping for some advice. I recently applied for a job through an internal reference and went through all the interview rounds and basically when I finished, the hiring manager went on vacation for a week. The colleague referring me to this position is currently on the team I am applying for. During the week of the manager’s time off, I was told by my internal contact that my interview/presentation went phenomenally well and everyone was impressed with what I had to offer and I should expect something next week (now this week). The manager returned last Saturday and I’m not sure how long I should wait before re-initiating contact. Maybe I’m just being paranoid but it’s becoming quite nerve wracking. I was also told they had narrowed down their applicant pool to just me. So what’s the hold up?
Hi G,
Well after your interview when did the hiring manager tell you that they would be making a decision? I’m not sure if you found out through your friend or if the hiring manager or HR let you know that he was on vacation. In any case, you know that he is back so I would send him a follow up email. Even though you think that hey had narrowed down the applicant pool to just you (if they had done that then they would have checked references and offered you the job already) they might still be thinking things through. Maybe you did phenomenally well in the interview but the hiring manager still needs more time to decide if he wants you on the team (making sure he likes your personality and double checking that you do actually have what it takes i.e. the right qualifications). The hold up may also not be him but HR and paperwork that needs to be processed. I would try not to worry to much but definitely follow up and remember to emphasize your skills and qualifications that they liked in the interview. You have not been given the offer yet so you still need to win them over. Good Luck!
Hello, i just want to share a little story about my interview process. Please let me know what i should do now.
I submitted my resume for a position (A) in the company XYZ, got a call from the HR. Lady from HR screened me and told me that she will submit my resume to the respective Team lead. ( If he likes my resume, she will schedule a phone interview). After 1 week i received an email from her, she scheduled me a phone interview with a big boss. I talked to him, he told me that i might be a better fit for a position B in the same company. I said alright as long as you guys are intrested in me. He told me i will receive another call some times during the week from another Boss. Later i recieved a call from another boss, he interviewed me for like 45 mins over the phone, and said I am a good candidate. He praised my technical skills. 2 Weeks later i recieved another email from the HR Lady, that the company wants to schedule a panel interview over Skype and she will let me know when it can be possible. 2 Weeks later she emailed me with some time slots and asked my availability. I agreed to one of her slots and then the big day came. 6 people interviewed me in groups of 2, the interview lasted about 4.5 hours. I was so exhausted and tired.
Now it’s been like 3 weeks and the Hr lady is saying that she was unable to get the feedback from the panel, please email me next week. She has been doing it from like last 3 weeks. I don’t know what she is upto.
I have already sent a Thank-you note to all the participants of the panel. Should i go ahead and contact one of the panel member about my situation or no ? I am feeling scared, i might piss them off.
Please advise.
Hi Unlucky boy,
You definitely don’t want to piss them off. I’m going to assume that you are applying to a job that will mean you will need to relocate, is that right? (I’m assuming that because of the Skype interview). Even though you might have done really well in all the interview stages you are still not a local candidate. I’m sure the company is interviewing more candidates (that is why the HR lady is busy in the last 3 weeks) who maybe local and have a better chance of landing the job. Were you able to really connect with any of the hiring managers? How did you send the thank you notes to everyone? Did you send one to HR and asked them to forward it to the panel members or do you have all each of their email address? I wouldn’t worry too much as the recruitment process for this company seems to take a while. Saying that, if they felt that you were perfect for the job I’m sure you would have heard already. Did they ask you for your references? Just be patient or contact one of the hiring managers only if you feel that you made a connection with them. Hope that helps.
Hey Dorothy, Thank-you for your prompt reply. I appreciate your response.
Hiring Managers, who were on the panel, were basically VP’s and Directors of different departements of the company. (Should i call them hiring managers ?)
Yes i have the email address of all the individual panelist, i got them from the email i received from the HR lady about the breakdown of my interview.
Yes i was able to connect ( personal level) , with one of the Sr Managers, who was actually in the same postion, couple of months back,the company is hiring resource for. We talked about weather and sports we like and other stuff. He was the only one to reply my Thank-you note, and wished me a safe weekend. He also told me during the interview, if i have any questions, just email him, but i was not sure what questions i can have and why he is telling me to do so, shouldn’t i be contacting HR after the interview.
Yes i am in Texas, and the position is in Virginia. No she never asked for references, but said if i am the finalist, she will require the references and pay-check stubs from my past employment.
I believe you are correct, they are not intrested in me, but will it be appropriate for me to email the Sr Manager directly, and ask him about my situation ?
Hi Unlucky boy,
As a recruiter whoever is sitting on the panel and makes the decision to hire a candidate is essentially the hiring manager. If I were I would definitely contact the Sr. Manager that you were able to connect with. Technically you already went through HR and she said that she didn’t receive any feedback yet. The point of the contact is for you to follow up in a polite friendly way. I think it would be a great opportunity to connect again especially since he did tell you to email him if you have any questions. Why not be honest with him and ask him how long the process is expected to be. Why not ask them if they have any concerns with hiring someone out of state? That’s when you reiterate that you’re really interested in the job and so try to eliminate any of their fears or doubts. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Just wanted to commend you on an awesome blog. I really enjoyed reading the advice and comments. It has opened my eyes alot more.
Here’s my scenario,
I had an interview with an IT Manager for communcation company 9/19 from contract agency. When the manager gave me the info on the time lenght. I decline it was only for several weeks. I asked him if there was anything long term that I could apply for he said yes and gave me a job number and I applied for the job. I spoke with the agency what took place and they stated to add their name to the referral as well as the managers name. The next day, a recruiter from the commucation called.. we talked about the position then when she got down the referral. She stated that it was something dealing with ethic code that they didn’t want to burn bridges with the vendors they use them to fill position there for contract. She said she will get back with me to see if they would pay for vendor fee. So the week passed and I called no response. Called the agency and she said let her try to reach out to her(recruiter). The agency stated the recruiter will contact me soon with an interview day. 9/27 recruiter called with an face-to-face interview for 9/30. So, I’m preparing myself for face-to-face interview, doing research on everything and everyone. To make sure I’m ready for Friday. 9/30 got there early the manager was late coming to the interview. It was very interesting interview. He had 3 pages worth of interview questions…didn’t ask all of them but he did take notes on what I said. Ask the all time favorite question – why should they hire me? I stated i was dedicated, hard worker, quick learner and do what is needed to get the job done. He said excellent. He asked me if there was anything I would like to ask him – I asked him – Do my qualification meet your job description that you are looking for? He stated yes, cause he’s looking for someone that is seasonal and my resume speaks in volumes. I don’t know if thats good or bad. After the interview he states that HR should be contacting you soon on this position. Then he states the same thing at the elevator that HR should be contacting you real soon on the this position. Because we need to fill this position now. I would love to work for this company but its not going to be easy.
Can you give me an insight on this? It sounds like it may be a fake interview.
Hi Dorothy,
I did do a Thank you email to the IT manager. Hopefully, he will respond.
Hi Nikki,
Very interesting scenario. Since you were introduced to this company through an agency they will collect a fee from the company if you are offered a job. Even though the first job you applied to you ended up declining, if the company hires you they will have to pay the agency since they introduced you to them. I think the IT Manager was hoping to hire you without paying the agency and so the agency recommended to you to put them as one of your referrals. This recommendation was to make sure that the IT Manager knew that they would have to pay the agency. Even if the the company said that they would pay the fee that doesn’t mean that they really will. People say a lot of things and don’t really mean it unfortunately. I think the relationship between agency and company isn’t perfect. If I were you I would bug the hell of out of your recruiter(agency) as it is there job to try to get you the job and the decision whether they are going to hire you or not. Still be professional though. I would also follow-up with the IT Manager and really sell yourself again so if they have any doubts on hiring you (thinking twice if they want to pay the fee to the agency or go with another candidate). Make sure you are very professional, polite and excited for the opportunity to work for company. Overall, since the IT Manager loved you I think you have a very good chance of getting the job. I just think that the relationship between the agency and company isn’t great and if you don’t get the job I would say it was because of their working relationship and not your interview performance. Good Luck!
Hey Dorothy,
I have another one for you. I went in on an informal interview back in August to meet with a Manager, for a company to which I was referred to by a current employee/friend. The recruiter had mentioned to me that it was for a specific position, the manager said they would have made a decision that week. I followed up, etc, they never got back to me.
About Mid-September the same manager asked the recruiter to bring me back in for another meeting. Met with that same manager, and one of his subordinates. This time for a different position, but one I was definitely for which I was definitely qualified. Two days later, I got feedback saying the client had changed their requirements and I no longer was the best candidate. I had also mentioned I was open to learning new things, and wanted to grow with a company.
They told me that there were other opportunities, and they wanted to get back to b/c I was a great candidate.
Now (attempt 3), I am being set up for an interview with a position that I don’t necessarily think I am qualified for, but the recruiter passed my resume along and the client said they wanted to move forward with interviewing me.
I’m not sure what to think about the company or the position. As I had mentioned, I don’t see myself as qualified. I’m definitely interested and would be a good new skillset to add to my portfolio, however how can I can be considered when my background is something completely different?
I can only be brought in so many times and “rejected” before I fail to see the point in continuing to pursue any employment with the company.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Hi Jason,
Don’t let companies bully you around. After your first interview you followed up and they never got back to you. On or before the second interview you should have asked them why you weren’t a fit in the first interview? Why they never called you to let you know? and why they think you are now fit for this role? I would put it back on them and get them to explain things to you. I absolutely don’t think it’s right for them to call you in over and over again without an explanation. Are you being interviewed but the same manager as the other two times? If yes, this manager has no idea what he/she is doing. Since you agreed to come in for the third job interview even though you feel unqualified then you still have to go but have those questions ready for them and ask them what makes them think that you’re a good candidate for this particular role when you clearly don’t have the background or experience? You have nothing to lose. I just think they have no idea what they are doing and I don’t want you to be rejected again. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I did get a response from the agency and she was in contact with the recruiter stating they are still completing the review process so hopefully the recruiter will be able to get in touch with the IT manager by the end of the week. Still a waiting game but at least I know I still have a chance. I was going to call the IT manager (follow up call) but since I’ve got this news I will hold off till Friday. Do you have any suggestion?
Hi Nikki,
Since you already sent a thank you note to the IT Manager I would hold off calling them. You definitely still have a chance but remember he did say that they wanted to hire someone soon. I would remind the agency recruiter about that and ask them if they can try to get in touch with the company’s HR team sooner than later. Also, don’t expect a response from the IT Manager after you sent the Thank you note. Unless you asked a question the IT Manager probably will not respond. They are not being rude, it’s just that hiring managers don’t have time to thank you for your thank you letter. Be patient but be persistent with your agency recruiter. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I really need your guidelines on my case. I went to an interview last Wednesday and it went really well. I met with the HR, team manager and team leader. The interview took one hour and forty minutes. I think the HR lady likes me. At the end of the interview, she said:”Finger cross, you will be joining us soon”. They asked for my references on that day and one of them was contacted on Monday morning. On Tuesday, the HR lady sent me an email saying that “they were very impressive with my interview and are looking at their future workload and resoucing needs. This will likely take some more time”. She said she will contact me again late next week (She initially said she will contact me this week which she did). How much chance do you think I will get this job? I completed my Ph.D and the job I am applying for is a graduate program normally for undergraduate students. I like the projects they are doing and really like to join them if the salary isn’t too bad. Are they finding difficult to fit me? Apparently, they are interviewing more undergraduate students this week. The company is also looking for a senior person in their team which I don’t think I am qualified at the moment. Do you have any idea what situation I am currently in? Thank you
Hi Stephen,
I think you are in a very good situation. The HR lady not only said that she hoped you join the team soon but one of your references were contacted and she followed up with you letting you know that the company needed to take a little more time before they can offer. To me all of this means that you are their #1 candidate they just need to get some paperwork approved to offer you the job. Don’t worry about the other interviews as I’m sure they were scheduled before they found you and need to go through the process. Remember to send a thank you note and remind them if they need any more information from you or for you to clarify anything that you are available via XX (insert best mode of communication e.g. telephone, email). Be patient and I’m sure the HR lady will contact you as soon as she can but follow up at the end of next week if you don’t hear anything, which I doubt. I’m crossing my fingers too! Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for getting back to me. I actually ended up waiting a little bit and the hiring manager did contact me yesterday. It wasn’t an offer, but they wanted to keep me abreast of what was going on at the time. They told me that there is a lot of “internal communication” currently going on, but so far everything is moving forward. They also told me all the feedback they got from everyone else was extremely positive. They also stated that they’re waiting for some green lights before proceeding with anything. I don’t know what to think of the conversation, but it does seem very positive and the hiring manager wanted me to remain confident that things will happen; it is just a matter of time. I was hoping to get your thoughts on this? I did ask for some timelines, but obviously that was impossible for them to give to me. In your experience and given the conversation, what is the average time before things get moving along? A month? Two weeks? I think it would be tough for any individual to sit around for two+ weeks wondering what the heck is going on. Thanks so much for your advice, this is a great website!
Hi G,
Waiting for some green lights probably means finance and budget. Sometimes a job got approved months ago to be hired but that just means the recruiter can go out and post the job and interview. If they found someone they wanted they still have to get other paperwork signed and approved and a lot of things could have changed in a few months. My point is that it’s great that the hiring manager got back to you and was pretty honest with the process. I personally don’t see this taking longer than one week maybe two at the most. Are you working? If they know that you still need to give notice that usually pushes things a long a little quicker. Again, this is great news and I hope you hear from them soon. Be patient and I hope things work out for you.
That’s great news. I’m happy to hear that the feedback from everyone was extremely positive
Hi Dorothy,
I was interviewed 3 weeks ago for a job and the recruitment consultant told me it went very well- I was progressed to the next level, online tests- which also went quite well and she asked for my references- which I have given. This i did about a week ago, but they haven’t been contacted yet. However, today the recruiter called me and said that the CEO would like to meet me next week. The position I had applied for was at a fairly low level so I was surprised that the CEO wanted to meet with me, I asked the recruiter is all most applicants were met by the CEO. She said the ones they are really interested in generally do, and she said it would be an informal chat because he wants to get to know you better. She said the references would be contacted only after that. So does this mean that this meeting is also an “interview”? In your experience, can CEO meetings be a make-or-break interview even after everything else has gone off so well?What kind of questions should I expect from the CEO? And what kind of questions should I ask him?
This is a fairly small company- 33 employees and are expanding quickly. It’s also a very niche firm that requires specific skills and experience.
Thanks!
Aditi
Hi Aditi,
Some CEO’s are really hands on when it comes to hiring especially in a small company but I wouldn’t let the job title of CEO worry you. Like the recruiter said, this will be an informal chat just to get to know you. There is nothing to be nervous about just be yourself, friendly, and excited to join the company. Keep in mind that this is still an interview so make sure that you know the job scope for the job that you are applying to and how important that role is for the rest of the company. You want to impress the CEO with your knowledge/interest in both the role and the company. The CEO will probably ask you where you see yourself in 5 years and what your career goal is. Make sure your goal is aligned with the company, even if it’s not. If you know the company is expanding you can ask questions about where he/she sees the company in 5-10 years. What is his/her goal for the company and there influence in their niche market? The CEO will probably try to find out if you are loyal. Are your plans to stick around for a while or not? It’s your job to give the impression that you are interested in the company and in it for for the long run i.e. you’re interested in seeing your career grow with the company. Just be yourself and don’t be nervous. Try to do some research on the CEO and see how he got to this point in his career. Good Luck and make sure that you have your references ready
Hi Dorothy,
I am between jobs at the moment so before using up all my money in the bank I recently inerviewed for a stocking department position at a local Macy’s department store here in Texas, as a supplemental job until I find better a better paying job. Now after finding and reading yourr article, I want to say Thanks for the article. It reassured me that what I thought was probably true. The interview was the basic telling all about the job and job duties, stating the hours, can you work those hours, what postion best fits you and etc. Then the normal do you have any questions. I asked a few question and then the hr woman thanked me for coming, told me she had some more interviews ro give and I shoudl hear back from them within the next couple of days. Later that night I got an email response from them stating that they thanked me for my interest in said kob, that they had carefully reviewed my skills and qualifications, unfortunately though, they do not have an appropriate opportunity for me. My first thought after reading that was, what skills and qualifications does one really need to do a stocking type of position? A high school drop out could do that job. Then second I thought, why would they ask me to schedule and come in for an interview before they reviewed my skills and qualifications? That doesn’t seem like a normal way to hire people. Once again after reading your article I understand more of what I thought was right, that perhaps they just interview anyone that applys for a job with them. I could be wrong. I would appreciate any feedback on this. Anyway Thanks for your reassuring article.
Hi Dorothy,
I just wanted to apologize for my typos. It helps to proof read before pressing submit, which I didn’t do. Thanks again for the enlightening artcle.
Hi Nick,
You’re not wrong Nick. Some companies are able to interview and pick anyone they want for a role because they get so many applications. I’m sure it had nothing to do with your skills and qualifications and more to do with the fit for the role. They probably do see you as someone who will not last meaning you have the potential of finding something better and this job would have bored you. You probably would not have gotten a along with the other members of the team so the HR person was probably saving you from a few weeks or months of torture before you realized the same thing and quit. When you’re applying to a job that you are overqualified for and/or requires little education or qualifications make sure that you modify your resume and answers to common interview questions so you seem a better fit for the role, especially if you’re just looking for a survival job or just want to earn some extra cash. Remember the market that you are trying to get into. Thanks for leaving a comment and glad that the articles are helpful.
Hi Dorothy,
I just wanted to mention about my last interview experience.
I applied for a legal counsel position at a large company in early September via their on-line job posting. A couple of days later, I received a call from the company’s recruitment manager located out of state. He basically said that his job was to talk about the company itself and answer any questions I may have about the company and also to find out what my salary expectations were. He said that the position itself would be described more in detail by the hiring manager.
The pre-screening interview with the recruitment manager seemed to have gone well and before I could write a thank you e-mail, I received an e-mail from the hiring manager to set up a phone interview for the following week. The phone interview with the hiring manager went well and she seemed impressed with my resume and credentials. It turns out that the hiring manager would be the person I would be reporting to should I be hired for this position and that she is based at a different location. She said that she would be coming to town in mid to end of September to conduct interviews for the position.
On September 22, I had 3 one-on-one interviews, consisting of about 30min-45min each with other legal counsels and a lunch interview with the hiring manager. I thought that the interviews went well and asked questions about the working environment at the company to the other legal counsels as their work seemed unrelated to the position that I was applying for.
I thought I clicked well with the hiring manager and she said that I will hear about the decision shortly. I believe I was the last person to be interviewed for this position because the hiring manager was going back to her base office the next day. She also seemed to want to hire someone soon as the position had been posted on the company website since July.
It has now been 2 weeks since my last interview and I have not heard back from them. I sent thank you e-mails to everyone that I met with on the date of the interview and 2 of them replied with the generic “it was nice to meet you too.” I called and left a voice message to the hiring manager to follow up on the status of my application last Friday (September 30) and have not heard back.
One interesting thing I have noticed is that the position is still posted, but the title of the position changed from “Senior” to “Associate,” while the job description remained the same, and my application appears now to be submitted under this new title. This change happened a week ago. My assumption is that, for whatever reason, they decided to downgrade the postion from a “Senior” to an “Associate” level. They may have offered the job to another candidate with this new title and are in the process of negotiating/conducting reference checks and this is the reason why the position itself is still posted.
It has now been exactly 2 weeks since my last interview. I was not asked to provide references, so I have pretty much written this position off, but a small part of me is just wondering if I have a slightest chance and if I should follow up again with the hiring manager.
Is it common to see a change in the title after the whole interviewing process? Should I bother writing to the hiring manager again?
Thanks,
Jewel
Hi Jewel,
Thanks for your comment. I personally would only write thank you notes to face-to-face interviews that you attended. Think more hiring managers not just recruiters as recruiters normally don’t make the call to hire and you want to thank individuals who took the time out of there busy day to meet with you. Doing pre-screens is part of a recruiters job. Plus pre-screen interviews, which are usually on the phone don’t normally count. In any case, I’m surprised that you have not heard from the company yet, especially since they changed the job title. I think you maybe right that they filled the ‘Senior’ position. There are some roles in some companies that are always posted because it’s a very popular job in different departments e.g. Administrative Assistant and Associates. What I mean is I don’t think it matters that the job was posted since July as this might be a role that is always posted. They didn’t ask for your references so I think you are probably not going to get the ‘Associate’ job. I would definitely keep following up and let them know that you noticed the job title change on their website and you wanted to know what that meant. I honestly think you didn’t get the job but they still owe you an explanation. Your goal is to really just try to get feedback so you can understand how you can improve so you can perform better in future interviews. I hope they get back to you but don’t hold your breathe. Sorry and I hope we’re both wrong.
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for getting back to me again =). They do know I am currently working and will need to put in my two weeks. Here’s to hoping things happen within the week. Thanks again for everything and I’ll keep you posted =).
Hi Dorothy,
So here is my situation…I will try to keep it as brief as possible. There is a company that I REALLY admire and want to work for and have applied for positions with them continuously over the last few years. This year (2011), things finally started turning positive and I have actually gone on FOUR job interviews for various positions over the last few months. Each time, I have been told they “like me and think there is a place for me at the company, but another position may be a better fit.” Staying positive, I continued to interview and have used 3 sick/vacation days to do so, as each interview was with a team of 4-5 people and lasted nearly an entire day. My most recent interview went great, and I was very hopeful, as this position seemed to need a little less experience than some of the prior ones I had interviewed for. Well, I got an email from the recruiter about 4 days later asking me if I would be interested in a different job internally. Obviously confused, I replied, sure, but I remain interested in the job I just interviewed for…do you know the status?
She replied and said unfortunately they have decided to hire another candidate, but that “the team feels very strongly that you belong somewhere within the company”, and thus, they are asking me to interview for another position…
This current position, at least in terms of job title, is actually higher up the totem pole than any other position I’ve interviewed for, so I was a bit confused. However, it is a bit less visible, as it is on site at a client full time. They asked when I could come in for an interview, and I said it may be extremely difficult for me to take time out of work since I have already done that three times this year for your company. They agreed to start with a phone interview with a Director, did that, went great, and she immediately asked how we could meet in person with her and the VP for an interview. Long story short, they agreed to come down into the city near my house (the office is in the suburbs) to accomodate me for the interview. We just met at a fancy schmancy hotel downtown and I talked with each person for about 40 minutes, thought it went great, was enthusiastic, etc. At the end of the interview they told me someone from HR will be in touch with you sometime, and “good luck.”
It has been SO exhausting going through this process four times, and I would literally walk over broken glass for this job, as I LOVE the company and what this job would entail. Do you think I am in a good position here, are they ringing me around, and did the phrase “good luck” mean they enjoyed meeting me but that I won’t be getting the job, AGAIN!? Help? I didn’t specifically ask an exact date on when I would hear anything, as she just said someone from HR will be in touch, so I left it at that.
I forgot to add…at the end of the interview (which took place at a table sitting outside of a Starbucks) the two interviewer’s looked at each other and said “Should we have a debrief session now?”, and then told me to wait there for 5 minutes while they walked away. For some reason I figured they might come back with an offer but then also thought that according to the company website “all employment offers are required to first pass a successful background verification check.” They thanked me for coming to meet them, told me that someone from HR would be in touch, and then I was on my way. Should I read anything into the fact that they had a debrief session separately while I waited there, and then just said someone from HR would be in touch, while wishing me good luck? I am trying not to over-analyze but clearly not succeeding haha…
Hi Andrew,
It seems like this last time because they accommodated you on the interview that you have a better chance of getting hired. Is this job that they invited you to interview for actually a current open job on their website? I just hope that it is because if it’s not that means they are trying to interview you for a role that essentially does not exist yet. I understand that you really admire and want to work for this company but you have to as yourself how many more times are you going to go through this, if they don’t hire you this time. I’m not sure why the interviewees decided to debrief and then come back to you with nothing. Seems a little unorganized but maybe because they were out of there comfort zone (not in an office) they acted a little weird. In any case, I think you still have a good chance of getting the job (if it’s a real job) but you need to follow up. Contact HR on Monday and ask for an update. Remember to send thank you notes to everyone and try to point out specific skills sets that you have that would be an asset for this particular job. Even though they have seen you four times you want to make sure that you keep your relationship friendly but professional by reminding them that you do have the skills to do the job well. I’m afraid that because you applied for so many jobs and seem like an employee already that the interviews may not be taken as serious as they should. Make sure that you’re not too friendly and come off as all these interviews and time wasted for your company is no big deal for me. I like that you stressed to them that you have already taken a lot of time off to accommodate their interview schedule. I just hope they will take you seriously this time. I want to stress that everything sounds good for this interview and I think you have a good chance of getting it so stop over analyzing, follow up and be patient 
Thank you for leaving a comment. Well your situation is very interesting. At first I thought this company is just being nice to you and no one has the balls to tell you that you just aren’t a fit and to move on. You have been very persistent and I bet because of the many times you met with HR and different hiring managers you almost already feel like an employee to them
Thank you for this article ,
Recently I have been in a group interview at the Disney Store that’s opening soon and I have been getting anxious about it. The woman was nice to the group and I don’t think I flagged up at all. And she said that she’ll contact us ASAP when they confirm something about something (I forgot what it was), and this was on Tuesday. Yesterday a girl in my uni class (Who was in the same group interview as me) got a missed call from the Store and she had to phone them back. And she got the job. Now since they only got my house number I normally have to check to see if they called my house number and sadly I have no response to them.
And today is now Friday and I still have no reply, and I got pretty impatient about it. It’s like how come they called someone about a job but not even calling me and we’re both in the same CLASS. To me it doesn’t exactly add up. I would like some sort of a response about it. Maybe they’re calling a certain amount of people a day or something like that. Since they need quite an amount of staff since it’s a new shop. Sadly I do not know the email address of the manager who gave us the interview so I couldn’t send a thank you note. But I was polite and said thank you at the interview. I do wonder though whether it’s a fake interview though…since I sorta knew that the girl was going to get that job.
I hope a hear a response, and thank you for reading.
- Alex.
Hey Alex,
How did you know that the girl in your class who got the job was going to get the job? If you’re friends with the girl why not ask her to mention your name to the HR person or ask her for the HR person’s contact information so you can follow up and not just hope and wait for a response from them. I’m sure because this a new store that they received a lot of applicants and did a lot of interviews. Group interviews are tricky as well. You really need to try to make yourself stand out from the rest of the candidates while the other candidates are in the room. It’s never a good idea just to sit there and blend into the background and be quiet. Again, I think this Disney Store has the luxury to pick and choose who they want to hire and unfortunately it may not have been you. You probably didn’t really stand out and others did.This was not a fake interview. I think you should try to learn from this experience. Try to figure out what makes you different from the other candidates for this role. What type of candidate was the Disney Store looking for? i.e. high energy, customer service, bubbly personality etc. I understand you might really want a job but maybe this particular job just isn’t the right fit for you. I would suggest that next time you listen or write down what the interviewer is saying especially when she’s talking about when you’ll hear from her with a decision and to try to get a phone number or email so you can follow up. I hope you get a response soon too and that it’s a positive one. Thanks for leaving a comment and Good Luck!
Thanks so much for answering people’s questions. I wonder if you have any advice for me.
On Thursday (yesterday) I had two interviews. The first was with a non-profit that has a very lucrative contract position that lasts about 5 months. There is no chance of it going perm. It would be good money but no benefits at all. They loved me and invited me the same day to come back next week. The recruiter told me to get my references ready.
That afternoon I went on an interview with a huge multinational. It’s perm, full time, in my salary range, where I want to work, and I would like the job very much. The interview went super well, the hiring manager asking me about salary, what title I wanted, and sid that he’s going to make a decision “very soon” because he wanted to get someone in there while the funding for the position is firm. I am well qualified and think there is a good chance I’ll get an offer, but of course you never know.
But what do I do if I get the contract offer first? They will want an answer within a couple of days. Do I let the full time job I really want know the situation or are they going to think I’m trying to strong arm them? I’m a very good fit but there are a lot of candidates out there these days.
Any suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Confoosed,
Secondly, you can always call the non-profit group and say that something came up and you wondered if you can move your interview for a few days later or the beginning of the following week. This would give you some more time to then follow up with the multinational group and see where they are with making a decision. It does sound like they will probably get back to you pretty soon if the interviewer said that he’s going to make a decision very soon while they have the funding. Hopefully just moving the interview for the non-profit role will be enough time for you to hopefully get the offer from the multinational group, if not and you are asked to give the non-profit references then ask your references to not get back to the company right away but to call them back one full day later. Just stalling them for one extra day may do the trick. If not and you get an offer before the multinational group decides then you still have a few days to think it over and at that point since a sufficient amount of time has passed I would contact the multinational company and ask for an update because you are being invited to other interviews but you are obviously interested in this particular role. I really hope this works out for you and that you won’t need to do all this stalling because you’ll hear form the multinational group soon 
Good Luck and my fingers are crossed for you 
First of all congratulations on being in such a great situation. Having possibly two good job offers is a great problem to have
I recently applied for a job that I ended up not being selected for, despite being told (in the same call to say that I was not selected) that I gave a great interview and was second choice of the small number of candidates they actually interviewed; I was also encouraged to apply for similar openings that were coming up shortly (they did, and I have re-applied).
If I’m offered the chance to interview for one of these new openings for the same job, won’t it be weird to have the same answers to the same questions being asked again? I’ve never re-applied to a job before so I have no idea how the process works!
Thanks!
Hi Searching,
It’s not weird for HR to hear the same answers to the same questions from a candidate that has already been interviewed before. For me it’s nice to hear the same answers so I know that the person is consistent and telling the truth. I interviewed one lady four different time for similar roles and each time she had different answers for every question; now that was weird! Anyway, you will probably be interviewed by different hiring managers as well so they haven’t heard your answers before. Even if they are the same hiring managers they probably forgot what you said before as they can’t remember every answer that every candidate said. The point is don’t even worry about it. Just focus on making sure that you do have good solid examples for them. You have the upper hand as you know the questions that they are going to ask you (some will probably change) so you have the time to think of some pretty perfect responses. Remember to have some questions for the interviewees as well and if you sign up for my blog via email you get some fantastic questions that you can use. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
So the company I interviewed with and I have been waiting to hear from contacted all my references! Normally I would think that’s awesome and patiently wait to hear from them.. but they told one of my references that it was down to myself and one other candidate. I have heard that on the last four interview processes I have been through and they have chosen the other candidate in every instance. Now they spoke to this reference at 330 on Friday afternoon so I wasn’t surprised not to hear from them Friday and it was a long weekend so I hope to hear something today, I’m just no longer feeling overly confident. I mean it’s great to get to the final 2 but it makes it sting so much worse not to be the successful applicant when I know how close I was. Of course if I don’t get the job, I will ask how I can improve and work on going into future interview situations, but I am really getting bummed and I haven’t even been rejected (for sure) yet, lol. So I guess my question is : why would the company tell my reference it was down to two candidates? And by telling him that, and not that I was their preferred applicant, do you think I am less likely to get the job?
And I have also learned that my reference told the potential employer that I am a hard worker, motivated, fast learner, willing to go the extra mile, lots of energy, confident and positive – lots of positive things and the only thing against me is I am younger (but I’m nearly 30 so not really young) and therefore don’t have loads of experience.. How do I get past this issue!!!! The experience card is the one I get dealt most often when I don’t win a job competition!
Hi Melanie,
It’s very hard when it comes down to two candidates; for the employer/recruiter and the candidates. Most of the time it does come down to experience. You can’t feel bummed when getting this far in the interview process. You’re young and depending on the job they will think that’s an asset or not. In either case you just need to be patient. Getting one or two more years of experience might be the ticket that you need to land these jobs. You obviously have a good resume and you interview well. You just need some more experience. Remember the company is looking at your experience and if you will work well with their team. Will people take you seriously? Can you hold your own? Sometimes recruiters and hiring manager know if a candidate will have trouble working with the current team. Age and experience is usually the answer. Be patient and the time will come when your experience and age will not be an issue. Good Luck.
Hi,
Thanks for the article! I recently had a couple of interviews for a project manager position for a firm that I highly respect. The first interview was about an hour on the phone with HR and then I was scheduled another phone interview with the hiring manager when he returned back from a work trip.
I spoke with the hiring manager a week later for over an hour and he said he was wrapping up interviews that week and would contact who he wanted to come in for a face to face interview the next week. I never heard from him so I sent him a follow up email restating interest, experience, etc…only to get an email back saying he was going to be out of the office the following week and he would get back to me the week he gets back. It is now Tuesday of the week he is back and I have yet to hear from him.
Do I contact him again or just throw in the towel? I do not want to harrass him nor waste thier time if they have someone else in mind. What was supposed to be a two week process has already turned into a five week one. what should i do? help!!!
Hi Catherine,
Sounds to me that there is no real rush to fill this role. Two phone interviews (a week apart) then he was going to “wrap up interviews that week” so they can schedule a face-to-face the following week. It all sounds pretty nice but since the hiring manager has been away “out of the office” during most of the recruitment process I doubt he has had the time to schedule everyone for interviews. My point is he seems busy and I think you’ve done everything perfectly so far. You followed up and he said he would get back to you this week. Since it’s only Tuesday I would wait a few more days and contact him again on Thursday or Friday. You are not harassing him. You are following up like a good candidate should. Remember you’re not asking him if you got the job you’re just asking him if you got the interview. I personally think this manager should have an assistant or someone else help him with filling this role. Be patient and if the phone interview went well then I hope you get to meet this person face-to-face so you can prove to them in person why you’re the best candidate. Again I would wait it out a few more days. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy, its me Unlucky dude again.
I hope you remember, i told you my interview experience with a firm. They took Skype interview and stuff. So here is the update. Last week (Monday) i got a call from them asking for references, i provided the same to them. On Tuesday the same week, i got calls from my references that, they have received a call from a ABC company asking about me. Seems all good to me at this point.
Now almost 14 days have passed, its Tuesday again, and i haven’t heard any thing from the company as of yet. The HR lady has not replied nor i have contacted them.
Any advise ?
Oops Just received an email from them, that i am the finalist, They are working towards getting me an offer
That’s great news Unlucky boy, Congratulations!
Hi Dorothy,
Great blog! I have been meeting with a company about a position for the past 4 months. At the beginning of July, I spoke with the hiring manager and he informed me that he would be offering me the position within the next few weeks. After several weeks he told me that the position was on hold but that I was “his guy”. I kept in touch with him over the next couple of months, and at the beginning of September he called me personally (a first) and told me that he wanted me to come in as a new position had opened up. I went in a week later, and we had a very informal meeting in which he told me that I got the job. We discussed salary, a start date, all of the details of the position, and he took down all of my information again and told me that I would be receiving an offer letter either from himself or from the HR manager. This was several weeks ago. I emailed him after a few days to make sure that the start date we discussed was still valid, as I had not received any of my paperwork. He told me that he was revamping the training curriculum and would be in touch with me soon to confirm the date and reiterated that I didn’t need to worry, that I was “his guy”. About a week later I still had not heard from him, so I emailed him back. He informed me of a family emergency that he was dealing with, and said that as soon as that was resolved he would fill out the necessary paperwork to get me in. He did not try to blame it on anyone else and basically took the blame and apologized for the delay and thanked me for being patient. Here is the question: This was two weeks ago and I still haven’t seen anything. I don’t want to be insensitive to what he is going through, but with every day that passes I wonder more and more what is going on. At what point would it be appropriate to call him? Thanks for your help.
Hi Scott,
This is horrible. I hate to hear stories like this because it’s just not fair to you. This is why recruiters/HR need to be present when a so called “offer” has been made. I think this is just an over excited hiring manager moving to quickly for HR. If he hasn’t even filled out the paperwork then my only worry is that this job has not actually been approved yet. Do you have HR’s email? You should absolutely call him! I would reply to one of his emails that state that you are “his guy” and to confirm the original start date and copy HR on it. It looks like he needs some help with the paperwork and once HR finds out that he actually offered you the job then they will get into action and get the ball rolling. Call him first though and depending on what he says still send the email just confirming your conversation. Sounds like you have been very patient so good for you. I just hope that all this apologizing and waiting is worth it. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I know it’s been <a week since I last wrote to you regarding my situation. I was just wondering at what point do you think it would be a good idea to reach back out to the hiring manager again? I know you had said you don't think this would take longer than a week and two at most. However, do you think it would be in my interest to eventually reach out to the hiring manager if I don't hear anything or to just sit tight and wait it out while interviewing elsewhere?
Hi G,
Yes I think eventually you should reach out to the hiring manager and ask for an update. They are are the ones that told you that they want things to move along and they are just waiting for some green lights. Bureaucracy can be a bitch sometimes and can really hold up a lot of plans unfortunately. If I were you I would wait until Monday (only three more business days) Remember they contacted you and gave you an update last week and I think they would call you again if they had an update, which they may not at this time. Remember your references were already checked and things looked great. Just be patient and definitely interview elsewhere in the mean time. I really really hope they call you soon as I’m sure all this waiting is killing you
Hi Dorothy,
It’s Andrew from a few posts above….First, thanks so much for answering my question and providing your insight. I really appreciate it. As I mentioned, I met with the two women Friday morning at a hotel downtown, and they mentioned “Someone from HR will be in touch,” but I didn’t get a timeline. I just saw your response now, and it is currently Wednesday morning and I haven’t heard anything. I sent follow up thank you emails Monday morning. Should I email HR today and ask for an update, or should I wait until Thursday or Friday of this week? I don’t want to seem eager, and have heard you should wait a week or so until following up, but wanted to see your thoughts.
Thanks!
Hi Andrew,
Did you get any response from the email you sent on Monday? If not, yes I would call them and ask if they received your email and proceed to ask them for an update. As usual be profession and make sure that they are treating you like a serious candidate. As per my other comment I’m just worried that they feel that they can walk all over you. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Good morning! I ran into your site last night and already love it!
It helps a lot and makes me know that my interview probably just okay instead of well…sad news
Here’s my scenario! I had a interview last Wednesday (10/5) setup by a recruitment agent. I met three people which are financial associate, director and VP. The company is a good company but the position belongs to an expanding small department.
Everything went well in my first thought but I adjusted that it’s only okay for them after reading your article. They really care about the time for interviewing, setting up an alarm to remind them time’s up, and the VP even tell me he has a meeting to attend right after my interview, which is true because he checked with his assistant.
After the interview, I called the agent immediately and he’s apprently in the middle of something and said he would phone me back but he never….so I called and e-mailed and left VM two days after the interview but still get no response.
Does it mean I’ve already been eliminated? but according the VP, I’m the first one they’re interviewed with. will it be that quick to exclude a candidate? or can I skip the agent and contact one of my interviewer directly to ask about their feedback? Any suggestion?
Bests,
Jenni
Hi Jenni,
Be patient. I’m sure the recruiter from the agency is busy and probably has no news to share with you just yet. If you were the first candidate that they interviewed they are probably still in the process and won’t tell any candidate that they liked them or not until the whole process is over. Be patient. If you got the interview through the agency and you call the interviewers directly they will probably tell you to get in touch with the agency. Did they give you their contact information directly and tell you to call them anytime? If not then don’t. This is why companies like working with agencies so they don’t have to deal with candidates call them directly. Once the recruiter hears some news they will probably call you. Usually they are eager to hear your side of the experience so I am a little worried that the recruiter didn’t call but again they just might be busy or just a bad/rude recruiter. Just be patient and continue to apply for other roles. Glad you love the site and Good Luck!
I interviewed for a job at a hospital last week and was told that I would hear back Monday or Tuesday of this week (it is now Wednesday). Is it safe to assume I didn’t get the job? Also, is it acceptable to call them and check in to see if I can get any helpful feedback as to why I didn’t get the job?
Hi Jordan,
Yes since they let you know that you should hear back by Monday or Tuesday you can absolutely call them today (Wednesday) and ask for feedback so you can improve for future interviews.
Hi Dorothy,
I just heard back from the recruiter. Initially, I wanted to punch a hole in the wall, but objectively, I knew the position I had just interviewed for was above my level (and I was surprised they even considered me for the position, to be honest, as the position needed someone with 6-8 years of extensive experience, and I have closer to 3-4).
Anyway, here is the response I got from the recruiter, word for word.
I hope another xxCompany recruiter has reached out to you by now!
Audrey and Karen LOVED you, but they thought you were too junior for the xxx position, and they strongly encouraged me to find you a good home at xxCompany.
Please let me know if you have received contact from any other recruiters at xxCompany.”
How should I proceed from here?
Hi Dorothy,
My plan currently is to respond and say Nobody has contacted me but I remain interested in working for XX company. However, I am also in the process of interviewing for a position with two other companies (this is true).
On their website I see a posting for a position that is the same title as the one I just interviewed for but one level down (an Associate Client Manager instead of Client Manager). Should I inquire about this position or let them lead? Also, how aggressive should I be about making myself unavailable for an interview, since any future interviews would be my FIFTH with the company this year?
Haha, didn’t realize I included the name of the company….whoops! Oh well…
Hi Andrew,
I have edited out the company name in your comment. I think your plan is good. I think since the recruiter has been asked to ‘find you a good home at xx company’ that you should absolutely tell her that you just saw the posting for an Associate Client Manager and that you think you would be perfect for that role. See how she responds and then definitely remind her that you are so interested in working at this company that you have interviewed for them four times. Show that you have been very persistent to work there in a light hearted joking kind of way but that you are interviewing with other companies as well.
I don’t think you need to be aggressive at all. Just state the facts and see what the recruiter says. Remember her job now is to try to find you a home there so lets see what she can do and hopefully you won’t have to go in for the fifth time
Hi Dorothy,
I really liked your article and I found it very informative. I was wondering if I could receive some feedback as well. I interviewed for a position on Wednesday of last week with the HR manager and the person who is currently in the position now. The HR Manager called me back yesterday to schedule a 2nd interview. I will be interviewing from 8:00am until around lunch with all four people that I will be working closely with and then the HR Manager is going to take me out to lunch. I’ll be interviewing with the CEO, the CFO and the Controller. If I am hired, the HR Manager will be my direct supervisor but I will also support the other three people who are interviewing me with a few smaller tasks although HR will be my main role.
I haven’t interviewed with several different people like this or had a lunch interview in several years and I’m really nervous. It’s a small company with under 100 employees and that’s why I’m guessing they are having me interview with so many different people and then do lunch.
I really want this job and I don’t want to blow it! Any advice would be appreciated! If I go through all that stress of meeting with so many people and a lunch and then end up not getting the job I’ll be so disappointed.
Thanks,
Becky
Hi Becky,
I bet you will get this job because #1 you’ve already met the HR Manager (your future direct supervisor) and he/she obviously liked you so much that she #2 not only invited you to meet with the four people that you will be working with but #3 she said she will take you out for lunch afterwards. I actually think they like you very much and want you on their team badly. If you were just a normal candidate then the HR Manager would have only scheduled you to meet with the team and only after the HR Manager got the members feedback would they invite you back for less formal interview lunch. So since they want you as much as you want them I think the interview will go great. The HR Manager just wants the team to meet you before she goes ahead and hires you. Just bring your A game. Some of the same questions that you were asked in the first interview may come up so be prepared and mostly be prepared to talk about yourself, your past and where you see yourself in the future. I’m sure they’ll have some scenario questions for you and just make sure that you have some questions for them. If you sign up to get my website via email you receive over 80+ interview questions plus questions that you should as the interviewer to help you prepare. I bet the lunch will be nice and casual and the HR Manager will hope you liked the team as much as he/she knows that they liked you. Remember that interviews go two ways so try to really find out about the culture and management style of the team so that you will be happy working with them. I don’t think you’ll blow it or be disappointed later. Again, just relax and be confident that they really want you almost as badly as you want them. You have great experience and skills that they know will be an asset. Just communicate well, be clear and don’t fidget. Good Luck!
Don’t be nervous or at least try not be nervous
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for your previous reply. I just got an update from the HR lady (after I sent her a follow-up email) and I was a bit disappointed that she told me they were realistically looking at this taking another month or so. But she asked me to stay in touch with them. Then we decided to get in touch again at the end of this month. I don’t know whether this is their nice way to say no. Being an engineering consultency, they are highly project driven. So I guess it really depends on whether they win any big projects any time soon or not. As for me, I should just assume I didn’t get the job and apply somewhere else. Thank you for your time looking at my case and I really like your website!
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for update Stephen.
Yes I would be a little disappointed to with her update but at least you got an update. I personally think you did get the job but finances fell through. If they are a project driven firm then I’m sure in a few months they will contact you and want to offer you the role. I bet since the decision to not hire you was mainly because of finances that they may be just as disappointed that they can’t offer you anything right now as you are. Yes, I would continue to apply to other roles and companies but don’t be surprised if you get another update in a month or so
Hi Dorothy! I just stumbled upon your blog and have found it very helpful! I just have a quick question. I had an interview today. I was scheduled to have the interview with the hiring manager for the position, but when I got there the interviewer was a manager from another department (side note: the hiring manager did step in for a moment to meet me). Anyway, I was kind of thrown off and didn’t know at first that this manager was going to be the one interviewing me and now cannot, for the life of me, remember her name (I know, it’s terrible). I want to send a thank you letter, but I obviously want to address it to the correct person. Would it look bad to email the recruiter and ask for the name of the person who interviewed me? It’s a very large company, so finding the name of the person on my own has proven to be very difficult. Also, should I send a thank you to the hiring manager as well even though I only met her for a minute?
Hi Sally,
Good Luck!
In this case I would email the recruiter right away. I would just be honest. Just say that you want to send a thank you note but you cannot remember the managers name as you were prepared to meet with XX (hiring manager) and were actually interviewed by someone else. In re: to sending a thank you to the hiring manager that you only met with for a minute, yes I would send an email only because I’m not clear on who you would report to if you got the job. I would just send them a quick thank you stating that you wanted to thank both XX (hiring manager) and the other manager you met with for taking the time to meet with you and talk about the role that you are very interested in. Then just be honest again and ask the hiring manager if they can provide you with the managers name and job title so you can send them a thank you note as well. This is very common and does not look badly on the candidate unless they don’t send a thank you note just because they were too scared to ask for the name of the manager. People are nervous in job interviews and easily forget things. I think hiring managers and recruiters would forget candidates names but we are lucky to have their resumes right in front of us
Hi Dorothy,
, I’m updated my situation and have another question hope you can suggest me how to deal with it.
Thanks you for prompt reply
The agent seems really not care about and hurry at all, so I decide to do the follow up one more time. I called the agent yesterday and finally got the feedback. he said they think me doing well, there’s a possible contract and he asked my current salary. So I guess it’s a good sign, but my situation is I wrote him an e-mail giving him my expectation and told him that I will leave US for three weeks from next Wednesday but no reponse again. Based on the agent guessing, the hiring process may finish in 2-3 weeks,how am I supposed to deal with if the decision have been made up? Do you have similar experience before?
Hi Jenni,
I’m not sure if I understand your question but once a recruiter finds out that you are on vacation or not reachable then they will probably stop pursuing you until you get back. Being away for a few days is acceptable and usually will not have an impact on the recruitment process but three weeks is a long time. They like having candidates available. This company may not be in a rush to hire but the recruiter will probably show them people who are currently available. If the hiring process finishes before you get back just make sure that your recruiter can get in touch with you via email or phone. I think the recruiter didn’t respond to your email because they are interested in people who are available to work right now. I would just enjoy your vacation and get back to the recruiter and your job search when you get back.
Hi Dorothy,
Quick question, but for turning in a two weeks notice, what is the best way about this? I am in the throes of a post-grad program and my director/coordinator are over an hour away. I know they generally say avoid e-mails, but would a phone call with an e-mail suffice? Just not sure what would be the most PC way to go about this down the line. Thanks!
Hi G,
Each situation is different. For you I think a phone call followed by an email is suffice. Normally when your career and you want to quit your job you want to do it in person because not only do you not want to burn any bridges but you want the experience to be as pleasant as possible in case you do work with this manager/director/supervisor or company again. It’s just common courtesy to do it face-to-face but of course sometimes that’s not possible so a phone call is suffice and following up with an email.
Hi Dorothy, Great site you have here, filled with lots of good information. I am just overwhelmed with my job search….I thought maybe you could help me out. I have been umemployed for 10 months now, have had at least 10 interviews but no offers. I am concerned maybe it is my past employment that could be holding me back. I was let go due to poor sales….. was told they would not give out the reason if anyone called. My job prior also the same…. let go due to poor sales….although I believe there were other reasons behind this. When asked why I left I have been saying I resigned so I could look for other opportunities. My question is can they find out why I was let go…..should I hire a reference check company to see what my past employers say? Really could use your advice. Thank you so much Bonnie
My past two employers have been major retailers if that makes any difference……also I have been asked to sign back ground check apps. as well as been told they check my references.
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for leaving a comment and glad you find the site helpful. If you were let go from a company and I checked your references and asked why you left they would have to say that they let you go. They would never say that you resigned. I’m not sure if you saying that you resigned when in fact you have not is the reason why you haven’t gotten work. Have you made it to the final stage of the interview process and then were asked for your references and then been rejected? If not I think you just maybe over analyzing and maybe just getting a little demotivated from being unemployed for 10 months. Are you applying for sales driven jobs? if so, I would possibly look at other avenues. You can check your own references if you really feel that it’s the reason you’re not getting hired. 10 months is a long time. I’m sure you’re tired, frustrated and maybe desperate to find a job. Before spending money and worrying about your references have you asked for feedback on your past interviews? If not, I would because you can only learn and get better if you’re told what your doing wrong or what you can improve on. I hope this helps and remember to stay positive. Being unemployed can be tough so make sure you read “surviving unemployment and depression” Hope that helps and stay positive!!!
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for the update, I’ll definitely call them then. Interesting thing happened earlier today, I got called by HR from the company I am applying to and they asked if I signed any non-disclosures etc and also told me to inform them if I am interviewing elsewhere. Is that normal for them to be asking me if I am interviewing elsewhere?
Hi G,
Yes these questions are normal. They want to see if you are in fact in the middle of an interview with other companies. It’s just a note to put on your file so if they decide to pursue you they will need to act fast. Depending on how big the company is they might also wonder if you are being interviewed by another department in the company. Sometimes they may forget to check their recruitment system, which would tell them if you are or not and its also nice to hear from the candidate. If you are interviewing with other companies and they ask you the names of the company don’t tell them; It’s simply none of their business.
Hi Dorothy,
Wow Great Article you have here. It allows me to get a glimpse on the on the other side of the table. Great Job.
I recently went through an interview with a recruiter (which from my point of view went well) for an internal position at my large company (different department), after our conversation she gave me the typical response of “we’ll get back to you 1-2 weeks”.
After a week, I wrote a follow up email (yes I know its a bit late). It turns out that my original recruiter was scheduled to take maternity two days after my initial interview !? (Is this normal?). In addition, the “out of office” (indefinitely) reply suggested that I contact another colleague, which I did.
But, I also got an “out of office” (indefinitely) from the other 2nd colleague with suggestion that I contact a 3rd colleague. At this point I’m kind of confused and hesitant to contact the 3rd colleague, it might just refer me to a 4th colleague. Also it might look bad on me.
I would really appreciate your input. Thanks a bunch.
Hi James,
I believe you might have been involved in a fake interview. I think this because it sounds like you just had an interview with the recruiter. The hiring manager usually makes the decision to hire not the recruiter so where were they? Also, what’s with all the ‘out of office’ responses? Is everyone on vacation?! In any case, I don’t believe you can be represented properly. Usually if the recruiter likes you they push to hire you. Now your original recruiter is gone and passed you on to another who passed you on to another. It only looks bad on you if you don’ t continue and follow up with the 3rd colleague. Since this is an internal job you have to keep trying to contact someone because you need to stay professional and show that you had genuine interest in the role i.e. interest in your professional development. You want to make sure that you have a good relationship with HR and this may be hard in your case since the whole department is on vacation 
Good Luck!
Glad you like the article
Hi Dorothy,
This is update on the position. Thanks for the insight. I didn’t get the job it has been since 9/30 and I sent a thank you letter on that Tuesday. I haven’t heard anything from them. Recruiter stated that HR hasn’t been able to connect with the hiring manager. I tried calling as follow up but no response but I didn’t leave a message. Then I noticed that the job was still out there but today I checked and the job is no longer out there. I assume that I didn’t get the job cause no one reached out to me. I did believe I had the job cause of what the hiring manager stated to me. Moving on to the next job. Thanks again for your insight.
Sorry to hear that Nikki. I think this may not have had anything to do with you. I think that it had to do with the failed relationship between the agency and the company. Either your recruiter is lying that he/she cannot get in contact with the hiring manager or he/she is telling the truth and if that’s the case then it seems that the company does not want anything to do with the agency or HR doesn’t get a long with the recruiter. In either case I would possibly think of working with another agency. Stay positive and absolutely move on
Hi Dorothy,
You have a nice article here and so many valueable comments here. I am also in a troublesome situation with no clue to figure out what is going on.
For an overseas company I attended 4 phone-in interviews with their hiring manager, 2 senior scientists and the recruiter. After that they invited me to their location for a one day interview. The interview went well and they were all happy after the presentation. After five one-2-one interviews on that day they arranged a lab visit which was not in the initial agenda. I was also told that they will let me know the outcome in three weeks. Three days after the interview I found that the job advertisement was closed. After three weeks they sent me an email stating that they were evaluating other candidates and they “very much like to keep my application active” and would let me know as soon as the process completes. I waited for another 10 days and called the recruiter who asked me why I was in a hurry. When I told about the other two offers, he promised to call me back next day after consulting with the HM. Today he called as promised and told that I’m a second candidate and they are arranging 2 more phone in interviews, after which they will invite me again to their site if they are still interested!
I have no idea of whats going on. It is a big multinational company. I really want this job and now it seems I don’t have much to hope for in this case. I really appreciate it if you could let me know your opinion.
Sini
Hi Sini,
Everything looks like it’s going as planned. Yes a little slower than you would like but you are still in the running. You let them know that you had two other offers pending and they stepped up and said that they would arrange 2 more phone interviews. Have they scheduled those interviews with you yet? Since this job is overseas you’re going to have to be patient as the decision to hire someone so far away will not be easy. You need to be professional and accommodating. Since this will take a while you’re going to need to really decide to either take one of the other two offers or wait for this process to pan out. Again, be patient and accommodating. You don’t want to come off as someone that is hard to work with just because they needed to schedule a few more interviews with you. Also, you were told that you’re the #2 candidate. You’re not the #1 candidate so bring your A game, be confident and do some more research so you can turn into their #1 candidate. Good Luck!
Great article. I was browing the web to find out what more I could do to help get me this position and stumbled across this article.
So it looks like I was involved in a “fake interview” too. I applied for a position and did’nt hear anything back from the company for 10 days so I e-mailed them to let them know that I applied and am very interesed in the position. TheBusiness Manager e-mailed me back almost immediately and set up a phone interview with the Publisher. The position was for an advertsing account executive for a local magazine. After doing research on the company I found out that the publisher was an account executive for several years, so with me thinking it was wierd at first that he was going to be interviewing me, I found that out and I guess it made a little more sense. Or did it? So he calls me for the interview and tells me that it is just a non-formal interview. That this is a chance for me to ask him about the company. So he starts off with “tell me a little bit about yourself”. So I did then he says “ok so what are the questions you have for me?” As I had several questions written down that I wanted to ask him anyway, I was not prepared for myself to be asking all the questions. I wound up asking him a lot of questions from the ones I had written down and from going off his answers. At the end of the interview he just said “ok thank you”. I asked when he was expecting to make a decision and he told me by the end of next week. I was just really confused about this whole thing. I would appreciate your feedback. Thank You.
Also, I know a couple people that are freinds with people that work for this company. Should I ask for them to give me a recommendation to the people that work for the company?
Hi Andrew,
This interview sounds very odd and very much like a fake interview. I would definitely ask your friends not just to give you a recommendation but also ask them about their interview process. Maybe this type of interview is very common for this company. In any case, I think you’ll learn a lot from people who actually work there. Also, don’t forget to follow up by the end of the week. Thanks for leaving a comment
Thanks for you site!!
I had an interview set up through a recruiter. i thougt the interview went well. It was supposed to be with the cooridinator and PM. The PM couldnt make it so it was initially the cooridnator and myself. We discussed the position and my skillsets and how the two correlate. Soon afterwards, the hiring manager walked in to listen. He seemed pleasant as well. It appeared as if all went well. She asked me if I would be okay with filing and I told her that no task is beneath me and that if she asked me to clean a window that that would be fine too. I explianed that I dont believe I am above anything. I really kept expressing that I really liked this job abd that it felt as if it were a culmination of past job experiances rolled up in one (chemist, teacher, analyst, and business owner) and that I felt there was a mutal benefit. I told her that when the recruter was listing of job desriptions that i was really excited about this one and to dismiss the other ones. she asked what they were and I told her (analyst and 2 other lab postions). I think she may think I am over qaulified for this job and that they may have “pumped” up the job duties, but that’s okay if they did, I like the company after researching. She told me that if i didnt get the job, not to take it personally because she really liked me and thought I was sweet but they still had other people to interview. Thats when the guy that makes the decisions about who to hire said it was in the double digits. He said it was nice to meet me and I said I really hope you consider that I am well rounded and that I bring a diverse background to the table rather that just one trade and hope that provides an edge and I loook forward to hearing from them. I asked for a card and left my portfolio which includes my resume, cover letter, references, and college transcripts. I now know not to do that.
i called my recruiter to teell him about it and he said to hold off on the thank you follow up and he would get some feed back so that I could tailor that. Well, I never heard from him today and it’s Friday. I also sent him a list of other postions with his company that I would be interested in to, but I didnt hear from him.
Was this a fake interview? or does it seem like a real chance of sucess? Did the resruiter hear something he didnt like and decided he doesnt want to work with me anymore? What are your thoughts?
Thanks
I am sure I seemed a bit over jealous about it too!! I jsut really want this jobso badly, because it is a perfect fit out of all the ones I have looked through. I dont even know how to explain it. And, I really liked the environment.
Thanks again Diana
Hi Dina,
From what you described I think you came off looking very desperate, which is not a good thing. Stating or even just joking that you would even clean windows if they asked you too is not appropriate. The point of an interview is not just for you to find out more about the role but to show the hiring manager that you are a confident person who has skills that are perfect for this role but also someone that is flexible and is a team player. If they do think you are overqualified for this job than you may not get hired. No company wants to hire someone in a role that might be bored. I’m sure you like this job and company very much but since you were told that ‘if you didn’t get this job not to take it personally because they really liked you’ means that you didn’t get the job. I personally think you were too excited about the role, possibly shared too much information (you didn’t need to say that you liked this job so much that you removed your application to the two other jobs),proved to be overqualified and showed them that you want this job pretty badly, which again you don’t want to do. If in the future you do apply for a role that you know you are overqualified then make sure that you edit your resume and your responses to the interview questions so you don’t look overqualified. Sorry and I hope I’m wrong.
Thanks for leaving a comment and glad you like the site
Hi Dorothy,
Initially, I’d like to thank you for the insight you’ve posted on the page regarding these types of situations. It is very informative – reading through many posts answered more than 65% percent of my questions. So Thought I would proceed with posting to answer the other 35%.
I’m currently a college student and young working professional. I have sufficient management and technical experience in the industry for which I’m pursuing (or growing, rather) a career in(and relatively accomplished in my career path for my age). I recently had pursuits and job interests with three companies in my industry: the first I was contacted by a recruiting firm(hired by the company seeking candidates) who found my resume on a job-site, the second two I applied for.
The first company was an out of state company, clear across the country who – despite being in school currently – was highly interested in me for my experience, combined with current education. I conducted a phone interview with the Director of HR, and Manager of the department I would be working for, as well as an additional departmental manager briefly within the call. The interview was a success, as no more than 30 minutes later the HR Director called me back and offered me the position – pending my passport(needed for international projects, this is a global company) and background check. A week later the background check cleared, and I was contacted by HR informing that the Director of the division I was to work for wanted to speak with me by phone, which happened later that week. The following week I received and email/call from the recruiting company whom originally found me explaining that the company was undergoing a hiring freeze, and I could expect “the call” within a week or up to one month. Nearly two months have passed with no words. Upon initial offer I was given the contact info directly to the HR Director (she was very welcoming of me, and enthusiastic to have me), but since the offer the majority of communication has gone through the recruiting company. The Last follow up I made with the recruiting firm, there was no update regarding the hiring freeze and I was asked to simply remain patient. This last point of contact was one month ago. At this point should I disregard this opportunity, or attempt to contact the HR Director for more insight?
The Second job, I was interviewed and it went well. I experienced a long delay in follow up from them – as I was told one week. After One month I received an email from the recruiting manager indicating request for a second interview. I replied to this email the same day, giving my availability per her request. I received no response yet again. I waited one week, and contacted the company by phone, unable to reach them. Finally within three days of that I made contact and was informed the CFO decided to go in “a different direction with the position”. I assume this means the position was cut, or a different candidate was selected. Is this type of “runaround” common business practice? And also, what do you think caused this process to be dragged out? It was more or less a confusing experience, but the extensive wait helped damper any disappointment which stemmed from the turn-down.
Finally, I recently was contacted by another company for which I applied to in July. I did not anticipate any efficient response from the company, as it is in another country (and a major and professional company within my industry). Upon contact by email a few weeks ago, they expressed strong interest in my background, and asked to schedule a Skype interview providing a specific scheduled time. I was unable to make the interview due to time constraints, and was asked/and asked if a different time would be best, which I agreed to. They indicated they would contact me shortly with details on scheduling the interview, but have not replied with a scheduled interview nor have replied to any of my emails following up with scheduling one. Did I miss my shot by not being able to make the first interview – despite their offer to reschedule it?
Thanks for your advice!
Hi Michael,
For your final interview, I think you may have missed the shot. When your dealing with another country it’s going to be easier for them to hire someone local so if you really want that job you need to be flexible and accommodating and make the time to talk to them. Since you were not able to work around their schedule they moved on to their internal candidates and probably found one and thought that dealing with you was too much of a hassle. Sorry but that’s how it goes. They may have wanted to reschedule but the interviews when on and they probably found their candidate quicker then they thought. You just need to try to be more accommodating and when it doesn’t work out than on to the next. Thanks for leaving your comment good luck in school and job hunting 
I have dealt with many hiring freezes and let me tell you that they as much of a pain for the recruiters as they are for the candidates. For the first company, I would definitely touch base with the HR Director, especially if you felt that you had a good rapport with them. I would say to be patient as well but it’s been long enough and you deserve an update. For the second company, the type of runaround you experienced is fairly common when companies either are not in a rush to hire or their first candidate declines the offer and then they either decide to scrap the role or have another job absorb the role and add extra responsibilities. When it take a month to try to schedule an interview you know the company is not that keen on hiring
Hi, Dorothy
It’s my 2 nd interview with a company in 3 years. First time I wasn’t prepared. Then, I was given the opportunity the second time because I kept sending my updated work so I stayed in regular contact with the company. I was asked to come to the 2′nd interview because they saw my new work and they loved it. I had a very relaxed interview with a VP and then went back to talk to President. I was told that first they need someone with more experience and then it want be long till they hire me. What do you think about that?? Thank you…
Hi Eddie,
The company is telling you that you need more experience. You need to work and get more experience under your belt before you can work with them. They obviously love your work but your too “green” for them.
Hello Dorothy,
You must be one of the most kind and patient people on the web. THANK YOU for helping all of us work through our job search issues in this challenging economy.
I submitted my resume 4 weeks ago for a position for which I’m pretty much a perfect fit. A recruiter called me the next day. And now I’ve had both a phone and in-person interview. The in-person interview was about a week and half ago. The recruiter got in touch with me two days later and asked for references. I sent him my references and he has contacted 3 of the 4. He called me at the end of last week and wanted to talk compensation, which we’ve already discussed before. I don’t understand why I am talking with the recruiter about these things. He doesn’t know anything about the benefits offered by the company, nor does he really care. He says he’s “trying to get me an offer,” but shouldn’t this already be with HR if the company does want me? On top of all of that confusion, he is a really unpleasant person to deal with and has really put in on a roller coaster with this opportunity. I like the company and the hiring manager, so I’m still considering the job, but I’m tired of being bullied by the recruiter and I don’t trust him even after 4 weeks of working with him. He has days were he is decent, so then I think some level of rapport has been established but then he turns around and does something else rude — like minimizing my work experience (even though it’s very respectable and I’ve done a lot of good things), cutting me off mid-sentence (and I know I don’t ramble on about things), criticizing people in my profession for being too detail-oriented, or saying that he thinks I’ll be able to get the salary I need and then saying that it’s too high.
Can you please tell me if this is the way this is supposed to work? I’ve never had an experience with a recruiter like this. Also, can I contact the hiring manager directly? She gave me a card after the interview and I sent her a thank you email after the interview and she did respond.
Thank you so much!
Joanie
Hi Joanie,
The recruiter sounds like a douche! Are you working with an agency? If so then I would by pass this rude recruiter and try to talk straight to the hiring manager or ask the agency if you can work with another recruiter. If this recruiter is actually part of the company that you want to work for than unfortunately you’re going to have to grin and bare it until he gives you an offer. You can go straight to the hiring manager but they will most likely tell you to go through HR meaning the rude recruiter. You also don’t want to look like a difficult person to work with when you’re not hired yet. So my point is don’t whine to the hiring manager but since she gave you her card than I would absolutely touch base with her and don’t mention how rude the recruiter is. Just be pleasant and tell her that you are really looking forward to working with her. The recruiter probably hates his job so don’t take it too personally. I would in fact kill him with kindness. Be super nice to him and don’t let any of his unpleasant remarks affect you. Remember once you are hired you almost never have to work with the recruiter again. Good Luck and not all recruiters are rude and horrible.
Hi Dorothy,
I’m happy to have stumbled upon your site. It’s great to see that you are actively involved and I am curious about what you think of my situation. I felt like I was blindsided today when I was very confident in getting notice about a position. It all started a couple Fridays ago when I received a call from a recruiter regarding a position I applied for the week prior. It was an informal phone interview where I put in my best effort to sell my skill sets and experiences. The recruiter was very positive and set up a phone interview with a manager. The next Monday we spoke. I felt I did a wonderful job “selling” myself over the phone and was offered the opportunity to come in for an interview with him and two people I would be working under. I received an email form the manager and recruiter confirming my interview for that Thursday. The recruiter even requested I give her a call after the interview had concluded.
As far as I was concerned, I felt I had the perfect interview with the manager and his associates. They all had a chance to look over my resume and were impressed with my experiences, goals, and fit towards the organization.
A few hours after the interview, I contacted the recruiter as requested and she was extremely excited for me and let me know she had spoken with the manager. I was told that I was at the top of the short list and I should be hearing back on Tuesday. Last Tuesday I did not receive correspondence and figured that they needed a little more time to make their necessarily preparations. I ended up not hearing back last week at all and started to become worried. I figured that if I didn’t hear anything by Friday, I would call the recruiter by this Monday afternoon.
I received a shocking email stating “Although, we were certainly impressed with your skill and personality; we have made a decision to bring on a candidate who has experience that closely mirrors our business model.” I became extreme distraught after reading this message due to the fact that I was told I was a great fit for the organization and its needs. I decided to call the recruiter for my own personal and professional growth to see where I was lacking in comparison to the candidates that were ultimately selected for the position. Since there was not an answer, I left a brief message.
A little under and hour later I received an email from the recruiter stating this (I took out the specifics, but the meaning is still intact):
“Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me. I apologize that we were not able to speak by telephone. [The Manager] said that the interview went very well. That the team enjoyed meeting with you.
Unfortunately, we had two strong candidates appear last minute that were personal referrals of the [associates you interviewed with].
I apologize. [The Manager] had no negative feedback.”
It appears that the only reason I didn’t get the position was because they knew they were going to hire the friends of the associates the entire time. This position was close to where I live, had a decent salary, and was closely related to my field of study. This enrages me to the point of feeling sick. I’m not the type of person that is susceptible to depression, but after countless rejections, I feel that I’ve wasted valuable time (and money) in my younger years to improve myself through means of higher education (I graduated with a master’s degree in May and at this point I am literally desperate for a job). I have done everything right and have somehow become failure itself.
I’m not even sure what to do anymore. I thought there was a possibility of taking legal action with this last position, but I don’t believe any law has been broken.
The recruiter wants to stay in contact/network with me, so maybe there’s the off chance that I’ll be first in line if something opens up.
Hi Michael,
Yup this happens all the time. “personal referrals” means your interview was supposed to be a fake interview but you made their lives a living hell. What I mean is that they probably always knew that they were going to hire this “friend” of the associates but they had to post and interview for the job to show that they at least tried to look at other candidates. They probably in a million years never thought that they would find you and picking the other person over you must have been a very hard decision.
A quick side, when I applied for Winter Olympic Games I made it to the final two candidates but at the end got passed up. They wanted to stay in contact with me and even though I was devastated. A few months later I was asked to come in again to interview for a similar job and this time they hired me. I found out later that I was only passed up on my first interview because they hired a referral from another associate. This is exactly like your case. So yes, I completely understand that you’re mad but absolutely stay in touch with them as they were telling the truth that they loved you and I’m sure they want you on their team the minute another role opens up. Nepotism and “personal referrals” suck when your not chosen but that’s how the game is played and that’s how networking works. Thanks for leaving a comment and stay positive and confident!
Hey Dorothy,
So I went on an interview about a week and a half ago, they told me they would make a decision by this week (17th). It is a small company, the interview went well, and the VP gave me a call a couple days after the interview to follow up and see if I had any additional questions.
Today, I received an email from the company recruiter, stating that no final decision has been made, but that they are still interviewing candidates. They also had asked to keep them informed if I had any leads on any other jobs (keep in mind, this is not a headhunter, just the HR person from the company). I asked when they expect to make a decision by, but received no response.
I thought I had a good shot, since I had spoke with the VP, but after I received this email I am not sure what to think.
Am I a backup, since they are still conducting interviews? Do you think they are stringing me along until they can find someone better?
What do you think?
Hi Dan,
Looks like you are not their #1 candidate but they still want you to stick around in case either their #1 candidate declines the offer or they won’t find the perfect candidate they are looking for and then will settle with someone else….you. They want to know if you are interviewing for other jobs because it gives them an idea of how long they can hold off and look for someone else. I definitely think they are stringing you along until they find someone better but you never know they may come back and offer you the job. Be patient, make sure that you sent your thank you notes and definitely keep applying to other jobs. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Hope all is well and Thank you for responding back. This is the wildest thing I ever heard and experienced. From my last entry I stated I didn’t get the job. On Friday my agency left me a voice mail stating that she still hasn’t heard from them and its hard trying to connect. Well I called her on Monday to get a better understanding of the vm. She stated that they had went with the person that vacated the spot in the first place. The person wanted the job back. So that decide to go with the previous employee. That was the reason why it too so long. So my agency said they will continue to look for me. Couple hours passed and agency called back stating the previous employee didn’t workout and job is back out there and they are still considering me for the position BUT its on hold due to budget. So couple of weeks or months? Can’t tell. Can you give me so insight on this?
Hi Nikki,
This is crazy! What kind of company hires a person back after they quit and then fires them because it’s not working out. So Crazy!!!! I think since the first experience of recruiting for that role was a gong show that they will wait a little while before considering to hire again. I’m glad they are still considering you for the position and because of this I would send an email to the hiring manager and let them know that the agency let you know what happened and that you are still very interested in this role. Remind them that you are in fact perfect for this job and have all the requirements that they want. Win them over Nikki and hopefully this role won’t be on hold for too long. GOOD LUCK!!!
Dorothy,
Hey! I subscribed to your website and it’s great and I think the fact that you take so much time to respond and work with people is wonderful!
I wanted to ask you another question if you don’t mind. I had posted earlier that I was going to a second interview with the HR Manager, the CEO, the VP and the Controller. I went yesterday and the HR manager (who would be my direct boss if I’m hired) took me to lunch. I think that the interview went well and I know that I didn’t completely bomb anything (at least I think I didn’t!). She told me at lunch that they were going to make their decision yesterday afternoon before the CEO leaves for Europe and that they would let me know something by Friday. She said that it was between me and one other person and we both have our strengths and weaknesses. She never mentioned salary or benefits so that kind of makes me feel like they are going to go with the other candidate. She also asked me how the job market was and if I had seen a lot of other HR jobs out there and if my current supervisor knew that I was looking for a job. I told her that my supervisor didn’t know but that I was fine with them contacting her if they needed to check my references. Was that her polite way of letting me know I didn’t get the job?
I went straight home and sent out all of my thank you emails asap since they were making the decision yesterday afternoon so I at least attempted to follow-up properly. Thanks for any input! I really really appreciate it.
Hi Becky,
My short answer is no I don’t think she was just being polite when she asked about the job market and if your current supervisor knew that you were looking for a job. It’s just recruiter small talk. I honestly think you did the best that you could. Once you found out that the job was between you and one other candidate I hope that your thank you notes were not your normal generic notes and it were spruced up a bit to hopefully nail the point that you are the best candidate. My fingers are crossed for you.
I believe I had a fake interview this morning it was just the recruiter,she give me the job description to read I did not know that there would be so much of admin duties as stated when I apply and when I question it. She was like you sock me here because it states on the outline and u had a first interview so y r u so surprise??I tried to answer but I dont think it was good enough…she said u will hear from me in 1-2 days also told me goodluck??? do u think I have a chance of getting this job??
Hi Sammy,
I don’t think you had a fake interview I think you might not have been well prepared for the interview. Yes it was just with the recruiter but it sounds like you blew it if you were shocked about the admin duties that were on the job description. You should never be shocked at a job description. Even if you are shocked play that you are not and then just ask the recruiter, at the end of the interview, if you could keep that job description print out. This was not your first interview so I’m not sure why anything on the job description should shock you. Sorry but I don’t think you have a good chance of getting the job but I hope I’m wrong.
Dear Dorothy,
I applied for a part time journalism position with a company several months ago and was invited to interview. I prepared properly and felt it went well.
When I did not receive feedback I followed up with the employer to let them know that I was still very interested in the position. They told me I had been unsuccessful on this occasion as there was little room for future development within the role and they felt I would be frustrated very quickly.
Since then the company has readvertised the same position (only full time), adding that previous applicants need not reapply.
I was very confident and enthusiastic about the job when I originally went to interview. Is this feedback likely to be true or do you think it’s more likely there was an issue with my writing test or question answers? I’m just curious as I feel being ‘too ambitious’ is an odd reason to disregard someone for a job.
I have been rejected for many roles now, (often after a second interview), which I accept because journalism is such a competitive field. However, I find it more difficult to swallow when my application is rejected on such strange grounds. Do you think the employer was being truthful in feedback?
I’d be very grateful for any advice!
Hi Lizzie,
I would have to say it depends on how you came across in your interview. Some people like to show that they are ready for more responsibility and want to move up quickly in the company. This isn’t a great thing sometimes as hiring managers want a person to be happy with the current opening that they have. They want it to be a challenge and they want the person to grow into the role and then after a few years or maybe months can apply to other more senior roles. The point is sometimes candidates forget to sell them selves for the particular role that they are interviewing for and not the dream role that they hope to move into in that company. I think being “over ambitious” can kick you in the butt sometimes so maybe tone it down and try to get the first job offer before thinking about promotions. They may have also just wanted a paper pusher who would be happy in that role and not strive for anything better. You showed them that you want more and maybe they will think of you for future roles.
Hello Dorothy:
Its me Unlucky dude again. Lately, i have shared my interview experience with you. My current situation is: I have recieved an email from HR stating that i am the finalist for the position. Please click on the link below and complete your background check form, Once done let the Hr know through email. I have already done so like last week Monday. After that i haven’t heard from any one in HR. I have emailed the HR lady twice. She is not replying me. What should i do. I am worried, should i call her. Please advise. Thank-you
Hi again Unlucky boy,
Well first of all I would not have emailed her twice since last Monday. What did you say in your emails? You don’t want to be annoying and there is a fine line from being persistent and being annoying. I would wait a few more days and then call her. I know being patient is really hard to do but it’s sometimes the best thing. I’m glad you’re one of the finalists for the position and I hope you get the job.
Hi Dorothy- I would love to get your input on my current situation at hand. Last Thursday I had my second interview for my dream job. I asked on Thursday when they were hoping to make a decision and they said the next day. I sent my thank you emails the following day, the email I sent to the HR manager I asked for her to confirm for me if they would be letting me know either way if I was selected. I hadnt heard anything back from any of them so I wrote the HR manager yet another email today asking about the current status of the hiring decision. She emailed me right back saying that she was happy to recieve my email as they were just reviewing everything. She then said that her and the lady that would be my boss if I got the job would like to Skype with me tomorrow at 1 (they both live in different states). No other information was given as to what they wanted to talk about. Now I am driving myself crazy trying to figure out what this means. I would hope the reason they want to skype isnt so they can see how sad I look when they tell me I wasn’t hired, so I am hoping it is a good thing. What is your opinion? Do you think they want to make me an offer, or should i be preparing for more them to ask more interview questions? Any insight would be much much apperciated! thanks!
Hi Emily,
I don’t think they want to Skype with you just to let you know via video that you didn’t get the job. I do think this is still an interview so be prepared. Is this the first time you’re meeting your potential boss? Have your resume in front of you and do some research on your potential boss. Pretty much prepare for anything. She probably wants to meet you to see if she can actually work with you. You know what I mean if she can see herself working with you 9-5 for the next 365 + days. So be pleasant, exude confidence, be happy, and most off all don’t be nervous. I know that might be hard but this is your dream job and you made it this far so you don’t worry because you got this!
Stay confident and just try to make a connection with your future boss. Good Luck!!
Thanks for the quick response Dorothy! This isn’t my first time meeting with my potential boss though. The interview that I had last Thursday was at the site of my where my office would be if I did get the job, and she was actually the only one that I got to meet in person. The two other people that were included in the interview that day (the HR rep and another that has the same position I am applying for ) , I interviewed with over Skype. The interview was around 3 hours and a lot was covered. If they are planning to ask me further questions I am at a loss of what else it would be, besides hopefully- do you want the job
. I was just wondering what was the norm for employers making job offers, don’t they usually just call? I just can’t figure out why they would want to skype considering they have both already seen me. Any insight?
Hi Emily,
Maybe they want to clarify something or maybe since they feel that they know your skills and abilities that they want to pitch you an idea for the role, a change or more responsibility and they want your input. Honestly I don’t know but I do know that It’s a good thing and that you just need to stay confident and you’ll be fine. Also, maybe next time since the request was done via email you could reply by asking how you can prepare for this interview and what you can expect. I know it’s too late now but a good point for future interviews. Good Luck Emily and I hope they do offer you the job over Skype 
I have only made a few job offers in person and only because the start date was very quick and I needed the person to sign the contract right there and then. So I don’t think she wants to offer you the job over Skype but it wouldn’t be the first so again prepare for anything
Thanks I will let you know tomorrow in case anyone else reading this ever gets into the same situation!
Thanks for the response! Great site.
Dorothy,
I posted yesterday about a 2nd interview that I had on Tuesday. I sent my thank you emails the same day b/c the HR Manager told me that they were going to make their decision on Tuesday afternoon and let me know what the decision was by Friday. I was thinking about sending another email just thanking her again for the opportunity but I’m kind of afraid that I might sound desperate. I’ve got a job but I would really like the one I applied for…is it a bad decision to send another email to her (she would be my direct boss if hired)? Thanks.
Hi Becky,
Have they asked for your references? If so, have you asked your references if they have been contacted? I’m just wondering. Did you send individual thank you emails? and if so, were they sort of generic and professional. What I’m trying to get at is yes I think it’s ok if you send another email, even though I think they already made their minds on who to hire, but I would try to send a less formal email. Do you think you developed a bond with this future boss? Do you have anything in common with her? I would thank her again for her time and blah blah blah but try to make this email a little more unique, something that can set you apart from the other candidate. If you feel that you can’t do that then I would not send another email. Showing patients and restraint is also a good thing and I would pick that over someone who may look desperate. I know this waiting game is brutal but it’s going to be over soon. My fingers are still crossed
Thanks so much for the comment. She had called one of my references before the 2nd interview and I’m not sure if she’s contacted anyone since. I just sent a very carefully worded 2nd thank you email that thanked her again for the chance to inteview and for lunch and I wished her luck on finding someone for another position that she told me that she was having a difficult time recruiting for down in FL. I did my very best not to sound desperate or pushy
Again, thanks so much for you feedback. It’s very kind of you and I do appreciate it!
Hi Dorothy,
I’m still having a lot of trouble landing a job and now that I’ve been unemployed for a few months, I’m getting scared.
Last week, I sent my resume to a cool office admin position. The job had just been posted so I was very excited when they called and wanted me in for an interview the following day. She even mentioned how impressed with my cover letter she was, and so on.
The interview lasted only 5-10 minutes, and yes, I’m certain I won’t be selected. I could tell right from the hand shake she wasn’t feeling me.
I’ve always thought I was a great interviewee – positive, professional, confident. I feel like you’re an inside scoop into what recruiters really think, and driving myself bananas worrying if my appearance is deterring interviewers. How much weight do suppose is placed on looks?
I’m taller than most men and modeled a few years ago when I came over to Canada too. Typically I spend 3 hours before hand doing my hair, makeup, etc. ..Too much? The sour interview last week is racking my brain, and I’m in need a steady income soon.
Hi Hannah,
I don’t know about you but 3 hours for hair and make up for a job interview is certainly too much for me. Remember your trying to get the job and not win a beauty contest. It really shouldn’t matter what you look like but it unfortunately does.
Interviews are tricky because you are being judged on everything; the way you look, the way to speak, your skills and experiences. You need to remember that recruiters not only know a lot about the job and what the hiring manager wants but they also know the work environment and the culture of the company/department. Recruiters don’t want to hire someone who looks ready for a beauty pageant. It’s not good for the office environment either. You should go to an interview looking like you would if you were going to work. Not to much make-up, not to much perfume and showing no cleavage or wearing short skirts. The key to is to sort of look average. You’re not auditioning for a musical so don’t pack on the make-up. Most recruiters seem to be women and you know how caddy women can be
Hi Dorothy -
I have a question about hiring etiquette. I am currently employed. A colleague of mine wants to retire and sent me the posting for her position. This is a Director position and the company has been looking for her replacement for quite some time. I saw the advertisements but did not consider applying.
Well, she convinced me to go in for an interview to “explore” the opportunity. I did so and was interviewed by the CFO of the company who contacted me immediately, and directly. After this first interview I was asked if I wanted to proceed to the second phase of the interview process. I wasn’t sure, and after about 5 days struggling over it I thought I had nothing to lose by moving forward. So two days later I was meeting with the COO and the CFO. Right afterward I was interviewed by someone who would eventually be my direct report. I felt like I interviewed very well and came out feeling very confident.
Three weeks passed and I heard nothing. Today I received a “form” letter from the HR department saying that of course I am aware that several candidates were interviewed for the position (this is a lie), that they would hold on to my resume for 3 months and wished me luck on my job search (of course I wasn’t looking).
So, my question is – for the more senior management level hires, especially one as unique as this, wouldn’t a phone call be more appropriate? Isn’t a form letter tacky and unprofessional?
Thanks. I feel insulted and wonder why I put so much energy into this in the first place.
Hi Barb,
I’m glad you “explored’ the opportunity but the thing with internal applicants is that HR normally has to interview them. Buy interviewing you they want to show you and other employees that promotions are available at your company and even if they knew all along that you were not a fit for the role they know that you learned something about the interview process, which is exactly true and great experience for you. Since your company has been looking for a replacement for quite some time now they are being pretty particular. If your friend thought you would be a good replacement she should have recommended you in the beginning of the recruitment process. By showing interest so late in the game it makes you look less confident and frankly for a Director role they want someone excited for the job. You never really wanted the job in the first place since you did not consider applying until your friend brought it up. I’m sorry that you got excited for the role but you also need to be treated like any other candidate hence the “form’ letter. Yes it may seem tacky and unprofessional but they probably just want to make sure that every candidate was treated equally throughout the process. I would not feel insulted. Act like a professional and follow-up and ask for feedback. This is a unique role and you have the opportunity to learn what you did wrong and what you can improve. You went through all the stages of the interview so you can feel a little more confident that if you apply for another Director level role (inside/outside your company) that you will be better prepared and might have an edge on other candidates. Hope that helps and again think of this as good experience.
Hi Dorothy – Thanks for the response. Just to clarify – I was an external candidate and did not work for the company I applied to. The reason I did not apply when I first saw the ad is because my experience is slightly different from what they advertised for, and I wasn’t sure they would consider me. I made that clear in the first interview, and the CFO still asked me to come for a second interview.
You are so helpful. Thank you. Reading this site makes me feel like the interviewer isn’t someone to decide my fate but a friendly person who is looking out for the best fit.
Hi Dorothy:
I went for an interview on Oct 14th with the hiring VP and the HR Manager and the interview went well (at least I think that it did). The interview lasted an hour and they talked about the compensation, went through the company benefits , and made a joke about me starting the following Monday. At the end of the interview they talked about their process. They indicated that they may have another interview late the following week (around Oct 21), then a discussion between the two regarding the availability of the CEO (the hiring VP seemed to think that he wasn’t going to be available). The hiring manager did make the comment that he wanted to get an offer out by October 25.
I haven’t heard anything back from the HR manager and would have expected them to call for my references if I was the preferred candidate. Should I email the HR manager and ask them for an update? It feels like I didn’t get this job. Thanks.
Hi Jackie,
It seems very odd to go through compensation and benefits and joke with you about starting on Monday when they haven’t asked for your references. Either they don’t know what they are doing and are unorganized or they really want you to meet with the CEO but they have not been available. I would absolutely email them and state that it was a pleasure to meet them blah blah blah and remind them that they had mentioned that they may want to schedule another interview with you to meet with the CEO and if that’s something they would still like to do then you would definitely be available. I would also attach a list of your references. Hopefully this kicks starts the process again and you receive a reply stating they either went with another candidate or that they would love to schedule another interview with you. Hope that helps and good luck!
What if they ask say “Tell me about yourself” and “More than likely you’ll hear back from us” does that mean anything positive?
Hi Brittany,
Thanks for leaving a comment and check out my post on “How To Answer The Interview Question Tell Me About Yourself”. Yes I would think when you hear that you will likely hear back from a potential employer after a job interview that this is a positive thing. Remember to follow-up with a Thank you note and maybe next time try to get a timeline so you’re not waiting for weeks and weeks.
I had an interview last week and was asked a question that I answered (long story short she explained why my approach to something wouldn’t work) and the conversation rolled on… I now have an alternate answer to her question. Would it be too forward or over the top to e-mail her with the solution? The interviewers had told me that I should e-mail with any questions. I have already sent the thank you e-mails. The position is to be decided on by Friday. Thanks.
Hi Sonja,
Do not email her with another answer you thought of a few days after the interview. You get one chance to make a first impression. Keep in mind there isn’t a really wrong answer to most interview questions. Recruiters and hiring managers want to see how you got to the answer you did even if it wasn’t the way they would have approached it. The interviewers told you that you should email them if you have any questions not if you thought of any better answers to the interview questions. I’m sure you did fine so don’t over think it. You sent your thank you notes, which is great. Now unfortunately you have to wait. Did they ask for your references? Be patient and Good Luck!
Arrgghh! I so want this job! The waiting game stinks! lol They did ask for the references up front. Honestly, they asked for a lot up front. I even had to order and pay for a criminal record check ( organization that works with children) and have the certificate stating No Records Found with me.
Thanks for answering me… I guess I’ll just have to save this bit for when I get the job.
What exactly does “target hire” mean?
Thanks.
Hi JobMan,
A target hire is a person that the company knows they want to hire (could be a family member, friend, a co-worker referral etc.) but they have to post the job to make it look fair for everyone. They will go through the motions and set up some interviews but knowing all along that they are going to hire their “target hire” at the end.
I had an interview which i felt went well as I had a really good rapport with the interviewer. I was told i will be contacted within 2weeks but did not get a reponse until 1month( that was after I sent a follow-up enquiry letter, to know my status). I did not get the job, but the recruiter said He enjoyed talking with me and was very impressed with my overall knowledge . This is my dream company and I feel I am very qualified. The opening was for a new entry,no experience required, but I have 4 years experience. I should mention here that a week after my interview , I got a call from the same company ,requesting another interview for a the same position but this time it required experience. But I told the guy, that I had already had an interview with the company , earlier. Do you think it is right for me to keep to tell the first recruiter that interviewed me about this and ask her if my file can be passes on, and also is it okay if I keeo in constant touch with the recruiter in case there is another opening.
Hi xta N,
Of course it’s fine to keep in touch with the original recruiter in case there are other openings but I would caution against asking the recruiter to pass along your file to another recruiter. Even though you think you did well doesn’t really mean that you did well. The hiring manager or that particular recruiter may not have liked you and was only being nice. When you get invited to an interview by the same company but by a different recruiter you need to treat this interview like your first. I would not mention that you were interviewed before unless they ask. Most HR departments use a software system that shows if a candidate has been interviewed before so they should already know. Take this opportunity to make another first impression. You normally never get a second chance to make a first impression but if your invited to meet with a new recruiter and new hiring manager than here is your second chance. I know most people hate interviews and it would be ideal just to pass along a file with all your information on it but the thing about interviews is that people need to meet you face-to-face. As a candidate you need to show flexibility and be accommodating so when you’re invited to another interview with a company that is supposedly your “dream company to work with” than you need to show enthusiasm and jump for joy that you have been invited to an interview.
Thank you for the explanation! So basically the same thing as say, Nepotism?
Also I recently had a job interview where it was probably the most encouraging job interview I have ever had. Her and I got along great, she said I was highly qualifed and at the top of the list for choosing and she even used terms like “Don’t worry, once you start you will pick that aspect up quite quickly, I can tell.”
Does that sound like at that time she wanted to hire me with phrasing like that? I was SURE I was going to get the job. Then I get a call a few days later with nothing more than a simple “Sorry that job has been filled.”
Thanks again.
Hi JobMan,
Good Luck!
It sounds like the recruiter did absolutely like you but again a target hire reveals themselves at the last minute. Keep in mind that recruiters are usually the last people to find out that there is a target hire so this is why I believe the recruiter was being genuine but had no choice but to hire someone else. I would definitely keep in touch with that recruiter if you want to work for that company because if another role comes up they will think of you if you’re still interested and if there isn’t another target hire
I was very excited when called for an interview for a position that almost seemed tailored to my experience (almost too good to be true). During the interview the managers explained how this was a new position and they were still deciding what responsibilities the position would entail.
I was asked numerous questions that I had never in over 20 years been asked. I started to sense then that this really was a fake interview.
At the end the HR manager said they would be making the decision by the end of the following week. The other manager shook my hand and stated that he wished me luck in my employment search.
I sent a thank you letter and called after 2 weeks to be professional, even though I knew I was not getting an offer. HR said they were still sorting out the position and I should hear from them by the end of that week.
A month later and they never contacted me.
Fake interviews are an insult to me as I consider everyones time extremely valuable. Honesty on everyones part is ALWAYS the correct choice.
Hi Justonce,
Thanks for your comment and sorry to hear about your interview process. I agree that honesty is the best way to go. In your example I don’t like that the position in question was still being developed. This company clearly wasted everyone’s time. They interviewed people who thought they were applying for a certain role when in fact the company was still deciding on the positions responsibilities. It’s like trying to hit a moving target. They should have contacted you within the two weeks and just told you that they closed the role because they couldn’t decide on what the role actually was but thank you very much for your interest and time.
Awesome, thanks Dorothy!
So I have learned, in my years going from contract to contract, that it’s not what you know but sometimes who you know that’s important when seeking a job. I am from a small city so this is very true here. Anyway, I have had coffee with some people in my professional network letting them know I am looking (I am currently working but contract up in a couple of months). One of these coffee dates, which was actually a few months ago now, may have lead to something because this person runs a company and had one of his department heads call me about a position that will be opening up. I met with her and she gave me a start date and filled me in on details of the position. That sounds great! However, first they have to get approval from their board to hire with out going through the official process. If they have to open it up, I will still apply and hope for the best of course. But after reading on here about fake interviews could this have been one of those? Like could they actually know the board will make them go public and they were just being polite meeting with me?
Hi Melanie,
Good Luck!
I don’t think this was a fake interview. I think they honestly want you to come on board but of course they need to dot their I’s and cross all their T’s first. Even if they have to post the job it looks like you are the “target hire” so you won’t have anything to worry about. Just stay confident and I’m sure this will work out for you and if it doesn’t it looks like you know how to network so you will be fine
Hi Dorothy
I just wanted to thank you for all of your insight on the interview process.I took the info i got of this and use it in a interview i had today and i got a better job than i went in for.I made sure to follow all the steps & the recruiter said that i exceeded his expectations for the interview.Thank you so much!
CONGRATULATIONS JEFF!!! Thank you so much for leaving this amazing note. I’m really glad my articles and responses to peoples comments helped you better prepare for your interview. I wish you all the best in your new job
Hi, Dorothy.
I am so happy to have come across your article. I interviewed with a large government sponsored company over the past few weeks. Specifically, I had a writing assessment (passed) a panel interview (passed) another writing sample submission (more like a project) and then, finally, a one-on-one with the director of marketing. That final interview was two weeks ago tomorrow. I felt so delighted after each interview, particularly the last as we had wonderful rapport and he even commented on how I should not go interviewing with the competitor ( which I received as a compliment =) I sent thank you emails, he responded within minutes and wished me luck. I waited until last Friday and emailed HR when I had not received word. I “politely” asked for an idea of the time-frame for the decision process. No reply, nothing! I cannot help but to be upset as I really “felt” I had the job. Now, as the days go by I am becoming a little pessimistic, what do you think? And thank you in advance for your advice
Hi Danielle,
If you haven’t heard from HR yet I would sent another follow-up email to the hiring manager who you sent the thank you note. I would ‘politely’ ask them if they have an update for you as you have not heard from HR. Did they ask for your references? I’m not sure why they are taking this long to get back to you especially since they told you not to go interviewing with the competitors but be patient. With all the interviews you went through I’m sure the decision on hiring the right person isn’t going to be easy. Good Luck and again be patient even thought I know that’s hard
Hi Dorothy!
I completely agree wtih your article and I was wondering if you might take a look at this. I am graduating in a month and have went on 5 interviews. So far, no luck. Since I don’t have the “looks” I am trying to highlight my skills in the process. However, I am also a very shy person and cannot hold conversations well.
I am interview for State positions and not private companies. They did not ask for my references, (it was on my application already), but I did sign a waiver saying they can call them. When I got home, I noticed that my reference numbers were wrong. I called them and gave them the right numbers. I told them one person was on vacation and won’t be back in a few days. They said that’s fine because on the day my reference was back on vacation was the last day to make decisions. They have to make a decision on the end of that day, so I was fine. And the day after would be fingerprinting because it was going to be a fast-paced hire. That led me to believe they would call them.
I found out there were 2 schedules interview days. I took the earlier day and the other day was the day they were supposed to make a decision. I was wondering if people took the interview the last day, they won’t have time to check references if they have to make a decision at the end of the day, correct? But I was wondering if I took the earlier interview, if they would forget me by now. It’s the end of the day and I still haven’t received a call, but I am not sure if they are calling everyone on that day or the day of the fingerprinting.
Sorry for being so vague but I want to keep this as anonymous as possible. Any thoughts? Thank you!
Hi Jobs,
Many recruiters say they want the decision made by a certain date but many times we cannot control that. Since they had 2 interview days I don’t think they would make a decision until all the interviews and reference were checked. Did you send a thank you note? This follow-up is how they don’t forget about you. If they don’t hear from you then they will think you’re not interested or you accepted another role. Have your references been checked? If not then I would not hold my breath. I hope I’m wrong and wish you all the best and next time make sure you proof read your resume and reference contact information
Hi Dorothy,
I’m glad I ran into this blog. It made me feel a little better with my current scenario:
About a month ago, I applied for a company that seem real interesting and immediately got a response from a really nice recruiter and quickly gained an opportunity to speak with the hiring manager. The 1st interview turned out great. About a week later, I emailed the recruiter for any updates. The recruiter quickly responded saying “you were the first to be interviewed for this position and we’re still interviewing other potential candidates. However, the hiring manager really likes you so you might be hearing something real soon”. And not even an hour later I got called in for the 2nd interview.
2nd interview went (yet again) really well. The next step was to take a test to demonstrate my skills as the final interview process (which I thought I’ve done great). But sure enough, a few days later I got a call from the recruiter letting me know that their leaning more towards the other final candidate. However, they admitted that it was a extremely tough decision.
Slightly discouraged, I was ready to throw in the towel but the recruiter keeps telling me to stick around for there might be some other opportunity for me and also the fact that they still need to run a reference check for the other candidate. In other words, nothing’s for sure as of yet…. even if it’s been over a week since my rejection.
Just recently, I found an another open position within the same company that is relatively the same position I originally applied for – just in a different department I’m assuming. I emailed the recruiter, notifying that I’ve applied for the new opening but haven’t heard anything back yet.
What do you think I should expect next? Why are they still keeping me around even though the position I originally applied for is already in the process of being filled? I wonder what the process is going to be like if I’ve become considered for the new opening position? Would I have to go through the whole interviewing cycle again? I’m curious on hearing your thoughts. Thanks for your help.
Hi Simon,
If you haven’t heard from them yet I think that they might have offered the original role to the other candidate but they have to accept and they are probably still waiting for that. If the candidate declines then you would be up next and this is why you didn’t receive a response from your email re: the new other similar position that you applied to. I think if they were being honest and you are one of the top candidates they will consider you for the other role but you might have to still interview as it maybe with a different hiring manager. You obviously wouldn’t have to do the tests again. Did you send a thank you note? Hope you hear from them soon.
So glad you posted this! I went on a couple of these before I realized what was going on. From now on, if it sounds, or looks suspicious, I don’t go.
Hi Danielle,
Keep in mind that attending fake interviews is a good experience. You can learn more about yourself and how you can improve your interview skills.
Hi Dorothy!
I have a question.
There is an agency recruiter who found my CV on LinkedIn, she called me on the phone and said my experience looked interesting and that she was recruting for two similar positions that match my work experience very well. She never specified the exact job titles or disclosed names of companies (which I did not expect anyway) and therefore did not get me too interested. She then said she would call me again if something came up. Since then she has called me four more times giving me the same eyewash about positions that are coming up soon and for which I am a good fit and constantly asking me whether I have found a job already and how many interviews I have next week. What does this all mean? Is it a scam? I would appeciate your insight.
Hi Nick,
This recruiter sounds weird. Next time she calls or if you have her contact information tell her that if when she actually has a job opportunity open and is prepared to invite you to an interview then to contact you. Be polite but make sure that you’re clear that you don’t want your time to be wasted, which is what’s happening.
I was recently offered a job subject to reference. I was waiting for nearly 2 weeks and at the end the employers withdrew the offer on the grounds that they didn’t get the required reference. I know for a fact, when I left my last job, I was only given an agreed reference and they are not allowed to deviate from the agreement. I wonder, if I have the right to ask to see the reference and see what questions the employers wanted the answers for.
Hi Premala,
You can ask but they probably will not give it to you. If you’re curious about your references you can try to hire a company to check them for you so you can see what they are saying.
Thank you so much for the response, Dorothy!
And yes, I’ve managed to do my homework. I’ve done my research about the company (history, products, events, culture, etc) and delivered thank-you notes after both interviews; which, by the way, were perhaps one of the best interviews that I’ve ever done.
Sure enough, I recently got a response from my recruiter to let me know that they forwarded my resume to another recruiter that is in charge with the new opening position. It almost sounds as though that they feel that I’m a great fit for their company and are unwilling to give up on me just yet. So let’s just see what happens from here on out!
Thanks again for your response
Hi Dorothy!
I just got offered a job after a 3 part interview process that took place over a period of a month! I’m really happy and just signed the contracts the other day. It’s nice to not have to spend hours searching for vacancies online!
My question now is, do you have any tips for actually starting that new job? Dos and donts for the first few days? Managing office politics?
Thanks!
George
Hi George,
Recruiters and companies do not want to you fail so they will usually have some kind of training session for you. I would just suggest that you listen, be friendly and try not to get involved with office politics. Do your job well and stay away from negative people. Good Luck and congratulations on the new job!!
Hello! Interesting article. I recently went to an interview where they didn’t ask questions from the beginning. In fact, all I was told was the duties I were to perform and if I had any questions. Now, as I have never been to an interview, I am highly confused on wether or not I got the job. The last thing he said was he had more interviews and he’d call tuesday after the interviews are over. I was early and as attentive as I could be considering how nervous I was… I hope this was just an irregular interview.
Hi Nikolas,
Every company has their own way of dealing with job interviews and this one obviously put a lot of emphasis on the questions you prepared, your appearance and your communication skills. Did you send a thank you note? It all comes down to the questions you had and how nervous you seemed. Sometimes you do get a good idea if you did well or not with just your gut feeling. Did you feel you had a connection with the interviewer? Did you see if they were impressed with some of the questions you asked? I wish you all the best and hope you do hear from them on Tuesday. Good luck.
Hi Dorothy! Thanks for your comment on the “weird” recruiter chasing me on the phone. Would you think that she can be hired to do a check on me? But what could be the reason? I am not paranoid but she keeps pestering me and it is annoying.
Hi again Dorothy! I also need your take on another situation if you don’t mind.
I went to an interview at an exhibition company that organizes eduation and language-related business events. It is a sales position. The fact is that I have a unique combination of an education/linguistic and a sales background plus a rare combination of languages they are looking for and they would not easily find another candidate like me. They did not find me, I applied myself. What is somewhat weird is that the interview was organized by the Head of Logistics!! Although the Sales Director was present and he did the actual talking and interviewing while the logistics lady just sat there. And no sign of HR. I figure they may not have a recruiter at all since the company is relatively small and I couldn’t find any HR contacts on their website. The interview went very well although I had a feeling I had more valuable experience then the Sales Director himself (he is more or less my age). Moreover, I have a PhD. in Linguistics and none of them does although they emphasized the fact that they need someone with a degree which I thought was unnecessary for this position (Sr. Sales Manager). At the end of the interview they said to each other “When is she traveling to Africa? Oh, I guess next week and she’s staying there for another week”. I never found out who that “she” was but I asked when I would get feedback and they said in two weeks. The two weeks waiting period was supposed to be associated with the “she” and her trip to Africa ad far as I infer. I wrote them a thank you note and again stressed the fact that I had exactly the combination of experience and expertise they require. The deadline is next Wednesday and I am curious. Was that a fake interview?
Hi Nick,
In re: to the ‘weird’ recruiter, I don’t see what kind of check she would be doing on you since she’s not really asking you too much info. I would honestly just thank her for her time but that you are no longer interested in hearing from her unless she has an actual job and interview scheduled for you. She’s just wasting your time right now and I wouldn’t think to much of it. I just don’t think she’s a good recruiter. In re: to your interview with an exhibition company, some small companies do not have a proper HR department so if that’s the case for this company it’s nothing to worry about it. I don’t know why people are so a scared to ask the interviewers what they are referring to when it comes to vague comments such as “when is she traveling to Africa?’ etc. If they are talking in front of you you have every right to ask what it’s about. I think it’s actually very rude to have their own conversation without letting you in on what they are talking about since you’re right in front of them. You could phrase it as, ‘Oh did you want me to come back to meet another member of the team because I would definitely make myself available when ‘she’ is town’. This is when they would then let you know who this mystery women is and it shows that you’re a good listener and accommodating as well. I don’t know for sure if this was a fake interview but a lot can happen in two weeks so make sure you follow up before the two weeks and remind them that you are still very interested in the job and working for the company if you are.
Hi Dorothy,
I recently participated in a group interview. The interview went okay, not great, but not bad either. I was planning on sending a thank you email later that day, but 2 hours after the interview ended one of the interviewers asked for an electronic copy of my CV. I sent my CV along with the thank you email and in response she told me that she would be forwarding my CV to HR. She also mentioned that they might call me to ask some questions and that she didn’t want me to say that she has already interviewed me. She sent this from her work email, so I’m assuming that her company can see what she wrote and knows that I was already interviewed. I’m a little confused and don’t know if I should follow what she says when asked about being interviewed or if I should tell the truth. If I do end up getting the job she will be my boss, so I don’t want to start out on the wrong foot with her. What do you think is best and why would she not want me to say anything?
Also, if you have any tips about standing out in a group interview I would really appreciate them. Thank you!
Hi Abe,
There is a difference between a group interview and a ‘normal’ interview ( includes recruiter, hiring manager and candidate) and she probably just wants you to make sure that if asked that you are clear that you have not been properly interviewed meaning only been part of a group interview setting. A group interview can sometimes be compared to a phone interview/screen. It’s where a company can easily screen out the people they don’t want. In re: to standing out in a group interview, I would say just be enthusiastic, maintain eye contact, try to answer all the questions before the other candidates and always try to get some one on one time with the interviewer. Good Luck!
Hey Dorothy,
About a month ago I had an interview with a company, and it went really well. After talking to the recruiter and finished interviewing with her, she called HR and the regional manager. They both came in and we had a great chat and asked me more questions, and seemed very interested. So in the same day I talked to three people and everything went great. I followed up with Thank you letters, and I received a reply from the regional manager. GREAT!!!
A week late they called me back to do skill tests, and I did well.
Recently I called the recruiter to check on the status of my application, and the recruiter informed me that I made it to the last two. So there is only me and another candidate for this job. She also asked me whether I was employed. hmmm (any reason for that question)
It is already more than a week for after the last phone call and have not received anything from them, email, or a phone call.
What do you think is going on?
Thanks Dorothy
Hi Mike,
The decision to hire between two good candidates is very difficult. They probably wanted to know if you were employed because that tells them whether you can start right away or if you need to give notice. Did they ask for your references? I think they have either offered the role to the other candidate and are waiting for them to accept for decline or they are in the process of checking references and you will probably hear from them today (Monday). If you don’t hear from them today I would contact them tomorrow (Tuesday) and ask for another update. Hope this works out for you.
Hi Dorothy,
Here is my situation in a nutshell. Went in for a 4 hour interview a week ago on Monday, went great, sent followed up emails to all 7 people I met with. Received a email response from the HR person right away asking if she could call me to “debrief.” We spoke on the phone the next day, and she essentially said “Everyone loved you, do you have a specific timeline on a start date, etc. She then said “I would probably go ahead and start thinking about some references you could give us as well.” However, she didn’t “officially” request them, and said they were still going through the process (likely more interviews?) but that she would be in touch soon, most likely. This was Wednesday afternoon, and it is now the following Monday. Should I continue to sit tight, should I voluntarily send her my references if I don’t hear back by say Tuesday or Wednesday? Thoughts on this situation would be appreciated!
Hi Andrew,
“Still going through the process” just means that they still had to go ahead and interview candidates that were already scheduled to come in. Even if they think “you’re the one” they have to finish the process. If I were you I would email your contact and ask them two things 1. For an update 2. See if they want your references. You should see by either their hesitation or enthusiasm for your references whether you have a chance of getting the job. I think if you just email them your references you may not get a response back, which just means more waiting. I think you still have a good chance so I would contact them tomorrow (Tuesday). Good Luck!
Thanks for your reply Dorothy,
I called my references today and it seems no one got contacted.
I don’t know whether i should just give up on this position or i still have a chance. lol
Hi Mike,
This isn’t looking good for you. I would think they would have checked references already. Try contacting them for an update tomorrow. I don’t want to say give up but you haven’t heard from them and none of your references were contacted
I’ve been corresponding with Dorothy via private emails regarding my job search. Thanks for all your good advice Dorothy! I did get a job offer for a part-time, just 2 shifts per week, which of course I will accept. I’ll also continue to interview hoping to supplement those 2 days with additional employment. I’m happy to just get my foot in the door with the one company, hopefully 2, and then whichever one of the two realizes my values quicker and I can advance more quickly at, then they win – that’s how I look at it. And that’s what keeps my attitude up.
That’s great news Raquel
Congratulations!!!!!
Thanks for your advice! I appreciate it
Dorothy,
I called for an update today,
It seems that the big boss was on vacation and that’s the reason why they “haven’t done anything” yet.
So i guess applications get tossed on a shelf sometimes until someone is back from his/her vacation.
Do you think that’s unprofessional? or Normal. lol
So, so far i sent thank you letters, and called twice.
Do you think that i just need to sit down and wait? or call back again later ( i don’t want to sound desperate or be annoying).
Hi Mike,
I think you did everything right so I guess now you have to be patient and wait. I wouldn’t call them back just yet as that would look desperate and annoying. Just be patient and hopefully they call soon 
As a recruiter I would have at least updated the top few candidates to let them know that the boss was on vacation and the process will take a little longer then expected. When is the boss returning on vacation? When do they expect to make a decision? I cannot believe how some companies treat their candidates. I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring some people back in for another interview because the process was so long
Hi Dorothy,
It’s sad. It really is.
I honestly wanted to just laugh when i heard, “The manager just came from his vacation today.”
What is this, lol
Today is obviously his first day after coming back from his vacation. I think the last thing on his mind would be to worry about hiring anybody given the fact that when you go on vacation for some time, you have more stuff to catch up with.
So in reality I’m expecting a rejection or a job offer from them in 2025.
Like you said ” the process was so long.” I doubt he even remembers who he interviewed. LOL
What’s going on in corporate America these days.
Hi Dorothy,
I’m totally confused and hoping you can help. It’s actually a position my husband is going for. He got a call from the HR recruiter about 60 days ago after they found his resume online for a position out of state. It’s a good job opportunity and they pay for relocation etc. He went through like 7 phone interviews (no joke) with HR, potential boss, another executive, and potential co-workers. They even did a video interview/skype. Two weeks ago they decided to fly him out to the office and he spent two days there. They gave him one day to tour the city so he can see if he even wants to live there and then did in-person interviews the next day for what took almost 8 hours of his time (crazy huh?). They even sent him all the benefit pkg info and the contact info to the relocation Realtor they use so we can contact her to discuss finding a place. They seem to have a unique culture there as its a very private and small company with a small team. It seems like everyone is involved in the hiring process. Well he said it went well and they told him they would contact him the following week after they all meet to discuss how he did (he also took tests as well). Then HR told him last week that the meeting they were suppose to have was postponed until yesterday because of scheduling conflicts and she would get back to him afterward to discuss next steps. That was yesterday and we still havent heard back. This has been a long process and started about 2 months ago. He has done a LOT of interviews (more than I’ve ever seen or heard of). I find it very odd that if they weren’t interested they would keep him in the loop and string him along and not just send a rejection letter. You would think they would have to tell him the results especially when he went so far in the process and they spent money on sending him out etc. What do you think? Should we give up hope entirely and move on or wait to the end of the week? Do you think they’re still not sure on whether they want to hire him? *Another side note- they did tell him that there were 400 applicants and he was one of four people they were looking at but before he flew back they told him he was their top candidate and they ruled out the other 4 people, meaning he was the only one left….?
Hi Soraya,
Like you said, your husband and the company have put in a lot of time in this process and I’m sure that especially if they told him that he was their top candidate that they will contact him soon. Yes I think they maybe a little unsure of hiring him. Hiring a person and especially a person who will be relocating for the job is a hard decision. I’m sure they are thinking of the pros and cons of relocating someone or hiring someone local. I’m sure this was a very unique interview process and your husband learned a lot but right now I think he needs to be patient. I don’t think you should give up hope just yet.
Thanks Dorothy. I will let him know! I think he contacted the HR lady and left her a voicemail. She has been really responsive throughout the process so I’m sure she will get back to him. It’s just so hard waiting! But I agree patience is in order.
Hi Soraya,
I think many people would agree that waiting is the hardest part of the recruitment process
Hi Drorthy,
I am “in between jobs” presently. I recently resigned my post after twenty-one years in an effort for another position with more growth that does’nt cap your wages. I had planned to lateral into another position which didnt pan. I am discouraged by the lack of any interest in the job market. I spent two week shotgunning my resume out there through the various job search engines. Now Iam more targeted and I have customised my resume to fit each position. I ‘ve even lowered my salary requirements for those applications that ask. I feel that age discrimination has affected some (48yrs young) and lack of a degree others. The sixty million dollar question is: What am I doing wrong not to get interviews in an industry that I have substancial experience and good references?
Hi Dale,
) and that’s why you need to make sure that your resume is written well without blatantly showing off your age. Also, using keywords is very important. Many companies use software to screen through resumes and they target specific words. Have you tried networking? I hope you didn’t burn any bridges by quitting. Try contacting old co-workers and let them know that you are looking for a job. The more people you tell the better chance you have of getting word of a job that may not even be posted. I would be happy to critique your resume if you like. You can check out my services page for more information.
I don’t have to tell you that quitting your job before you have another job lined up is not a smart move especially in these times. The job market is tough. What I think you should consider is that your resume may need an update. After 21 years of being employed your resume maybe looking a little outdated. Shotgunning your resume to various search engines doesn’t always work. Many companies stay away from big job boards because thousands of people send in their resumes and almost apply to every job not really even looking if they are qualified or not plus a recruiter does not want to review hundreds of applicants for each job they post. Age discrimination is a factor to consider (but 48 is still young
I have been looking for a job for 2 & 1/2yrs. After 30yrs my office closed, I had to take an early retirement (I was lucky in that way, others were not so lucky). Since I’m still under Government rule age to have my money I am only allowed a certain amount a month and that amount is much less than poverty wage (but at least i’m blessed with that, others are not). I still need to work, I’m a single mom with 3 kids, 2 have asthma and a congenital heart defect. (needs operation she is schedule for the 1st of the year). I have had my share of phone, face, group, 2nd and panel interviews and nothing. I have experience, knowledge & skill. What I lack is youth, looks and time.
1. Had passed all the interviews and tests, met w/the director and he started to show me around the office, this took a couple of hours and he said his HR would call when to come in to negotiate my salary and what date to start. so I asked if I got the job and he said well, lets just say I have one more interview to do but i haven’t and don’t intend on showing all this to any of the other candidates, so I thought that meant i got the job. I was so excited, i went home and wrote the thank you email to everyone(not saying i got the job) but thanking them for their time. The next day the HR calls and says that there has been a change and she really felt bad but that the position I was suppose to get had not gotten approved by the committee. She said that the person that had this position was leaving so they were trying to fill it before she left, when they submitted my name and paper work the committee said that they were not approving another hire and that dept had to do with what they had. Needless to say I was crushed…the thing is that I didn’t even apply for that position. I had applied for an entry level rep. position because there wasn’t anything else that I felt I could apply for with that company. This Comapny is a major medical center system in a major metro area and i want/need to work. Their HR called me and ask if i was interested in this position because it wasn’t listed yet but they were in the process of it and they saw my resume and wanted me, so they came to me and I felt good because I was starting to doubt myself. Or is this just another way of saying no we don’t want you.
2. This other company I applied for is hard to get into unless you know somebody and I don’t but I still try…the phone interview went well and she said that she was going to refer me to a face to face interview but it won’t be for a couple of weeks. So this week is the 3rd week, this past Friday she called and left message for me to call her that she wanted to speak with me. I missed her call but I called her about 30 min later and left her a voicemail, I emailed her also apologizing for missing her call, this was 3:30p. she didn’t return my call. I went to my son football game and with all the noise I didn’t hear the phone, she called at 7:30p (I never expected a call that late). Monday I called got another voicemail and left her message. It is now Wednesday and she has yet to return my call. SHOULD I call or email her again or just wait and what would I say this time. This one has me puzzled.
3. I also applied for an operator switchboard for a retail company and different companies as well and they all turn me down, I don’t even get a phone interview. (the company i worked for 30yrs was a telephone company and my 1st job was an operator, I managed operators and customer reps) I have indicated i will take entry level, and still nothing. WHY is this?
I just want to work and make a living (like 1/2 of America)
Hi Marcy,
The important thing to remember is not to look desperate. You have 30 years of experience and asking for an entry level job isn’t the way to do it. Whatever role you are applying to i.e. switchboard operator, office admin, customer services etc. you need to make sure that you show that you have 30 years of related experience but your passion is in customer service or office admin etc. Don’t show that you’re desperate and just need a job show that you love what you do and want to continue to provide excellent services. In regards to the three scenarios, 1. Even though the role was not approved they liked you and when something does come up I’m sure they will think of you again. Don’t burn that bridge and try to build a relationship so they will feel comfortable to reach out to you again. 2. You’re playing phone tag, I hate this game as a recruiter but sometimes you have no choice but to play it. I would definitely call her again (she may have moved on to another candidate by now but it’s worth a try) but next time make sure that you have your phone on vibrate because 7:30pm may be late for you but not late for the recruiter. 3. If you applied for a switchboard operator but you haven’t done that kind of work in 30 years means that they were probably looking for someone with more recent experience. Again try not to state that you will take entry level or any job they have because companies aren’t looking for people who just need a job they are looking for people who not only can do the job but want to do the job. To set yourself apart from 1/2 of America that is looking for work you need show how your skills are relevant to the jobs you’re applying to and that you love what you do and you need to prove it with your cover letter and resume. Hope that helps and good luck.
Hello Dorothy, this is superb advice and thanks. I had an interview October,19 and I thought it went pretty good however I have not heard a word since except for when I called the manager, the guy who interviewed me and the recruiter. The manager told me to contact the recruiter the the recruiter said as of now I am not on the list but she still had three more classes to go to and she asked me to be patient. The guy who interviewed me said he does not know where I would fit in. Please explain so I can move forward
Hi Ashley,
Did they ask for your references? If they don’t know where you would fit in then I would guess they don’t see you as a fit in the company. Maybe you need more experience but whatever it is your not their top choice so I would not hold your breath and definitely keep applying to other jobs.
Hi Dorothy,
Great news, I got the job! They mentioned they are going to be sending me a hard copy of the offer and other information today. Here is my question….They asked me during my interview what my current salary was and the range I was looking for….I realize now I should have kept this more confidential, but I stated the range of my current position and that I was hoping to be 3k-10k more than that. Well, in my research (a website called glass door), I found the exact position with the company at a range of roughly 20-30k higher than what I had indicated….how should I proceed here, considering I expect them to give an offer in the range I indicated, but there is evidence the average salary is much higher?
CONGRATULATIONS ANDREW!!!!
In regards to salary negotiations I would be very careful. First I would wait and see what they offer you. You maybe surprised. Now, since you already told them that you expect to get between 3K-10K more than your current salary if you turn around and ask for 20K-30K more they may withdraw the offer. One of the decision to hire you may have been your salary requirements. If you ask for too much more they might pass on you and go with candidate B. So I would wait to see what they offer you and then ask for up to 10K increase but you need to justify it with your years of experience, what you bring to the team etc. not just that you did some research, even though you should point that out as well. Keep in mind they may just say that times are tough and they no longer have the budget to provide the salaries you found in your research. At the end of the day you need to negotiate something that you will be happy with and try not to take the original offer. Good Luck!!!
First and foremost, I have to say that you are by far one of the most amazing human beings that I’ve encountered over here on this inter-web. Many thanks for your kindness.
It is obvious that you receive a vast amount of correspondence, so I will try to keep mine brief- & I thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post.
I’ve been reading up on your articles & blogs that pertain to “fake interviews” and the whole “dangling of carrots” ..and I’m curious to hear your thoughts/opinion on my circumstance.
On Oct 7th, a Recruiting Manager from a pretty good sized (600+) company contacted me & asked that I come in to meet with her. About a week later I came in and interviewed with her (the RM) as well as the Director of the department that oversaw the position I was a candidate for. The two interviews were separate -I’m assuming I was being screened first by the RM, in which I “passed”.. and then sent over to the Director.
The next day, I followed up with thank you correspondence- in which I received a reply stating “..the director and I really enjoyed meeting with you and I’m looking into having you come back and meet with some of the other folks.” Four days after that, I received a phone call & was set to meet with 5 different managers/directors (individually)
The interviews went great- in my opinion. One of the interviewers blatantly came out and said that he felt I was a great candidate and that he was going to recommend me for the position. After about a week of not hearing anything back, I decided to send the RM a second follow-up email, again thanking her and the others for their time etc & I also left a voicemail (two days after I sent that email)
On Nov 1st- a day after I left the voicemail, I received the following email/reply:
“thank you for reaching out to me and your call yesterday. everyone here really enjoyed meeting with you and thought you could be a great addition to the team. with that said, we are holding on bringing anyone new on until we finish with a few pitches we are in the middle of at this time. as soon as i know more i’ll make sure to reach out to you right away. i am hoping it is in the next few weeks. in the meantime, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you might need answered.”
so I guess my question is… did i just get the carrot??!! -it kinda seems that way ..yes?
wow- that was NOT brief. my apologies!
Hi Sydney,
Good Luck!
I think the RM is being very honest with you. I think you’ve been receiving some great responses and I believe them when they say that they think you would be a great addition to their team. I just think you need to be patient. They need to wrap a few things up and promised to get back to you as soon as they can. They have been more upfront and honest with you than I’ve seen a lot of companies and I don’t think it was a fake interview. Just be patient. You sent your thank you notes and now you just need to wait. I would of course still apply to other jobs while you wait just in case they come back and tell you that things have changed and they can’t hire at the moment. Try to stay positive Sydney
Hello,
I will be graduating college soon and am hunting for a job. I recently attended an information session with a company that I met at a college career fair and that I am interested in. They held open interviews the next day on campus and after that I received a call from the HR rep, who was actually the woman that I interviewed with, saying that she shared my resume with another office within the company that is about 3 hours away and that they both feel that I fit a particular job opening. I immediately scheduled an interview with someone in the other office (as the HR rep was adamant about the interview being as soon as possible) and was just wondering what I could possibly expect at this second interview. Is this other office seriously considering me for this position, or is it just first round interviews again?
Hi Lexi,
. Congratulations on the interview and I hope you asked for the job description. Nothing is worse than coming to an interview unprepared. Good Luck!
Even though you were already interviewed by HR this second interview as I understand will be with a new HR team. This second interview will essentially be just like your first interview. Be prepared to answer all the common interview questions. Even though one HR person liked you doesn’t mean they all will so you need to impress everyone in the second interview as much as you did in the first interview. I hope that’s not to confusing
HI Dorothy,
I went through a screen interview, a group interview and a phone interview. I was told I am either number one or number 2 candidate by the HR recruiter. She told me there were down to three candidates (I am one of them). Later, they said they interviewed with one more internal candidate..they ended up adding her or him to the list. Then I e-mailed a follow up letter to one of the hiring managers asking for the status..he said the following” thank you for your comments that they are appreciated. We will be making a decision next week as they have completed the interviews this week. He will be out of office visiting the markets. You will hear from us late next week. Have a great weekend.” Is this a good sign or a bad sign? How likely will I get the job at this point?
Thanks
Jason
Hi Jason,
Did they ask for your references? I don’t like that they had this late internal applicant join the interview process. Sounds like it maybe a “target hire” in disguise. I think it’s a good sign that you maybe their top candidate but I don’t like the sound of this “internal” candidate. If the internal candidate is not a “target hire” then I think you have a very good chance of getting the job. Sorry but now you just have to wait until the end of next week. I’m crossing my fingers for you
Hey Dorothy!
Just wanted to fill you in on my job search.. I have a second interview tomorrow with the company I mentioned last week. This time it’s a coffee meeting with the woman who would be my direct supervisor. Are coffee shop interviews common these days? This is the second one I have had with this organization… Should I be concerned because they aren’t meeting me in their office? I’m thinking no because I got this far because of connections (and experience) not actual interviews..
Hi Melanie,
I agree with you, I would not be concerned because you got this far with the help of some connections and the fact that you have been interviewed by this company before. I think they want to put formality aside and just speak with you candidly. This is where a hiring manager really tries to get to know you and see if she really does like you enough to want to work with you. Just be yourself but come prepared. Do some research on the interviewer and see what you have in common. Good luck Melanie!!
Hi Dorothy,
Just wanted to give you a brief update on my interview etc. I finally got the verbal offer and I am about to discuss with HR the terms etc. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to discuss things with HR or any tips on negotiating salary, bonuses etc. I’ve never done this before so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
G
Hi G,
Congratulations on the job offer! I would suggest you read my post called “Small Interview Mistakes That Can Cost You Thousands Of Dollars” . The most important thing to remember is to not feel rushed. Listen to their offer, ask them to email you the version of the offer so you can read it thoroughly and then tell them you will get back to them. After you read the offer over you need to decide what you want. More vacation time, bonus, more salary, flex time etc. Then write it all down and when it comes to negotiations you need to tell the company why you think you are worth more money/vacation/bonus etc. You need to explain it with your level of experience and skills that you bring to the table. Hope that helps. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I had a Face-to-Face interview yesterday. I had cleared the written test last week and got a call for face-to-face. I was interviewed by the Team Leader . The interview was purely technical and then he told me that they usually get back the candidate for an interview with the Manager but in my case he said let me check if the Manager is around and can interview you right now. The Manager was available and interviewed me for about 20 minutes and at the end of the interview told me about the project and asked me if I was interested to work on that project. He also mentioned that he was very flexible with office hours and that I would do 7 to 4 or 8 to 5, if I want to go home early and take care kids or whatever. It gives me some hope that the manager told me about the project and the office hours. How do you think my Interview went. Is it Normal for Mangers to ask if you’re interested in the project and mention the work timings?
Hi Priya,
I think it’s great that the manager was available right away to speak with you. What is the next step? Did you ask when you expect to hear from them? When you get comments like that you definitely start to think and hope that they will offer you the job. Yes, I think it is normal for managers to ask if you’re interested in the projects they would like you to work on and mention the work ours as well. I hope you get the job! Make sure you sent a thank you letter
Hello everyone, and good wishes. I’m still in the Orientation process so won’t actually start for another 10 days or so, but I just wanted to add a small variable into the mix of unknowns in this market. Although I was not asked, and in fact refused my list of references, I was hired anyway by this company! Other companies may be doing the same thing, and the reason for that is that they’d save money by doing the background checks and calling references after they’ve made a ‘conditional’ job offer – rather than calling references and doing background checks on every person they interview. While them not asking for the list of references does add to the stress of waiting, I wouldn’t necessarily assume you’re out of the running if that’s the case. Most times maybe, but it’s a possibility I just want to contribute because of my case. Good luck job hunting everyone. Raquel
Thank you so much for leaving this comment Raquel. It’s a very good point. I do hear a few companies give conditional offers and then check references but not to many. I agree that if they don’t ask for your references ( before they offer) it definitely adds stress to the process.
I had an interview with the city for a technology job. I have been to two interviews and both interviews went very well. They seemed excited and eager to get someone hired. They told me 2 and a half weeks ago that they would like to have someone in the position ready to work in 4 weeks and would call me back in 1-2 weeks. Well with the city they are of course dragging their feet, and I ended up doing a follow up call to the guy i interviewed with and left him a voicemail (wednesday), today (friday) i received a call back and he informed me that they are interviewing more candidates. I am going to go a head and consider this one a loss since they obviously did not find me qualified for the job and have decided to interview more candidates(which they said they have not even scheduled the interviews with the new candidates yet). Why don’t they just tell me “No” you did not get the job? Its like an girlfriend who you know doesn’t like you anymore but she just won’t say it…. It is so frustrating.
Hi Brad,
You may like the post I wrote when I compared job interviews and dating.
Thanks for the comment and yes the interview/recruitment process can be so frustrating sometimes..argh! They don’t want to say that you did not get the job because they want to keep their options open. What if they don’t get any better candidates in the second round of interviews? They may wake up in the middle of the night screaming “WE SHOULD HAVE HIRED BRAD!!!!” but it’s too late because they told you no and you found another job. It’s like dangling that carrot until they find their ‘perfect’ candidate
Hi,
My situation is a bit weird since I come from Europe, and not only Europe but a developing country outside the European Union and with struggling economy. Anyway, during my maternity leave, I was informed that my entire department was to be made redundant and although I was used to be the Key Player and an important part of the company’s succession planing bla, bla,bla…, I was still going to get sacked (please not that this company is one of the world’s largest multinational companies). Anyway, my CV is impressive, best student at university, 6 years in this very well-known company, and immediately after I started looking for a new job (I am officially still employed), I got contacted by a head-hunter for a position that was not completely similar to my previous one (let’s say this particular field represented 20% of my regular workload). The Company (also well-known, over 1600 employees only in my country) immediately wanted me to meet the Hiring Manager i.e. HR Manager (I am specialized in HR ). After a two-hour interview (during which I found out that they were forming this new role within HR and they had been looking for 5 months now without success), I got immediate feed-back from the recruiter that the HRM was impressed, said I had great potential (??) etc and that I would meet the company recruiter soon just to do the tests as a formality. Two week later, FINALLY, I was called to do the psychological test (they were doing a group test with different candidates, I was the only candidate for my position). One week after the test, I received a text message from the head hunter that I did great and that she would call me for a final interview with whom … I do not know. And now, 5 days later … NOTHING (although the head hunter knows I have another offer pending). I understand that I probably did not get the job (obviously, they would have called me by now) but can I be 100% sure? Should I accept the other offer although it is not as good (just not to be out of work)… I apologize to everyone if my English is not very precise
Hi Aleksandra,
Is this other offer with the same head hunter? If not, I don’t know why they don’t follow up in your behave since they won’t get paid (finders fee) if you don’t get hired. If they are the same head hunter who found you the other offer as well then they can sit pretty and wait because at the end of the day you will pick one of the offers and they will get paid. They may even have a bigger commission with the other company and that’s why they are not intervening and trying to expedite the interview process. I would try to contact the first company and let them know that you may have another offer and would like to know where you stand. At the end of the day, I would accept the less attractive offer and then quit (it’s ok to quit during your probationary period) when and if the other better company offers you the job. The ideal situation is of course for you to get the offer you want ASAP and I hope you do. Hope that helps and good luck!
Thank you for your comment and your English is very good. I’m just assuming that this company is not in a rush to hire. They’ve been looking for 5 months and it look over two weeks to schedule your testing. I’m thinking 5 of your days is really only 1 day for them
Not sure if this was a *fake interview* though it may have seemed since I have read this article. I was called in for a well known staffing firm to interview for a recruiter role internally at another branch. I was told that I had a great personality and that the recruiter interviewing me the first time was very sure that I was a great match for this spot. She mentioned there was training offered for the spot and that they were very eager to fill the position. Long story short I went to the other branch. Met with the director. He stared at my resume and just kept saying “interesting” nothing else. Was so unprofessional. Then he proceeded to tell me that he wanted to be honest with me, that he was looking for a recruiter with 3 years experience. My experience is a role of a Jr. recruiter. Just need the foot in the door I was very upbeat and positive, but as soon as he said those words my face went from happy to doom and gloom. He took maybe 10 minutes of my time and said I am going to see if the Branch manager is available to speak with you. He took about another 2 minutes came in and told me she was on a conference call. He asked if I knew the way out and if I knew how to get home. Well duh I got there! Not to mention 15 minutes early. He did not walk me out nor give me a business card. He said the process of placing someone for this spot would be at least 3-4 weeks!! Meanwhile the other recruiter at the other branch said they were so *eager to hire right away*. What a line of crap. It wasted my time. I was mislead. If this was a reason for the first woman to meet her quota for the week as far as interviews go this could have been it. I was told that the branch specialized in all areas of employment. When this director stated it was strictly accounting and finance. Nothing wrong with that but again wrong information. The gentleman told me me I was in the running because he liked that I had drive. Well drive and a box of raisins does not get you very far. I just wanted to share an experience that I had with all of you. Maybe someone had the same situation I did. If anyone has any comments I’d love to read them.
Hi Michelle,
Maybe there was a misunderstanding between the recruiter and the Director. Maybe the recruiter thought that they would consider someone with less experience since they were “eager to hire right away” but I guess the Director didn’t agree. I’m not sure this was a fake interview because no body would want to waste a Director’s time. It sounds to me that the recruiter didn’t do their job well enough. They just submitted a candidate (you) that was not qualified and they even mislead you (or they just didn’t listen) to believe that this company handles strictly accounting and finance and not all areas. Thanks so much for leaving a comment and make sure you make a note of this somewhere so the next time you either work with this company or get invited to an interview you’ll know what to expect. Thanks again.
Hi,
First I had a phone interview with the recruiter, three weeks ago I had an interview with 4 interviewers including the hiring manager, then a week later I had an interview with another hiring manager. All these interviews I had great feedback. The last hiring manager that I’ve talk said that I should have an answer this week and to be very positive about it. I sent an email to the recruiter wednesday and didn’t get any reply. The day after on Thursday, I called the hiring manager and she told me that there is no other candidate that I will be the one that she will hire. The only thing that is holding back is that she needs to have all the manager sign off so she can give me a real offer. She promised to have that for me this week but I am guessing that she didn’t realized that she was talking with me on Thursday afternoon to have that done this week. What do you think?
Hi Juliana,
Looks like the hiring manager is going to do everything she can to get you can offer. I would just wait it out. Did you send Thank you letter to everyone? I would contact the hiring manager again on Monday but this time try to get something in writing so try an email rather than calling. Overall I think this looks good for you. Good Luck!
Dorothy,
Thank you very much for your prompt reply and interesting point of view. Yes, at first I thought, ” ok, this hire is not a priority ”, but now I am starting to think there must be another candidate (maybe from before, maybe also put on hold), especially because the other job offer is from another head – hunter. The biggest mystery to me is how to handle the head – hunter who is late with the feedback (just to add: he appeared very nervous after hearing about my other offer and insisted that I should give him time talk with the Hiring Manager who was away on business ). I saidthe dead-line is in 5 days, tomorrow is day 5 and still nothing (just to add that in my country calling the head-hunter or recruiter too often is considered rude and an act of desperation, please do not ask why….
and luckily the actual dead line got pushed ahead in reality I still have a few days left 
)…. Wow, I do write long posts… Sorry, there is nothing worse than an HR Specialist baffled by the interview process….. 
Hi Aleksandra,
I don’t see what other option you have but to contact the headhunter again and ask him if he has an update for you. I understand it may look desperate but you told him that you are considering another offer so this has to be an exception to the rules. It does sound like to me that you might just have to take the first offer or you might lose both and end up with nothing. I do hope the head hunter gets back to you ASAP. Good Luck!
hiya dorothy
i had a interview 2 weeks ago everything went really well , i was even shown around the place and was told about what i would have to do day to day …….they took copies of my id and everything , after the interview i was told that HR will get back to me but its been 2 weeks now and i have not heard anything. i have emailed them asking if i have been Successful or unsuccessful and they have not replied back to me , i went on to the website where i saw the job and its still posted on there . should i just give up on this job ?
Hi Shireen,
Maybe they show all the candidates around as part of the interview process but I don’t like that they took copies of your ID. Why did they say they needed it? When you’re told HR will get back to you make sure that you ask for a specific time line. Sometimes the recruitment process drags on for some companies so I don’t want you to lose hope just yet. I don’t like that they haven’t responded to your email so I would suggest that you call them on Monday and see what they say. At least on the phone you’ll be able to tell whether you got it or not. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for your quick reply. They did not ask for my references. I remember that I applied for the job opening through a company website. What I did was to fill out a detailed job application online…I did not give them my SSN (when filling) ….then the recruiter called for a phone interview, has a group interview with one of the hiring managers and two senior guys there..and eventually had a phone inteview with the hiring manager’s boss…..Do you think that was a fake interview since I did not provide them my SSN and my referernces? I am having a feeling that..if I were a good fit for the position (even though I was told by two hiring managers) why did they interview with someone else? My coclusion is that the late internal applicant joined the interview process sounds like a “target hire”. if that is the case that really wasted my time and their time…..
What do you think?
Thanks
Jason
Hi Jason,
As I mentioned with my response to your first comment on November 3, I don’t think this was a fake interview but that they might have had a target hire that the recruiter was not aware of. I think they probably did think you were a good fit for the position but the hiring manager might be pressured to hire the internal candidate. I don’t think you wasted your time. I think everyone can learn something about themselves or the interview process when they attend interviews even fake ones.
Hi Dorothy,
This blog is really great! Thanks so much for writing it.
My interview scenario seems a little different from some of the others on here. It wasn’t with a large company, but a small non-profit with four paid employees. Only one of the three people who interviewed me is on the payroll, the others volunteer their time and hold other jobs. Going in, I knew I wasn’t the most qualified for the job and was surprised, but overjoyed that I even gotten an interview because it is in the field I would most like to be in. The first half hour of the interview consisted of typical interview questions. The second half hour was more of a conversation. I worry that was a bad sign from your post, but otherwise the interview went great. I thanked my interviewers and they said they would be in touch soon. I was told they would be having a second “conversation” the next week. That week came and went and I heard nothing. I assumed I did not get the job, but then I heard from my references. Both had been contacted (1 week post interview) and both said the non-profit had been really impressed with me. I should mention, my interviewer knew both of my references personally. Two more weeks have passed and again, I’ve assumed I did not get the job, but have not officially heard one way or another. Should I hold out any hope at this point (3 weeks post interview) or were my references only contacted because the interviewer knew them, wanted to chat, and I was a common thing to chat about? I’ve continued my job search in the meantime.
Hi Jane,
I just want to clarify that I think when an interview flows as easily as a conversation that it’s a good thing. I think with your interview they asked you the typical interview questions and then wanted to just chat and get to know you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big company or small or non-profit many hiring teams have no idea what they are doing. They may have said that they might have a second ‘conversation’ but things might have changed and they felt they didn’t need one. Did you send a Thank You letter? I think it’s great that they checked your references but now you need to follow up with them. Don’t let the forget about you. If you want that job you need to stay engaged and be an Active Candidate and not just sit there and wait and assume that you didn’t get the job. If the interviewer knew one of your references you should have leveraged that information. You’re references might have been contacted because they were friends but you won’t know for sure unless you ask. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy,
I just stumbled upon this blog and I LOVE it! Like many others, I have a question of my own. I interviewed for a position a few weeks ago. There were three managers in the room, and we all clicked…I felt like I had done well.
However, the recruiter e-mailed me and said another candidate had gotten the position, but that management wanted me to apply for a re-post of the same job. Of course I immediately applied for the job that day.
So I wanted to know what you make of that. Do you think I have a fair shot at getting the job? And will I be called back for another interview? It’s been about a week and a half since I reapplied, and I’m freaking out! I want this job SO bad!
Thank you so much!
Shanell
Hi Shanell,
Maybe it was a target hire that got the first job and since they really liked you they wanted you to apply for the other job so this time you have a real chance of getting it. Follow-up with the recruiter. Tell them that you re-applied and wondered what the next stage of the recruitment process would be since you have already been interviewed? When in doubt ask and stay engaged. Be an active candidate!!! Good Luck!!!
Hi, I had a great interview today. I have ten years experience at the job. I even did an audition that was fabulous, and then at the end, all they said was that they would keep in touch with me. I am confused as heck about this. Any advise?
Hi Muffin34,
Well, either they say that they will “keep in touch” with all the candidates or they were trying to be nice and aren’t really interested in you. Did you follow up with a Thank You letter? You need to contact them and ask them for an update or ask them when they expect to make a decision. Did they ask for your references? Even if you think you did a fabulous audition you’re maybe not what they they are looking for. Remember it’s not just the answers to the interview questions but how you answer them. Companies are looking for a fit for the job and a fit with the team as well. Maybe they don’t think you’ll fit well with the team. In any case I would contact them and ask. Be an active candidate and don’t just wait around and hope for the best but think of the worst. Hope that helps.
Dorothy,
I absolutely love your website! And I would love to get your opinion on an issue I am having during my job search. From 1996-2008 I owned my own small businesses and was fortunate enough to have had some great financial success as a result of those companies. However, my last venture absorbed all of the capital I had generated from my other businesses and I was forced to file for bankruptcy. In 2008 I accepted a job with a small firm that I had previous history with and really enjoyed the company and the position. Unfortunately, earlier this year the company was forced to eliminate my position and I have been on the hunt ever since. I have had several interviews with companies in a variety of industries for positions that I am extremely qualified for and the process always seems to end the same way. The interviews (phone and on-site) go great, they follow-up with my references, then I receive the ding letter/e-mail. I know you had said in a previous post that the background check companies do will show my credit history and they can’t make their decision solely on that history, but how do I explain the circumstances of my bankruptcy to them. Should I disclose the bankruptcy during my interview process? I do realize I may not be getting offers from these companies for other reasons, but something just doesn’t feel right about this. Any advice you could provide would be most appreciated.
Hi Pete,
One thing you can do is just be honest during the interview. When they ask you “Tell me about yourself” that’s when you can briefly explain your situation almost exactly how you explained it to me- “From 1996-2008 I owned my own small businesses and was fortunate enough to have had some great financial success as a result of those companies. However, my last venture absorbed all of the capital I had generated from my other businesses and I was forced to file for bankruptcy”. I’m sure that was a very difficult thing to get through but the most important thing is for it not to define you. Stay confident and know that you have great skills and experiences that any company would consider an asset. Once you get the bankruptcy off your chest you will see if that was the reason you weren’t getting offers or if it was something else. Please don’t let that define you and stay positive and confident of your abilities. Good Luck!!!
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for your comments again. I am here just to give you an update. Finally I got a call from the recruiter regarding a hiring decision. They decided to hire the candidate whom I believe is the additional candidate. The recruiter told me that there is nothing wrong with my interviews….all managers like my interviews..she said they really want to hire me (not only once)…. It is just that the candidate was used to work there…he already had the experience and had a good reference when he worked there…the recruiter also said that there is any new same opening there..I do not need to go thorugh any interviews again as they have the same managers……. I will be automatically recruited or in the pool…….. is that possible? I feel really frustrated as I spent so much time on these interviews….
Thanks
Jason
Hi Jason,
I completely understand your frustration and I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job. Yes it is possible not to have to go through another interview if it is with the same manager but lets hope the manager doesn’t leave the company soon or if another opening doesn’t occur for more than 6 months because if it does most likely they will want to post the job and they will have forgotten who you are so they will invite you back for an interview. If I were you I would keep an eye on the job board and the minute you see a job that interests you you need to contact that recruiter and see what they can do to get you hired. Remember it’s always a good idea to make friends with the recruiter
Hello Dorothy: I recently interviewed on a Thursday with a company where I had two telephone interviews and a face-to-face that lasted almost three hours. The interview was very positive and I answered all questions as best as I could. I first interviewed with a Supervisor and a Supervisor in training. They then sent in the VP to interview me and I was told that I would be contacted by the HR department no later than Tuesday of the following week. It’s going on two weeks now and I have not heard anything. Being a former Recruiter myself, I should have guessed that I was not selected since I did not get a job offer the day that I interviewed face-to-face. I wanted to believe that their hiring process was maybe a bit different and took all the positive feedback that they would definitely get back in touch with me as promised. What disappoints me is that the company failed to keep it’s promise and getting back with me one way or the other. Maybe I need to reenter the Recruitment field and start a RIG group: Recruiters with Integrity Group! Thanks for allowing others to share there interview experiences. ~MimiNow
Hi MimiNow,
I’m not sure why you thought you would get a job offer on the day of your interview but I would have just followed up with HR. Did you send a Thank you letter? It sounds like you were not an active job seeker. You can’t just sit around and wait to hear from them and when they tell you no later than Tuesday then you need to follow up on Wednesday. I agree there are too many recruiters out there who do not get back to candidates even after they promised they would. It’s bad practice, rude and lazy. I hope in the future you follow up and you hear back from recruiters. Thanks for leaving a comment
Hi Dorothy,
Hope everything is well. I forgot to ask about this when I left comments here on Nov. 8th. When I spoke with the recruiter about what I did wrong in the interview/hiring process…and asked how I can improve myself …she said there was nothing wrong with my interviews, skills, managers like me..etc…….Personally I would like to hear something bad about me so that I can improve my skills and do better in the future…Should I believe what she said?…I am afraid that she acted like a nice person to me (not good again)……Do you recommend me sending a thank you letter to one of the managers asking for a reason (even though I was not chosen)?
Thank you so much
Jason
Hi Jason,
No in this case I would not bug the recruiter again or the hiring manager. You got your reason why you didn’t get chosen. They hired a past employee aka Target Hire. It had nothing to do with you or how well you did in the interview. Since they do want you on the team and told you that you don’t need to interview again for a similar job when it comes up I would believe them that you did great and they don’t have any negative feedback to give you. If you bother them about feed back you will lose your chance of getting hired with the company.
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for your response. I did send a Thank You the same day as my interview, but alas, it did not help. I checked-in today and was told someone else had been hired. Apparently there was nothing I could have improved, I just wasn’t the most qualified.
Jane
Sorry to hear that Jane
Hello, Dorothy,
About a month ago, I applied for a marketing job at a health care facility. After a week or so, I e-mailed the HR lady to follow up and lo and behold, the next day, the director of marketing called me on the phone and asked if I had a few minutes to talk. I did, and it went well enough that she asked me to come in the next day and bring samples of my work. The NEXT DAY–I did not even have time make extra copies of my work samples.
I was there on time, and per her instructions, I asked them to ring her office. No answer. Reception told me to just go down the hall and wait for her. I knocked on her closed door. Nothing. The woman in the office next door opened a break room for me and said I could wait there. A few minutes later, the manager shows up and we had a very nice interview. However, she did not want to read any of the press releases I had written, and she barely looked at my samples. She did, however, comment that my name was not on the masthead of my former co.’s newsletter as a graphic artist. My resume was sitting right in front of her–my job title was NOT graphic artist–nor was this position for a graphic artist. Made me a little suspicious. She said they’d be calling people back for 2nd interviews in the next two days. Then she offered me the use of the company’s Xerox machine to make extra copies of my samples. I figured it was a trick (i.e., will this one use company equipment for personal reasons?) so I declined. Ran home, wrote a nice thank-you letter and mailed it THAT NIGHT.
A week went by, I called and got her voice mail, said I was interested, and had a decision been made. Yesterday I got a rejection letter. I keep wondering what went wrong. Does this sound like a fake interview to you? I mean, NOTHING went wrong in this interview–maybe it was TOO painless?
I feel very down and discouraged and would love your opinion.
Thanks, Dorothy. Sorry if I rambled.
Hi Sandra,
Sometimes you really just need to go with your gut with some interviews. You said the phone interview went ‘well enough’ well in hind sight do you think the phone interview really wasn’t that great? If the phone interview didn’t go amazing than I’m not that shocked that the interview didn’t go that great either. Also the phone interview was with the director of marketing and your interview was with the manager so there could have been a disconnect or the manage was pressured into seeing you when they didn’t want to. Sounds like this company has taken a long time to try to fill this role (over a month) and maybe the director was getting desperate and when you called (showed initiative) they invited you in when really the manager is having a hard time deciding on who they want. I honestly don’t think you did anything wrong other than make sure you have extra copies of your samples at all times. I think the company/manager have been trying to fill this role for too long and really should not be inviting candidates in if they don’t know what they want. Again, I think you did the best you could and I would move on and try not to over think this one. Please stay positive and confident that your next interview will go much better. Hope that helps.
Hi,
After a couple of phone interviews i was invited for an on-site interview. Note i progressed to the subsequent stages by following up with the assistant director of recruiting following a week after the interview. My on-site interview was with three people including the senior manager, his boss and a lady working under the senior manager. The senior manager outlined that he hires two kind of people and described how i would fit in one of those. After interviewing (last of 3 on-site interviews) with Sr. Manager’s boss i asked him when to hear back. He said that we are interviewing a pool of candidates till thanksgiving week but if you get any other offers, please let us know we might be able to expedite the process. It was not a panel interview, so he did not have any feedback from the other two interviewers yet. I am not sure what next steps to take and what to interpret of “expedite the process”. Please provide me some guidance.
Thanks,
Ammad
Hi Ammad,
Sounds to me like you need to send your Thank You letters and wait closer to thanksgiving week to follow up again. In the meantime definitely don’t hold your breath. If you were one of their top candidates they would have been in touch with you sooner. I think either your role is very popular and they have a lot of qualified candidates to interview or they have a few roles open and that’s why they are interviewing a lot of candidates. In any case they want you to let them know if you’re considering other offers because that will force them ‘expedite the process’ and to sit down and discuss your fit and qualifications for the job sooner so they don’t lose a potentially good candidate. I would follow up with the assistant director of recruiting, like you did before, and ask them for an update. Good Luck!
I have been out of work for 23 months, and need a sanity check. I was forced out of my last job because I refused to engage in unethical practices they wanted me to engage in with my customers. Part of my severance package was a strict 12 month non- compete clause and that company and I are both bound to not discuss the situation or mention any details of my seperation and the agreement. The first 12 months of looking I had very few interviews (which I attributed to the non-compete), but after my replies were still slow I had my resume professionally reworked. The professional whom I hired also provided some coaching which I thought helped but now I’m not so sure… 1) I was being overly honest about my seperation; suggestion was to explaine that it was a result of a force reduction due to the economy. 2) I was encouraged to list myself as currently working as a contractor (which I am, but I have very little work with them and it is on a pilot project and they bound me to a non-disclosure contract).
My first problem was I listed the company by name & provided a perspective employer with the name and # of my “boss”. The HR director called me 2 days later and blew a fuse stating I am not allowed to referance the project or their name when interviewing within the industry. (Now I am offering the name of someone through the agency who staffed me in the position but prospective employers have told me they only want to speak with the company I am actually doing work for. Suggestions??)
I feel that I am watering down the truth about these 2 situations to the point that I am feeling that I am not being honest. It seems like many interviewers are skeptical about my last job and present contract work. I have tried blunt honesty twice in interviews that I felt were headed south in a hurry & basically stated that my last employer was engaging in moral, ethical, and most likely legal violations within their business practices. I also firmly stated the name of the company I am doing work for and gave a loose description of the product I am working on for them.
The first interviewer said he was impressed with my honesty and I progressed to interview with the VP. The second interviewer looked at me like I just confessed to a murder and quickly ended the meeting.
Finally, my first 18 years in the industry was spent with the largest firm in the industry. Their HR policy dictates they will only validate dates of employment. After taking a buy out package from them I worked for a small company that sold themselves to an out of state firm 1.5 years after I began working there. My only other job was my most recent with 3 years 11 months but I previously explained that situation. I have great contacts within my first company who are willing to provide references for me, but since they are ignoring HR policy they understandibly want to only be contacted for a final reference. How can I get into a company that wants to contact everyone I have worked for with this mess?
Thank you
Sorry for the long post, and also want to clarify my last question a bit. Many companies seem to require a lengthy application form and they always ask permission to contact the previous employers. I really don’t know what my most recent employer would say, I don’t know how to contact the prior one, and my first employer is just an 800 number.
Hi Devin,
This is a real mess. In regards to references, you mention that you have colleagues that are wiling to be references but they are ignoring HR policy. I would just be very honest in future applications and say that this company will only verify your employment history but you do have colleagues that will provide references and you will provide these references when you are offered a job/final stage of the interview process. in re: to the small company that sold themselves to an out of state firm I would try to find a colleague that worked with you to be your reference. Again be honest with future applications and state that this company was sold but you have a colleague or old boss that can be your reference if needed. LinkedIn is a great way to search for companies and current employees. In regards to your most recent job, I am not clear on how the agreement handled future references. I don’t see how you can work with them as a contractor but are not allowed to disclose the project or put it on your resume. It is obviously complicated and I’m sorry if I’m not being helpful but I think you just need to find out from your recent employer and that maybe just going over your agreement on how they and you are to handle references so you can actually move on. If you don’t know what your most recent employer would say if contacted for a reference the best thing to do is ask them. Hope that helps Devin and good luck.
Hi Dorothy,
I think I was part of a fake interview. I met with the recruiter and the assistant manager and manager of the unit but, not the main manager. The managers were overly ecstatic to be interviewing someone with experience. At one point I thought I was interviewing them. I was given a tour and asked when can I start and to call back within the week.
However, the recruiter said her next email would be for references. That never happened. I waited two days and called back as I was told. I spoke to the head manager who said she heard good things about me but, could not make the offer.She said the recruiter was the one I should follow up with but, that she looked forward to meeting with me. I have to say the no email for references and the head manager telling me to follow up with the recruiter was starting to make me worry. I called the recruiter they said they would get back to me. It wasn’t until the end of the next week that I got the no hire email.
I have to say I was extremely disappointed as I was definitely qualified , having 6 years of experience in that area and felt a little led on by the managers . I guess it was the fake interview.
Hi Renee,
Good Luck!
It sounds to me that there was a lack of communication between the recruiter, assistant manager and the main manager. I bet the recruiter and assistant manager did really like you and felt that you would have been a good fit but the main manager might have had someone else in mind for the role. Maybe the main manager kept everyone else in the dark so the the recruiter and other managers went forward and conducted interviews not knowing that the main manager had someone else in mind. Either way the situation does suck but you did have a good interview and if and when another role opens up I’m sure they will hope that you would be interested. I would definitely send an email to the recruiter and the managers that you met stating that you are sad to hear that you were not chosen for the role but that you really thank them for the opportunity to have interviewed with them and that you hope they think of you when another similar job opens up. I am sorry that you’re disappointed but stay positive and build a relationship with the recruiter and managers if you can
Hi Dorothy,
It’s me, again. It’s been about a week now since I heard from my recruiter in regards to forwarding my resume to another recruiter to grant me an interview with another hiring manager. My recruiter had informed me that I’d make a great fit for the new role and they’d make sure the other recruiter will grant me another interview for the newer opening position I applied for. However, I checked on the job openings from the company’s site and it now no longer shows any sign of the position being available. I’m beginning to feel a bit confused. Is it possible that they may perhaps be jerking my chain?
Hi Simon,
Yes it is a possible that they are just stringing you along. I would follow up again with the recruiter again but definitely move on and apply to other roles to other companies. Don’t burn this bridge because you never know when/if this situation can turn around and work in your favor.
I had an interview this week and it went great the recruiter stated that she will pass my resume on to two separate properties who were looking for leasing consultants. She stated how she loved my passion and informed me to show up just as I appeared to her and not to change a thing and even informed me on tips for one of the “rigid managers” that I would interview with. I left knowing I landed the second interview. I received an email the very next day stating that I had not been selected and it’s not my skill level but more so what the company was in search of. I was extremely confused by the denial I even thought maybe they emailed the wrong person
. In your experience do you think that this was a fake interview and would it be improper to email the recruiter on asking her for tips (constructive criticism) that may help me in the future.
Hi Lachell,
This is very strange. I’m not sure why the recruiter would state that she will pass your resume on but in the end you were not selected. Maybe the other roles that the recruiter wanted to pass your resume on to were already filled and she was not informed in time. In any case I would definitely follow up with the recruiter and not just to ask for feedback (which you should do but it sounds like she said you were perfect and even gave you some tips on how to improve) but ask her what went wrong as she stated that you were almost perfect for the role and why weren’t you selected for another interview. Very strange. Good luck.
I had a phone interview with this recruiter. He saw my resume on a job board and contacted me. I sent my resume and we had our interview on Nov. 2, 2011. I had followed up on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Here is his response. He had told me that the company doesn’t know if they want a “senior” or “junior” admin. I think I didn’t get to Step 2 of the process. Am I right?
We are still interviewing other candidates. We will have a candidate status for you in the next 1-2 weeks.
Regards,
jason
Here is the job description:
Qualified candidate will have a 3+ years administrative experience, preferably in a sales or marketing environment; Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not a must. Some experience in financial services (mutual funds) helpful but not required. Strong communication skills are a must; must be able to work well in a team environment, background in Microsoft Office suite required.
Thanks,
Hi Sharon,
I think you’ve been moved to the B pile. Since they are still interviewing other candidates it sounds to me that Jason is going to wait to see if the company finds what they are looking for and if they don’t they may contact you in 1-2 weeks but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Either way I hope they contact you sooner than later.
Hi, I recently went on a job interview for a technical position and I thought the interview went very good. At the end of the interview the hiring manager told me that he would call or email me within a week to see if I got the postion and that he hated leaving candidates hanging. It’s been over a week and I have not heard from him. Sooo unprofessional!
Thanks for you great website.
Christian
Hi Christian,
I agree that it is unprofessional not to get back to people especially in this case since the hiring manager stated the he hated leaving candidates hanging. If I were you I would still follow up. It would show that you are professional and that you care and want to know the reason you didn’t get the job so that you can at least learn something from this experience. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I had a weird experience today with a huge corporation…I received an e-mail from a senior client recruiting consultant and she asked me to describe my computer software experience in detail, which I did. My resume and cover letter only included the programs I had experience with. She than asked if I would be available for a telephone interview Monday at 8 a.m. She asked me introduction questions such as “Are you able to work in US? etc…When it came to the position she said “Well the minimum qualification for this position is 5 years of administrative assistant experience” My resume showed my office support experience and it entails 2 years of office support. She than asked “Do you have that qualification?” And I said no..So why would you contact me if you only see 2 years of experience? After that, she right away said well this is the end of the interview and thank you. I will hold onto your resume and keep applying for positions. You have an excellent background. I just do not understand why they even called me?
Oh and do I send a thank you letter for having the opportunity for an interview? I am assuming no but I could use some help on that! Thanks.
Hi Erica,
Wow! I can’t believe some recruiters. I understand that some companies have specific questions that they want all potential candidates to answer before they are submitted to the company. As the recruiter I would make sure (by reviewing the resume before hand so I’m not wasting my time or the candidates time) that I would know the answer to “Do you have 5 years of AA experience?” was yes or no. Maybe she was hoping you had some volunteer experience that wasn’t on your resume (which should be on your resume) that would make you qualified for the role. I honestly don’t know what she was thinking. This was only a phone screen so I would say no you do not need to send a thank you letter. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Dorothy,
Thank you for your suggestions, I think they will help quite a bit. My long winded rant last week didn’t really identify my largest concern…
How honest should I be in explaining the reason I left my last job? This is where I choke in interviews because I worry that explaining everything will back-fire, but when I (dance) around the issue my delivery and possibly credibility are less than convincing.
Thank you again.
Dorothy,
I recently concluded a three stage interview with a big company with an excellent career opportunity. My interview went well because the managers were really impressed with responses. At the end of the third stage stage of the interview they told me that they will get back to me in after one week.
After one week no response so I decided to contact them and the human resources representative told me that they are still in the process of making offers that they will get back to me the next day. She then called the next and apologized for the delay but still it will take then another week to make final decision.
After the second week I contacted her but she was out of the office so I ended up talking with someone else. She now told me that no conclusion has been reached yet. But after five minutes later she called me to tell me that the head of human resources said that they they will not be making offer to me at this time but I can still be checking there website for other openings. And that she did not give her any feedback on the interview.
What do you think I should do ?
Hey Dorothy,
I sent a thank you note to each of the three interviewers and all three notes were different. During my initial phone interview they told me it’s a new practice and they are looking to expand. You mentioned that I should follow-up around thanksgiving week with the recruiter (HR). My on-site interview was on November 4 and I am thinking that a gap of 3 weeks might hamper the communication between me and the HR or the organization in general. Would you recommend me touching bases with the HR sometime this week?
Thank you for replying to my earlier post.
Sincerely,
Ammad
Dear Dorothy, Thanks for replying to my post.
In retrospect, I was not clear in what I said earlier. My interviews, both telephone and in person, were with the same individual–the director of marketing. I referred to her as “the manager” at one point and I can see where that would be misleading.
I never spoke to the HR manager at all. I merely e-mailed her to follow up on my application.
When I said the phone interview went well enough, I was understating the fact that it went very well indeed. Both interviews went so well, I cannot understand why I didn’t get the job. Or at LEAST get called back for a 2nd interview.
I’ll make sure I have extra copies of my work next time–the only reason I did not was I did not have time to run to Staples and make some. I thought I was being super-cooperative by agreeing to come in to see the director in fewer than 24 hours. I always wonder if it’s best to jump at the first time the interviewer suggests–even if it’s darned inconvenient for me.
I’m still having trouble getting over this. Especially since the last interview I had prior to this one, I knew I didn’t get the job the moment the interview was over. How did I know? They wanted all the candidates to bring their Soc. Sec. cards and Driver’s Licenses. I saw them Xeroxing another candidate’s materials while I was in the waiting room. They did not even ASK me for my materials. Somehow during the interview, they must have had their minds made up. A total waste of time, I’m afraid, on my part.
Hi Sandra,
It’s not a good idea just to jump at the first available time that the interviewer suggests. You need to really think through if that’s a good time for you. If you can prepare properly enough so you can do your best in the interview. All I can say is stay positive and don’t rush into interviews. Take time to create a focused cover letter, really think if you want this job, if you are qualified for this job, ask what you should expect to the interview, if you need to bring anything etc. Good Luck
During my first interview I was asked to fill in the application form where there is one part I’m not comfortable writing the reason on “why I leave my last job”.
I’m pretty sure he’ll doubt about the reason I stated there which is kinda weird (because I was “Dismissal”) I just hope he won’t bring up the question~ don’t get me wrong, It just me. I really wanna have a good fresh start in this new company. And of course in my first interview we disscuss about the competencies side of me.
Few days ago (Thursday) I received my 2nd interviewed & we had a great conversation everything seem went well. The interview lasted 1 hour & he likes my portfolio & he’s very happy at the end of the interview and he even gave me his namecard. I confident about this. Within 2 hours, I sent him a thank you email & sms.
…. The next day(Friday) I try to called him & said did you received my sms & email, he said he read my email & sms (but he never reply) & will disscuss with his team member whatever the reason is, he said he will get me back on next Monday….& until now(Tuesday) I’m kinda confuse what to do ? should I keep waiting for his reply ? or wait until friday to call him again ? At this point I hope he consider me ! finger cross !!!~~
Hi GN,
Even though your interviewer gave you his business card I don’t think it’s appropriate to sms them. A thank you email is just fine. Why did you expect to get a reply after you sent the Thank you note? I have said this before but recruiters/interviewers do not have the time to reply to every thank you email they receive and they shouldn’t. You are thanking them for their time and they already thanked you at the end of the interview. The interview told you that he will get back to next Monday so you need to respect that and not send him another sms or email. I personally think you did not get the job but if I were you I wouldn’t ruin your chances and don’t contact them until next Tuesday if you don’t hear from them on Monday. Good Luck!
Dorothy,
I’ve had a few experiences as of late that have left me quite confused! I’ve been ready to move on from my current job for a while now so I contacted a staffing firm that places you in permanent positions. I met with my assigned recruiter and it seemed to go great, we got along well and she seemed impressed with my resume and our conversation left me with the impression that she was really invested in helping me and really experienced with matching the right candidates to the right opportunities. She got back to me within a week about a job opportunity and set up an interview. I went to the interview with the hiring manager and one of the CEO’s and I thought it was a good interview, but not a great one. Nothing bad happened but there wasn’t a great spark so when I didn’t hear back after sending my thank you note I wasn’t immediately alarmed. Now though it’s been over three weeks and since that day my recruiter hasn’t been in touch, I’ve called her office, left her a message on her cell per her offices instruction, and emailed her twice. Each email has given me a different out of the office reply which makes me think she’s legitimately busy, but after this much time it’s starting to feel like what you do to a guy who you want to leave you alone. Should I leave her alone? Not hearing back from them was one thing but not hearing from her that they said no or yes or anything about future opportunities is freaking me out. The interview wasn’t bad, certainly not bad enough to warrant banishing me from representation.
Since then I continued my search on my own and last week had a great phone interview with a CEO of a small company. By the end of the call he said he thought I was a great fit skills wise and that i was articulate on the phone but they had alot of candidates so he’d be narrowing with a skills assessment in a couple days and then he’d like to set up a face to face this week or the next. Now its the next week and I haven’t heard back. I sent a thank you note. I’m thinking that I’m just being passed over because they had other more qualified candidates. He said more than once in the conversation that he definitely wanted to sit down with me but I didn’t even hear about the skills assessment so I’m pretty sure I’m out of the running. My real question is, is it normal for people to reject you in hiring by just not responding? It seems quite odd and a bit rude to me. Any insight you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Chris,
In re: to your recruiter, I would definitely be persistent and even try to speak with a manager because it’s important for you to get feedback. I’m sure they are just busy and you didn’t get the job so you are at the bottom of the list in re: to priority. In your other case I would just contact the CEO and tell him that you would love to schedule a quick sit down with him so you can meet him and talk about your skills and where he can talk about his company needs. At the end of the day it is rude not to get back to someone but people are busy. Keep in mind as well I think it might be a good sign that they haven’t gotten back to you with a quick email stating “sorry but we are not interested in you” or “We regret to inform you that the position is filled”. This means the CEO is probably thinking about you but needs to figure out where and when he can schedule to meet you. Stay positive Chris and persistent. Hope that helps.
Dorothy~
I just received an email stating the company I interviewed with is going to pursue other candidates.
Is it appropriate for me to write an email back asking why or what qualifications I was missing?
Hi Beth,
Absolutely!!! Ask for feedback because it’s the only way for you to improve.
Dorothy,
I applied for a job internally in my company and had an interview with the hiring manager and one of the team members. A week later I interviewed with the VP of the area. Both interviews went well.
I did not get the job and the recruiter said they were both impressed by me. So I asked why the other person was offered the position and was told they had significant experience in the area – which I also have. Do you think this was just a canned answer and they hired somone they knew?
Very likely Jan. At the end of the day the person that is chosen is the person they think will do the job and get a long with everyone better. Internal applications are different from other applications. The interviewers already know you and if they don’t can easily ask your current manager about you. Either way you showed everyone that you are interested in a promotion and like you said you impressed everyone too. Stay positive and I’m sure when the right time comes you’ll get the job that you want. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Dorothy – I stumbled upon this blog and it’s great. It also appears that you are very kind enough to respond to the many questions asked of you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get your expert opinion as well on my scenario.
I submitted an application for an out of state position. I had a phone screen interview with the company recruiter and then several phone interviews with the head manager of the department as well as other workers in the department. The position would be located in their West Coast office but I would be supporting their Southern region (which is where I am from and have some experience). I was then was invited to interview in-person at the company’s West coast office. The company paid for my travel. When I was at the company site, the recruiter said they have a very narrow list of finalists they are looking at. Two days later the company recruiter asked for some references and I gave them 3 references. The recruiter contacted my references (I’m pretty sure my references gave glowing references as I talked to each reference beforehand). I would have assumed I had a pretty good chance of getting an offer but it’s been 2 weeks now and I just followed up with the company recruiter and they say I am still being considered for the position but that they are still analyzing the finalists, and the recruiter said that if I had a pending offer elsewhere to let them know. I am not interviewing elsewhere at the moment as I don’t have an immediate need to move from my current job and I would like to hear final word from this company before moving on. My question is why do you think it is taking so long? I had discussions with the recruiter and asked if my out of state candidacy is hindering the process, and he suggested it was part of the analysis, as well as my salary expectations (I would be taking a big pay cut for the new position). I am not sure what else I can do to move this along and don’t want to appear “desparate” or “pushy.” Would you suggest anything? If you need more information to analyze my situation, please let me know. Hopefully your answer to my situation can also help others in a similar situation.
Hi Sang,
Hiring someone and bringing them from out of state is a difficult decision. You are being compared to all the local finalists who are easier to hire than you. This is just a hard place to be for you because I’m sure you did well but I just hope you did better and could offer more experience than the local candidates. I think you can’t do anything at this point. If you were unemployed it might be an easier decision because no company wants to take someone from another company and offer them less $ and hope that they will be happy. Just make sure you send your thank you notes and I really hope you get the job. Good Luck!
Dorothy, just one more question. I have been volunteering at this organization for two years when I submitted my resume for a job. Most of the jobs are “political” and went to folks who had worked on the campaign in this office. (And, most of the workers are very young around 24 and I am …. a bit older) However, the process was opened up this month. When I sent my resume in I was told, “The boss really liked your resume.” Eight candidates (four at a time) including me in the first group were interviewed for a whole day – which included a training and test (I scored 29 of 30) – and meeting with the director and the two Exec. dir. I studied and practiced for the interview. Of course, I know everyone because I have been volunteering there. A bit odd. So, after being told I would hear “Friday,” I asked and the HR Asst. said to sit tight. I did not hear anything for another week. Finally today I got a rejection e-mail. I feel like what greater qualifications could someone else have than me?…. How can I follow-up and be positive, ask them to keep my resume if another position comes up, and find out perhaps what kept me from getting the job. I also will continue to volunteer there, so… It is a little bit different from what I have been reading. Thanks for your sage wisdom.
Hi Caroline,
You need to stay positive. I’m glad you tested well and have the qualifications. Remember recruiters and hiring managers don’t just look at the qualifications and test results they look at personality and fit with the group. Does everyone like you as a volunteer? To get hired anywhere they need to like you enough to work with you everyday and pay you. I know you’re disappointed but to try to get honest feedback you need to be really positive and show that the decision to not hire is ok with you. Once you don’t appear frustrated, angry and confused the recruiter or HR could feel comfortable enough to tell you the truth and how you can improve for future interviews or even if you have a future in this organization. Sometimes not getting hire after knowing everyone, having all the experience, volunteering and even testing is a sign that they may not really want to work with you. It maybe time to move on and volunteer somewhere else. Just somethings for you to think about. I hope you get honest feedback and they appreciate you as a volunteer. Good Luck!
I got allready 7 interviews for one company.
1 tel screening 1 on location, 2 via skype, 3 in another country where company has it’s own HQ.
So, everything goes fine, but i was little bit bizarre when Business analytic of my future work ask me, do i maybe consider also other position in that company…That was very strange, maybe it was a test do i really want this job. Whatever interview closed ok, and another 2 in that day also.
I’m waiting for the result.
Hi Chris,
Sometimes recruiters want to know if you would consider another role with the company because we are curious if you just like the role or do you like the company. If you don’t get the job would you still want to work for that company in a different capacity. Good Luck and I hope you hear from them soon.
Hi Dorothy,
I would like to express our deepest appreciation for being my listener during our recent conversations. I know that you are very busy and I am very happy that you created this blog for people who can put their comments here. Anyhow, I have been receiving calls from recruiters..let see what will happen…..I am wishing you the best.
Thanks
Jason
Thank you Jason. I’m glad my advice/tips and articles have been helpful and good luck with your job search.
Hi Dorothy,
And so, here I am. Well, my situation is more than somehow similar to the other ones listed here. I applied for a position, I was contacted directly after a month or so by HM and HR. They would have been happy to speak with me. I arranged to travel there and I proposed to have a meeting. We had a meeting, the HM was really happy, and he pushed to make me meet another Manager. Made the interview. Two weeks later, after following up, I was contacted by the HR: both the managers were really impressed and I had a really positive feedback. Set up a phone interview with the HR one week later, one more week later I was asked for a phone interview with the team and another manager. I proposed to go onsite (it’s 2 hours flight). So I went for the interview. Did the interview, pretty well. Everybody was impressed by my CV. Of course I sent individual Thank You letters everybody, including the HR.
After ten days I follow up, the HR tells me they are finishing the interviews and she will have an update for me soon. I make two weeks pass, I write her a follow up mail. No answer. After one week I send her another email, the day before yesterday to be precise. Guess what??? No reply. This evening I have called her and left a message on the voice mail.
Of course is reasonable to think that I did not get the job, one month has passed from my last interview. Needless to say that I still have hope. I am a human being yes, and I put so much effort, interest, and initiative for that position that I feel humiliated by an HR not even taking 2 minutes to tell me thanks, but no thanks. It’s so frustrating and depressing. I understand not getting hired, but I don’t understand such a rude and disrespectful behavior.
Advice please…
Hi Fran,
They maybe waiting to get back to you after they confirm that their #1 candidate has accepted the position. In any case, I agree with you and it is rude not to get a response after two weeks since your last interview. Even a quick email stating that they are still finalizing things would be appreciated. I think you sent enough emails and voice mails to show them that you expect to hear from them so all you can do right now is wait. Keep in mind that when the decision to hire is left between two candidates it can be very difficult. During this time as a candidate you do not want to be pushy, show frustration with the process or be annoying because it does not look good. If you can’t be patient during the interview process what will you be like with real work stresses. I’m not saying that you went over board I’m just saying that candidates need to be patient and always be professional throughout the process even if HR or the HM lack that same courtesy.
Hi Dorothy:
I am in desperate need of some advice.
I worked for a company for about 5 year and always received excellent performance reviews and bonuses. In May, completely out of the blue and from a relatively new boss, I received an improved plan letter which was very vague in terms of actions to improve (one general statement was that I needed to be more helpful, and needed to help do more training of so-and-so). After several meetings I told them that I didn’t think this was going to end well as I was already working 10 hour days and in a very high stress job (and didn’t think that I could take on more). All of the meetings were with my boss’ boss and in fact my direct boss told me that they didn’t like and didn’t agree with what was going on.
In the middle of July, I was escorted out of building with a severance package in hand.
I have been interviewing for other jobs and have been asked about why I left my last employer. I am wondering what the best response is for this?
My last interview was on Monday and they asked about my departure from the last company to which I replied and then they asked me another question about it suggesting they weren’t satisfied with my first response. They told me they would get back to me next week, but haven’t asked for my references so I guess I blew that interview?
Hi Karen,
What does your ROE say re: your termination? Meaning what would your last employer say was the reason you left? This is important in re: to what you say in future interviews.
I beleive that my ROE just says K (which is Other).
Hi Karen,
Well since you worked there for about 5 years you can say that you just needed a change or that you were looking for more responsibility and career growth and your last employer didn’t offer that. You can also say that there was a change in management/organizational structure which resulted in your role drastically changing. Whatever you say you of course need to make it sound that it was either a mutual split or a decision that was forced up on you but that you were essentially ready to move on. The key is to stay positive – this was your decision or that you are very happy with the decision and your answer needs to be short but long enough that it answers the question without having the recruiter dig for more. Blabbing on makes you look nervous meaning that you are either lying or covering something up. Things changed in your department/organization that effected your role and it was simply time to move on. Hope that helps and thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Dorothy,
thanks a lot for your reply! Actually I have some evolution, I mean, situation is still the same, but I had my small victory. Well, I waited one more day from the voicemail to HR, then I wrote to the HM directly. I wrote a really nice email (I am really proud about it) in which I thanked him for ever reading, restate my interest and my potential fit, explaining that I was wondering which was the situation since I was looking in more than one possibility, but that i was actually preferring this one, since I liked a lot. Then asked for feedback, and thanked again also for the chance of interviewing…
Guess what? Got a reply this morning from HR stating they should decide in few days…Well y situation did not changed, but I got that REPLY!!!
Good for you Fran! You took the high road and continue to prove to be a professional
Even if you don’t get this job you will definitely be considered a great candidate to deal with. Thanks for the update.
Hi Dorothy,
Your blog is really helpful and fun and I’ll be checking it out frequently.
On Monday I had an interview for an assistant position. First I met with a recruiter, and then the two hiring managers. (one-on-one, separately). The job would be assisting the two hiring managers with their work.
I thought the interview went really well, especially with the two hiring managers. At the end of the interview I got a homework assignment. They gave me until the end of next day to finish it, but I finished it by eight in the morning to impress them. Two hours later I got an email back from one of the hiring managers, thanking me for getting it done so quickly and so well.
I sent handwritten thank you notes to each person on Wednesday. This morning I sent an email to the recruiter, thanking her again and asking about the timeline. (Regretfully, I had forgotten to ask any of them about the timeline.) I haven’t heard back yet and I feel very anxious! Do you have any insights on how I should follow up, if I don’t hear back from her? Should I contact the two hiring managers directly next week?
Hi Laura,
My fingers are crossed for you.
I would wait and see what the recruiter says re: the timeline. Did they ask for your references? In a week, if you have their emails, I would contact both hiring managers and thank them again for the interview and that you are very interested in the role but you are interviewing for other roles and you would like to know if they need any more information from you to help with the decision or if you can clarify anything for them i.e. the responsibilities of the role. I’m sure you will get a response
Hi Dorothy!
I recently applied to a leasing office. The community manager emailed my resume to the HR. I was emailed by the recruiter on the very next day stating “she reviewed my resume the salary is xxx and if it sounds interesting to reply with answers to 7 questions” (about my previous experience). I replied to her email about 3 hours after I recieved it. Today is friday, I sent a professional THANK YOU for considering me, and expressing my interest ( I also included my cell phone ). The recruiter has not contacted since her intial email. I feel I am qualified for the position. She is based out of MI, so I am assuming a phone interview is the next step. When should I expect to hear from her, and when should I simply toss it. I have continued to look for other positions, but I would love the chance to work with this company. Thanks
Hi Meg B,
I’m guessing the job you’re interested in is in another state because you state that the recruiter is based in MI. When you’re applying to a job out of state the competition is fierce. You are up against locals who are much easier to hire. I think it’s a good sign that the recruiter contacted you but it was essentially a pre-screen rather than an interview and many pre-screens are geared to screen you out rather than in unfortunately. You could always email the recruiter and make sure she understands that you are not only very interested in this position but also in relocating. Do you know anyone in that company that can vouch for you?
Dorothy, thank you for your insight. I never thought about the perspective you said about a company not wanting to bring on an out of state candidate at a lower salary and hoping that they would be happy. But they already knew my salary before all the interviews and inviting me to an in-person interview….As an update, after being told after my interview that they were only analyzing finalists and not interviewing any new candidates, I learned the company reposted for the same position recently. I asked the recruiter if that was a hint on my candicacy chances, and he replied by saying that I have not been eliminated from consideration yet but that they are stll going through interviews. So basically I feel like I was mislead. Also, I just found out that the recruiter only called one of my 3 references I gave him two weeks ago, and he had been playing phone tag with my other references. One of those references just informed me that he left a voicemail to the recruiter again yesterday but the recruiter hasn’t called him back yet. After two weeks now I doubt the recruiter will be following up with the rest of my references. So why do you think the recruiter would begin checking my references and then stopped with the others? Perhaps some intervening candidate showed up that they are pursuing instead? I just sent a thank you note to one of the managers as you suggested and I just said that I remain interested in the position. At this point, I feel less excited about this position given the company’s handling of this process. The recruiter had gone from asking for my references and checked at least one of them and saying that I would hear from them in the next few days to now saying they are still interviewing. I was under the impression I was the top candidate with an offer pending the reference check to now being a stand-by in hopes of a better candidate showing up. Do you think my assessment of the situation is correct? I’ll see if I get any reply from the manager I sent the thank you email to but if not, perhaps that is another sign they are not interested.
Hi Sang,
People don’t realize how important references are. Not only do they need to be positive references but they need to be reached easily. If I was that recruiter I would have also given up if it took me two weeks to hear back from your references. Next time make sure that your references are prepared for the phone call. I think they were considering you for the role and checked one reference. I know some recruiters who do that so they know that they don’t get any surprises if they seriously consider the candidate and move forward to the next stage with them. Again, I think they liked you but not enough to hire you and this is why they are considering other candidates. I would move on because there is nothing else for you to do but wait. I keep saying this but not getting a response back after you send a thank you email does not mean you didn’t get the job. There is no reason for the manager to respond and managers in general do not have the time to respond to every thank you email they receive. Just know you did your best but I would suggest you move on. You never know in a week or two if they don’t find a better candidate or their #1 candidate falls through you might be offered the role. Remember to stay professional and polite through the whole process so they can think of you if and when another role opens up.
Thank you so much for your advice. I will definitely do that. Hope you have a great weekend!
p.s. I was asked to fill out and bring a comprehensive application including references. As of yesterday (Thursday) evening I know my references were not contacted, because they wrote back saying they’ll say good things for me. Truthfully I had thought they might be checking references right away, judging from the situation and how strongly I felt about the interview.
Hi Laura,
It’s a difficult position because both hiring managers have to love you! Being an assistant is not easy and I wouldn’t be surprised if they hire someone that they knew or was referred to them. I’m going to keep my hopes up like I hope you are. Keep me updated
Hey Dorothy!
A potential employer asked for my references and permission to conduct a criminal record check. Are the signs looking good? The interview went well and I was told I’d be contacted by Monday with an answer. I really like what you said about the candidates right to get a phone call telling them if they got the job or not, I hope more employers understand that.
Cheers!
Hi Kevin,
These signs are good but what’s even better is if they actually do check your references. Have you asked your references if they’ve been contacted?
Hi Dorothy. I was invited to attend a face to face interview on a Sunday and I showed up for it 30 minutes early as this helps me to relax and get acquainted with my interview surroundings. When I showed up at the glass entrance doors to the company, I was dismayed by the fact that the recruiter pretended not to notice me standing at the entrance. I was confused at first and thought to myself that I had probably turned up at the wrong company entrance and so I went to double check at the security reception desk where I was informed that I had not mistaken the company, I came back to the main entrance of the same company and the recruiter still ignored my presence, I decided to take a walk and come back after another 20 minutes and when I did she opened the entrance for me, I felt as though I had already blundered the interview but I nonetheless interviewed for the role and the interview lasted over 50 minutes, she asked me about my salary expectations, my references and even discussed the employment terms and she told me that she would be short-listing two candidates to attend the final interview round before the end of that week. When I left the interview she called me to thank me for attending the interview… and I have never heard back from her for three months. What could have happened?
Hi Francz,
Showing up too early to an interview can be a little strange because recruiters normally don’t want other candidates meeting each other. I personally think this may have been a fake interview. Was there a hiring manager in the room during your interview?
Hi Dorothy, there was no hiring manager at the interview. It was just me and the recruiter, you could be right though about it being a fake interview as they have already hired somebody for the position and given them a different job designation from the one they had advertised for, I feel sad though that they put me through the hustle of preparing and showing up for a dummy interview on a Sunday and then asking me strange questions like what I like to do on a Sunday?”
Hi Dorothy,
It was wonderful reading your blog and your answers to all questions. I cant help but to narrate what happened with me….I just happened to be someone desperately looking for job but cant seem to make any break throughs cos I have experience working in asian markets only.
Anyways, I was contacted by a recruiter for an entry level position although i have about 5 years of work ex. I was ok with the position cos its a great brand to be a part of and i know it will make a difference to my resume. After the phone interview, I was called in to meet the managers. I met them all. The interview went great. They kept telling me that they are looking to hire immediately. During the interview they used phrases like ” when you join, you will……” or ” We want you to be doing this…” or ” you have great experience and we can actually use for strategic roles”….. They even explained the team structure by drawing it out on the board for me. Before saying good bye, the team leader asked ” so, you are available immediately, rite?” Of course I said Yes!!! All this happened on a friday. On Monday, I sent the managers and HR thank you mails and expressed my interest to join them soon. I didnt get any response for a week. So, I called the recruiter after another week to check whats going on. She said they just finished interviewing all candidates, and that the management is meeting this week to decide on the candidate. IS this a very polite way of saying ” I’m sorry”? Should I follow up after a week again or take cues from their actions and move on? I’m confused because I had the experience, i had worked with their brand in Asia and knew about their processes. I had answers to all their questions and more importantly, one can sense a great interview.
I would love to hear from you on this so that i can stop staring at my phone or check my mails every 5 secs!
Sorry Francz
Just try to learn from this experience and have faith that not all interviews are fake.
Hi Priya,
Interviewers can be so weird sometimes. It’s hard to explain but some interviewers really don’t know what they are doing. I think you were perhaps one of the first people to be interviewed for this role or they were told to be over complimentary to every candidate. Some hiring managers/recruiters think it’s easier to let every candidate feel that they did well in the interview. Well, there is a fine line between making them feel good and making them feel that they are the perfect candidate and will probably get hired. This is why I don’t think that just anyone can be a recruiter and not all managers can be hiring managers (unless they have a strong recruiter by their side). Did they ask for your references? If you’ve read my other responses and posts on thank you letters you’ll know that not getting a response from your mail is not a big deal. Not all hiring managers have time to respond to everyone’s thank you emails. Anyway, I think you should follow up by sending the managers another email. Reminding them that you worked with their brand in Asia and know about their processes etc. therefore making you the perfect candidate. Be an active job hunter and I think your job now is to remind them about you. Since your interview they probably interviewed 6-10 candidates so re-introduce yourself and prove to them that you ARE perfect for this job! Good Luck!
Hey Dorothy,
The job is for orlando, but the recruiter for the company is based in MI. I sent an email expressing my interest and appreciation for her taking the time to review my resume.
I have a phone interview tomorrow
Megan
Congratulations Meg! Remember phone interviews are usually phone screens and unfortunately these screens usually screen you out rather than in. Read the job description if there is something on there that you do not have then make sure you explain why and have relevant experience or skills to back you up. Review the job and try to explain to yourself why you should be hired. Would you hire you for the job? Good Luck!!!
Hi Doroty
I had one interview by phone and I had to fill some test, after that they called me for a second interview face to face where they asked me to bring a consents form filled and i had other logical test there. After 4 days they send me a Thank You rejected email: We found your qualifications to be impressive. However, at this time we have decided to pursue other candidates whose experience and background more closely match the requirements for the position. Since you possess good credentials, we will keep your application on file for one year in the event that a more suitable position becomes available.
What should I do?? I really like the company and the position, at least I would like to have feedback but I don’t know if ask is a good idea.
Thanx
Hi Monica,
Of course asking for feedback is a good idea, especially if you want to work for this company. Don’t you want to know what you can improve on so you can not only do better in future interviews with this company but for other interviews as well? I would follow up and thank them for notifying you that you unfortunately were not chosen to move on in the process. You are very interested in working for this company/team/department and would appreciate any feedback that you would then use to try to improve your interview skills. I would then thank them for keeping your application on file (even though this doesn’t mean a lot) and you will keep an eye on their job board and will continue to apply to roles that match your qualifications and interest you. Stay positive Monica!!!
Ok, so today I got a reply back from an employer I really wanted to get hired by, but wasn’t.
After crying my eyes out, I started searching the web for “consuelo” (comfort) and found your site, after reading your blog,
I put my self-together. I cried because I guess it was the last drop on my “racha mala” (string of bad luck) I was having:
my mom is sick and I can’t pay for her medical bills,
I don’t have money for my mortgage, and had to fix and replace a bunch of things on my house that ended up costing me thousands, and I’m also probably stressed out from my final exams which are a week from now. I’m finishing up my bachelors! finally! It’s never too late.
I’m not sure why I wasn’t hired, but I did noticed I was running up against college kids that had never worked in their lives or had little experience. They never asked me for references, I had letters of recommendation from previous employers-was laid off, and have over 5 years experience on the field plus 5 years clerical experience prior to that.
I was willing to take a 20 thousand pay-cut because I was that desperate, but I know things will work out and things happen for a reason.
Thank you for your site!
Hi Sophy,
Cry it out! Cry it all out! When you’re desperate for a job it’s so disappointing when you get a rejection letter. Being generally desperate for a job is hard to hide. I’ve said this a number of times but being/showing that you’re desperate is a hard sell. Taking a pay cut can be hard to swallow not just for you but for future employers. They want someone who genuinely wants the job. See’s it as a career step and learning opportunity where they can use relevant experience. As a recruiter, when you are hiring for an entry level job and you interview a candidate (very much like yourself) who see’s this job as just something that pays the bills it’s just not that attractive. I’m not saying to stop applying to jobs that you are over qualified for but understand that you are over qualified and therefore adjust your resume (show less experience, don’t highlight all of you accomplishments) and adjust the way you’re going to sell yourself. Don’t sell yourself as an expert. You’re goal is to sell yourself to that job. If that job is primarily filing and answering phones then overnight you need to realize that you LOVE filing and answering phones/customer service. It’s your passion. I’m not saying that you need trick the recruiter and hiring managers because you’re not doing that. You have to actually want that job and if you’re desperate even the small jobs that you might have hated in the past look really good. My point is and I hope it’s coming across correctly, is that you need to change your mind frame when you’re applying to every job. Focus on the job and what the company is looking for. Hope that helps and stay positive!!
Hi, Dorothy–I have been reading your blog with great interest.
A couple of weeks ago I received an out-of-the-blue request for an interview with a local company. I called the HR person back, let him know I was interested, and then had a phone interview with a manager in another state (this is a large company so even though the position is local, the overall manager of this group is in another state). She liked me, and we set up a face-to-face interview at the facility where I would be working. (She came in to do the interviews).
I interviewed last week for about 3 hours, talking to the original manager, an engineer on the project, and some co-workers. I was told at the time that they would start checking references the next day (which they did–they contacted three of my references, all of whom gave me glowing recommendations) and ALSO told me that I would not hear anything until today (Tuesday). Oh, and as an aside, initially I was told that there was only one position open, but now they are thinking they will have 3 positions available.
Received an e-mail from the original HR person this morning asking me to call him. He wanted to update me on the process. He said that no official decision will be made until Monday and that the person to whom I would be reporting (who I did not talk to, as he was out of the office that day) would have some input. He also asked about one question that I had asked (having to do with internet access) saying they were slightly surprised I had asked that question (I guess people USED to ask that question, but not as much anymore). I explained that I liked to listen to streaming audio during the day sometimes and wanted to know if that was allowed–also, I explained that since I had worked for defense contractors in the past, and they are more restrictive about what you are allowed to do, I was getting a feel for this particular company’s attitude. I think they were just worried that I planned to play games all day or something! One thing that I did not say is that asking this question gives me a good feel for how much a company tends to “breathe down your neck”–I don’t want to work at a company that treats its employees like children who have to be watched all the time.
Anyway, he said everything was great (I took a short test, references, everyone liked me) and they were just curious about that particular question.
So, did I blow it? Or did they just want clarification? What do you think? I do like the company and the people a lot, and I know several people who work there already.
Thanks!
Hi Laura,
Wow, I can’t believe you asked that question. Why would you even want the company to think or worry that you plan on playing games all day or something. You just gave this company a good reason to not hire you. Hopefully they liked you so much that they will over look this but it obviously struck a cord since the HR person felt he needed to mention it on the phone. I think it’s nice that you know several people at the company and that your references were great because now you need to have aced everything else and I hope that you’re question didn’t give another candidate the edge over you. Remember to keep your questions professional and knowing if you can stream audio during the day (another words not doing work) is not a good question to ask. I really hope you didn’t blow it.
Hi Dorothy! This is Laura from the 18th.
I just wanted to give you a quick update. I did hear back from the HR associate on Friday, who was very vague and didn’t say anything except that she’ll let me know as soon as she knows something. So this morning I emailed the hiring manager who complimented my at-home test. She wrote back just a few hours later saying that they’ll call back the finalists next week, and the final decision will be right afterwards.
She didn’t say whether or not I am a finalist, but she did clarify the situation for me. I respect that she respects me enough to give me an answer! She also CC’d the other hiring manager on her reply to me, although I only sent my question to her because she has been more responsive.
Thanks for your advice!
That’s great Laura. You were assertive and have proven to them that you are a professional person who absolutely deserves respect. I’m glad you got an update and you’re not sitting in the dark. What’s nice is that even if they have forgotten about you, you have reminded them and got them thinking about your interview and your fit for the role again. That’s exactly what you want. I really hope you are one of the finalists
I am interviewing for an entry level project management position. I first had a phone interview, then interviews with the two project managers I would be working under, the women I would be replacing (she was promoted), another pma, and the office assistant for the department. These interviews could not have gone any better. The lead project manager told me I was a perfect fit for the position, and if for whatever reason I did not get the job, I should apply for another in the future, as they open up several times a year. The pma I would replace told me I was very well qualified and was more qualified than her when she got the position, and if anything she felt I was overqualified. She had no previous PM experience or knowledge of the software when she started.
The Project Manager then told me the number one candidate would be called on Monday to come in a do some HR stuff, but that the decision would have been made.
On Monday I got a call requesting I do a phone interview with the US director (we are in Austria). This phone interview went well, but I admit I am not as strong over the phone as in person. At the end of the interview I asked her if she had any concerns for my fit in the position.
She said “Unfortunately for you this is a very in demand position. We had 80 applicants and you are among a handful of top candidates. I am concerned you do not have enough PM experience or knowledge of the software. I will interview the rest of the candidates and possibly we will start interviews with new people.”
I know they need to fill the position ASAP. I’m really confused by the difference in opinion about my experience level, as well as the change in the interview process. I would like to apply for the position again, and am planning on getting some formal PM education. I’m not sure how much this will effect my chances for the future, as the PMA told me I was already over qualified.
Any thoughts?
Hi Mia,
Everyone has concerns when hiring. No one is perfect so they have to way your skills with the other candidates. I think since the other members of the team really liked you that you still have a very good chance of getting this job. I hope you sent thank you letters and found out what the next stage of the process would be. Good Luck and stay positive!!!
Hi Dorthy,
About six months ago, I had a telephone interview with a team leader of a company. A few days later I had gotten a call from another team leader asking if I would like to come in for an interview. I did go to the interview which I thought went well. I later got a email saying that they chose another candidate. Well now just last week I had yet another telephone interview with the same company which lead to having another interview. I thought the interivew went very well. Now this Monday theny sent me a email stating that they identified a number of individuals with strong qualifications during our recruitment process. Your resume has been reviewed and although your qualifications are impressive, we will not be able to proceed with your candidacy for this position.
We hope your interest in career opportunities with our company continue. Should I email them and ask for feedback? Should I keep appling for positions that become available? Help!
Thank you for your advice!
Hi Judy,
Absolutely contact them for feedback. You would think after being interviewed by a number of different folks that they would think that you would fit somewhere on the team. Companies in general want candidates to keep applying to other positions (companies like a big pool of always willing to work candidates) so yes if you see another role that interests you than you should apply but if you don’t get useful feedback you may once again go through a number of interviews with a rejection letter as a result.
Hello Dorothy!
I went for an interview two weeks ago and the manager told me that they will get back to me in a week. After a week, I haven’t heard anything so I decided to give a follow-up phone call and I was told that they are still under the process of interviewing other candidates and I will be notified through e-mail within a week. Thus, another week has come and I have yet to hear anything. Are they super busy or the process is being delayed when there are new candidates? What should I do? I really love the company and the position!
Hi Rose,
They obviously felt the need to interview new candidates because they didn’t find what they were looking for in the first round. I wouldn’t hold my breath Rose and apply to other jobs. If you really love that company keep an eye on their job board and keep applying to jobs that you’re qualified for and interested in. Remember to stay professional throughout this process and if/when you get a rejection letter make sure that you ask for feedback so you can improve your interview skills. Sorry for the bad news and I do hope I’m wrong.
Sounds to me like you’re not going to get the job
Hi Dorothy,
Your blog is very informative, thanks! I started interviewing with a company about 5 weeks ago. Their policy is that they will not interview a candidate at the next level unless the candidate has “passed” the previous level. I passes two phone interviews and was invited to a third face to face interview with the recruiter. The fourth interview was an entire day (6 hours) of interviewing and lunch with the HR recruiter, the hiring manager, and several department heads. I did extremely well and felt really good about my interview. At the end of the day the recruiter told me it would be 2-3 weeks before I would hear from them, but the hiring manager actually told me I would hear from them by Thanksgiving (tomorrow). So, it has been two and a half weeks in total since my last interview. What do you think my chances are? And, should I go ahead and send a second (I sent the initial thank you emails) email even though it has not been a full three weeks? Thank you so much!
-Alexis
Hi Alexis,
I think since you made it to the final round of interviews that your chances are pretty good. No I don’t think that you should send a second thank you email just yet. Since it’s Thanksgiving I would wait until Monday or Tuesday to get in touch with them again.
Hi Dorothy, a really good article! I thought I had gone for one of these “fake interviews” only to be told later I had the job. My issues now are that their responses seem to be very waffly. I was told the job will be to fill the role of someone on long term sickness but that-be assured there will still be a role when they come back as they’re expanding. But after questioning a little about when they would expect the job to start? Before or after CHristmas etc etc. I feel I am being stone-walled, really strange. I do tend to get back to people quickly and maybe I’m being a little impatient but they don’t give a very good impression themselves, but I will just have to see, but it just all feels a little fishy to me, J x
Hi Jane,
Have you received a job offer? This is sounds fishy to me too. I get that you are filling a temporary role but even so they should have a proper start date for you. If you haven’t received an actual offer (just verbal) I would connect with them after this holiday weekend. I hope things get cleared up for you.
Hi Dorothy
Some sound advice you are giving . Made me wonder if my situation is worth bothering about ,but on second thoughts I decided to ask for your wisdom as well. I responded to an advert for a Senior Sales manager position in the FMCG industry.Well the agency submitted my CV to the company . Two days thereafter ( 9 September 2011)I was invited to an interview which went very well as I was seen by the regional and national HR managers who were very happy and said that they were impressed and they duly set up an interview with the GM Sales for the following Tuesday. Mind before each interview session I was made to write an assessment and all those who passed went to the next round of interviews
Well I did see the GM and after the interview he told me that he was impressed and would recommend to HO but also I had to write a Bearing 21 assessment . And that if I ace it then he does not forsee any problems in them hiring me.Also at this stage I was the only candidate for the position. Well the assessment took the whole day and from feedback from the assessor I did very well and my inherent management skills came to the fore and she would recommend me to the companies HO.
After 2 weeks HR emailed to say I must be a bit patient as they are working on a package and the start date is the 1 November 2011.But 4 days before month in October another email was sent to say that they wanted to hold back the start date again I must be patient.
Then on the 4 Nov 2011 I received an email via the agency from the GM saying that he had a conversation with HO that my experience is not suited to the position and that a formal email would be forthcoming from the HR manager. Interestingly at about 12 noon the same day I got a call from the agent that I must ignore the earlier email the process is still on track. As I am writing to you I still don’t know what the situation is . I have asked the agency to ask them to write me something if they are not going to hire me. A week has gone by still nothing from them.
What advice can you give me I really wanted the position but I now have reservations
Regards
Hi Ayanda,
I’m almost sure you were not the only candidate who was being interviewed for this position. Even if they make you feel that you are or even tell you that you are the truth is that you are not. I can see how you would be confused with all these emails. The recruitment process is not perfect. In this situation you are very lucky to have gotten any feedback at all, which tells me that you were in fact or still are their top candidate. The HO might have had a target hire that they wanted to hire so it puts a pause/stop in the process for the moment. Can you email the company directly? Since the company needs to figure things out and they are obviously not in a rush to fill the position than you will unfortunately have to be a little more patient. I hope you hear from them soon.
Hi Dorthy- Quick update- I actually did get called back for the final interview with HR. It’s going to be in german though, and over the phone. My german is good enough in person but over the phone makes me nervous. I did part of my initial interview in German and they told me it was more than good enough for the position. However I’m sure the native austrian I am probably up against will be 100x more articulate than me.
Anything HR tends to focus on in the final interview? This is actually my first time speaking with HR for the company. Everything else was with the mangers I would be working for.
Hi Mia,
This last interview with HR I’m sure is only a formality. Remember HR does not make the decision to hire the project managers (hiring managers) do. So just relax and and try to work on your German. GOOD LUCK!!!
Hi Dorothy,
So, here I come again. Do you remember about my situation?
Well, after that I received another reply, this time from the HM, that wanted to guarantee that they almost got the decision and I was very much in their mind (thoughts actually). There was also a precise timeline in which I was supposed to be contacted. Guess what???? That timeline is expiring tonight, something suggests me I’m not gonna here them, neither this time. I’m so tired about this, it’s incredibly frustrating. I put so much effort into this, and after almost 3 months from my first interview I can not even get a yes or no. I do not understand, seriously. Is this the normal way of doing during the hiring process????
Hi Fran,
I don’t think you’ll be hearing from them either. I know it maybe frustrating but you got a lot of signs that pointed to the fact that you were not going to get hired. Not hearing from them should not have been that much of a shock. I just wished you moved on so this rejection wouldn’t have hurt so much. Sorry Fran
Hi Dorothy,
I am really loving poring over your posts – I’m finding them super informative, some comforting, some a much needed bit of clarity/reality.
So I am very confused about the opacity of my particular job search. Here’s the situation:
In mid-September, through a non-profit organization (where I serve on the board in a Development role) I met a woman (who co-chairs our Annual Fund committee, which I oversee) who was just hired as an in-house recruiter at a renowned higher ed institution’s professional school. I let her know I was job hunting for a Development position and she told me her org. is hiring for lots of Development positions, so I contacted her and applied for a position at the end of September – it was an Assoc. Director position in Development. Within a few days she emailed to set up an interview with her (the recruiter), which she told me at the end of our interview that she wanted to pass along my resume to be considered for the Assoc. Director position – although I had expressed interested in another position as well, the Annual Fund Manager position, she let me know that she thought I had “too much experience for this position”. Within two weeks of applying to the AD position she let me know that it was actually very far along in the hiring process (despite having just been posted – without an ‘internal candidate’ distinction), but would I consider applying for the Annual Fund manager position. I said yes, and submitted my application/resume/cover letter. 2 weeks later I hadn’t heard anything and so circled back with her and she said she would like to have me talk with someone about it, but she didn’t know who I should be speaking with – which I later found out that the person overseeing this job search was leaving at the beginning of Nov., so they weren’t sure who was going to take over her role. Later that week the scheduler called to set up a phone interview with the woman who was leaving – did the interview, it was great. But, she was wondering why I was interested in the AF manager position and that I “shouldn’t sell myself short”, she said she was going to recommend that I be considered for this position, but also other available positions. I explained to her that taking this slightly more junior position would allow me to not only prove myself for roles with more responsibility, but would also afford entry into a specific area of development, where I wanted my career to head. She said that that made complete sense to her and she “knows where I’m coming from now”. So she leaves the organization, then I no longer have a job search head contact on the ground (not counting the recruiter). I check in a week later with the recruiter and she says they want to bring me in for an in-person interview, they will call to schedule. A week and a half later, someone calls to schedule me for an interview from 10-2 meeting with 4+ people, set up in two days. Cool. So I go in for the interview mid-November – it goes pretty well, I couldn’t get a great read, the only comments I remember hearing, extraneous to our job conversation were, “interesting” and “that’s great”. So I sent the requisite thank you emails reiterating my interest and qualifications. Hadn’t heard anything for almost 10 days so I sent a follow-up email this past Monday asking if I could provide them with any additional information that would be helpful for my candidacy, and also if they were able to update me on the status of the search for this position, and also reiterating my qualifications and interest. So it’s now a week later and still nothing – okay, okay, I know Thanksgiving happened this week, but I did email on Monday. So this whole process started mid-September and we are now approaching December. My question is, what do you think is going on here? I feel like I really have NO idea. I mean, I used to nail interviews no problem – if I got the interview, I would get the job. Now, not so much. Perhaps I am overselling or over-confident? I just feel that in the recent past, my qualifications weren’t being communicated as clearly as they should have been and so feel I have to let them know, loud and clear, what I can do. I know that I could have rocked those other jobs (which came down to me and one or two other candidates – and it was ALWAYS the internal candidate that got hired) – and could rock this job too, but I know sometimes it goes well beyond just being competent and ‘talented’ enough to succeed. Not sure what I’m doing wrong – or what my next steps should be for this position? I don’t want to bug people or come across as desperate – which I fear my latest follow-up email may have been, because I had read that the 2nd email after the thank you, should be almost like an internship letter saying how amazing the company is and how wonderful it would be to learn from the best, etc. and how much I could bring to the table, but I mostly focused on saying how great the company and its people were. Too desperate? Would love to hear any insights you might have on everything!
Oh, also – as you can see, brevity is not my strong suit.
This is bad, isn’t it?
Hi Carrie,
Ok, I think you just got over excited because you thought you knew someone (the recruiter) who could get you “in” and hired. Obviously your recruiter friend is not telling you everything. It sounds like the organization is in no rush to hire and I’m sure they are interviewing other “target hires” or people/friends that have referred them to the job. You are absolutely right when you said that it goes beyond just being talented for the job that will get you hired; It has to do with fit and personality as well. If I were you I would see if you can talk with your recruiter friend again and really try to get her to be honest with you. I know she’s new in her role but ask her about the organization and if they normally take this long to hire, if you are over qualified for the role and what your real chances are for the job. Hope that helps Carrie.
Hello Dorothy
What an impressive Q and A column you write!
Any candidate would be well advised to read your empathic but highly knowledgeable comments.
Thanks Lisa
Hi Dorothy,
Nice post, infact i was googling the related topic and luckily got here. My last interview was with FMCG co. every thing went fine in the interview, the questions were very simple but as I myself am an HR pro. i could recognize from the hiring manager (Head of HR) body language that he is not that interested in asking job specific questions. And once our interview was completed he said i will inform you asap.
Next day i sent a thank you note to the hiring manager and i waited for a week but without a reply, i called the hiring manager and asked him about the feedback and he said we are still in the process of interviews, i will inform you asap. After two weeks i called the HR executive and asked him about the process, he too asked the hiring manager but without an answer.
Now what should I do? should i call the hiring manager again??
Best Regards,
Ishaq Shah
Hi Ishaq,
I think you should move on. You said it yourself through the hiring managers body language he was not interested in asking job specific questions. The hiring manager did not like you. He didn’t even want to ask you one job specific question. Remember hiring is not just as easy as looking at a resume and finding the “one”. It’s about personality and fit with the team. Maybe the hiring manager could tell that you would either not fit well with the team or he didn’t like you and liking you is VERY important. They need to like you so much that they can picture working with you everyday from 9-5. I am sorry Ishaq. You can keep bugging them but again I would suggest that you move on and focus on other job applications.
Hi Dorothy,
I applied for a position at a great company here in town. Their HR Recruiter called me a couple days later and said they had 2 openings for a different position that she thought I might be better suited for and I agreed. A few days later, they brought me in for an interview with the Director and 2 other individuals. The recruiter had told me they are looking to fill the positions ASAP and there would only be one interview. I really thought the interview went great. The company is actually Swiss owned and I happen to have lived in Switzerland for 5 years so they were very impressed that I spoke German. Not many people can say that in my city. I sent a nice follow-up email and thought I was going to receive an offer within days. They said they would let me know by the end of the week and that was 2 weeks ago. I emailed the recruiter last week and asked why I had not heard any response yet and she said it was because everyone involved in the interview was on holiday for the week of Thanksgiving and that I should hear something by Monday the 28th.
Would it be appropriate for me to email the Director and express my eagerness to begin working at this position and to be able to contribute to the company’s continued growth?
Hi David,
Have you heard from the company? I think since you already sent a nice follow-up email another one expressing your eagerness isn’t necessarily but I would keep close contact with your recruiter. Hopefully you will hear something soon
Thank you, Dorothy! I really appreciate the insights. Although I have to say that having worked for this organization in the past (in a different capacity), I am all too aware that while getting the “in” helps for getting an interview it does NOT help in getting hired, unfortunately. There is a lot of internal hiring and it is the rare candidate (though it does happen) that is brought in from the outside to a mid-level role – which is why I was willing to take a slightly more junior role, to position myself to move up a ladder that I want to climb. But, any insights on how I’ve communicated with them or what I’ve communicated – how do I show excitement without appearing desperate to work there? And does it even matter how excited or tactical I am if they have target hires and other ‘friends’ interviewing? Also, this might be a Hail Mary pass, but would it help if the Associate Dean (next in line after the dean at said prestigious professional school) put in a good word for me? I am very good friends with the AD’s sister, but the AD is on the academic side, not the development side. Just curious if this kind of recommendation is ever helpful – as I said, Hail Mary pass, haha. Can you tell I want this job?
Hi Carrie,
You show excitement by truly understanding the role and what the company is really looking for in a candidate. You then show off your experience and fun personality yet always being professional. Being excited and wanting a job is a good thing but remember to stay professional. Respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner and over all just be patient.
Even if a company has a target hire already you should always present yourself as a professional and show enthusiasm for the role/company. When you present yourself well and show that you have great experience and qualifications, the company still might hire the target hire but they will keep you in mind for future roles. It’s all about networking and making them like you enough to want to work with you for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week
Hi Dorothy,
I interviewed for a position at a panel interview, which I thought went well and they said if successful the start date would be 3 weeks. They then rang to say that they checked my references which were good but they have decided to delay making a decision for two months and they would like to re-advertise the position to widen the pool of candidates they have to consider and would I like to stay in the running? Any advice please!!! I am feeling very insulted. Thanks.
Hi Jayne,
Looks like the company is looking for the “perfect” candidate. They obviously found some close contenders such as yourself in the first round but they decided that they do not want to settle. I would feel insulted as well but if they re-advertise the position and again don’t find the “perfect” candidate you might just get the job. My advice is for you to apply again and perhaps email your contact at the company and ask for feedback on your interview and ask them what was missing that they decided to repost the job and delay hiring for 2 months. Hope that helps and remember they already checked your references so there’s one stage of the hiring process that is already complete
Hi Dorothy
I went for an interview about two weeks ago and thought it went as expected. Since then, I’ve been hearing regular updates from the HR representative (at least once every 3 days). The first week, the comment she gave was that interview feedbacks were positive but that the hiring managers were at a meeting for the week and she would have more information the week after which was the week of Thanksgiving. Then last week, she sent me an email that there was strong interest in me for a position and that she would follow up with me this week. I’m still waiting, but I was curious what your thoughts of this kind of feed backs are. As a recruiter, do you generally give this type of feedback if there is genuine interest or even if there is limited interest?
Your thoughts are most appreciated!
Thanks!
Hi Kishan,
I have noticed that there is a correlation between how often you hear from HR after an interview and your chances of getting the job. So I think that fact that you’re getting consistant feedback is great! As a recruiter I definitely keep close contact with the top candidates to make sure that they know where we are in the recruitment process and I know where they are incase they get offered another role. It’s referred to as keeping the candidates warm- keeping them engaged so they don’t stray and lose interest in the role/company. Hope that helps and Good Luck!
Dorothy,
found your site while finding out if asking for a second “chance” would be a prudent move. I received a call from a recruiter about 3 months ago, where he told me by my resume I was the perfect fit for the job. He then sent me some pointers and arranged an interview with the retired HR director for the company that somehow is still in the hiring decision making process.
Interview went well, so well it lasted 2 1/2 hours, and at the end the retired HR gentleman told me I should be the perfect fit for the job and I should had a call from the company in order to continue the hiring process. I waited, and waited and decided to call my recruiter, and after playing phone tag for 3-5 days he vaguely told me the company decided to go on another direction, and that they found me overqualified for the job. It was a technical job, very similar to my present job, but they found me more of a manager based on my experience from my days in the military.
I just found out that after 3 months and the job being on and off from their website, the job is still there. Do you think I might have a chance to at least get looked at again if I contact them and tell them that I am very interested on that job, and I do believe I am the perfect fit for it?
Hi Jose,
If you were told that you were overqualified the first time around you might still be over qualified this time around. You need to learn to move on. The job might have sounded perfect for you but the company didn’t feel the same way. My suggestion is to move on. You can apply again but I wouldn’t hold my breathe for a different result unless the job description has changed. It’s always good if you can stay in contact with the hiring manager or HR so you can just email them and state that you are still very interested in working with the company and you see that the job you applied for 3 months ago is still available. You are still available and would love another opportunity to come in and speak to someone about the role and your fit. I hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy,
They finally offered me the position. They are now running the background check…I still feel the anxiety!!!
Wow Fran – Congratulations!!! The only thing that I can think of is that a lot of time has passed and maybe you were their second pick. The background check on the first candidates might not have gone well or something and here you are with the job offer. Either way it’s fantastic news and I’m thrilled for you. Thanks for the update and I wish you all the best!!!
Hi Dorothy – Just a quick update. I called my recruiter friend and she said that they are moving forward with a few candidates with more direct experience (so, not me). First I have too much experience and then not enough? I’m so confused. She said there has been a lot of “moving around” at this university, which is why they’re going in this direction, reading between the lines, I’m assuming this means they are only looking at an internal candidate(s). But then, why even bring me in? This has happened 3x times now, twice at this university and once at another. I got pretty far along in the interview process and they ALWAYS chose the internal candidate. I feel like the token outside person that they brought in to say, “see, look, we looked at outside people!”, but we’ve hired this internal person because they work here. Never could quite understand why they wouldn’t want someone with a fresh perspective and lots of new ideas, instead of the stale same ol’ same ol’. So annoying. Anyway, that’s the wrap-up, but I have a phone conversation scheduled with said recruiter next week, so I hope to have even more information then. Thanks, Dorothy!
Hi Carrie,
I totally understand your frustration when it always seems like an internal candidate gets the job over you. Many companies don’t want a fresh perspective and new ideas. They like the status quo and this usually happens in Government and University jobs. You have to stay positive. Feel confident that you are always showcasing yourself as a professional who has valuable skill sets so when companies decide to hire someone externally then you will be the first person they think of. Stay positive Carrie!
Hi Dorothy, this is Laura who last wrote November 22nd. (Two hiring managers). I got the job! Just wanted to let you know. I also read your other post on positive thinking, and that’s exactly how this happened. More people should read that post!
CONGRATULATIONS LAURA!!!! That’s fantastic news and thank you so much for letting me and the other readers know. Positive thinking is definitely a strong tool. I wish you all the best!!
Dear Dorothy,
I loved your article! I am a nineteen year old student who before reading your article, had never heard of a “fake interview”.
I have a feeling that it’s probably because I hadn’t applied for a serious job before (having only worked at Victoria’s Secret and a chinese fast food restaurant). However, I can totally relate to the annoyance at the lack of courtesy some employers have toward interviewees- who also may be prospective costumers.
I would like to close by saying that I am really impressed by the sincere and attentive responses you give to your readers.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jackie.
*Blushing* Thank you so much Jackie for this really lovely message. I’m glad people find the site helpful
Great artical! I’m a fresh graduate and I had a job interview with a Frensh start up company last week, the interview went great and lasted for almost 2 and a half hours, we discussed the compensation and all and the manager made it clear that I got the job. Got an email the second day from another manager ( the country manager) asking me to call him so we can set a meeting just to get to know each other, i i called twice with no response, I then get a call back from him setting the meeting on Thursday but he never showed up! I tried to call him yesterday and again he did not pick up on me, I don’t really know what to do now. The guy that interviewed me is out of town now so I cant reach him over the phone. I think I should send an email but I’m not very good in sending emails ( my first language is Arabic and the second is Frensh ) I really want this job and I’m very confused now.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Sam,
Made it clear that you got the job and offering you the job are different things. I would contact the person you had the job interview with and who “made it clear that you got the job”. Leaving a message and waiting for a response is sometimes the only thing you need to do. I think you need to just take a deep breath and be patient. If you in fact got the job then you will have a chance to meet everyone all in good time. You also need to remember that hiring you or filling this vacancy is not the only responsibility for this manager. People still need to do their jobs so be patient. Also, if you do decide to email the contact, this is the correct spelling of “French”. Good luck!
Thanks for your reply Dorothy. I have been offered another position I interviewed for and accepted it with a different company.
They have since been in touch to say they will contact me in Jan 2012 to let me know and I won’t have to reapply or reinterview as my application is still current. But thankfully I will be at my new job. Your site is great and very helpfull. Thankyou!!
That’s great news Jayne
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Hi Dorothy,
I really really liked this article. What I appreciated about it the most was how honest and blunt it was about the way the hiring process works. I am currently attempting to apply for a job within my field (I am in Fundraising and Development) that is about 2,000 miles away, but am not yet at the senior or even mid-level (I only have about 2-3 years of experience). I have just submitted some resumes etc. and have been reading around the web about the possibility of getting a job while living in another state (I am in Boston looking to move to Austin). Do you have any advice about actually GETTING an interview from out-of-state? I don’t want to apply just to have my resume thrown out because I am not actually living in the city yet. I REALLY want to move out there, and once we do move, my partner wants us to stay there (and not move again). Is it really THAT taboo? I would like to think that my resume and cover letter were well written, and explained why I wanted to move out there, and I don’t expect them to move me at ALL or even fly me out there. Do I just, sit on it and wait? Or is there something that I can do in the meantime? Thanks so much!
Hi Becca,
The ideal scenario would be to actually move out there for a few weeks or months. While you’re out there you could set up face-to-face meetings or interviews (formal or informal). This will also give you a great chance to find out if you really like and want to move to this city as well. Companies/recruiters need to know that you are serious about the move and just writing that you are really interested in Austin and promise that you will never want to move again just won’t cut it. This is where networking comes in. See who you know that could introduce you to people in Austin. LinkedIn is great for that. Look up companies that you like and then try to find a mutual friend and start talking. The important thing that people forget to do is to tell EVERYONE that they know what they want. People love gossip and by telling everyone you know that you are serious about moving to Austin then they will tell their friends and then they will tell their friends etc. Networking is amazing. You never know how close you can be connected to the person who can introduce you to your dream job. In your current situation you may just have to sit and wait but you can also be an ACTIVE job seeker and use LinkedIn and see who has a connection with anyone in that company. Contact the recruiter/HR department and tell them that you would be in the city from this date to this date and you would love to come in and speak with them about this role that you think you would be perfect for. When companies see that you are serious about the move and your career then you will be seriously looked at as potential candidate. Remember it’s easier to hire local because they can actually come in and meet everyone. I hope that helps
Dorothy,
Great article! Never had a fake interview but I did just go for a round 2 interview that I was told 3 weeks later I was too experienced for. Bummer.
Anyway, I have an interview tomorrow for a company that searched my resume out on a site in my field. The recruiter contacted me and I am not meeting with him but with 2 different creatives in my department. Is this normal (I’m in advertising)? After the interview, if I am unable to grab these 2 creatives business cards do I send a thank you to the recruiter even though I have never met him? Just a little confused as this process seems kind of strange to me. And on a note, this is for a brand new position they are opening in that department so the fact they sourced me out themselves has me feeling casually optimistic. Also they have been searching for at least a month based on internet searches.
Hi Dave,
What is normal? Different companies have different ways in dealing with the recruitment process. What’s normal for a small company may be very different for a larger company. I’m a huge fan of having a recruiter in the interview because most hiring managers are not trained on how to properly interview a candidate. In any case, the recruiter does not make the final decision to hire so you’re obviously meeting with the people that do. I would definitely try to get the interviewers contact information and you can do this after the interview by asking them (or you can even try asking the receptionist as well). Now when dealing with the Thank You letter, are you sure that the recruiter is the in-house recruiter for the company and is not a contracted out agency? If they are in fact part of the in-house recruitment team then you should at least thank them for scheduling the interview. If they are an independent recruiter/agency then you should still contact them with an update. Let them know that you did interview with the 2 managers and you thought it went well or not and if you have any questions or concerns this is when to raise them so the recruiter could try to help you. Hope that helps and Good Luck Dave!
Hi Dorthy,
I wrote to you on Nov 22. You suggested I ask for some feedback and I did so but I didn’t get a reply from them. I’m stumped. I will keep them in mind for further job opportunities but personally, it is very hard to be enthusiatic about other positions in there company when you go through so many interviews and you still get turned down. It sure would have been helpful to get some feedback for future use but oh well I’ll just keep trying. Whats your experience with this prove it computer test?
Thanks, Judy
Hi Judy,
There is definitely a point when you need to decide to take some time off from applying to one company. I agree it’s very hard to continue to apply and interview for a company where you continue to be unsuccessful and who does not provide you with feedback. Sometimes taking a few months off and applying to other jobs and companies can make a difference. If the company won’t give you feedback you can get hands on experience and learn from other interviews that you attend. Sorry but I don’t understand your question re: computer tests. Hope the rest of my response was helpful.
Hi Dorothy,
I have a similar situation to a lot of the people listed above. I interviewed for a district sales manager position on September 15th. I was invited the interview by my potential supervisor and I never dealt with a recruiter. The interview went great, and the manager told me I’d definitely be hearing from him and moving on in the process. The following Monday (9/19) he sent me an email saying I was a finalist for the position, and sending me an online personality assessment to fill out. He also left me a voicemail telling me that I was a finalist. I filled out the assessment and then contacted him later in the week to make sure he got the results. No response. I then tried calling and/or emailing him every ten days or so after that. Eventually I figured that I didn’t get the job, but on 10/26 he called me and told me that the company was going t0 hire an inside candidate but decided to go with an outside candidate and wanted to make sure that I was still interested. He had me call him the next week. When I spoke to him the next week (on 11/2) he told me he was really glad that I followed up as much as I did. He said that an inside candidate was going to take the job, but decided not to and would officially tell him by the end of the week and that once that was clear he would figure out my start date, as it came down to me and the inside candidate. The end of the week came and there was no call. I emailed him on 11/9, and he emailed me right back and said that he still hadn’t heard, but as soon as he knew he would contact me. I’ve sent him emails every couple weeks since then letting him know that I’m still interested, but no response. Do you think he’s just slow in getting things together? I really want this job, and based on how the first month went, it sounds like he only gets back to people when he knows something.
Hi Ryan,
So the company offered the job to someone else (it wasn’t you so if the candidate was internal or not it really doesn’t matter). The point is that the original candidate fell through and they’ve contacted everyone who they kept ‘warm’ (B pile) to see who is still interested in the job. This is a classic example on how recruiters keep you interested. I don’t like that you never dealt with a recruiter because if you had I’m sure you may not have had all these responses but at least you would not have gotten the impression that you got the job when in fact you haven’t yet. First he tells you that they were going to (past tense) offer the job to an internal candidate but they decided to go with an outside candidate- this is where you should have been offered the job. Then he tells you that the internal candidate was going to take the job but decided not to- meaning they did offer the job to the internal candidate. Something they said they decided not to do. I personally think that they offered the job to the internal candidate and they didn’t automatically respond back with an energetic YES. The company got worried and emailed you. Then the candidate did finally respond and accepted the job. I only think this because you said that a couple of weeks have past since you heard anything from the company and they probably forgot about you and moved on to another project since their role was now filled. I’m sure if you keep at it you will get a response back from the supervisor but don’t hold your breath. Sorry but they just kept you warm in case the first candidate didn’t come through and I think the by now they have. If you really want this job and want to work for this company then don’t get upset and stay professional. If you were this close to getting the job then if another similar role comes up you may have an even better chance of getting it. Sorry Ryan and I hope I’m wrong.
Dorothy,
I don’t know if your reference thing applies. Most companies have you attach your references to your application or Human Resources request them prior to the interview. I have never been asked for references by an interviewer and have gotten several jobs. Are you suggesting that most interviewers ask for references after the interview?
Hi David,
Thank you for leaving your comment. Not all companies and job applications are the same. What I’m saying is if you have not been asked to provide references at any point of the interview or application process and you find yourself waiting by the phone and wondering if you got the job or not than it may be a good indication that you did not the get the job. Most companies at some point of the process will ask for references. If they didn’t ask for your references then they probably weren’t that interested in you. Also, I see many candidates provide references with their applications or resume without directly being asked. They probably think they are showing initiative but in fact they’re throwing a way a good indicator on whether they will be considered as a serious candidate or not. Thanks again for the comment
Hi Dorothy,
WOW, nice fast response.
I thought that’s what you might have meant but I wasn’t sure. Well since you set yourself up with a quick response I have to ask about a recent interview I completed. I was referred by a friend and got an interview within 2 days of the job being posted. Are these statements just basic statements or do they lend you to think negatively or positively.
After the Interview.
“Just to let you know, we are just beginning to start the interview process and you are our first candidate so it may take 2-3 weeks to hear back”
During the Interview
“We understand these are different questions that most candidates expect, but we appreciate your candidness”
Any help would be appreciated
Thank You
Hi David,
They sound like basic statements to me and I can’t really say if they are negative or positive statements because it really depends on how the rest of the interview went. Since you were referred by a friend I would definitely ask them if they can provide you with an update and possible feedback from the interviewers. I hope you sent a Thank You letter
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for the response on my situation wanting to move to Austin. I actually have a job currently, and just can’t see leaving it just on the off chance I MIGHT find something in Austin. It sucks, because I feel like I am stuck. An old teacher of mine is married to a guy that works at the school (University of Texas) that I am interested in getting a job at. I have no problem flying myself down just to get an in person interview, but staying for a few weeks may not be good for me as I don’t have the vacation time to cover that. We are planning on a visit down there for a week in April. Would it be smart of me to possibly ask for a chance to meet with someone at that time? How do you even approach a University when trying to get a position? Beats me. Maybe when I go visit in April, I can call some companies and ask for an informal interview (or ask the HR of the University for an informal interview) or the like. Thanks again!
-Becca
Hi Becca,
Just like you don’t want to take the chance that you might find something in Austin companies don’t want to take the chance on someone changing their minds because they find out that they don’t like Austin or the company. It’s a gamble but when taken seriously can be really rewarding. I definitely think you should set up some interviews in April if you’re going to be down visiting but don’t wait until you are there start contacting people now. If you want to work at the University but don’t know how the recruitment process works then the logical answer is to ask your friends husband who works at the University. You need to arm yourself with all the information you can get. It’s a lot of work but if it’s something you really want it should be worth it.
Thanks Dorothy,
The interview went well (as much as one can tell I guess) and it turned more into a conversation about my life and achievements rather than the typical “strengths and weaknesses” interview. The conversational switch is why I didn’t know how to take the statement of “appreciating your candidness”.
I hear “getting a firm timeline on when you will hear back” is a good thing, so I didn’t know if the statement about 2-3 weeks could be characterized as such.
I asked “is there thing based on my resume or answers I provided that lead you to think I am not the right candidate” after the interview and they were all positive sayingt he interview wnet well and I had all the qualifications, which is when she dropped the whole 2-3 week thing.
I can’t expect you to be my fairy tale- interview Godmother though lol, so thanks for all your help.
And yes, I sent a separate thank you note to each interviewer rehashing my qualifications, reinforcing my answers to their questions and concerns, and thanking them for the opportunity.
Hi David,
If the the interviewers said that the interview went well then I’m sure that it did. Most good interviews should be conducted like a conversation. It makes me think that you probably haven’t had a job interview in a while. In any case, if you were in fact the first person they interviewed (probably because you were referred) you did not blow them out of the water to make them hire you on the spot (which is extremely rare). They decided to continue to interview other candidates who they will compare you to. What you need to do is to talk to your referrer and also follow up so you are not lost in the interviewers minds. 2-3 weeks is a long time and I’m sure they will be interviewing a handful of candidates. Good Luck!
Thanks again Dorothy,
You are right. I haven’t interviewed (outside of my current company) in a while and this kind of popped up out of nowhere (as I really wasn’t looking to leave my current job). I just phoned a friend and quickly got called for the interview (which speaks well of my resume I suppose…or her relationship with her manager).
Had the position been open awhile I would feel more confident, but being first it is what makes me hesitant. they told me they didn’t have business cards to give me, but the hiring manager said to “You can conduct HR if you want to reach us though”. My friend confirmed the “no business card” line so that just seems like a gimmick to see what lengths I would go to send a busines card, but it also seems like BS too. what do you feel?
I truly appreciate your feedback,
I’m sorry to harass you, but I stumbled on this site and saw your quick responses so I had to go for it.
Send a thank you note I mean.
Hi David,
You’re obviously over analyzing your interview. If you’re not really looking to leave your current job then just enjoy the experience and more importantly take this opportunity to learn from the experience. Think about the questions and answers you gave. Were you 100% prepared for the interview? Could you have thought of better answers? If they told you they didn’t have business cards and your referrer confirmed that then I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking. Again I really think you’re just over analyzing the interview and think you just need to be patient. Rather than harassing me (which your not) you should be harassing your referrer and seeing if they can update you on the process. The process has not ended yet so please be patient.
LOL!!
Dorothy
You know what, I like your style. Thanks for all the help!
Happy Holidays!
You know I was laid off from govt and I have been searching for full time work since the last 2 months. I have had some telephone interviews that were good, but obviously not good enough to take it to the next level. I have had 1 HR manager in toronto who called me back and I asked him “what is the reason why they wont hire me” He said you dont speak (I wont mention the language) the language they are looking for. I said and how is that a hinderance? I first of all told that manager that I never applied for that language skill set posting. And he said that it is a requirement. I said to him that you are using a tactic that is “reverse discriminatory” against me and how do you know whether or not if I speak the language or not. ? He would not elaborate but I know he screened me out from my last name. Why would a HR manager use that kind of reasonging against me is beyond me. I was angry and pissed of the reason he gave me. I stood my ground and argued that I never, never applied for that specific posting, but they used the language skill set against me and therefore denied me a position at the company. I said to the HR manager : “well you might as well hire all people with a 2nd language, irregardless of their race- even though I am born canadian. He would discriminate if a french canadian born person if he could not speak french – that is how it is taken in context…
Hi Bob,
I’m sorry that you’re angry but I don’t think I understand your comment. You said that you asked a HR manager to give you a reason why they didn’t hire you. Then it gets very confusing and you a talk about a role that you never applied to and a specific language requirement that you didn’t have. Again I am sorry that you’re mad and hope that you have better luck with your job search.
Hi Dorothy, I appreciate your effort you put into giving all this valuable advice! It is very valuable!
Wanted to share with you and your readers my experience too. I work in HR and I thought I knew how things work but obviously one has always more to learn.
I am in the selection process of a company for 2 months now, for a newly created role. I got the interview through an agent and they are always very open to me and very professional.
Following the interview process, the feedback from both their HR Manger (recruiter) and the SVP hiring manager was very good. After meeting the president of the division too, together with the hiring manager, they said they want to bring me on board. However, during the meeting with the president I found out that they are rethinking the responsabilties of the role and asked me if I would be fine with dealing with a few different more areas. I said I would gladly cover those areas too as I actually have the experience. The hiring manager then said that she will then get back to me in a week to let me know how the final role will look like.
After this last interview I have been waiting for that week but received no phone call. When I called the hiring manager the Monday after she sounded very very sick and in fact was signed off by the doctor for the next 2 weeks. She encouraged me to call her during this time though as she hoped she might be able to give me some news. I did so twice during this time but in the end we agreed she will get back to me whenever she gets any news.
Well, fast forward to today, after more than 2 weeks passed and I called the HR manager instead for an update as I didn’t want to sound too desperate by calling the hiring manager again. She proceeded to tell me that they are very interested in me but indicated that they are extremly busy and didn’t get the chance to detail exactly the responsabilities of the role (!). She said she will get back to me in a week as she needs to find the time to talk to the SVP about it. The HR manager is also the main contact with my agent. To the agent she is saying the same and indicated that in case other company makes me an offer they would try and put a contract for me faster..
This situation frustrates me deeply as I am unemployed due to restructuring and I got so bored by staying at home for the last few months. I understand that the delayed was caused by the hiring manager’s sickness but they also don’t seem to make this role a priority either. They seem in no rush to hire and this makes me wonder how serious are about offering me the job afterall. The company I worked for before was quite fast in extending offers or giving feedback which is why I find it hard to adjust to much slower ways. I quess all I have to do is be patient and keep looking.
Hi Marina,
If this was a typical role I’m sure they would have moved faster in filling it but this is a newly created role, which sounds like they are always working on. You are just going to have to be patient. Now that they think they found someone they are in no rush to finish the job description especially since you’re currently unemployed. I know it’s easy to compare your other company and their recruitment methods to this one but the fact is that each company is different and each role – newly created or not – is different. Just be patient and make sure that your agent is a good advocate for you and is pressuring them to hurry up with an offer for you. There is nothing for you to do now so why not keep searching for other roles while this company figures things out. Stay positive Marina!!!
Hi Dorothy,
Just wanted to update. The interview yesterday I feel went great. I sent my thank yous to the 2 department heads and to the recruiter whom I did not meet.
I got an email from the recruiter this morning stating “I wanted to follow up with you regarding your interviews here. Do you have a few minutes to catch up today? Please let me know when you are available for a quick call.” Is this a standard “thanks but no thanks” email or does this sound more like they are leaning to find out more about me?
Thank,
Dave.
Dorothy,
Sorry about having another post before you responded to the last one
So I got a call from the recruiter and he said my interviews yesterday were very positive. He is scheduling a “final interview” with the VP next week. He discussed my monetary requirements and he is emailing me a benefit package. Is there anyway I CAN’T get this job?
Hi Dave,
If they discussed salary and they are emailing you a benefit package then unless you say something very stupid next week to the VP I’m sure you will get the job. Also, you should get ready for more of a conversation based interview rather than a Q&A. Good Luck!
Hi, Dorothy.
I was contacted by an HR generalist four weeks ago. The generalist set up a phone interview with me, which he conducted. That interview went well and lasted nearly 90 minutes. Five days later, I was contacted again by the same generalist who scheduled an in-person interview with the hiring manager (the VP to whom I would directly report). That interview went very well. The hiring manager (area VP) explained that there were two subsequent required interviews (with the Director of HR and, if selected for the final round, with the Executive VP), and expressed that he wished to move forward with that process.
An interview was scheduled with the Director of HR, who flew in to meet me. During that interview, the Director told me that the consideration was between an unqualified internal candidate and me (I am slightly over-qualified but live within four miles of the job location, which is an added value for them and me).
After that interview, the generalist called me a few hours later to congratulate me on making it to the final round and scheduled a telephone interview with the Executive VP. The generalist told me they were “excited” by the possibility of me joining the team and asked if I, too, was “excited”. The generalist also asked that I email him after the phone interview with the Exec VP and let him know “how it went”. The telephone interview with the Executive VP went well. He asked me twice at the end if I was “still interested” in the position, and told me I should hear something by Monday next (one week to the day from my phone interview with him).
As requested, I emailed the generalist after the final interview. The generalist responded — literally — within a minute, telling me he would get with the hiring manager (Area VP) and the Exec VP and “update me as soon as he hears something”. I also emailed a thank you to the hiring manager, who responded a few hours later, telling me I should hear from him soon.
The Area VP, Exec VP and Director of HR all expressed doubt that the unqualified internal candidate could do the job if promoted, and all three asked if I would be willing to “coach” that person for future consideration.
References were not requested, but their corporate process is to extend a contingent offer THEN request references, conduct background, etc.
Do I contact the generalist if they do not contact me by the Monday deadline given to me by the Exec VP?
Does this sound like an overly-elaborate series of fake interviews?
Hi John,
Sounds like it’s you against an internal candidate. They have to really prove that the internal candidate can’t do the job. If they can do that then it sounds like you’re in! Yes I would wait until Tuesday and contact the generalist if you don’t hear from anyone on Monday. This is not a fake interview. I don’t think they would have let you go so far into the process to not really consider you for the role. Remember, if you don’t get the job offer they probably will think of you for another role so stay professional throughout this whole process. I really hope you get a contingent offer on Monday
Hi Dorothy,
I just stumbled upon this blog and I LOVE it! Like many others, I have a question of my own. So I went into a company that I was interested in working at and talked to everybody who was working and asked for the hiring manager and I told him I knew a previous employee that used to work there and they said you were looking for some help. The manager gave me his email and to forward my application to him. So I did the application, sent him my resume, and a cover letter to his email on the same day I talked to him. I got a reply back with a link to apply again for the job. Its been two days since then. Should I wait now or keep pursuing because I dont want to come off as desperate. Thanks Again!
Hi Nyesha,
If you don’t hear anything on Monday I would email the manager and ask them when they expect to start interviewing for the role. Let them know that you are very excited about this opportunity and that you feel that you have the perfect combination of qualifications, experience and skills for the role. Of course make sure that you are qualified for the role. Stay professional and polite and good luck!!
Hi, Dorothy
Well, On Friday December 2, 2011 I had a interview; which I thought went very well. I interviewed with the VP, Assistant VP and Senior Rep all in the same day. The day started with filling out an application with the Human Resource Department which took me appox 20mins. Then my interview started at appox 3pm and ended about 5:30pm. The Assistant VP was the last interview of the day. I asked him when would a final decision be made? Assistant VP stated: Within the week.
Today, is exactly 1 week Friday December 9, 2011 and I have not heard anything. I sent a thank you email to everyone I interviewed with 24 hrs after my interview. I sent a follow up email today directly to the Assistant VP and I have not gotten a response. The Assistant VP did indicate that this has been a long drawn out interview process; however he had no doubt I could handle the position.
Dorothy, do you have any advice? Do you think this was a “fake interview”?
Hi Angela,
I don’t think this was a fake interview. The Assistant VP told you that it has been a long and drawn out interview process. Since you already contacted the Assistant VP and they did not respond it makes me think that they have already offered the job to another candidate but they are waiting for them to accept it. I think this because if you were one of the top candidates the Assistant VP would have replied back to you. Be patient I’m sure you’ll hear something soon and I hope I’m wrong and that they have not offered the job to some one else.
Hi Dorothy,
Great blog! It’s comforting to know so many people are sharing my same feeling when interviewing and have gotten wonderful advice from you!
I need a little help myself…
I saw a job post online and instead of applying through the job search site I instead make contact with the company directly. I had a wonderful conversation with someone in a management position and works in the same office with the manager hiring for the open position. She gave me the contact phone number and email of whom to speak with and even notified him I would be calling. The next day I submitted my resume by email to the contact I was given who is also the Vice President and Regional Manager. He sent an almost immediate reply and a phone interview was scheduled with him for that afternoon. It went great! We discussed everything including training, salary, age group of the office and how I would fit in, and he even said I am the front runner for the position. The next step was to speak with HR and then also the manger that would be training me. He send my resume to both. This was the Friday before Thanksgiving.
The next week I was contacted by HR and was asked about availability that week. I replied, but then did not receive an answer for the rest of the week. I also followed up and no reply. The next Tues I contacted the VP I interviewed with and he said he would check the status. Nothing from HR the rest of the week. This Mon (week 3) I was contacted again about setting up a phone interview for the next day. I replied and no response. Wed I followed up again and a phone meeting was set up for Thurs at a specific time, but I did not receive a call. I followed up. Later that day it was rescheduled for today.
I received the call today, however the news was not great. I was told I am the top candidate however right now they are not exactly sure when they will be able to actually hire anyone. They are working around a few internal issues such as budget and will be reviewing over the next several weeks. She said a decision won’t be made by the end of the year as to when the position will start. The VP is really pushing for me due to my background and experience and really wants to fill the position however it is out of his hands right now. She asked me to stay positive and we could keep in touch over the next several weeks. The best case is it they could fill it the first of the year and the worst case is it may not be able to be filled until the middle of next year.
How should I react? It started out so positive. Why was the job even posted if they have not worked out the budget? During the initial call I was told they are looking for someone as soon as possible. HR did VP is pushing hard however it sound like he doesn’t have the authority for the budget. What’s your advice? I really want the job. It’s a great fit and would be a great step for my career goals and their is growth within the company. Should I keep applying to other opportunities? I saw a position today but the salary is $5 to $10 thousand lower than the salary that was disussed for this one.
I should also mention that I am currently employed in one state and my boyfriend and I are moving to another state across the country in March or sooner if one of us finds a job before March. Right now I am the one looking because I think it will take me longer and to be honest I am ready to move right now. He will either work remotely or start looking after Jan 1, however he is a software tech guy and will not have a problem.
Hi Mary,
The only thing I can say is that a lot of things can change by the time a job is posted and when they can actually hire. Since you’re employed I would just be patient. Since you’re not moving until March I would be patient. I wouldn’t apply for the other job unless you really REALLY want that job more than the first one. It seems like the company really likes you so you don’t want to look desperate or treat them like a convenient ride over to the next state. Be patent1 If you’re in a rush and don’t care how much you earn than before you apply for the other job I would contact HR and ask them when this other opportunity is scheduled to start. It may start in the beginning of the new year or Later as well. In the meantime, apply to another company. Good luck!
Hi Dorothy (and everyone else),
Looks like a lot of people are having concerns about their interviews and I do as well. I had a meeting with the person who would be my boss (1) , a person in another group who I would be working with closely and another person (2) who heads up another group, but would be interfacing with once in a while (3).
The interviews I had with my boss and the person I would work closely with (2) went okay. However, the interview with the person who heads up another group (3) and my potential boss (1), makes me nervous.
In general the interview questions were extremely predictable and I was able to answer them very easily – but then I was asked the “what would your managers say about things you should improve on” (you know a variant on the “weakness” question – I said that sometimes I tend to get bogged down in the details of what I do and I occasionally want insight on my priorities for work. That person then asked me if I was referring to time management and I said no – it was more like a sanity check about a meeting and conflicting priorities.
At that point, I knew the damage was done so later I tried to fix it later by saying that this happens when I start a job, but I am able to sustain myself once I get over that hump (or something to that effect).
I then talked to my boss where I was able to answer his questions satisfactorily. At the end of the discussion, I asked him more about his management style and he told me of all things that he wants people who should be autonomous and know how to communicate at the right level — not too high and not too low — in other words, he literally picked the two things that I told the other manager that I considered to be my weaknesses.
At the end of the discussion, he asked me about if I would be willing to work on more tactical stuff in the beginning, which I am interpreting is that he is trying to salvage the interview thinking that I would be okay, but in a more junior capacity. Given my other answers, I strongly believe I was able to sell that I was indeed ready to be a more senior level person, but those two answers really killed me and my chance for that higher level role.
I wrote my thank you notes and attempted to get feedback from the recruiter, but I got a form letter saying that he’ll get back to me next week. It sounded a lot like a form letter which really freaked me out even more because it had a very bizarre subject line.
I have been kicking myself ever since the interview which took place on Thursday and now I have to wait until Monday or Tuesday to be formally rejected. This really hurts especially since I really felt this was my job to lose (which I did).
Any thoughts on how to salvage this or should I just move on? I can’t believe I did this!
*sigh*
Hi Tim,
Are you sure that person 3 had enough time to speak with person 1 about your interview? If so than I’m sorry but you only get one chance to make a first impression. If not, then you might just be over-analyzing your interview with person 1. In any case, you sent your Thank you notes and were told that you should here something next week. There is nothing for you to do now. Just be patient and you’ve obviously analyzed the interview and see where you can improve for the next time.
great article. these companies got dumb reasons not to hire you and sometimes they have the right reasons not to hire you. i had an interview 2 days ago i do not have much job experience as i was a student few yrs ago and graduated last year with a degree.
Dorothy,
I have my own question — but I think I already know the answer. My question is more what I should say to the recruiter who is handling the job that is up for grabs.
I had a first interview with a company on November 1. They liked me, so they brought me in a week later to speak with the VP that I had interviewed with before and also the other two people that work in the office (It is a small, non-profit foundation). I must have done okay in that interview, too, because my recruiter set up a third “breakfast” interview a few days later, because the VP wanted to get a feel for my personality “outside the office.” I felt like the third interview went well, and I know that all of my references had been checked because, well, they all told me.
My last interview was on November 11, and since that…nothing. I’ve emailed my recruiter every week since then, and she always tells me to “be patient” and that “she’ll let me know no matter what happens.” The funny thing is, even if I “pass” the third interview, it’s not a guarantee I’ll get the job — I still need to take a psychological exam to make sure I’m a good fit for the office (which I have to admit I’m a little unsure about). I guess my question is this: my recruiter HAS to know something, right? I mean, a month since my last interview and I hear nothing? And my second question is this: how do I approach her with this? At this point, I’d like to know for sure if I’m not in the running for the position, and I think it’s absolutely crazy that she can’t tell me anything. Can she really not have had ANY contact with them all this past month? Any light you could shed on this would be greatly appreciated — I’m completely dumbstruck by it all. Trying to remain positive, but as the days go by it’s really become more and more difficult to do so…
Hi Mel,
Yes I agree with you and I think your recruiter knows more. It’s been a month and maybe the company has been busy interviewing other candidates as they don’t think you are “perfect” for the role but even if that was happening your recruiter could at least let you know that they are interviewing other candidates. I do agree with the recruiter and think you should be patient though. I want to say that maybe the recruiter doesn’t know anything. Sometimes companies keep agency recruiters in the dark for a while as well. The only thing you can do is contact your recruiter every week until they get an update or just be patient. Since there is nothing you can do at this time you should apply to other jobs so if you don’t get this job you’re not that disappointed because you are interviewing with other companies. It’s good not to keep your eggs all in one basket. Good luck!
hi i had a interview at sonics today an i was told they hadother interviews to do but i would be getting a call back on Sunday which is 6 days away !!!!!!!!!! is this the managers passive aggressive way of blowing me off ive never had to wait more then 2 days for a call back : (
Hi Dezzy,
It’s Monday and I’m sure that the company does have other interviews to conduct. You should have asked the company what their interview process looked like i.e. would there be a second interview? If the said yes then this would have at least told you that they would probably have to wait until the first interviews were over to decide on who they wanted to bring back for a second interview. Be patient and remember to follow up with a Thank you letter.
As a manager who regularly interviews and hires people I thought I’d add a different viewpoint. Probably the number one reason I don’t hire someone who hits a home run on the interview is that they are overqualified. If you turn things around and look at it from an employers viewpoint, I hire someone to fill a need and to make a profit. It can take months to take a new employee and get them to know everything they need to do their job with any level of competency. When I spend the kind of money it takes to do that I need to know they will be there doing that job for at least a few years.
I was recently interviewing a guy for a position that required light labor and basic computer skills. He drops on me his college degree and background in computer programming. Its obvious he wanted to get a foot in the door and move up fast. That is great for him, but as someone who needs to fill a position, its evident that I’d have to hire someone else right away had I hired him. There really wasn’t anything in the interview or his background that disqualified him. It was however obvious to me that there is no way someone with his qualifications was going to work long term for the wage I was authorized to offer.
I’ve turned away lots of people over the years because of the “foot in the door” mentality. People who are seriously seeking employment should apply for the position they are really after.
Hi Bryan,
Thank you for leaving this comment. I agree with you that people should apply for positions that they are really after. It is difficult in today’s economy when so many people are laid off and are out of work. More and more people are applying to jobs that they are overqualified for because they simply need a job. Thanks again for sharing your point of view.
Hello Dorothy,
I am so glad that I came across this website! I was fishing for the proper way to request an update on a position that I interviewed for on Dec. 6,2011. I applied for a job in October and totally forgot about it. I received a call from the department director who left a message on my voicemail to call him back and set up an interview. The following morning I did just that. He gave me 3 days and 3 times to choose from. We set up the interview and it was the strangest interview that I ever witnessed! I was literally asked 3 questions. #1. Explain your experience in customer service. I responded with my experience and he said: well I noticed this was some time ago so #2. Why should I hire you? I explained why he should hire me and reiterated my experience in customer service. He at this point went on to explain the details of the job to me and how the office was normally run. He explained the hours and said the HR handled the salary. As he is telling me all of this, he hands me a background clearance form and said read over this and sign it if you agree to a background check. He explained that he needed someone that knew how to handle an office alone with minimal supervision and then finally asked #3. Are there any questions for me? I asked 4 questions ( I had 3 set questions to ask but his answer to one led me into another question). One question was “how long was this position open?” He explained. second question was “What specificly are you looking for in the person that you want to have this position?” He responded by briefly telling me the history of the position again and then went into telling me what the last person did to get him “released” from the position and how the person before him was there for 17 years; which answered a prepared question (job stability). He looked at me and said he is concerned with getting someone in the position just to have a job and when a better one come they leave. I responded by saying ” if it is not too forward of me, I am looking for a job that has stability. If I am hired, I will be here for the long haul. I am not interested in looking for more employment once I am hired. Was I too forward and assumptious by making that comment? I was very professional and not rude in any way. I almost feel like I was begging him for the job. He saw that I have several degrees and I feel that was his way of saying that I was overqualified for this position. so I wanted to address that issue immediately. I REALLY want that job. He said he had interviews for the rest of the week and I would hear something maybe in January because of the holidays coming up and the school would be closed for 3 weeks. That was last week Tuesday. I want to call and ask the status of the process. Have I already said too much and should I be content that he gave me a background consent form? I hate that the fact that I have degrees maay take me out of the running for a job, I didnt even mention one of them. ANY suggstions and/or comments would help greatly.
Thank you,
TaSonya
**UPDATE**
So… I didnt get the job. I was informed by email today shortly after leaving the post. Here is what it said.
Dear TaSonya:
Thank you for your recent application for the position of Dispatcher at X company. You were chosen for an interview based on your credentials; however, we have selected another candidate for this position. We were fortunate to have a number of well-qualified applicants.
We enjoyed meeting you and appreciate your interest in working at X company. Should another position for which you qualify become available, we encourage you to submit your application at that time.
Sincerely,
Human Resources Department
I am bummed! I know I am overreacting but it is rediculous to have fake interviews just to satisfy company policy. If they have someone in mind, they should just HIRE THEM and not get the hopes of job seeking people up thinking there is actually a chance of being hired for a job.
Regardless of all of that, I LOVE YOUR SITE AND WILL USE IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Keep encouraging ppl!
Hi TaSonya,
I am sorry that you didn’t get the job but I don’t think you’re interview was a fake interview. I think the interviewer was very particular on who they wanted in the role. You mentioned that the position was filled for 17 years by the same person. Of course the interviewer is going to be picky because they obviously don’t like interviewing (3 questions) and they are taking their time to fill the role. If you have degrees that make you look overqualified for the job then you need to adjust your resume so you don’t look overqualified. Don’t highlight skills or experience that the job description isn’t asking for. You need to remember that when you’re applying for a job you need to adjust and focus on each job application separately. Also, it sounds like he was looking for someone with recent customer service experience. He even mentioned it in your interview when he noticed that it’s been some time since you worked in customer service. Also, it didn’t sound like you guys ‘clicked’. Remember that personalities need to match just as qualifications do. He needed to like you enough to want to work with you Monday-Friday; 9-5. In the long rong you’re better off and I’m sure you’ll find a better job.
Dorothy,
Just to follow up: I received a written offer for the position this morning.
Thanks for your advice.
That’s great news John, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I find myself coming back to this article from time to time for reference. But this time I think I need some guidance. I really don’t know what went wrong. I had an interview at a hot start up for an admin role *newly created* — the interview was 3 hours long with five senior executives, chief of staff, etc and the hiring manager — the grand finale was the CEO who by that time (nearly 7pm) had something come up. I saw him as I left on his computer. They told me the hiring manager had something come up to and had to go. But she would e-mail me to reschedule first thing in the morning. First thing in the morning came and went but I sent thank you e-mails to each of my interviewers in any case. Yet no response. It’s been almost two days. Am I a goner? The interviews had went really well. Even with the VP, we really hit it off! What happened? Any tips on cluing me in? I would appreciate it
Hi What Happened?
Very strange and rude. If they told you that they were going to reschedule the interview then they should have contacted you. The only thing I could think of is that not everyone liked you. Keep in mind when you have so many people attend an interview (5 Sr. Execs, Chief of Staff, VP and hiring manager) to get them to make a decision can be like herding cats – practically impossible. I would contact the VP, since you seem to think you hit it off, and ask him for an update and let him know that you’re interview was not rescheduled as promised. Did they even tell you when they were hoping to fill this role? I hope you hear from them or at least have your interview rescheduled as promised. Good Luck!
Could anyone shed some light on what my recrutier is doing? Am I a victim of the “fake interview”?
My story: I applied for a job that was confidential and through a recruting agency. Submitted my resume and was notified by email withing 4days about what would be a good time for me to be interviewed. I emailed them back asking depending on what kind of interview and asked would it be a phone interview or a face to face? The response was a face to face with the CEO of the company. I immediatly replied back and said that I needed a couple days notice and anytime in the late afternoon is good. (allowing for coverage at my current job because they did not know I was looking for another job and had to make an excuse for a future early departure.) Next day I get a long email with where to go, companys name, and who I was going to meet and was told they would expect me on this date sometime after this such and such time of day. He also asked if I would call him so he could give me a brief description of what they were looking for. On the phone I did tell him that I could meet with them a little ealier than what he had set up and he said that they never contacted him back yet with an actual time. Next day never heard a word. I then emailed the recruiter and aked if he heard anything and he said not yet that HE WOULD CALL ME. (THIS WAS THE DAY BEFORE THE INTERVIEW) I never heard from him (meaning no phone call so In my mind I am thinking interview is still on. Next moring I am freaking out because I had a huge time frame that I could show up and I wanted an exact time. I called the recruiter no answer left him a voice mail. I then got into my email and behold he had emailed me the night before when he said he would call. The email said Sorry but the CEO needs to cancel tomorrow he willl be out of town. That was it. No explanation, no lets reschedule, no nothing. I let it go and decided to email him two days later and asked him if this interview would be rescheduled or has it been filled. I also let him know that I really want this chance to talk with the CEO,I am really interested in the job. His reply was : As soon as I know you will Know! I am doing my best here…… Now what does that mean????? That was 4 days ago and still nothing! I am half afraid to even ask him his email sounded like I was a burden. Sorry but he is the one who said he would call and did not then does not let me know which left me hanging. All I wanted was answers not the run around.
Hi unemployed,
As a recruiter, when I ask a candidate what time would be good for them to attend an interview the ideal answer is e.g Wednesday and Friday anything after 3pm and Thursday anything after 4:30pm. The interviewer, in this case the CEO, is usually really busy and it’s nice to see a candidate who is accommodating and flexible. I understand that it may be difficult for you to take time off from work for interviews but you need to keep in mind that other candidates maybe be more flexible and therefore actually attending interviews and possibly landing jobs. When you’re also applying to jobs you need to have access to the contact information methods that you provided. So if you provided an email address and a phone number then don’t be surprised when the recruiter calls you or sends you an email. Sometimes depending on the time of day it’s easier to send an email rather than calling someone when it’s too late in the evening. In any case, the CEO cancelled the interview because he had to leave town and the recruiter maybe thinking twice before trying to reschedule with you since it was difficult the first time round. All I’m saying is that recruiters and hiring managers want to see a candidate that is actually ready, willing and is accommodating when it comes to scheduling an interview. When you’re not available I assure you that there are a number of candidates that are. I would let some more time pass before you contact the recruiter again. Maybe wait until Friday and then send him an email stating that you are still very interested in the role and would be available to meet with the CEO when they return to town. To please contact you as soon as he can reschedule the interview and that you thank him for his time and look forward to working with him on this role. Then you just need to be patient and hope that he does call. In the meantime, keep applying to other jobs so you aren’t just waiting by the phone or checking your email every minute of everyday as we all tend to do sometimes. Good Luck!
I’m in a unique situation. I actually applied to an internal position in a different department within my institution (large hospital). I had my first interview with the person that I would be replacing which went well then the next day (Friday) I interviewed with the director. The following Monday, the person that I would be replacing requested references and completed all 3 reference checks by the end of the day. My reference checks confirmed that they only said great things about me. Fast forward 2 weeks with no response, I email the person I would be replacing for a status update and waited a week only to find out that she had already left the institution hence the lack of a response. I then emailed the administrative asst for a status update or if she can re-direct me to the appropriate person on 12/12 and she hasn’t responded either. Would it be appropriate to email the director that I interviewed with on the status or would that be going overboard? Now it has been 3.5 weeks since the reference check and would really like some closure. At this point even a rejection would be relief. Would it be better to just leave it be? The whole situation is so confusing since I’m an internal candidate.
Hi Jess,
Shouldn’t you be going through your HR department for an update? You should contact the person who set up your first interview. I would not bug the Director as they probably have better things to do than deal with recruitment issues. I’m surprised you haven’t heard from anyone in 3 1/2 weeks. Usually hospitals that I know of – large or small, are mostly unionized and have a strict recruitment/interview process. Once your references were checked you should have heard from someone. I’m sorry that I can’t help anymore but if I were you I would definitely contact the person who set up your first interview. Good Luck!
Hello Dorothy
Great article, thanks for the tips! I’m writing from the UK and I appreciate the HR recruitment policies may differ from country to country; but I believe the recruiting principles are more or less the similar worldwide. I find myself in quite a dilemma; I recently applied for a position with TfL (Transport for London). For years I have tried, unsuccessfully, to gain employment with them. It is usually the norm, when applying for a role with TfL that candidates have to go through a fairly rigorous competency based, assessment and interviewing (if successful), criteria which can prove extremely demanding and very challenging indeed. To cut a very long story short; I went through various stages of the recruitment process, I had to fill out the customary application form which included various competency basis situation questions; and then, had to take part in a telephone assessment which comprised of 4 detailed competency based questions and experiences. After being successful at the telephone assessment; I was required to part take in a 4-hour assessment which comprised of a 45 minute interview, an hour-long literacy & numeracy tests, a report writing exercise, a role play situation and a map & scheduling reading interpreting exercise. The final assessments took place on 16 November; and for 2 weeks, I didn’t hear a word from TfL; then on Thursday 1 December a representative from TfL’s HR department telephoned me to say that the company has yet to decide whom they wanted for the positions (incidentally there are 10 places up for grabs,) however he said the reason for the phone call was to establish If I was selected, what shift I would like to be considered for – he then processed to roll off several shift patterns, I told him I didn’t mind what shift I was put on as I am only concern with wanting to work for TfL. The following evening I received another call from the same HR team informing to me how they’ve yet to decide who they wanted, but wanted to assure me that my application was still being considered. They also explained that they will let me the outcome on Friday 16 December.
Needless to say I’ve been a nervous wreck. I fear I’ll be told bad news – that I won’t be accepted. However If I didn’t make the grade; I would be so disappointed with TfL for twice phoning & giving me false hope, & asking about what shift pattern I wanted to be considered for, which I think is unfair if I was to be rejected at this stage.
Sorry for sound so negative; I’ve been let down so often by TfL that I’m expecting bad news yet again. I didn’t think I’d done that badly at the final assessment; though I thought the role play scenario was slightly disastrous!
Dorothy, my point to you is: a) Is it common for large corporations to take so long in informing candidates of job outcomes? B) Was the 2 telephone calls from TfL HR team a good thing me or a “sweetner” to break the bad news to me gently? C) What do you think my chances are in your considered opinion?
Sorry for details – thank you once again!
Malcolm – London
Hi Malcolm,
You said that this was not your first time interviewing for the TFL. I would think back to your prior interview(s) and try to remember if this organization did take a long time to inform you of their hiring decision. I personally think the more contact the company/HR has with you the better. Even if they are just calling to wonder what schedule you would be willing to work is still one step closer to getting hired. You obviously really REALLY want to work there and it will be hard for you not to be disappointed if you are not hired. Since you’re no stranger to this organization, why not ask for feedback on your interviews before applying again. Sometimes large companies don’t have time to provide feedback but it never hurts to try. If you’re eager to work for Transportation, have you ever considered applying for the London 2012 Olympics? They have a HUGE transportation team who are constantly looking for more team members. Plus, if you work for them maybe you’ll have a better chance in working for the TFL because you would have received great experience. Hope that helps and be patient
I’m going through a temp agencies Addeco. I apply for a Job that I read over only to arrive to the interview to find out it was a completely different job. I showed up 15 minutes early the guy was 15 minutes late. I went through the interview with my lowered resume I felt like a clueless fool but tried to sell my self because the job was actually interesting looking. Addeco calls me to day and wants to give me some interview feed back. Should i bother calling them back. the interview was yesterday.
Hi Jason,
Absolutely call them back! You need to provide them feedback of your own. They need to know that they sent you to a job interview for a completely different job and you were not prepared. That’s horrible! They waisted your time and the companies. If they are not doing a good job and frankly this agency did not do a good job, then they need to know. I would even go so far to ask to speak with your recruiters manager because that is just horrible. I’m sorry that that happened to you.
Unfortunately, the didn’t tell me when they wanted this role filled (I thought she would come back at the end of the interview to walk me out or touch base as this has been my experience in the past) but she left without say goodbye and I was walked out by one of the Office managers who interviewed me. So it’s been two days and “no rescheduling” however one of the execs did reply to my thank you email and said “likewise, thanks for spending time with us!” … I would think if they did not want to reschedule me they can at least let me know. I’m an adult! I can take it! But telling me you’re going to reschedule then losing all contact even after my thank you note is kind of upsetting. But it’s only been two days.. so maybe I’m impatient. The VP I hit it off with didn’t reply to my thank you note. So maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought…. or they’re just so busy they don’t even remember they spent 3 hours interviewing a candidate… In any case I’m really wondering what I could have done better. The whole process has been a little disorganized.. not having a room when I arrived to interview me. Calling me late during my phone interview, then offering to meet me on the spot, some of the execs didn’t seem to have seen my resume before hand at all…
Hi What Happened?
Since they so seem very disorganized they may have just forgotten to reschedule you for another interview? If you still want to work with these folks I would contact them and remind them that your interview was not yet rescheduled. It all depends if you still want this job and want to work with this group. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I came across your blog. I think this is absolutely great what youre doing. I decided to post a message because frankly I’m lost right now. I was laid off late spring/early summer, I have a position but its very part-time at the moment. Much of my career has been in marketing and business analysis working at software/technology companies. I’m in my mid twenties with an mba from a good and well-known university. I have been interviewing for different positions since the spring. I had about 6 interviews that progressed to a final stage, all leading to rejections. In some cases, it was understandable, I moved up quickly in my career but the numerical years of experience I have leaves me on the low end of some ranges, and in a bad economy, the competition is brutal. So I can appreciate those factors coming into play.
However, I had an interview this week at an organization in which I was perfect for it. I matched every experience and skill level required. Every single detail I was a complete match. I got the in-person interview and I came prepared. I interviewed with 4 senior level people. During the interview, I brought in several different pieces of work samples. I did my research on the organization and I presented my work record and myself well in the interview. I even ran some analysis reports for them just to show my initiative. I followed up with detailed thank you notes to each person I interviewed with as well.
I thought I nailed it. Unfortunately, I got a notification informing me that I did not get it. It was a close call, but someone else was a better fit for the role. I’m shocked and very dissapointed, because I felt like there probably could not have been any way anyone could have matched my level of effort or enthusiasm for this position. And when resumes are closely similiar, shouldnt that be the deciding factor? The person who wants it the most, who puts in the effort to show why theyre the best person for the job? I’m confused, because I’ve taken this approach in all of my interviews and somehow I’ve fallen short. I do not know what I can do to improve my interviewing style.
Maybe I’m taking the wrong approach?
I will also make note that I’m a glbt person. Its not something always evident to many, but its always something I worry about, even though I know its illegal to discriminate to against such minority in the state in which I live. I guess I just dont know what it is that is preventing me from closing the deal on one of these interviews.
Hi Alessa,
I just posted an article called “Can you HANDLE the truth?.” It talks about rejection and being a good fit and being qualified for a role. I think you maybe trying too hard to impress people. I really REALLY hope it has nothing to do with the fact that you are a glbt person but we can’t know for sure. Like you said you have an MBA from a good school and even though you’re in your mid twenties you have had some great work experiences. Saying that not all companies want to be presented with analysis reports. They just want to meet a person who they think will “fit” in with their company culture. Someone they can just see getting a long and not intimidating the other team members. The best thing to do in an interview is be yourself. Be calm and friendly. Of course show that you can do the job and so on but don’t go over the top. Once you get hired and get to know your Manager/supervisor that’s when you want to show them that you can take initiative and go above and beyond. Interviewers don’t like meeting someone too cocky or someone that could possibly do their job better. Don’t prove to people that you can be a threat but that you are a smart individual that can really be an asset and most importantly is humble and works well in a team. I’m sure searching for a job has been a frustrating process but just take a deep breathe and try to understand that fit in a companies culture is just as important as having all the right qualifications. Hope that helps and Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I appreciate there being someone like you out there to answer my questions! I just interviewed for 4 positions with the same company in one week (all 4 positions were for same type of job but with different divisions). I felt like my interviews went really well. The day after my last interview, I received a call from the job recruiter asking me how I felt the interviews went and if there was a division I liked more than another after interviewing. She named two specific ones. She said she heard good feedback from my interviewers but, at this time, no decisions have been made. I was told to be patient and that offer letters would go out before the 1st of the year. Isn’t it standard to get a job offer right away? I thought I would get at least 1 job offer immediately out of the 4
Hi JoJo,
Nothing is unfortunately “standard” when it comes to recruitment. Different companies and different HR departments do different things. When it comes to offers thou people don’t understand that posting a job doesn’t necessarily mean that the company wants to hire someone right away. Maybe they are waiting for the net fiscal year (which doesn’t always have to start in January) when they have an actual budget to play around with. I always think it’s a good sign when the recruiter contacts you. It sounds like your recruiter was being honest with you and told you to be patient. They are not going to hire anyone until the beginning of the year so be patient and as you’re waiting make sure you keep applying to other jobs so you dont have all your eggs in one basket. Remember the recruiter heard good feedback so be happy with that because that’s great news to hear. Good Luck!!
Hi Dorothy,
I loved the article it was so informative. So I just applied at Citibank for a teller position 2 days later I got a call to set up a phone interview that following day. I think I did well during the phone interview and the lady, I believe the recruiter? told me I will hear back within 5-10 days. It’s been a day I haven’t heard back. How long does it usually take to hear back? Thanks your feedback will be really appreciated and I love how you care about all the comments and answer back right away!! Keep it up
Hi Celine,
In regards to your situation, I think you just need to be patient and make sure that you follow up with a thank you email. Just don’t simply thank them for seeing you but tell them that you are really interested and serious about becoming a bank teller. Possibly also highlight a skill or past experience that really qualifies you as a great candidate. Hope that helps and honestly just be patient 
Glad you loved the article. It’s obviously one of my most popular ones
Hi Dorothy,
Sorry I have one more question, how do I sent them a thank you letter if I cannot find the HR email anywhere?
Hi Celine,
Sometimes finding an email for HR can be very difficult especially when it comes to banks so that’s why it’s important to ask for one before, during or after your interview.
Thanks for answering my question Dorothy!
Hi Dorothy
I did a job with my employer on an assignment basis for over a year. They recently advertised it on a permanent basis and I applied and interviewed. I however did not get the job. They are now asking me to train the person who did which seems a bit unfair – should I do it or not, and why?
Thank you
Hi Emily,
I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t get the job you wanted. Well, you definitely have a decision to make. First, do you have a choice? Are you in the position to say no you will not train the new employee? I don’t think so. Unless you want to burn your bridge. So the employer pretty much told you that they don’t like you enough to hire you permanently. I would take this hint and look for another job. Keep in mind you will probably need a good reference from these folks so I would not act sour about not getting the job. Be the bigger person here and first of all ask for feedback even if you may not want to hear it. This feedback could help you land your next job. Second, train the new employee. It may sting a little at first but it will soon be over and hopefully you’ll have a new job to get to afterwards. Hope that helps and good luck!
Hi Dorothy,
i had 3 interviews but in all of them i got rejection. In first interview i got in MacDonald they call me for interview but i went for interview assistant manger came and she said store manager is not here . so on behalf of store manager she will take interview. i did my interview very well . she was asking normal Q about my previous experience. then at the end she will get back to me after 2 weeks.but after 2 weeks they did not back to me on third week they reply me unfortunately u r application is unsuccessful and we will hold u r application for 3 month if something will come we will contact u ..
and in second interview i got in supermarket where same thing happen i got interview .And assistance manger and liquor department manger took my interview. and interview was very well but i got rejection . i don’t why ? what u think is something wrong in my experience or these was fake interview …thanks waiting for u r reply .
Hi Reet,
You need to remember that customer services/front line roles like at MacDonalds, Liquor stores, and clothing stores can be difficult to get because the person who is conducting the interview receives a lot of applicants. They handle a lot of turn over and need people that can pick things up very quickly. They also hire people that they want to work with. Unfortunately, they feel that they can be as picky as they want because they know the type of person who will fit in with the rest of the team. The best way to get your foot in the door is with a referral. Do you know anyone who works at MacDonalds etc. where they can vouch for your hard work? Don’t give up and stay positive.
Hi I went for an interview with a company that has several customer service positions available, at least that what was told to me. I had a two person interview. Guess what… at the end of the interview they told me I had a good chance of getting one of the positions. A day later I then followed up, as learned throughout the years, with a thank you letter for the interview.
That evening the human resource rep called me and told me that she wanted to schedule me for a second interview. You know I was more than excited. Just thanking GOD finally I’m sure I landed a job after almost 2 years of being laid off.
Then the same human resource rep called me back about 1 1/2 hours later to advise me she had made a mistake, that they are still doing 1st interviews the rest of the week but I’m first on the list for a follow-up interview the following week. Well, I was kind of skeptical but by what she had mentioned that I was first on the list for a second interview the following week I was still happy.
Monday came, no call. Tuesday came, nothing. Therefore on Tuesday afternoon I decided to call human resource rep and advise them I was going out of town for the Christmas Holiday on Friday and I was checking with them reference if I had been scheduled for the second interview which was promised to me. I advised them I did not want to miss it.
She was very polite as usual and advised she understood and she was going to schedule the second interviews for after the holiday. I gave her a holiday greeting and end the call. I was still feeling good but feeling kinda of funny .
Within an hour I received an email from the same human resource rep saying the generic, I did not get the job spill due to choosing other candidates blah blah blah to check with their website to apply for blah blah blah..
Please advise me what was that about. Did I contact them too much. Was the thank you for the interview letter necessary. Should I just should have waited… I feel that I did something wrong..
Hi Feel Like Crying,
Just like in a break up sometimes it’s really not you it’s them. Recruiters are normal people too and can make mistakes. It sounds like the human resources rep made a mistake and never should have called you to schedule a second interview. Yes she called back and told you she made a mistake but telling you that you were the first person on the list for second interviews was wrong. They should not have handled the mistake like that. I don’t think you did anything wrong. I am sorry you didn’t the get the job and maybe after the holidays you can contact them again and ask them for feedback. Maybe you are doing something wrong during the interviews that’s making employers pass on you. I hope you have a great Christmas Holiday and start 2012 with a new refreshed and re-energized attitude toward your job search. Good Luck!
Here is my situation. I got interviewed by a company in the beginning of October. They told me I was a yes but they are still waiting on their budgets to finalize before any hiring can be done. I was told it should only take no more then 2 or 3 weeks but instead it took 2 months for the budget to finalize. The recruiter told me they obviously are still very interested in me and the lady that interviewed me has a lot her her plate so she assumes that any hiring won’t be done in till mid January. What should I take of this? Would it be a bad idea to call and ask if I’m guaranteed for the job?
Hi Debbie,
Yes it would be bad to call and ask them if you’re guaranteed the job. You are never guaranteed a job unless you have a signed offer letter. You can’t get an offer until they have a budget and are able to actually hire you, which they don’t and can’t until mid January. The only options you have is to wait and let them know that you are looking forward for an offer in mid January or apply to other jobs and move on. You never know if this will fall through and you end up with nothing. If you keep looking and move on then at least you may have other potential offers and if they do actually get their budget and do offer you the role it would be a pleasant surprise. The economy is tough and deciding to hire and securing a budget isn’t as easy. Hope that helps and good luck!
I am invited for interview at very good company. the partner himself is going to interview me. I used to work for their competitor and they are trying to recruit me back. Should i mention that during the interview? And i am also not comfortable with their branch management if i hired i will work under her. so i am bit confused that should this job suit me or not?
Hi UB,
I would not tell them that their competitor is trying to recruit you. You don’t even know if they want to hire you or not so don’t give them a reason not to. I would wait and see if you would in fact report to this branch manager that you don’t like. If you find out that you do than you can decide if this job is a good fit for you. It’s just an interview. Once you are presented with an offer is when you can really think of the pros and cons of working there or not. Hope that helps.
Hello,
I love your articles, they are so informative. I have a questions: back in November, I applied for a position at a hospital, and the recruiter keep me in mind for other positions and she keeps saying that I’m a strong candidate and that the hiring manager hopes to have a decision soon. Is that good news or bad, should I be bracing for a rejection letter? thanks so much
Hi Klott86,
I think telling you that you’re a strong candidate is a good thing but telling you that she will keep you in mind for other positions tells me that maybe you didn’t get the job. Have they checked your references?
Hi Dorothy:
Question:
Back on November 8, I interviewed with one of the big 4 accounting firms for an experienced hire position. I meet with 3 people there (a sr. manager, director, and the partner). The interviews went well as far as I can tell. Conversations flowed, finishing each others sentences, etc.
Around the 18th or 19th, I emailed the recruiter to reiterate my interest in the position and to ask if they had made any progress in filling it. The recruiter said that their internal procedures require them to run all candidates by a senior partner located in another office, and that person is out for two weeks.
That time came and went and so finally on Dec. 13, I emailed the partner to see if they had made any progress in the position. I also told him that if they really weren’t interested to please go ahead and tell me that, as it had been nearly a month since I interviewed. After I sent this email, the recruiter called me and said I am still under consideration but they are interviewing a couple more candidates that surfaced in the meantime, and those interviews can’t take place until the first week of January.
Thoughts here? If they don’t really want me, why the hell don’t they just say so? I can handle rejection…
Hi Scott,
This is a very common interview frustration. It sounds to me that they maybe looking at internal candidates. Most HR/Recruitment departments have an unwritten rule that pretty much states that they will not notify any candidate that they were not successful until the position is filled. I personally think that since it’s been almost 2 months since your interview and they have not contacted you with any updates means that you are not one of their top candidates. I would move on and concentrate on other interviews.
Hi Dorothy,
I had an interview recently at a large company for a moe senior level position. The HR recruiter contacted me via Linkedin. The position was posted 2 months ago. After I was interviewed by HR, I had a phone interview with the hiring manager and they set me up for an on site interview with the VP, etc. They did not asked me any difficult questions, and the last interview was with HR. The HR manager only explained the benefits etc (no behavior questions). I sent a thank you letter to each interviewer and Hals of them responded, and the hiring manager responded that I was the first one to be interviewed and that he would get back to me after the holidays. The company is closed between Christmas and January 3d and my interview date was December 20th. Could you please tell me what you think?
Hi Sara,
Maybe you felt that the questions were not difficult because you prepared properly. I’m not sure why you were the first one interviewed when the posting has been up for 2 months but either way it sounds like you should hear from someone this week.
My problem isn’t the interview my problem is getting my foot in the door, sometimes I get the job but the spotlight lasts one day. They should just hire robots better functionality that way, seems like even if you have no criminal record you feel like trolling one just to be noticed.
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you so much I greatly enjoyed your article. I just dont see the point for people not getting back you after a interview. Its been about 2 weeks since i interviewed with the company. I was sincerely interested in the position I was greatly upset that I didn’t get any e-mail about the position even after my follow-up thank you letter. I sent another e-mail to the woman who I phone screened with and the manager I interviewed with to see if the position was avaiable but I’m not going to hold my breathe after reading your article.
Hi Heather,
The best thing to do is to always ask the interviewer when you can expect to hear from them. This helps you at least move on rather than not taking your eyes off your cell phone. Following up with a thank you letter is important but you should not expect a reply back unless you asked a straight forward question. I hope you hear from someone soon and I really wish recruiters did a better job communicating with their candidates. Thanks for leaving your comment
Hi Dorothy
Just wanted to know what you think, I had an interview dec 20th for a nursing position on the 3-11 shift it was a part time 24hrs, in the interview i did tell them i have 12 yrs experience but i havent done that shift in a long time so i would need some training, she stated that they have a nurse that works 11-7 that wants to get off that shift and is thinking of taking there 3-11 position and if that shift would be a problem, i said no, because that happens to be the shift I’ve always worked, she seemed delighted to hear that, i answered her questions well but i didnt ask a question when she asked if i had a question because throughout the interview we conversated and i asked questions, did i screw up by not asking a question? 2 days later i called hr and thanked her for the opportunity to interview with the nurse director via message and asked her to call me at her convenience, well no call, so i called 1 week later and she said the position is still open i asked what shift is the opening for, she stated there trying to figure things out, but nothing is written in stone its dec 30th now no call yet, someone did come into the office in the middle of the interview and she said oops and gave the director papers, i smiled and said hello she smiled back, was this a tactic?
Hi Diana,
It sounds to me that they have an opening but they need to figure out what shift is available. They have a nurse that wants the 3-11, which would then open the 11-7 role. Once they figure this out they will hire someone pretty quickly but from my experience working with nurses and shifts is that this position may take a long time to fill. I would definitely keep following up with them because you don’t want them to forget about you. Maybe email all your interviewers and ask them for an update and at the same time you hope that they had a safe and wonderful holidays. Keep things light but stay persistent. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy.
I would like to know if I have a chance to get a job after I got a phone Interview. They were five people, everything was fine during the interview, and at the end the HR say “We will be taking a decision by Jan 15, we will let you know the result of the process” Is it normal that they take one month to give a positive response?. It was strange to me that they didn’t ask if I’d any question. Anyway. Thank you for your time.
Hi Jhon,
Sounds to me like they are going to interview more candidates and they took in account the holidays. I would be patient but make sure you follow up with thank you letters and maybe even ask them if they have any other questions for you at this time. Be Patient but persistent
Hi Dorothy,
I went on an in-person interview at the end of October at a company. I didn’t hear back for some time and pursued follow-up emails with the HR Recruiter. The HR Recruiter stated that there is some internal confusion about the position roles/responsibilities and would send my resume to the actual Hiring Director who owns the requisition. I met with him for about an hour and it seemed to go ok. I received feedback from the HR recruiter via email…”Mark is definitely interested and she was scheduling some time to speak w/ someone about your background. I am just waiting to hear back from him.
He thought your background was very good for a new project… but he needed to speak with this person first to get a few details.
he said the interview went well”.
Then I received an email the following week with a different message…”the team wants to interview additional candidates. They are not saying no to you but want to hold and continue to interview. they are not ready to make a decision..sorry”
It’s been several weeks…what is going on here? I appreciate your thoughts.
Hi Howard,
It sounds to me like the company keeps changing the actual job description because they don’t know what they want. They had internal confusion about the position/responsibilities and it sounds like they just gave up on the role. Now you came along (again) and they are interested in you and interested in hiring again. Since you were the first to be interviewed since the other role was scrapped they want to interview other candidates before they decide to hire you or not. The recruiter was being honest – they are not ready to make a decision. I would be patient and persistent as you have been but at the same time move on and apply to other roles because you never know how long it’s going to take them to finally make a decision. Hope that helps and good luck!
Dorothy,
I was wondering how to approach a prospective employer that you may have interviewed with in the past. I guess my question is “how do you stay in touch”?
Thanks,
Amber
Hi Amber,
Great question. I guess it would depend on how much time has passed since you last had contact with the employer. If you’ve made a connection with a recruiter or hiring manager it’s easy to stay in touch. Just be honest with them. Let them know that you are still looking for work and show them how you have improved since the last time you spoke with them i.e. completed a course, have more management experience etc. If you saw a role that you are interested in on their website let them know and ask them if they think you qualify or if they can give you more information on the role etc. Just be honest and keep the lines of communication open. Hope that helps.
Hi, I am a recent college graduate with degrees in marketing & management. Since May I have been trying to find a job (not much in my area). I have been turned down by every single company and retail store I have applied for – even a regular sales associate job. If I can even get an interview they all say I do not qualify. After reading your article I have realized I’ve had several fake interviews. Great article!
Hi Anna,
Remember to create a resume that is tailored for the specific job you are applying to. You’re trying not to look over qualified so adjust your resume to reflect the experience and skills that are relevant to the specific job. Glad you liked the article and thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Dorothy,
I’ve recently had my third interview for a great, and fairly specialized, position at a well known company. The first interview was over the phone, the second one was a week later to prove my foreign language ability (both of which went very well), and the third was an in-person interview with four members of senior management. It was a tough interview but I was very well prepared and had specific questions, indicating my interest and ‘having done my homework’. Some of the questions I was asked, however, were substantially above my expertise level and what was required for the job in the write-up, which left me somewhat concerned.
The last in-person interview was a few days before Christmas and I was told that the office would be closed until January 1st, and that I would be contacted in the first week of January with a follow up. The first week of January had just ended, and after sending a thoughtful thank you note a day after my last interview, I haven’t heard anything at all.
Given the above, should I assume that I don’t have the job? When would be a good time to follow up without being a nuisance?
Many thanks,
Lucy
Hi Lucy,
I wouldn’t be too worried that you didn’t hear from them last week. The first week back is always a bit crazy and I’m sure they had a lot to think about over the holidays. I think you will definitely hear something on Monday or the beginning of next next week. If I were you I would wait until Wednesday to follow up. Hope that helps.
I did a walk-in interview at a job fair with DSW today. The first interview was a group interview. Then he told 2 people including myself to stay and everyone else left. He told us that we would be going into a second interview. This one was a one on one interview. He told me how much money i would be making an hour. Then he said We will look at your background and if things are okay then your position would be sales associate. then he said “aren’t you happy?” Does that mean I definitely got the job/
Hi Nancy,
It definitely sounds promising. Did they mention how long it would take for the background check and when you should expect a written offer?
I have two interview situations and was wondering if this has happened to anyone else?
Situation 1: On Friday I had an interview at a High School for a Receptionist position. The interview ended up being a Panel interview with the Head Principal, Assistant Principal and the Athletic Director. The Head Principal was just “observing” the interview. So, the other two start asking me questions but I noticed right off the bat that they are not making eye contact with me and are just looking down at the questions they want to ask or looking at each other. I could understand if they were writing down my responses to their questions but they weren’t. I’ve never had this happen before. Anway, long story short I had a message on my machine by the time I had gotten home stating ” I had a good interview but they offered the position to someone else and she accepted it”.
Situation 2: I’ve interviewed four different times at the same company but I never get hired. It’s the same lady in HR that keeps scheduling me for interviews. Not sure what’s going on there.
Hi Anthony,
It sounds like situation #1 was a fake interview or they already decided on who they wanted. In re: to Situation #2 I think you need to talk to the HR lady and ask her for feedback. They obviously like your resume but something is going wrong during the interviews. My suggestion is to try to speak with the HR lady and let her know your frustrations and your goals so she can help you get hired. Hope that helps.
So today I went on my third interview for an administrative assistant position. My first was phone interview, the second was a face to face with the regional manager. At the end of the second interview I offered my references. I didnt think he was going to call them. However last Wednesday he called me and asked me to come in for another interview with other people in the office. The day after he emailed me my reference got a call from the HR person of the company. This brings me to today. I spent the morning going from a few different offices speaking with different people. It felt more to me like it was just a meet and greet and them getting a feel for my personality. Any thoughts? Also, do I send another thank you note after the 3rd interview? Thank you!
Hi Jessica,
I think that all the signs are very positive. The fact that they have checked your references and your last interview was more of a meet and greet all points to a possible job offer. Did you speak to your references? Can they provide you with any feedback from the reference check? In re: to sending another Thank you note the answer is yes. I would just make it short and sweet and let them know that you enjoyed meeting everyone and you can really see yourself working with such a great group of people. Did they tell you when you should expect to hear from them re: a possible offer?
My references said that the HR lady was very happy with their responses. When I came in the regional manager told me I should hear back from them in a day or two. Hopefully I get an offer! All of my interviews have been no less that an hour. Today’s interview was an hour and a half! I have absolutely no gauge of the salary though and I didnt want to bring it up because I know pulling the trigger too soon on that would be a bad thing. I’m afraid that if they offer me way less than I need that I’m going to have to pass.
Hi Jessica,
I’m glad you didn’t ask about the salary and if you do get a low offer hopefully you will be able to negotiate for something a little higher. Also, think about your career goal and think about how the new role aligns with your goal. Will you be getting experience in areas that will help you further your career? Can you see yourself working with this company for a few years or do you see opportunities opening for you because you worked for this company? There is a lot to think about, not just compensation, when deciding to take a new job. Just be patient and I’m sure you will hear something soon. Good Luck!
Hello Dorothy, I have just found this wounderful web site I thought that I was gong mad every interview I rang back on said I shouldn’t change my interview style. I’m 27 now and I have just plucked up the courage to start the interview waste ground looking for that one glint of pure gold.
I settled on the job I have at the moment because I kept getting fake interviews (reading everyone’s experiences has helped me realise what they were) I now find myself having to move or quit my job, it’s a high pressure job and I’m only getting payed minimum wage and expected to do 3 different jobs so I’m saying I’m not being manager and shift and team leader anymore.
So due to me not being in work till Friday I have managed to bag an informal interview at 2.00 tomorrow its through someone hearing im looking to move, the guy said they need one new kitchen staff and it’s casual work ( which is fine by me) the less pressure the better for the moment as I’m trying to become a teaching assistant.
My question is does this interview matter as I haven’t actually applied for the job or is it a test screen before the actual interviews? And what do I wear? As its for kitchen am I allowed to show some arm? As usually I keep them covered because of the cooking scars
Thanks for reading sacha x
Hi Sacha,
This interview absolutely matters! Informal interviews, especially for a casual job at a restaurant can definitely lead to a job offer. Not all interviews are conducted in offices where everyone is in a suit and tie. I would make sure that you wear something that you’re comfortable in but that’s not too casual. You can definitely wear a long sleeve shirt if that’s what you’re more comfortable in. Just make sure that whatever you choose to wear is clean and not wrinkled. Good Luck and make sure you smile and show that you are very friendly.
I’m curious about how much knowledge a recruiter actually has on a particular position. What gets me a little frustrated is that a recruiter will tell you one thing about a position when in actuality, the truth is something vastly different. Example: I interviewed for a position about a month ago through applying directly with the organization. I got reasonably good feedback and the manager asked for my references and begun to contact them over the holidays and over last week. This was confirmed by my references and also by the manager who emailed me at the end of last week to tell me of the progress. Well, the recruiter I was working with for other positions asked me about my other prospects and I told her about this same position. She said “oh that position was filled”. In fact that’s not true; I heard from the manager after talking with her and the position is still listed on the organization’s website. So I don’t understand why a recruiter will give unverified information and answer as if they know it to be true. I lose faith in the information someone has when this happens so I would appreciate some of your thoughts on this, as a person who is on the other side of the recruitment business.
Hi Kris,
There can definitely be a disconnect or miscommunication between a recruiter and hiring manager. Maybe the recruiter was told that the position was filled. Maybe the company just hasn’t updated their website to reflect the closed position. Maybe the hiring manager is thinking of you for another role or knows that they have two openings rather than just one. Maybe the recruiter just made a mistake and was thinking about a different role that might be closed. The point is I don’t see what the recruiter gains by lying to you about an opening. I would have just corrected her and informed her that you just heard from the manager and that the role is still in fact open. Did the hiring manager tell you when you should expect to find out if you got the job or not?
Hi Dorothy,
A fashion company has interviewed me 3 times for 3 different positions. On the 3rd one, the hiring manager told me that she knew that I was aware of the company based on the reccommendations of the previous hiring managers and personal friends of the company has told her. The interview was only supposed to be 20 minutes but it ended up being 1hr and 1/2 long introducing me to her team and answering questions about the particular position. I was always told to end with a good time to follow up on the position. So I’ve asked.. She said the following week, since she is going to wrap up some interviews that week and she’s also leaving for Christmas break and New Years. She will discuss the candidates with her boss and will let me know the following week. I’ve sent her a thank you e-note and a follow up questions e-note about the position. The Hiring manager contacted me 4 days later telling me it was great to meet me and all the questions I’ve asked her were great but she will discuss that during the training once the position starts; and she is also doing a few more interviews and hope to make a decision by the following week. I know that this company is slow in decision making. Was this a fake interview; or does that mean I don’t have the job; or probably she is really making this decision? Quite confused.
Hi Nicholas,
Stop over analyzing! Just calm down and from what you said it sounds like everything went well. It honestly sounds like the hiring manager liked you and the fact that she responded to your thank you email/follow up questions is a good thing. This does not sound like a fake interview at all. Just be patient and I’m sure you’ll from them soon. Did they ask for references?
I have given up on working for others and decided to be my own boss and its the best decision I have ever made.
The fact of the matter is, as scarce as jobs are right now, there is no excuse for poor etiquette. I am not saying the employer/hiring manager should contact every person who applied for a position. There’s not enough hours in the day for that.
But if you took time out of your day to meet with someone, you did the necessary followup and sent a thank you letter, and you still don’t hear back from the employer. I’m sorry, that is just crap. There is no excuse. I know this doesn’t apply to everyone but its more than most.
In the past I have even been called in just for them to say, well you don’t have the skills we are looking for. THEN WHY DID YOU CALL ME IN! The job lottery is a joke these days. I hope karma bites some people in the you know where.
Hi Scott,
I totally agree with you.
Hi Dorothy
I didn’t mean to cause any offense. My impression with recruiters has been that they have a specific job for someone in mind and will immediately discount other opportunities. The reality is that if a person goes directly and applies, they may have a chance. I get frustrated though because the recruiter claims one thing but the reality is another. Another example, I was interested in another position and a recruiter told me “well they wanted someone with XYZ”. I thought fair enough, but why not let’s apply and see what happens. Sure enough, they called for an interview so I just have trouble when a person doesn’t have any background in a subject and they immediately discount a person or a position because they feel that one side is below the other. I just wish recruiters would present candidates to hiring managers without any preconceived notion. I don’t claim to have a background in human resources so I’m not giving advice on that field. But neither do recruiters have background in a particular area. So they shouldn’t behave as if they do. My suggestion: (1) look at a resume (2) ask yourself, are there relevant skills for the job description given (3) if so, then forward along. There should be enough detail in both cases – the description and the resume where this should be fairly straightforward. (4) Don’t judge; the recruiter’s background is not generally that speciality so don’t pretend it is and take the decision making away from the people who can make them. I wouldn’t go to a car mechanic for brain surgery nor would I go to a surgeon to get my car fixed. My plea, let the expert do his/her job!
Hi Kris,
I was not offended and appreciate you leaving your comments. I just wanted you to think of other factors that might have been responsible for the recruiters response. I completely agree with you that hiring managers are experts in their industry/field. Saying that recruiters are experts in hiring and have knowledge of the job market. This partnership is very important and finding the perfect candidate takes more than just writing a job description. Over time the recruiter learns from the hiring manager and earns their trust to recruit the right person. This means that the recruiter understands the role and what the team needs. When this partnership works well the best candidates are screened and hired. Unfortunately, there are some bad recruiters who don’t work well with hiring managers/teams and don’t understand the open roles and therefore don’t forward on the right resumes for consideration. Following up with the hiring managers, if possible is a good idea and I wish you all the best in your job search.
Hi Dorothy, I would appreciate your comment on following.. I did my application around two weeks ago, week later I had call from company’s HR and had call interview about 15min. During interview she said my experience and education back ground is impressive and suitable for roll. She said she will organise second telephonic interview with hiring manager and other seniors within company… I was very happy and confident with discussion we had during first call. At the end of the call she said she will send me an email giving position descriptions and etc.. So now waiting starter I waited for 5 days no email from her, so rang her yesterday she apologies and said she was quite busy but she will send me an email right away so I didn’t ask many questions.. again I had waited for one whole day today is second day so far no email. Should I ring her back as I am too keen to work for the company as it I could see future growth. I don’t want to get her upset by calling so many times and also I don’t want to miss this chance.. I don’t have her email address so I could send her email so only phone call at this stage..
What would suggest in situation like this..
Hi Mahi,
I would wait one more day before you call her again. I think it’s strange that she hasn’t sent you an email but lets hope she does really soon. I would call her on Friday and make sure that you are very polite and if you have to leave a message make sure that you understand that she is busy and that you are looking forward to the next interview stage. Make sure that you also leave your email address with her. She may have misplaced your resume or something so make sure she has a way to contact you. Hope you hear from her soon. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciated your article! It was very insightful. I recently went on an interview, and I believed it went extremely well because the very next day, I got a call to fill out the in-house application and a form for the company to do a background check. I waited about 2 weeks after filling out the paperwork, and when I called, the recruiter told me that they had just finished up the interviews and I should hear something the following week. When that time had come and gone, I called again. I was told that if I didn’t hear anything by Thursday to give them another call. When I didn’t hear from them by the designated time, I called again, and at this point I realized that the recruiter really didn’t have any additional information to give me. They kept telling me that it was in the hiring manager’s hands and that after the interview, they have nothing to do with the hiring process at that point. I called the hiring manager that interviewed me and left a message. Unfortunately, she never called me back. After calling around, I found out that the position was filled. After reading your article, I’m beginning to think that this was a “fake” interview, but the reality is, people are looking for work. If the hiring manager already knows who they’re going to give the position to, they’re wasting the other people’s time and effort that they could’ve been using to search for a position that they could really get. Just as their time is important, the job seeker’s time is just as important. I sometimes feel as if the hiring managers forget this.
Hi Shalonda,
I think it is rude and not in the companies best interest to contact the candidates and let them know if they got the job or not but the fact is many employers don’t. What you need to do is not stop your job search just because you got invited to an interview. Some recruitment process can take just a few days and other can take months. It’s important to keep applying and going to interviews until you receive a job offer.
Hi,
A telecommunications company interviewed me 2 months ago. They arranged me travel/hotel etc and interview went well. End of the full day interview with multiple ppl from company, I asked the recruiter when would I expect the response. He told its going to take time and I don’t need to be panic, If I don’t hear back from them in a week or two.
I waited for 4 weeks and tried contacting the recruiter by phone, I was surprised to know that he left the company by then.
I don’t know, Whether I was selected (or) rejected. I tried contacting some one from HR and had to explain them the situation and politely asked them, is there any thing I should be doing at the moment. He simply said like, he has lot of other things to take care of and would return a call later. I have been waiting for that call still for almost a month now.
What should I be doing now ?
Hi mk,
This is why its very important to get more than one contact information. Did you pick up any of your interviewers business cards? If not, try LinkedIn. I would try to reach one of your interviewers as it seems that HR will not be getting back to you in a hurry. Keep in mind the original recruiter did say that filling the role will take time so all you need to do is make sure you talk to someone and make sure they don’t forget about you. Hope that helps and good luck!
Hello, I applied for a job on August 18 and over five weeks later on 9/26 I was contacted by the hiring manager who wanted to do a phone interview which she ask me what kind of salary I was looking for and I was laid off my job a few weeks before. Its different job hunting when your unemployed and I told her I rather not give her a figure and I didn’t want it to be a dealbreaker. I ended telling what I was making at my last job. Her response was she could go not go any higher. We talked for about 45 minutes and she then wanted to bring me in for an on-site and to meet the other managers which we did on October 3. I asked at the end what her timeline was for filling the position and she said right away. When I left she indicated she wanted me to come back for a second interview with the physician who runs the program and she would call me. I sent each of them a thank you letter and the next day she emailed me and asked me to send her my references so I did. Two weeks went by and I did not hear anything so I emailed her and asked if she had a chance to schedule the interview with her boss the doctor who runs the program. She emailed me back and said I am sorry can you send me your references again. So I did and another two weeks went by and she called me, apologized it took so long stating she really wants to get me in this job and the other managers where really impressed. She stated several times how much she wants to get me in this job. I was out of town that day and she left me a voice mail message that she was able to schedule an interview with her boss for that Monday. I had called her back to let her know that was fine. I had the interview, sent him a thank you letter and another four weeks passed. I got an email from her stating she appreciated my patience and that they were not able at this time to make me a viable offer due to salary restrictions. I sent her one email which apparently she did not get waited a few days and emailed her again and said if the only issue here is the salary, I felt we both spent time on the process and we reallly didn’t spend a lot of time discussing it and I felt it would be worth it for us to talk since I didn’t know what her budget restrictions are and what salary she could do she responded immediately and it was like 10pm at night saying let’s chat tomorrow which we did. She finally did give a figure she could do which is considerable less than what I was making, she told me she didn’t want to insult me and that she would love for me to come there and work with her. I told her I appreciate that but that she has a position she needs to fill, I need a job and I that I know I could make her life easier. Also I asked if she could through the ball in my court, get all the benefits information and let me look at total compensation. She said she would talk to her boss and get me in touch with someone in HR to answer my other questions. That was over five weeks ago and I have not heard anythhing from her. At this point I feel like the only thing left to do is to make me a firm offer but that hasn’t happened. I had two interviews this week for another job. I know I have to keep looking but do you think I should contact her again and see what is going on? She hasn’t really answered my questions when I contacted her the last time. It has been five weeks since her and I talked and part of me feels like the ball is in her court, if she means what she says the only thing that appears to be left is to make me a firm offer. Despite asking for my references three times, she has not contacted any of them. Do you think I should contact her and I am not sure what to say or just this go and move on?
I don’t know if I clicked the update button on my post above or not so I am doing it here. Sorry.
Dear Dorothy,
I applied for a sales position like 10 days ago at a hotel. I knew they had a vacancy through my friend who works there too and told me to apply. I heard back from them after 3 days and HR asked me for an interview. We set an interview the next day, which was thursday and it went okay , she said shed like me to mee with the sales director but he was at a meeting then. She called me back the same day and scheduled a meeting for the following day with the sales director. I went to that meeting on Friday and I thought that it went great. The sales interview sometimes turned into a conversation but was all work related. Before leaving, he said that he will tell the HR to call me. It’s Thursday now (4 working days have passed) and still haven’t heard back. Knowing that this is a vacancy, do u think that not hearing back already is a sign that I will most likely not hear back at all?
Thank you!
Hi Lara,
The sales director told you that HR will call you he didn’t tell you when so I wouldn’t be too worried right now. I would actually suggest you talk with your friend who already works there and see if they can find out any information. At this point I would make sure that you follow up with thank you notes. Is this vacancy posted or did you get the interview and knowledge about the job because of your friend? I only ask because if it’s not technically posted then the hotel might want to post it first before they are able to make a decision to hire. Hope that helps and good luck!
Dear All,
i just want to know what would you expect when technical round of interview was excellent but HR round was ok ok?
HR manager told me that they would follow up in next week.
What does it mean?
is there any chance for selection?
Regards,
Rakesh
Hi Rakesh,
Was the hiring manager present during the technical round? Technically it’s the hiring managers decision to hire or not so unless you really bombed the HR round I think you still have a chance. Make sure that you follow up with thank you notes and be patient. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy-
I applied online for a position and was called in for an interview one week later. During the day I was told that I would not only be meeting w/ the HR person but also the department manager and the purpose of this meeting would be to see how well we would work together. Upon completion of both interviews I wast told that the person I interviewed with first in HR would follow up. I later sent thank you emails to both and only received a response from the department manager a couple of evenings later indicating that it was a pleasure meeting me and that the HR coordinator would be in contact. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad sign?
Hi Val,
Most hiring managers do not respond to thank you notes so it’s nice that you got a response. The response isn’t telling you much but that the HR coordinator will get back to you. I would be patient and wait for their call. If you don’t hear from them by the end of next week then I would contact HR again. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy:
Came across this blog and know how it feels. I have over 30 years experience for the position for which I recently interviewed. The position was for a central billing director for hospital based physicians. Interviewed for 5 hours with 12 different people in one day. I thought it went well. Taught college, helped create a billing course at a college, free lance as a management consultant, and had many jobs over my career due to mainly economics, which many have referred to me as “seasoned”. I received an e-mail within one day, after I was told they’d get back to me in two to four weeks after receiving my reference letters. E-mail was automated from No Reply. It stated your application has Not Been Selected. Mind you they interviewed me after receiving my application. Isn’t that a bit cold? The next day HR sends me a letter stating I was not selected due to my inexperience. I believe it was a mock interview.
This was a hospital listed as one the 50th best in the nation according to AARP. Thei HR dept. needs improvement. BTW, I never met or spoke with anyone in HR. What are your thoughts?
Hi Anmari,
Unfortunately, experience alone won’t guarantee that you’ll get the job. I don’t think the email response or how quickly you received it was cold. Just be happy that you didn’t have to wait weeks or months for a response. In regards to not speaking with anyone in HR, I think if HR was involved your day would not have been filled with 5 hours of interviews. I have experience working in HR in a large hospital and I know that the recruitment process can be a little different. My suggestion is to just try to learn from the experience and move on.
hi dorothy,
i’m a graphic designer and i applied for a position at a small packaging company towards the end of last summer. i had an interview with the recruiter in late july, then another with the art director in early august. they both seemed to like me, and the art director loved my portfolio. he had told me he’d be contacting me to do a working interview (an hour where i sit in, design a logo, make a 3-d sample, etc – no sweat) the following week. the week went by, heard nothing, left a message, got an email back saying that they were “putting the brakes” on the position. he holidays come and go, then last week i received an email, this time saying there was an “open position” and that they’d remembered my resume and could i come in for an(other??) interview. i said yes i was interested, could i get details on the position (in case it was something different) – received the exact description of the previous position for which i’d applied. i went to the interview on tuesday of this week – this time it was the recruiter, the art director and the owner. they all seemed interested and impressed with how i matched up for their needs. the art director told me they’d call the next day about the working interview (here we go again). that was supposed to be yesterday. now it’s thursday – how long do i wait before i call them?
this is also not the first time i’ve gone through the rounds with this company. i had interviewed back in january of ’10 for a different position (not quite what i am trained for but worth a shot and a nice way to get to know the company). that was with the owner as well, who stopped me 2/3 of the way into the interview to inform me that he was “a happily married man, but what color are your eyes?” (i know, and it brought up a slew of questions on the spot) but i told him blue and then kept going like it never happened.
would love to hear your thoughts.
Hi Phoenix,
Sounds like a very unorganized bunch. They may not know what they want or since they are a small company are really nervous to have someone join their team. Do you have an idea about the salary or compensation? If they do offer you the job would you even take it? Are all these interviews worth it? Remember you should be interviewing the company as well. Is this a company that you want to work for?
Hi Dorthy,
Great Article. Your assessment is right on. I moved to the Washington DC Metro area and have had numerous “fake interviews”. One job had extended an offer and then the day before I started….retracted the offer after I quit my current job. The manager called me on Sunday to break the news. She stated she would call me on Monday, never did. I called back on Tuseday and all she said was: “We are fighting for you.” I called H.R. and no one returned my call. I finally made contact with the head of H.R. and she said they were retracting the offer because one of m references would not call them back. My old job policy is to refer references to the H.R. dept to verify title, start/end date. The dept manger will not call back to answer questions. So…. she said they could not evaluate my work performance is the reason. I got a bad feeling about the 1st interviewer…she was 45 minutes late, she seemed sad, and her questions were not relavant to the job. When the director came in the interview, the first lady left. When she came back she had a better attitude. I asked myself: If they treat me this way before I am an employee, what will happen once I am am hired? Do I really want to work for a company like that?
Hi Eugene,
That is awful! I can’t believe a company would do that to someone. Have you thought of taking any legal action? I obviously don’t know the terms of your offer letter but I just don’t think that not be able to reach all of you references is a good reason to retract a job offer. I agree and really believe that the candidate should be interviewing the company as well. People need to really consider if they want to work with a certain company or if they think they can work with a certain management style.
Thank you Dorothy,
No the job is not posted and the career section on their website cannot be found anywhere, which is very weird them being a 5 star hotel and all. I asked my friend and he said he will check with them but still heard nothing from him as well. Will wait a couple more days and check on the status of my application probably.
I interviewed at alarge hospital for a courier’s job last Thursday.I was interviewed by four people and learned that they wer interviewing me for a different job. The lady who walked me out toldd me that they were very impressed with me.Its been a week and I haven’t heard from them,What now?
Hi Kymberli,
First of all, I hope you asked for the job description on the role you interviewed for and asked them what happened to the actual job you applied for? Secondly, you should always ask when you should expect to hear from the company and who will contact you? This way you have a contact name for someone to follow up with if you don’t hear from them. I hope you also followed up after your interview with thank you notes and if it’s been a week then you should follow up with someone. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy, I enjoyed article, it provided a lot of insight to many questions that I had about the interviewing process.
I recently had a phone interview with a large corporation for a position I applied for last month. The position was posted on Dec 1st. I applied on Dec 4th. I got an email on Dec 14 requesting a phone interview. I interviewed via phone on Jan 4th. The recruiter said he would contact me “next week” (which is this week) for a second interview.
Today is Jan 12th and I haven’t heard back yet. I don’t know if I should keep waiting as this is a large corporation and I understanding that the recruiting process is slow for such companies. I don’t want to put other positions I am interested in, on hold, just because I’m “waiting” to see if they will call me back.
How do I know if I passed the phone interview? Or should I just assume that I didn’t pass the phone interview because I haven’t heard back yet. The job is still posted and on their career website, it still shows that my resume is still “under review”.
Thanks.
Hi Bea,
First of all you should NEVER put other positions on hold or stop your job search just because you are waiting to hear back from a company. Secondly, you need to be an active job seeker and don’t be afraid to contact the company. The larger the company the more interviews and the busier the recruiter is. Your job is to make sure that the recruiter does not forget about you so contact them and ask them for an update or ask them if they require anymore information from you.
Hello Dorothy,
This is an excellent article! I have had numerous Grammy award winning interviews that I was never called back, not even a letter declining that I was the perfect candidate for the executive assistant position.
I am listed with 72 different employment agencies, of which only 1 had placed me in a temp jobs for a few days with no feedback what so ever. I have had a well-known temporary agency tell me that I need to go to a lesser agencies because I was not recently separated from my last position, recently separated to them was within the first 90 days. I have all the skills and was qualified for the position that they advertised for but the recruiter was so rude she hung up the phone when I asked to come in and meet with them.
The other thing that I have run into with the employment agencies is to e-mail them weekly or bi-weekly with your status. I have done this every week for the past three years with them not responding at all. I decided to fax my resume to their office, just to find out that my contact person is no longer with them. Why can’t they give us job seekers some consideration by informing us that so and so is no longer with them but so and so will be your new contact.
The other thing that temporary agencies are doing is placing ads for positions that they really do not have, just need the person with those skills. They why not say so in your ad? Be kind to those of us actively seeking employment.
As far as business there is no courtesies give to the job seeker. They can have a form letter in the computer generate a letter/e-mail to the applicant.
Again this is a terric article!
Thanks Wendy. Recruiters love to complain about applicants and applicants love to complain about the recruiters and recruitment process. I think everyone just needs to be courteous and take their jobs (or job searches) seriously. Thanks for leaving a comment and glad you liked the article.
Thanks Dorothy,
First interview was taken by manager. And then separate second was taken by two person to whom under I suppose to work if successful.
And third back to back interview was taken by Hr head.
So both technical interview went good.
Let me know how I send thank you mail because I don’t have any person email apart from one hr guy but she didn’t took my interview. She send me the interview detail.
Could I send thanks letter to her. it has been already 3-4days.
Thanks
Hi Rakesh,
For future interviews make sure that you get the names and/or contact info of the people that interviewed you. This is a simple as responding to the email interview invitation and request the names and job titles of the people who are planned to interview you. You can also bring a pad of paper with you during the interview and during the interview right down the peoples names and later try to get their business cards to emails on their website. If you only have one contact email then I would send a thank you note and ask your contact to forward it on. You also always want to ask at the end of the interview when you should expect to hear from someone regarding a decision and who will be contacting you so you are able to learn who to follow up with. Hope this helps and good luck!
I am applying for an internal position with my company. Our policy is I have to inform my current manager that I applied for the position. I’ve been with this company for 20 years in various positions and in my most current position for 10 years. I have applied for 3 other internal positions over the last 10 years and my current manager talks to the interview managers about me before I get a chance to present myself. It is almost like she is interfering or trying to sway whether they choose me or not. Any advice on how to tell her to stay out of it and just let me interview?
Hi Lissa,
How do you know that your current manager talks to the interview managers? If you have some performance issues that you’re considered about most interview managers already find this out from HR. You should also try to be a more active applicant and network and try to meet and build relationships with future potential managers. This will hopefully pay off when you do apply for a new role as the interview manager will already know a little bit about you and won’t care what your current manager is saying. Hope that helps and good luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Great post! I applied for a government position and interviewed over the phone with the head of the department. She informed me that the process could take up to 6 months and that person will be hired after she makes a decision. After the interview, she requested a work sample, which I sent. I believe she was impressed because she sent me another email inquiring about additional skills. I responded to her question (that I have experience in those areas), but haven’t heard back – it’s been two weeks. Any advice on how to follow-up? Thanks!
Hi G,
Since it’s been two weeks I think it’s safe to follow-up again. Why not ask them about their interview process or ask them if they require anymore information from you at this point. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy
I have just had two rounds of interviews of which the last one was on friday. On Monday i emailed a thank you note and i got this response
Hi Sadaf
Many thanks for taking the time to come and meet us again on Friday.
Polly has been with a client all day today and I’m in London all day tomorrow, and we haven’t had a chance to discuss the candidates yet, and probably will not now until Wednesday.
So this is just an email to update you. You are still very much in the running but we ask you for a little more patience.
Kind regards,
Director
Is this a good sign
Hi Sadaf,
I’m not sure what the details of your thank you letter were but the response makes me think that you inquired about the timing of their decision. It’s best to always leave a simple thank you note. Less is more. I think you do need to be patient and follow up next week if you don’t hear from them. Good Luck!
Hi update I got the job the one from the informal interview but due to certain job aspects ( minimum wage and long hours) I declined as i already have a job like that only to find out 2days after that the interviewer had told his daughter and she told my boss where do I stand with this? if it impedes my progress with the company I’m with I know why. But from my perspective it was for me to let my employer know what I was dong and not her I feel very angry about this miss trust I thought interviews were confidential?
On another round I have been asked in for an interview with another company got told that I would have the first interview with the managers, second with the rest, then if all went well for me to come in for 2 hours to see if I like it and to see how I get on with the staff.
The only problem is he didn’t say where it was, his specific words were “i’ve looked at your cv and would be pleased if you could come in for an interview, it will be one of 3 this first one will be with the manager” etc. as you can see I got all excited about a low pressure job that I forgot to ask where so I know assumption is the mother of all ****ups and I don’t want to do this .
So by deduction “we would like you to come in for an interview” suggests to me it’s going to be at the work place? But if the front of the work place has customers constantly in it would I be wrong in turning up and walking in and letting the receptionist know I’m there for a interview? Or am I complicating it way to much.
Would it be ok for me to ring said place to double check I have the right address? But not leave my name? Or leave my name so they know I always double check before doing something
I’m freaking out right now as you can probably tell the position I’m going for is front of house meet and greet, help people choose what’s right for them to buy, support the optometrist with control of young children reduce stressful environments, I know I can do all of this and still walk out after work with no worry or fretting over stock control or a kitchen member poisoning someone. I really need this help thanks for reading this dreadful stress rant
Sach x
Hi Sacha,
You must have realized that there would be a chance that your boss would find out that you interviewed for another job if there was such a close connection – currently working with the daughter of the interviewer. In regards to where you’re interview is being held, I’m sure the interview is at the workplace and if they wanted you to go anywhere else to meet they would have mentioned it on the phone. So go to the place where you either handed in your resume or to the address you listed on your cover letter. Good Luck and make sure you prepare well so you won’t be so nervous
Hi Dorothy,
I was happy to come across your site and would love your take on my situation. Last month I applied for 2 similar jobs at the same company. I was contacted by the recruiter for Job A & had a phone interview. I was then set up for an in-person interview with 2 hiring mgrs, which I thought went really well, but alas I was not offered the job. I was never even contacted about Job B and only received an email stating the position had been filled. I started to move on looking for other positions and then unexpectedly, several weeks later, received an email from the recruiter for Job B. This recruiter told me that yes the original posting (JobB) was filled, but now it turns out they have another opening in that group (Job C) and that one of the hiring mgrs from Job A that I interviewed for, wrote a really nice recommendation for me and requested that this other hiring mgr meet with me about this open position. The recruiter mentioned that they were trying to do this process without opening a new job and going through the whole process from scratch. She asked if I could come in the next day and meet with the hiring mgr, which I did. The meeting went well I thought, but this mgr was much more casual then the others I had originally met with for the other role, so it was a little harder to judge how well you do when things are more casual. The hiring mgr said he would like me to come back in for a 2nd interview with the VP and I said I would be happy to. He also asked when I would be able to start work with them which I told him I would only need 1 week to get my personal affairs in order, since I am not currently working. I am upset with myself that I did not ask him when he thought that 2nd interview would take place though. I did ask how quickly they are looking to hire and he said in the next few wks. I did send a thank you email later in the afternoon on Friday letting him know I am very interested in the position and looking forward to hearing from him regarding next steps. I did not get a response to this email. My interview with him was on Friday afternoon and I know they were closed for MLK day on Monday. My question is should I email the hiring mgr again to follow up as to when he expects the 2nd interview to occur, and how long should I wait to send this follow up email? He told me if I have any questions I can reach out to him. I don’t want to pester him but I am very anxious and would really love to land this job!
Hi Jim,
I would suggest you contact the hiring manager on Wednesday. Make sure you ask him a direct question so he needs to respond such as – Do you think the 2nd interview with the VP will be scheduled sometime this week or next? You just want the ball in his court so he needs to respond. Good luck and you’re not pestering him you’re being persistant
Hi Dorothy
First i would like to thank you for replying to my previous post.
This is the thank-you note i sent. I love the content on your site, it’s so helpful. I have read word for word every paragraph and enjoy reading your response and how you read the situation. I am just following up from the last message and would like to give you a more in depth account of the situation. Below is the Thank-you
Hi Mackenzie
I wanted to thank you again for taking the time out on Friday to review my suitability and discuss the job in further detail . Based on our discussion, I am more sure than ever that TL Dallas is the place where I want to grow my career. It really does seem like great things are in store for yourselves, and I would certainly be honored if I were chosen to be part of them.
Have a great day and hope to speak with you soon
Kind Regards
They asked me for references at the end of the 1st interview and on the second interview they informed me at the end that there are 3 more candidates they are interviewing and will let us know very soon about what they have decided because even they thought they were lingering now. the first interview was before Christmas.
Hi Sadaf,
You’re thank you note looks great. I would then just be patient and not read into the reply too much. I would give it a few days before thinking of following up again.
I had to 2 past interviews both interviews went well my first one I am starting to feel like it’s fake but maybe you can help. I met with the program manager who is starting this new position, basically the ideal canidate will be the middle man…when we sat down he ask me if I knew anything about the company and he was shocked he sad I knew more than he did…he glanced at my resume and began asking me more questions on how I will handle this situation and that during the interview he even stopeped to say how well it was going. He also stated that they didnt need anyone with experience but they offering training…so he told me that he couldnt choose me even though he liked me but I will interview with a co-worker from ACS…he told he had 12 more interviews and I was the 2nd one. the next day I did my follow up he responded right back and said I would move on 2 the next round…A few days passed and I didnt hear from him. I emailed and told him I had some appointments and if he knew the date of my 2nd interview he said to give him the dates and he will get back to me a week passed and I email him again and he emailed me back stating i can return for the 2nd interview this friday. Do you think he is serious about me or is this a waste of my time..i feel in the beginning he responses were quick but I felt like I had to chase him to know whats going on and I dont want to experiece a fake interview.
So the 2nd interview is for another place this place was referred for me through a friend. It was the director and the supervisor who interviewed me and they asked me alooottttt of questions about my skills and how I would handle sitautions. Alot of my answers they smiled and nodded! I asked her when they would know anything and she said that they wouldnt know for 2 weeks. She also said they have to call references so I told her I had my references at hand and she said they she would take them. My friend (who works there) called me and told me they loved me and that I was the first person they interviewed and they are looking for 2 people to fill the position…So even though I feel like this is a go do you think I go it or they just interviewed me because my friend who work there asked me
Hi Sharee,
I’m not sure if your two comments are talking about the same company or two separate interviews at different companies. In any case it sounds like your 2nd interview through your friend went well. Don’t over analyze it. Even if they did just interview you because your friend referred you the end result was that they loved you. Since they have 2 positions to fill it sounds like you have a good chance of filling one of the roles.
Hi great article, now, can I have a job please?
Hi Michael,
Glad you enjoyed the article. You can increase your odds of getting a job when you have a well written resume and cover letter and prepare for the interview. Networking is a great way to open some doors for you as well. Good Luck!
You were right about this, they called me to meet the GM and he said that I am one of their favorite candidates and to expect a call in 2 days. Was worth the wait (y)
Love ur page
That’s great Lara h and make sure you send a thank you note and get your references ready
Hi Dorothy
I managed to get the job. Should Be starting in February.
Thank you for your support.
Congratulations Sadaf Khan!! Make sure you have a written offer before you stop your job search.
Hi Dorothy! I was so glad I came across your website. I desperately need your advice. I had a job interview with the big company on Fri, Jan 7, which I got through the recruiter company. The recruiter was rushing me for the first interview even dough I was sick. It went well; the Manager apologized for the absence of one of the Senior Advisers and promised that adviser will call me back next week for the phone interview. Next Fri, Jan 13, adviser called me back and left a message that he want a chat and we ring me on Mon, which never happened. All this time recruiter was saying that the first interview went very well and I’m the #1 candidate for the position. I called her today again and she sounded absent – She said she doesn’t know what is going on and suggested to wait. So should I put my hope back again and start look for another job?
Hi Kate,
You should NEVER stop your job search just because you had one good interview. Looks like you are following up well and if the recruiter tells you to be patient because they are not sure what’s going on with the process then I suggest you just be patient. Definitely apply for other roles. Hope that helps.
Sorry if I wasnt clear….they were 2 different companies. but i feel better the fact that you stated that everything went well and not to over analyze because I tend to do that!
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for suggestion..
just one quick question. if company find good candidate for job in second or third interview then will they stop interviewing further candidate or continuing with more candidate to find excellent?
Hi Rakesh,
Most companies want to interview at least 3-4 candidates and even if they think they found the “one” they will either finish the already scheduled interviews or want to make sure that they are the “one” by interviewing a few more people. Hope that helps.
I just went through a phone interview for a part-time position. They want me to come in for a face-to-face interview. Is that a good sign? How likely is it that they will hire me? If you have any tips for me I’d very much appreciate them. Thank you.
Hi Fake Name,
Yes, passing the phone interview and being invited to a face-to-face interview is a good sign. Here are 10 tips for you.
Hi Dorothy,
I am writing to ask your advice. I applied for a job and got an interview. I was really good on the first round and I continued on the second as well. The HR was following up with me every week giving updates. He said that the position was on hold and he will have an update in a few days. I sent him an e-mail and he didn;t answer so I waited 2 more days and sent him another one(and still he didn’t answer) So I contact a friend from the company asking him if the position was filled and she said no…so I told her that I was in touch with the HR person but I haven’t heard back from him yet. I decided to call the HR and he said “as you might already know from your friend there have been some updates, I will give you an update until 12.00pm the latest” and he never did. What should I do? Did I do something wrong? He seemed annoyed..but honestly I don’t understand why. And if the answer is no why he isn;t just telling me?
Hi Eleni,
It sounds to me that you should have been more patient and your friend might have said something to the HR person to make him annoyed. Remember you don’t want to come across as annoying and if they said the role was put on hold then they will update you if and when there is something to update you with. I think the only thing you did wrong was not being patient enough and I also think your friend didn’t help. There is nothing to do now. You have annoyed the HR person so just let some time pass before you contact them again.
Happy friday Dorothy!
ok so I had my 2nd interview,( this is for a seperate place not where my friend referred me). Im feeling very uneasy about it….in the beginning it started off well he asked me normal interview questions then the interview flip flopped. So the interviewer who is a program director came and got me out of the waiting room and he said I remember you,this a good thing this means they like you
So we he began asking do I remember the description and i sad i yes and went over what I was told and then he said were you told about another position and I said no. He said ok well im gonna be upfront with you still let me know if your interested. So he basically told me that he reached out to outside canidates for the orginal postion that i was interviewed for however he said we are obligated to hire/interview internally so we still interview internal candidates and outside canidates as well…we want someone to have experience being this is a new created position and I said thats strange you said that because my first interview he said i didnt need as much experience and that I would be trained he said Im glad you brought that up becasue the person that also interviewed for this new postion is internal so if she takes it you will be offered her old position(if i am chosen)in my mind I am like wtf…where is this coming from like why wasnt I thouroughly explained too..i felt he was but wasnt being real….he said it is out of his hands to choose me because HR makes the final decision event though he likes me they do the final yes….he also said this was an interivew but he still also me with me as a courtesy because of the other position that ‘may’ be opening up….So what do you think about this interview was it a fake ? It was also a fast interview but not rushed, we stay on the topic and the interview lasted for about 30-35 minutes.
Imean they could of responded to the email and said the position is closed than to waste my time and have me come out in the freezing cold lol… he also said at the end of the interview you are in the run in because you are in 2 nd round . you should hear from HR in 2 weeks…
So what do you think?
sorry for the typos….
Hi Sharee,
It sounded like a fake interview. The program director pretty much told you that the job will be offered to an internal candidate (unless they don’t take it) and then that persons job will have to be posted and then you will have to apply like everyone else but they like you and hope you get it. The decision is out of his hands and HR makes the final decision. That’s weird but maybe they have a very strict policy on newly created roles and internal promotions or something. Either way I don’t think you’ll get the job but they want you to stay positive because they did like you and by the time they post the other job they don’t want you to go off and get yourself another job, which is what I think you should do. Go and apply to other roles and if you are interested in this other position the apply and start the whole process over again. Don’t feel discouraged and stay polite because you never know in a few months from now you might actually have a chance of getting hired by this company. It’s just too bad they like dangling the carrot infront of you until they are ready. Be patient and good luck!
Dear Dorothy,
First off, thank you kindly for writing this very helpful column. Your feedback is much appreciated- you’re providing such a valuable service.
About three weeks ago I applied for a fairly senior position at a small nonprofit organization. I knew I wasn’t a strong candidate for this particular skill set, but wanted to give it a try anyway because I had very relevant field experience within the scope of the nonprofit’s operations (international development in Africa and Central America). A couple days after I applied, the executive director of the organization wrote me directly and said he reviewed my resume and didn’t think I was a good fit for the position I applied for, however he let me know about another position that was going up that day that I might find of interest due to my background and education. He included the write-up in his email, which wound up being very exciting- my background and education were a perfect match with the position and what it required. Suffice to say, I was elated over this new and highly relevant opportunity.
I happily told the ED that I was very interested and would be applying shortly, which I did two days later. He wrote me back and told me to send him my resume and cover letter directly as opposed to through the general jobs email. I was thrilled and took this as a very good sign.
At this point it has been two+ weeks since I applied for the job (the application deadline is at the end of this month), but yesterday -to my utter horror- I found an error on the second page of my resume. Instead of the word “platform”, another similiar sounding word was in my resume (I’m assuming auto-correct changed it during copy/pasting, with a letter possibly and accidentally being dropped). Despite reading my resume many times and having a friend go over it as well, the error still managed to sneak through to the final version, right under my volunteer experience section.
I’m feeling very distraught and don’t know what to do. I know I’m a strong candidate and very qualified for this particular position, but the fact that I overlooked this error on my resume could cause my resume to be tossed. Should I let it go and stay quiet, hoping that my experience will speak for itself, or should I drop the ED (who I already had some contact with) a quick note and own up to the error?
Thank you so much for your advice.
LJ
I got interviewed over the phone by a recruiter(Wednesday). He said that I would be contacted for a second phone interview in 2 or 3 days(Friday or Saturday). I never got the call. Should I call them back??(Today is Monday)
Hi Martin,
Yes I would contact the recruiter and let them know that you are available for that second phone interview. Good Luck!
I applied for a position online in late December and less than a week letter was called to schedule an interview. I went in on Dec. 29th and interviewed with HR, two managers, and a staff member I would be working with. It went really well and the next morning I was sent an email by HR to schedule a follow up interview with the Controller and Accounting Director of the company after the holidays-Jan. 9. Again, I feel that the interview went great and lasted longer than the allocated time. The Controller told me they would get back to me by the 20th once everyone was back from the holiday and they had discussed the candidates for the two openings. It is now the 23rd and I haven’t heard back-what should I do? I’m really interested in the position and want to contact HR for an update but don’t want to seem pushy especially if it was a “fake” interview.
Hi Ali,
I would contact HR right away. You’re not going to seem pushy since you were told that you should here back from someone by the 20th. Just remember to be polite, professional and confident. Good Luck!
Dear Dorothy,
I am a student who recently applied for a job at Tim Hortons. I went to an open house type interview for that job and it went pretty well. A few days later I got called back to go to a meeting for the job. At first I thought it was an interview, but when I was there, I realized it was a meeting for everyone that got hired. They briefed us about everything and how the job works and etc. At the end, there was a small quiz to see if we understood well what they explained. I filled it all, but I am not sure I had it perfect. They said they would call us back to schedule the training before we start our job, but they haven’t called me back yet. They also said that if we get too many errors in the quiz they might call us to say we won’t get the job. I am a bit stressed out since this is going to be my first job and I need it since I only have volunteering work on my resume. The open house interview was on Sunday, the meeting was on Thursday and we are now Monday (All in chronological order). So maybe I am just too stressed and its normal that I didn’t get called back yet. Anyways the real job starts at the end of February since the building isn’t completely built yet.
Should I be worrying or is it normal?
Thanks,
Jean-Sebastien
Hi Jean-Sebastien,
Have you heard from anyone yet? If not do you have a contact from Tim Horton’s who you can get in touch with? It sounds like they will contact you either way; to tell you about the training session or to tell you that you failed the quiz and will not be hired. As you said the job does not start until February and I’m sure they have a lot of quiz’s to mark so be patient. If you feel that you may have failed or did poorly on the quiz make sure that you continue to apply to other jobs and don’t just rely on this job to come through because there is always a chance that it might now. Try to learn from this experience as you interview for other jobs. Good Luck and I hope you hear from someone soon.
Hi
I would like some advice. I had a telephone interview with HR. Then he forwarded my resume on to the manager and I got through to the interview stage. I was told there would be 2 1 hour interviews (if I was successful after the first interview) Interview 1 would be HR and a lady, interview 2 would be HR and overall manager. I arrived for the interview to find the overall manager and HR. When I went in I got told that something had come up and the lady could not turn up so the interviews had been switched around. After the interview I did not get asked for references. Then next morning he called asking for my references and explained the lady could not attend as her child was in hospital but she would like to call me. I got told she would call in next few days and the decision would be made on Friday. Friday came and I did not hear from the lady, or HR. I left a msg and he returned my call to say the decision could not be made until Wednesday. HR said he started to contact my references. I got a call from the lady on Monday and she said HR should finalise everything in a day or two. HR called me that afternoon to say ‘for reasons he can’t disclose’ a job offer can not be made until Wednesday. Now I am wondering if this is because paperwork needs to be sorted or whether they have offered the position to someone else?
Hi Clare,
You maybe right that an offer can’t go out because paperwork needs to be sorted or they may have offered it to someone else and they are waiting for their response. Either way you need to be patient. Have you spoken to your references? Did you get any feedback from your references? Hope you hear from someone soon and that you are interviewing or at least applying to other jobs just incase you don’t get this one. Good Luck!
I interviewed with the CEO and COO of a start-up in late Nov. An interview scheduled for two hours went four (whew!). A week later I exchanged emails with the CEO, who complimented me and said what a breath of fresh air I was compared to other applicants. A week or two later I supplied references to the COO. A couple weeks after that the CEO said if things panned out with the references they’d hire me. They have NOT called the references, are ignoring occasional emails and calls, and all I’m hearing now are crickets. Weird.
Hi Keith,
Start ups and small companies can be weird when it comes to their recruitment process. Did you find out when they were looking to fill the role? Maybe they don’t need it filled for a few months so they are not in a rush. I’m sure you left enough messages and there is nothing you can do at this point but wait. Be patient and make sure you apply to other jobs just incase this one doesn’t come through. Hope you hear from them soon.
Dorothy,
I applied for a assistant manager position with a company and went through the interview process with the manager and then her boss who came from up north just to do interviews. I then was asked to do a shadow interview, well after that they hired another lady. She didn’t work out and quit a month later, they told me that they wanted me in a upper position of management that was going to come open just didn’t know when. So after the girl quit, I called them back and told them i was still interested, i was then asked to do another 2 days of shadow interviewing to make sure this is what I wanted and that as soon as the other management position came available i would be able to move up. What does this mean? Are they just giving me the run around? I am not going to give them another chance if not hired this time around.
Hi Confused,
I would make sure that you apply to other jobs incase you don’t get offered this one.
It sounds like they are not sure about you. They are not 100% convinced that you’re “the one” and I’m sure they are interviewing other candidates to see if they can find anyone better. I don’t like that they are promising you a job as soon as another position is available when clearly there is a current vacancy that you have interviewed for. Very frustrating
hi Dorothy,
i applied for an apprenticeship for a stonemason company and when i went for the interview i was the only one with practical experience in stone masonry as im attending college for it.i had to do a practical session in the interview as well to show what we can do.my face to face interview went really well and i felt like i had a good chance of getting it.so i was really surprised when i never got it and when i phoned for feedback i was told my interview was perfect and that my practical was the best by far and that i shouldn’t change a thing i did but i came second ? i believe that whoever got the job has family in the company so therefor they were already chosen before the interviews started.is there any kind of law for hiring family even if someone is more qualified and suited for that position because the time and effort i put into getting the job was all for nothing for as i had no chance when i should have clearly got the position.i even spoke with one of there employees who was doing the practical session during the interview and he was surprised i never got it either. what are your thought please? xx
Hi Calum,
Unfortunately nepotism happens and unless you want to sue the company and try to prove that you are the better qualified candidate there is nothing you can do. At least you know that you did really well and hopefully this company will think of you for future positions or will pass you on to another company that may have an opening. Don’t burn any bridges and use this experience as a learning experience. Sorry you didn’t get the job.
Hey Dorthy, I am applying for a government job where a friend of mine is currently employed. When you apply for a government job generally you would have to go through the government website with your application going to a generic pile. My friend asked the hiring manager if there are any open positions for me. The manager told my friend to email my resume and cover letter which I promptly did one day later . I have not heard back from my first email. I wanted to ask how to follow up once it gets to about a week of waiting.
Thank you for all the help.
Hi David,
I would as your friend for the hiring managers email or phone number and try to get in touch with them. I hope you have a fantastic resume especially since you weren’t really applying to anything. I’m sure if they liked your resume they would have contacted you. I would just keep an eye out on their website and apply to the jobs that you are interested in. Also you can ask your friend to speak to the hiring manager and ask them what they thought of your resume. Hope that helps.
I have been selected as the final candidate for two positions in the last six months. The first, it was down to two of us and the other candidate I was told was on vacation and then come to find out her had “jury duty” and couldn’t go for his second interview for almost two weeks after I had my second interview. I left the second interview thinking I did a horrible job and then found out I had to wait and additional two weeks for an answer. As suspected, I was not selected. I was told I had great references, for what that’s worth. Two weeks ago I received an email for job I applied for and really never gave it much thought after I sent out the letter and resume. We had our first telephone interview after which I was told to expect a call from their consultant. After several days of not hearing from the consultant, I contacted the E.D. by phone and email. Days go by and I then see the E.D.’s job advertised on line! I panic a bit and after yet another call I finally hear back from the E.D. She leaves me a message with the consultant’s phone number and I call the consultant immediately. That interview went well because she said she would dlet the E.D. know that we talked and that she would recommed a personal interview. After another round of days gone by, I called the E.D. and left another message. I finally get a personal interview on the day they planned to make the final decision. As your article stated, I was not asked for references and I finally called on Tuesday to find out from the person who answered the phone that they did hire someone and she met her today. I left a phone message for the E.D. that I was sorry it did not work out, but I wished her success in meeting their membership goals in 2012. Also, in the middle of all of this unorganized communicaiton. I guess my questions are, should I ask why I didn’t get this job? The E.D. seemed so concerned with my extensive marketing background and experience. If this ws a concern andshe may feel I am over qualified, why did she select my resume out of the pile and ask for an interview? It’s all very confusing!!! I would love feedback from these interviews so I can correct anything that I may be doing wrong. Thanks for letting me vent, if nothing else.
Hi Marie,
I’m sorry that you did not get the job and yes I would ask for feedback. Not many employers provide honest feedback but if you’re hunch is that you were overqualified then I”m sure that was the reason. A resume is a good indicator whether a person is qualified or not but the best indicator is an interview. Your resume got chosen from the pile because it met all the requirements for the job. Only After speaking with someone and learning more about their background can you be sure if they are actually qualified for the job. I’m sorry and I wish you all the best in your future interviews.
BAFFLED
I am a 34 year old male and was made redundant a year ago from a procurement manager role. I have attended several interviews since, some I didn’t get because I know I didn’t perform well whereas most I was so sure I got the job that I started planning my first day at work; only to be told that “the now typical line” they are confident that I am capable of doing the job but someone else matched the criteria closely. This has happened on at least 6 occasions. Once I was actually offered a job (verbally), the company got my references then it all went quiet, When I chased I was told they will get back to me as they need to sort out some paperwork. Weeks went by with no news so I chased again and was told to keep waiting as they are still keen on me, then further weeks went by again by this time about 3 months since the verbal offer so I chased again and was told to stop calling, someone will get back to me. It’s now been 7 months and and I’ve given up on it. I found this very annoying and unprofessional, especially not being told what the delay was due to. I have been in procurement for over 10 years and am smart, presentable and knowledgable, however I seem to come close every time but not close enough. On the the other hand I don’t even get phone calls, let alone interviews for basic office roles as I am deemed over experienced and qualified. Great rticle.
Hi Mark French,
Maybe your background checks are hindering your job offers. Think about hiring a company to check your references. When your job searching it can seem very frustrating at times but you need to stay confident. Also, when you know you are applying to jobs that you are overqualified for you need to adjust your resume so it doesn’t highlight any accomplishments that aren’t relevant for the specific job. I hope that helps and I wish you all the best!
hey dorothy,
soooooo I have another 2nd interview with the place my friend referred me to….I just feel a little overwhelmed due to that “fake’” interview. I know this isnt a fake interview but I am so ready to work that these intrviews are making me numb! What is the true point of a 2nd interview? What should I expect ?( btw I am meeting with a different manager at a different location).
Hi Sharee,
All 2nd interviews are not the same so I can’t tell you what to expect unless I worked in that HR department. If you’re meeting with a different manager then I would get ready for some of the same questions that you were asked in the first interview. Just take a deep breath and remember that you have been interviewed before and none of the questions they ask should be new to you so relax and be yourself – confident, knowledgable about the job/company and enthusiastic about the role. Good Luck!!!!
I want to ask your opinion on this job interview yesterday. It was at a check place. well I was first interviewed by an assistant manager, and felt pretty good about the interview, well I received a call about an hour later wanting me to come back in and interview for the manager, wellll she ask me a scenerio question and I answered correctly but she added more stuff. well she then ask me about my prior jobs which were totally different from the job I was applying then ask if I had any questions which I did not because the assistant manager had throughly went over them, so she said she had ask the assistant manager about what he had ask me so then she said she was looking at other applications as well and that if I didnt hear anything by tuesday she had went with another applicant. which from my experience this means a big kiss off. Is it standard for them to say they are reviewing applications or is this standard for you are not getting the job. I cannot figure out what in the world I am doing wrong to bomb so many interviews. Please tell me what you think.
Thanks, Cathy
Hi Cathy,
It is standard for employers to say that they are reviewing other applicants because that’s exactly what they are doing. They need to find the right person for the job and that doesn’t just mean what’s on someones resume. You have to remember that employers are looking at you and trying to decide if they want to sit or stand beside you for 8 hours a day. Will you get a long with the rest of the team? Do you really want the job or just a paycheque and you’ll quit the minute you find a better opportunity. The only thing you can do is make sure that you interview well. Research the company, understand the role, try to learn about the company’s culture and then just be yourself – enthusiastic, confident and friendly. Also, if you’re over qualified for a role make sure that you don’t highlight all your accomplishments or at least the ones that are not relevant for the specific job. Hope that helps and good luck!!
Hi Dorothy!
You seem very knowledgeable so I wanted to ask your opinion on my current job situation. A few weeks ago I had a phone interview with a bank that went very well. I origionally applied for a position and during my phone interview with the HR she told me that I would be qualified for an even better position that paid more. I was thrilled. She sent me some information about the banks benifits and dress code and said that she would get back to me about a face to face interview. A week or so passed and I hadn’t heard anything from her so I called and left her a message on her voicemail. The next day I recieved a call from her and she told me that the bank had run into some issues with the position which is why I hadn’t heard back. She then set me up on am interview with the branch managers. I thought that went very well also! They had told me that they still had a few more interviews to go through and that they would be in touch. More time passed and I never heard anything so I called the branch manager to inquire if the position had been filled. I was informed by the manager that interviewed me that she doesent have anything to do with the hiring process (even though she is the one who talked with me) and to contact the HR lady that had initially set me up with the interview in the first place. I then called the HR lady and she told me that the position had not been filled yet because of more problems with the position. Now that you have the background my question is am I just getting the run around at this point? It seems that I have had to fight my way through this whole process and cant seem to get a straight answer from anyone. Could this have been a “fake interview”? Should I give up on this one and move on? Thank you for any answers you can give!
Hi LO,
Very strange and yes this could have been a fake interview. What ever happened to the original position that you applied to? I think the HR Lady maybe giving you the run around and at this point I would definitely apply to other positions and not hold your breathe for this one. Good Luck!
Dorothy, you’re amazing. And wonderful for giving everyone honest answers when others won’t!
I was solicited for an interview in another city, flown out, interviewed, and told that everything would “move quickly.” My references told me they were each emailed by the recruiter who said, “We’re very interested in hiring Kevin. Could you fill this out, etc.”
2 weeks later, I emailed to check on the status and she responded that they’re still “figuring things out” but that I should have an answer soon.
2 weeks after that, I emailed her again. I have not heard back. Obviously a move is a huge deal and I’ve been waiting a month+ for a straight answer. Should I email again?
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for leaving a comment and it sounds to me that the company may have moved quickly with someone else. They are either waiting for them to accept or for them to return the signed job offer before they tell you that the position is filled. I really hope that I’m wrong but if I’m not make sure that you ask for a reason why you weren’t chosen so you can better prepare yourself for future interviews. It is funny how excited we get when we are flown out and interviewed and how that makes the interview and your chances of getting the job even closer for some reason. So I would email them again and I hope they finally “figured things out”.
Hello Dorothy,
What do you make of my situation? Unfortunately I just turned 50 and am currently unemployed. Happily, however, I look like a “youngster” and easily 5-7 years younger. Whenever I see any new doctor they always doubt my stated age. Ha!
So I met with the recruiter of a retail-based organization for a management/leadership training position. The key thing is that this was not just to fill ONE role: they need multiple people in their management training pipeline, likely ongoingly in 10 states due to their multi-unit operation (and likely because people come and go in retail….).
I hit it off with the recruiter. She was somewhat older that I and we were really simpatico, I felt. Two birds of a feather. She had worked her way up in the organization, from cashier all the way to H.R. over the years. She told me not once, not twice, but three times that she thought I was so very professional and would be a true asset to their organization. They “start the process” with a full-blown detailed background check right out of the gate, only then proceeding to the next interview with the H.R. manager. She told me she would give him her full enthusiastic endorsement, but lamented that sometimes he disappoints her and does not always follow her advice. As I was leaving she said more of the same, “I really hope this goes through and he chooses to meet with you”, something to that effect. She indicated that the background checking process normally takes up to 10 days, they run it soup-t0-nuts. (I was aware that they called my references, and heard firsthand from those people that they gave highly enthusiastic recommendations).
Hearing nothing, I called her in 2 weeks. The staff recruiter sounded delighted to hear from me, “Oh Susan, yes, we were just talking about you today in fact, what a coincidence!”. She stated that everything was just about wrapped up and I should expect to hear from the H.R. manager, Mr. X, by the end of that week for the next step.
Two weeks later, NADA.
My mother surmises that if they think you are overqualified, they just might not reply. I AM a graduate of a top highly selective university. As I said, I’m 50 and have worked a few years in management in my last role for an organization that supports the retail industry with market research, albeit not for a retailer “itself”. But my question is, if the recruiter was so impressed with me as she stated, why would the H.R. Manager “make things up in his own mind” what I’m thinking….like my commitment to rolling up my sleeves & giving this a shot or my willingness to relocate, which they require? Why would he not at least be willing to meet me and judge for himself my commitment to the training program? Or if there is something bizarre in my background screening I am completely unaware of, I sure would like to know….it’s shaken my confidence a bit.
Sign me,
Barely 50 with a smiling can-do attitude, yet the powers that be have deemed I’m somehow not qualified to work with the retail rank-and-file towards a management role.
OUCH.
Hi Susan,
I’m really glad you got a long and hit it off with the recruiter. Saying that there are many factors that you cannot control that will affect your chances of getting the interview or job. The relationship the recruiter has with the H.R. Manager for example. They may not really get a long and as you put it you felt you were “two birds of a feather” this may not actually be a good thing if the H.R. Manager doesn’t get a long with the recruiter. Also, if you feel in anyway that you are overqualified for the role than an H.R. Manager might think so to by just looking at your resume compared to others they received. My point is that you can’t control any of this so please don’t let your confidence be shaken over it. You had a great interview and it’s not entirely your fault if the H.R. manager doesn’t want to interview you. They might be in the process of hiring friends or relatives or just like your recruiter they might promote from within. I would keep in touch with the recruiter and at the same time apply to other jobs. I hope the H.R. Manager does decide to meet with you
Hi Dorothy,
This bolg is extremely informative and I thank you for that.
I had applied for a position on a company’s website and then received a call from the HR in the next couple of days. We discussed the role and my past experience for a few minutes and then she asked me my availability for a behaviour based interview. Later she said she would confirm the time on e mail but I haven’t received any confirmation so far. I tried calling her but always end up leaving messages on her voice mail.
My current salary is slightly more than the offered position, Could this be the reason for not turning up? Or is it that my conversation with her on the phone not good enough?
The same position is published on job websites by the recruiting company (not the client). I have applied again and waiting for the feedback. Do you think I should let them know about this phone call from the HR of the client?
During the conversation with the HR, I was asked if I had applied for any other jobs to which I had replied as “no”. Was that wise to be honest or should I have said that I have a few prospects, just to make them feel that I have other options?
Please advise.
Hi Vinay,
Thank you for leaving a comment and I’m glad you’re enjoying the articles. How do you know that your current salary is slightly higher than the offered position? Did HR tell you that? I think since she asked you for your availability for a behavioural interview that this meant that your phone interview went well. How long has it been sine you left your last message? If the recruiting company contacts you then they might know that you were contacted by HR if HR keeps proper notes on their phone screens. Either way I think you should tell them and say that you were in the process of being scheduled for a behavioural based interview, which isn’t a lie but you saw the role posted and thought it wouldn’t hurt to apply through the recruitment company. Did HR ask you if you applied to any other jobs in their company or did they mean in general? Normally if they mean in general you can definitely say that you are currently looking for a new opportunity so you are applying to positions that interest you and if you did apply to another role in the same company than I would just be honest and say yes because they probably use a common recruitment management system that shows them that you have anyway so it’s better not to lie. Hope that helps and hope you hear back from them soon.
After graduating in 2010 I was almost immediately noticed by my former company and hence have no experience at all of this constant up and down the job search (in UK now) is proving for my emotions and self worth. I worked in digital media marketing for a year before relocating to the UK.
I think my CV is pretty good as I do get replies from the serious recruiters (I don’t know if 6 responses to 30 job applications is all that great though). I have found most recruitment agencies extremely tardy about sticking to commitments and have often had cancelled interviews because the hiring has already taken place, late concerns about my visa status (quite unfounded as I have full right to work) and CV not being sent to client/employer in time.
The only final round interview I have reached yet was with a company I really wanted to work for in a field I am really interested in. They set me two time consuming tasks and I did do very well in both and was invited for the first interview. Having seemingly impressed the hiring manager (who I have to say seemed to me to not have a great deal of experience in hiring) I was invited for the final round interviews which involved a presentation to a panel of employees and an interview with the recruiting manager and the HOD.
The HOD was really positive throughout the interview going as far as to say ‘I have never seen a presentation of that calibre in an interview before’. The interview was conversational (now I am wondering if it might have been too casual?), but since the first interview already assessed my skills I wanted to let them see more of my personality. I don’t feel that I was ever unprofessional during the interview. The thing that they saw during the entire process was my enthusiasm for the role (I sent them relevant information to improve their SM presence) and I think it really showed. They said I was the most enthusiastic.
However, before leaving the hiring manager mentioned that there are 6 final interviewees…and I realized that he had actually not used the first interview to shortlist candidates as all. I know this because after my first interview he had mentioned that he had five other candidates. I will admit I was a bit disappointed.
It turns out I was right to be as I got an email today saying the role has been offered to another candidate. Here is the email:
Dear Maitrayee
Thank you very much indeed for all the time and effort you put into your application to work at Justis Publishing, and for the card that followed your second interview.
However, I’m afraid that we are offering the job to one of the other candidates.
This was a very difficult and painful decision, made no easier by the knowledge that five of the six second interviewees would inevitably have to be given disappointing news.
And that’s what it boiled down to: the sheer quantity and quality of applications; we really were spoilt for choice.
I hope you will take solace from the fact that you were one of the top six candidates from the 72 that applied, and I wish you luck in your continued job search. I sensed the sincerity of your desire to work here and trust you will find another outlet for that enthusiasm.
Do feel free to reject this proposition but I was interested by your thoughts and experiences on immigration law. Would you like to write an article on the subject, which could be supported by extended temporary access to the relevant law reports? Let me know if you’re keen in principle and, if so, I’ll pitch the idea to the editor of The Barrister, before getting back to you with a slightly more detailed brief. I think there’s a good chance he’d commission it, which would provide you with the opportunity of showcasing your work to a wide professional audience.
Kind regards
Of course I replied positively about his queries about my interest in writing for the magazine. You never know what fate decides to throw on my lap.
As I have been job seeking without any concrete results for 2 months I am so despondent and have feelings of worthlessness. What do you make of my experiences and what do you suggest I take out of this experience?
Hi Maitrayee,
I think some job industries are harder to get into than others. Publishing is one of those fields. I think you need to stay positive and remember that making friends and networking can really open doors for you. I haven’t seen your resume so I can’t say whether it can be improved or not (you maybe interested in my resume critique) but it sounds like you have no problem handling a presentation. Stay positive and keep networking.
So, I would like your opinion. Would I be considered a target hire if she asked me whats the best time for me to come in for a group interview? and she sets it on that time?
No. A target hire is someone that the recruiter or manager already know. Either they interviewed them before or they were referred by someone. It is weird to set up a group interview around your availability rather than the groups but either way you made it to the next stage so Good Luck!!
I interviewed at a particular company for 2 seperate positions. I made it through 3 interviews the first time and 2 the second. In both situations they never let me know if I had the job or not. It was strange, I called the supervisor that interviewed me and she said”It’s not my decision don’t ask me!” so when they never called me back, I thought well I guess I didn’t get it. The second time the same thing happened only I really thought I had it, she said we will get things rolling on Monday as far as reference checks etc… So Monday comes no call. So I call, she doesn’t return my phone call, I sent a thank you note-no response. I write an email and politely say I really want this job but if you are not going to offer it to me could you just let me know so I can move on? No response.
So why would I apply a 3rd time? This time for a position by the same company in a different city through a temp agency. I am way over qualified, but I thought, a place to start-this time I am on some internal list and they won’t even speak to me. I just don’t understand the unprofessional behavior-just tell me I didn’t get the position and I would immediately move on. confused to say the least.
Hi Colleen,
I think there is no excuse for rude behaviour. I can’t believe the supervisor told you “it’s not my decision don’t ask me!. Who’s decision is it then?! I wouldn’t bother with this company anymore. Move on and it’s their loss.
I disagree with #3.
I’m on my 10th employer now. Not one of them asked for references immediately after the interview, regardless if it’s a one on one or a panel interview. It’s not the norm and will never will be.
Here are some exceptions at the top of my head:
1. The (male or female) applicant is hot.
2. It’s a clerical position and an employee quit without sufficient notice.
3. It’s a family business. The father OR the mother makes the decisions without consulting with his spouse.
4. The ‘company’ is involved in scam business eg; telemarketer
Hi Lucy Mackay,
Most employers do ask for and check references and if you don’t hear from the employer after a reasonable amount of time than I think it is a good indication that you didn’t get the job. Unfortunately, there are more and more recruiters/hiring managers who choose not to contact the unsuccessful candidates. I don’t agree to your exceptions but thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Dorothy,
Was wondering if you could shed some light on SMALL agencies that do not have an HR department. I had a Skype interview on a Monday. The next day (Tuesday) I received a call from the executive assist. asking if I could do another interview that day. I was available and did the interview that day. Both interviews, I felt, went extremely. I was not asked for references either interviews, but the interviewees probably would not be the ones to check them. Today is Friday and I have yet to hear anything. Any insight into what to expect when a company does not have a dedicated HR team? Thanks for your help!
Hi MAB,
When a company doesn’t have an HR team I would be more patient. I would also make sure you follow up and ask them about their recruitment/interview process and what to expect. The upside of this type of scenario is that you probably can get your interviewees contact information so if the EA doesn’t get back to you with an answer you can always directly ask the hiring managers. Make sure you still send thank you notes. Good Luck!
Hi Dorthy! I would like to get your opinion on my interview. I interviewed for a promotion with my current company. I interviewed in a panel of 3 people and I knew one of the people. The next day I contacted the lady and asked for her to give me feedback on the interview and she said she would but it wouldnt be until next week. I interviewed on Tuesday and she told me she would give me feedback the following Monday. I asked her about if she felt i was a strong candidate and she said she couldnt discuss where I was at in the line up but she did say i interviewed very well. Do you think this is a good sign? Can she not give me feedback on the interview until after I am notified if i got the job or not?
Hi Rebecca,
The only thing she really can say is that you interviewed well. Any feedback really should be given after the role has been filled and the successful candidate has been hired. Hope that helps.
Hello,
I have been interviewing for over a month for my dream job. Well last week they called a couple of my references, and so far I’ve had an interview with the regional, director and on Tues the VP. Also a ride-a-long with the top rep. Then on Thurs. she called all of my references and emailed me later that day and said that she was off friday and booked monday, can we talk on Tues at 10am? And of course I said yes. Well although I’ve never had such great interviews, (oh and plus did two presentations) I still have not been told if I got the job!! I was told a week ago I was on the the final candidates, but no offer yet?? Do you think that she is wanting to talk to me on Tues to say I did not get the job?? Or will she make an offer?? I know for sure my references went very well too. I am going crazy!! Oh ya and on Friday the VP sent my presentations to 3 different people within the company. I get an email whenever anyone looks at or sends out my presentations. Please help!!!
Hi Tracie,
When you’re one of the finalist the decision between you and another person is very difficult. I think if she called you right after checking all your references on the same day that it maybe a good sign. I hope she calls you later today and offers you the job. If not, know that you were one of the finalist and they will probably think of you for another role in the future so make sure that you are very professional and polite when you talk with her. My fingers are crossed!!
Hi Dorothy
I have recently been working for a firm on a FTC, I applied for a position within the department I currenty work for and was skipped through to 2nd interview without a question – sounds good so far! I hear nothing after my interview – not so good as I have worked in recruitment and sadly those who are unsuccessful find out last (also I overhead the recruiting manager on the phone to the successful candidate – bummer!), I am finally notified that my interview was great and it was a hard decision but I was unsuccessful on the basis my pesonality did not fit – however that was not a reflection on me?? Im confused…..
Hi Anonymous,
It makes sense that the unsuccessful candidates get contacted last because the employer needs to make sure that the successful candidate accepts the role. Anyway, I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job but it sounds like the department felt that you wouldn’t fit in with the team. Creating a good team is very important and if they know that your personality would not mix well with everyone else’s then they thought it made more sense to choose someone else. Do you know anyone in that department? Was this a legitimate reason for not hiring you or were you passed over so a friend could get hired? Try to remember that you performed well in the interview. Maybe next time you try to meet with or talk with someone in the department that you want to work in to see if you would get a long with everyone. It’s good to show your employer that you are serious about a move and a change in your career. Good Luck and a rejection from within your company can sometimes be harder to take but at the end of the day you just need to learn from it and move on. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorthy,
Great article……. I went on an interview which I now believe to be fake. The interview was with a very large organization in their Marketing Department. I work currently for this company’s competitor in a similar role, so the position seemed to be a good fit. The interview itself went well, but after it was finished I heard nothing from HR or the hiring manager, even after several follow-up emails and calls. It is like they disappeared off the face of the earth. The strange thing about the job is that it has been open since September. I have been keeping my eye on it. It appears that every other week it is removed from the hiring site, then re-posted. I am starting to get a feeling that they are trying to draw in employees from competing firms to gather information. Not sure if this is a routine practice for large companies? Anyway, very frustrating especially when you do not hear back one way or the other as promised. I feel like pestering them just to get a response simply out of principle, but I will just let it go.
Hi Job Seeker,
One of my pet peeves is when HR departments don’t contact applicants with an update after they have been interviewed. I would definitely suggest next time to ask them when they hope to fil the role and also ask them why the role has been taken down and then reposted so many times. Remember an interview goes both ways. I would definitely move on and unfortunately share your frustration.
Hi Dorothy,
I’ve been extrememly enlightened after reading all of these postings! I was recently interviewed by a family owned business to be a Sales floor manager. I was called in because I have been in retail since I was able to start working and have previous management experience at a couple of big box retailers. During the interview I sat down with both the owners. They asked a bunch of questions, and then one of them asked, “How old are you?” I replied that I was 26. They asked if I was married, had a child…I answered yes, however, that my husband played more of the Mr. Mom role. They spoke to eachother in front of me and said, yes she obviously doesnt mind retail because she had been working a minimum of 51 hours a week at her previous employer. The owner stated that I was very soft spoken, so how would I handle situations where there were older associates I had to direct. I simply stated that I have learned alot in my tenure as a manager, and that sure, in the very beginning it was a little intimidating , but the key was to establish your authority upon entering any place of business and using your tools (i.e. documentations) to get the job done. I let them know that most people need and like a sense of structure in their place of work, otherwise it would be chaotic. They nodded in agreement. The owners told me to really think about the position, that it was a different animal than coroporate businesses, because they as the owners would always be at the store. I noted that I was working at a regional flagship store, and always had regional staff watching, but it was no bother at all because I have a passion for what I do, and I always strive for the best. She stated that she would really love to consider me for the position, and that they have other interviews left to do for the rest of the week. She stated that she would be in touch with me and gave me her card. She said, “If you have ANY questions at all give me a call, please take my card.” I let her know I was very excited about the opportunity and looked forward to hearing from them, they stated that they would be in contact and they are glad to hear I am excited…I dont know if it makes any difference, but while the owner was explaining the job description she used the pronoun “you” like you would be running the business doing exports and orchestrating the team and such. I was reading that it may be psychological and that she may be envisioning me in the position…Please shed some light on what I may expect.. Thanks!!!
Hi Natalie,
I wouldn’t read into the way one of the owners used the word “you”. I do think they were trying to envision you in the role just like they wanted you to envision it as well. They were trying to make sure that you were comfortable with all aspects of the role and really understood the job. Sounds to me that you handled it very well and I’m not happy that they asked you your age or whether you were married and had children but this is what you woud expect from a small company or from business owners. If you’re interested in the role I would make sure that you follow up with a thank you note or phone call and let them know that you are still very interested in the role and ask them since a few days have passed did they have anymore questions or concerns that you could answer for them. Good Luck and I hope you hear from them soon.
Hello, I went on an interview yesterday for a “family owned” business. They want an “outgoing, team player”, which I am. I thought the interview went well. The person interviewing me was very friendly and even introduced me to another person working there and told her that we all went to the same high school (different years), etc. We discussed the business, my qualifications, etc. It was all very casual. She even showed me around. She stated in the interview that she had another candidate coming in after me and a couple the next day and that the ad was only posted for about a week. It’s a small company and perhaps they feel that they want to see a few different people but my feeling is that if they really liked me personally and I am certainly qualified then what’s the deal? I guess they are not afraid in this economy that I am going to be snatched up by another employer right away or simply don’t want to hire me. She also did not ask for my references which bothered me. Although, I have not been asked for references on other interviews and got the job. I sent a follow up e-mail later that day to let her know that I was interested. There had been some talk about salary and she pointed out what I made at my previous position and told me that they did not pay as much. She also asked me if I would be needing benefits and I told her I did not because I am on my husband’s. She then said that they could work with that with regard to the salary. I haven’t heard back yet and I am not going to stalk them. I think my follow up “thank you for the interview” was enough to let them know that I am interested even with the lower salary. Is the not asking for references at the initial interview a deal breaker? She never mentioned any type of second interview with the president or anything like that. I am assuming she is the final say but I could be wrong. I am not hanging my hopes on this position but it was so perfect for me, close to home, etc. I am a bit bummed over it. What are your thoughts? Thanks Patty
Hi Pat,
Companies and organization handle references differently. Family owned business will have their own recruitment procedure. I would have asked about their interview process and whether they need references etc. This would actually be a good follow up question. Why not ask them when they expect to fill the role and if they would like a list of your references at this time. I think you have a good shot of getting the job because they seemed comfortable with you (attended the same high school). The economy is tough for job seekers but for employers they usually have many applicants to chose from so that’s why they are probably playing it safe and interviewing a few more people before they decide who is the best. Again, I would follow up and ask them about a timeline and get your references ready incase you want to provide them or if they ask. Good Luck!!!
Dorothy,
I recently went on a third and final interview with a company, and thought the whole thing went great, except the end. The interviewer said we should make a decision by the end of the week. Then said, “ok great, just so I can put my mind at ease, is it looking good for me?” (I then realized from the look on her face that I probably shouldnt have asked that) She then said “wow no one has ever asked me that on an interview” and I said, “Im sorry I shouldnt have asked that, you dont have to answer. I a just really excited and the waiting process is hard for me..” she then said, “yeah im not going to answer that” .. she then walked me out, continued on regular small talk, and said it was great to meet you.
Was what I said a total deal-breaker?? Is that against interview ettiquitte?
Hi Olivia,
Never EVER ask how your own interview is going. It is definitely against interview etiquette. What do you expect the interviewer to say?! Even if they answered you they would be lying because they would feel that they have to say that you’re doing well. As a recruiter it’s just such a put off. I can’t tell you that it’s a deal-breaker because it really depends on what the other applicants looked like. I hope you hear back from this interview but if you don’t you will know why. Just think back and know that you did great in the interview until the end. Just learn from this and don’t ask that question again.
I think I just may have been the victim of a fake interview.
I went to an interview, no recruiter was involved, although it was for an accounting role with a recruiting/consulting firm. The hiring Human Resource mgr and GM were there. When the GM came in he simply read my resume, didnt ask any questions, said he wasnt feeling well and said he thought i could do the job. they then asked for my references. the whole thing took like two minutes. They must have already had someone else in mind now that i look back on it. why
Hi Richard Newton,
This may not have been a fake interview. How do you think the interview went with the hiring manager? Did you feel that they liked you? Have they checked your references? Did you ask them when they expect to fill the role? I honestly hope it wasn’t a fake interview and sometimes interviews don’t need to take 35 minutes long especially for a very specific role such as an accountant. I hope they check your references and you get the job.
Dorothy, Thank you for answering my questions. I do have my references ready. I did send the follow-up “thank you” and showed my interest. I did not get a response to that and feel that I will look desperate (which I am) if I press them for a time right away. If they do not respond in about a week, I will send an e-mail asking when they think they will know. She told me that the start date would not be until March 1st so it’s possible that they are taking their time. If I do not get a response to my inquiry I will assume they just don’t want to hire me. Thanks for letting me cry here! Patty
Hi Pat,
If the start date is not unti March 1st then you definitely have sometime. I think being patient is a good move and don’t forget to apply to other jobs so you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Hello Dorothy.
I have had a very frustrating interview experience. I have had 4 interviews with a firm regarding an administrative position. The interview (#1) took place two Fridays ago. Later that evening I was called to book interview # 2 for the following Monday. Monday evening I was advised there would be interview #3 for Wednesday. During that interview I was told I was a definite candidate. I was advised that I would hear by Friday… nothing. I followed up the interviews – sending every person I met with – a thank you email, reiterating my desire and suitability for the position. I left a voice-mail message with the original interviewee, no response. Then I heard from a different person in the company advising I would have an answer by this Tuesday. On Tuesday I was told the decision would be postponed to Thursday… I think this is starting to become a joke. I’m guessing I don’t have the job… your thoughts?
Hi Eleanor Hollenbeck,
It may seem frustrating when you’re one of the final candidates but you need to be patient. You don’t want to leave too many voicemail messages because you don’t want to look desperate and unprofessional. Did they ask for your references? What I think might be happening is the job has been offered to someone else and they employers is waiting for their response. If they decline then they will move to plan B and hopefully it will be you. Or they maybe just checking references. Either way I don’t think it’s a joke and you just need to be patient. I think you maybe more frustrated because you may have put all your eggs in one basket. I hope you are applying to other jobs and keeping your options open. I’m sure you will hear from them soon. Be patient and remember if you are not the successful candidate to always stay professional because they may think of you for a future role. Good Luck.
Hi Dorthy, do you remember me? I was interviewing for an entry level project management position in November. Well, I went to the final HR interview and in the end I didn’t get the job. I did what you suggested and politely asked for feedback so I could be a stronger candidate in the future, and she told me it was just my German skills for the one research group that were the problem.
Well, a similar position with all English research groups opened up 2 weeks ago and I applied. HR emailed me right away saying they remembered me and the hiring manager (a different one than last time) would be in contact with me soon. So thank you! I’m so glad I followed up with HR after my rejection!
I met with the team for 40 minutes today and they invited me for a “trial day.” The hiring manager told me my background was perfect for the job, my strengths and experiences lined up well with the job, and they really needed someone with extremely strong English (I am Native) and that she felt “very positive” about me being a right fit for the position. She said she would get stuff started with HR and after the trial day they’ll move to the next step.
Does this mean I got the job? If the trial day goes well (I’m sure it will). Last time I interviewed with this company I was in 5 hours of in person interviews and had two hour long phone interviews with the US Director and HR, so it seems so strange for this position they would choose someone so quickly. What do you think?
Hi Mia,
I am so glad you asked for feedback. In general it’s just a good idea to always stay in good terms with employers you interviewed with because they will remember the ones that followed up and are generally interested in working with them. I think this new interview went really well. I can’t tell you if this means you got the job as I don’t know what other stages you need to go through. Since you already interviewed with this employer I’m sure they will move quickly with you. Just be patient and always remember to ask them what the next step entails. You should never leave an interview feeling confused and should always know what to expect in regards to the next step or next stage of the interview. Good Luck Mia and remember be patient, polite and professional
Hi Dorothy,
I believe my interview situation is far worst then what you have heard before. I submitted an application with Company A back in early 11/2011. A week later, they notified me and told me since I would be in the area if I would come to do an interview of course I said yes, I was excited. This interview was not in my home city, 6 hours later arrived in that city (I was going to see friends anyway that week there) so no problem to drive there and be at the interview dressed, pressed and ready.
I sat down with a manager, she had a list of questions and so did I in my head to ask, direct one and indirect ones. I went very well the interview I thought anyway. We were laughing and just speaking as friends, the interviewer started getting off track and telling me about her personal life and what she went through to get into the job market she was in. At that point I was confused at what that had to do with the job I was applying for. She asked me if I had any questions, and I asked my 4 questions, she answered them with ease and I was pleased. The interview lasted about 2.5 hours. I even had to remind the interviewer of the time because it was getting dark, I’m in a new city my friends were probably concerned at this point as where I am. She looked at the clock and said “wow she didn’t know it was so late” we were having such a great discussion, and she walked out for the evening with me…
I asked her when would I hear something she stated, keep in touch with the recruiter cause she will be your best friend. What does that mean? I got home sent out a thank you card to her, the end.
Since then I have had a phone interview with one more person a manager in 12/2011 and heard nothing else since. That was considered 3 interviews a behavioral interview and a fit interview with that Exec. Manager. I called the Recruiter in 01/2012 she states that I was the top candidate of choice but due to budget reasons, it will be the first week in 02/12 until I hear a definite answer. I have heard nothing from anyone else, until I call the recruiter which has been several times, no definite answers. Am I being strung along and for what reason?
I just want to know yes or no so I can actually breathe again, and move on.
Hi Charisse,
I actually think your situation is good. Everyone seemed to like you and the recruiter was even honest to you about budget concerns, told you that you are the top candidates and that the answer will be made in February. I honestly think you should just be patient. In the meantime I wouldn’t stop your job search. Hope you hear from them soon.
Hi Dorothy,
Just a quick question, and I may be over-analyzing which I have a tendency to do. I interviewed for a position which was posted on the company website. The interview went very well and I was referred on to the District Manager. My interview is tomorrow, (my 1st interview was last friday) In preparing for my interview, I was reviewing the job posting again when I notcied that it has been changed to a “No longer accepting new submissions,” status. I had to take a big gulp! Did they already fill this position – but are still going to interview me anyway? Just thought it was a little odd since I haven’t completed the whole interview process yet. What do you think?
Hi Teri,
the job is still open meaning not filled yet but the company is no longer accepting new submissions, which is great because that means they think they found the person they want. Good Luck on your interview!!
Relax
I had an interview which was first scheduled to be in person, when it instead turned into a phone interview because of a rather large snow storm. Interview was with two people, the hiring manager, and her director.
It turned into a conversation, and they asked about work habits, management style, and dealing with pressure. Actual questions that dealt with the job, and how I approached it. Felt pretty good since every one of my previous phone interviews were not that deep.
I went on to the second round, the director would not be there, but I eventually met with the rest of the team, including another person with the same role. She was running late, but I could still speak to the hiring manager, and someone senior to her, as well as the VP, who had to call in. I guess there might have been a couple of red flags there, but I didn’t know what to watch out for.
Conversation goes well, some of the same questions from interview 1 were asked again, but 3/4 people were completely new, so I didn’t think much of it. The VP even chimed in and asked a few questions, and even talked about the role. I was also given the opportunity to share how I would approach my client if given the job.
At the end, the hiring manager walks me to the door, gives me a handshake and says “HR will let you know we’ll be making a decision next week”
I just got a message yesterday saying that they were going with an internal hire.
I then reached out to the recruiter who I contacted just to get the interview in the first place. She said that they really do want me to work at the company, but for a different client, and she let me know that they are currently looking into similar roles with that team. I guess I’ll just have to wait.
Hi Eugene,
I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job but this is exactly why you don’t want to burn any bridges and try to make a good connection because the company really liked you and want you for a different role. Make sure you keep in touch with the recruiter and be patient.
Hi,
I applied for a position in a company almost 2.5 months ago online and 2 days after that I received a call from recruiter and after a few questions about my visa status and my background she offered me a phone interview with hiring manager. 2 days later hiring manager called me and she said she will get back to me in one week and after one day I had another call from hiring manager and she asked for an onsite interview. I went for interview and I think it went great, 7 people interviewed me , after interview the hiring manager told me she will give me an update in 2 weeks, I waited 2 weeks but didn’t hear back from her so I sent an email and asked about overall status of my application I received an auto-reply that she is out of town (it was before X-mas) so I waited 2 weeks more and I sent another email after new year, in reply she said she would like to talk to me on the phone, so she called me and she said that the interview was great and the only concern that they have is that they are not convinced that I will stay with them for long time and why I’m leaving academy so I explained my opinion about her concern and she said that call was really positive and she said she will inform me about hiring decision in 2 weeks, after 2 weeks I didn’t get any feedback so I called her and she said they haven’t decided yet and actually they are reviewing the position which I have applied for that and she will be able to give me an update in 2 weeks! AGAIN after 2 weeks I didn’t hear from her and I sent an email and in reply she just said they have not mad any decision yet and thank you for your patient!! I was thinking to send an email to her manager (one of those guys who interviewed me and his feedback was really positive ) and asked for a direct answer about my application, these process is going to kill me! I greatly appreciate your comments and your help.
Hi Mari,
I’m not that positive about your situation. I don’t like that they had concerns (you would find another job) because that is a pretty big concern. Even if your conversation went well with the recruiter and they shared your comments about it I have a hard time believing that it changed the panels mind. Also, I don’t like that they decided to review the position. This means they didn’t find anyone they liked to fit the role and now they are rethinking the role. At the end of the day it doesn’t look great for you. I wouldn’t hold your breathe and definitely move on. I hope I’m wrong and you hear something soon.
Hello,
I just wanted your input. I had a phone interview with a recruiter/HR person from the Company that is hiring. Like many people that just get done with an interview I am going over it in my mind and looking at the good and the bad. The interview was scheduled to last 30 minutes instead it lasted 15 minutes.
I know the manager of the department that is hiring (she is not the one who interviewed me. I work for the company on a contract basis every now and then. They just had a full-time opening to which I applied).
The recruiter told me that since I already knew the job description and requirements she wanted me to go over all my prior positions and how I got to the current one. I did that and then she asked me what was one of my strenghts. So I answered that question. Then she asked me what my salary was at my curent job. She said that my salary fit in the range of the salary they are offering.
As the interview was coming to an end , I asked her how urgent it was for them to fill the postition and what the process was. She elaborated on the details of the hiring process and said she enjoyed talking to me and that she will definitely be in touch with me.
I don’t know what to think?? Interview was shorter then expected, only 3 questions….seemed to me like just a brief chat …..maybe you can get a better feel for it.
Thank you.
Hi Jacqueline,
I think you’re just over analyzing the situation. When I schedule an interview I always schedule a bit longer than I would like just incase the candidate rambles on. Since you work for the company (contract) I would think 15 minutes sounds about right for your interview. I think you asked good questions and know the process. Now it’s just a matter of waiting. Be patient! The employer is now just thinking over if they like you enough to want to work with you full-time rather than just contract. Even though you might think you’re perfect for the role there is always internal candidates and target hires to deal with. I honestly think your interview (and length of interview) was fine. Just be patient. I hope you hear from them soon and if you don’t get the job make sure that you stay professional so they won’t think that your contract work will be affected. Good Luck!
Hello Dorothy! Great advice – thank you for your efforts and time in answering these questions.
I was contacted by HR about a position with a company based 1000+/- miles away. The position is in a satellite office closer to me but still 500 miles away. I left 2 emails and voice mails responding to the HR person 5 days apart after being contacted before hearing back. After finally speaking to them at length and I was told they were interested in moving things to the next stage. I was informed they would be sending me additional information via email after our phone conversation. I didn’t recieve anything that day nor the next. I contacted them just before the end of the next day via voicemail & email stating I was appreciative of their time the previous day and looked forward to hearing from them. I let them know I had not recieved the information. After 1 week & no contact, I left a 2nd voicemail & email repeating that again how much I appreciated their time and that I still had not recieved any additional information. It has been another week now and no response. I understand the process can be slow but can’t help but wonder if I am just being given the run around.
One thing I left out is that from the beginning it was shared via this HR person’s voice & emails that they only worked part-time. I found this odd for a company listed with 300+ employees.
Am I right to be suspicious or am I just overly anzious about this interview. It has been more than 10 years since I interviewed for a job.
Thank you again for your time & sharing your wisdom!
Hi John,
I think you need to be patient. Saying that I think if they were really interested in you they would have contacted you or given you more information. Either they are not in a hurry to fill the job or they just aren’t that interested in you. I would think since the recruiter is part-time that they would be moving ahead with the interview process with all the candidates that they are interested in. I wouldn’t hold your breathe John and I would not stop your job search while you wait to hear back from them. I hope I’m wrong and good luck.
Hi Dorothy
Further to my previous message 31 Jan, I am currently working in the same team as the position I applied for and have recieved excellent feedback from other team members however they are saying I dont fit as is a different client base however surely this is saying they think I am unable to adapt to different circumstances which seems an unfair thing to say as they have no evidence to back this and I am very flexible and can work with any client base. Also when I have questioned them to specify what the mean by I dont fit they cant give me an asnwer. Please advise?
Hi Anonymous,
Unfortunately, when someone doesn’t fit it’s more of a gut feeling and really hard to explain. I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job.
Thank you for the reply! The thing is – I am not searching for a job. Not actively anyway. I am always paying attention for any opportunites that may come my way but I am not seeking anything. Maybe that is where I was reading more into it than was there. I assumed since they were proactive in seeking me they must really have an interest. But I am out of the hiring loop and have been very content with my present situation for more than 10 years.
In any event – thank you again for taking the time to reply. From reading around your site, it seems I am not alone in appreciation of the time & wisdom you share. Great job!
Hi Dorothy,
I would like to have your input in my situation. I interviewed for a large company 8 days ago for an analyst position. It was a panel interview after passing 2 stages of interviews. I believe interviews went well. The same day I received an email from recruiter saying that “They have only met you for the role and hope to have another person to compare with in near future. I will keep you posted.”
Then I got an email few days after from another recruiter who took over previous recruiter that “The manager is reviewing few other candidates. If any changes and you receive an offer or final rounds of interview please let me know ASAP”
I replied her with thank you for update and also asked the time frame for final decision but have not heard anything since then.
I am really confused. It is my DREAM job and I would like to know if I am still being considered or not?
Your guidance will be appreciated.
Thank you sincerely,
J
Hi J,
I know you are excited because it’s your dream job but you have to be patient. It sounds to me that yes you are still being considered. Both recruiters told you that the company wants to see other applicants so they can compare and pick the strongest one. So far you are very strong. Unfortunately they seem not to be in a rush to fill the role so you will just need to be patient. Remember to send thank you notes and stay in touch with the recruiter. Also, make sure that you haven’t stopped your job search while you wait to hear back from them. My fingers are crossed and hope you hear from them sooner then later
Dorothy,
Thank you for the speedy response. It is much appreciated. I tend to review things in my mind endlessly….and maybe I am thinking too much.
The recruiter told me over the phone during our interview that they would finish interviewing everyone by today, Friday (that is the first round) , then speak with the Department Manager and start the next round next week (next round is either one on one or panel I think). I believe that if they are interested in me they will contact me next week to inform me on the next step.
In the mean time I will be patient
Thank you!
Jacqueline.
Hi Dorothy,
Few days I gave a demo, which did not go very well. However, I received a text from Programme coordinator that they didnt shortlist me but the reason in the text was not mentioned. After few days of this text, I received call from HR manager that I have to come for the final interview. My final interview gone very well but it was only for 10 minutes, secondly among 6 people in the panel, only two people asked me questions. One among them was the most senior head and other one was a normal professor. Senior person gave a chance to others to ask me question but they denied to ask me any question. I am too much confused, initially a message with rejection and then call for interview, and then finally I was not asked too many questions for my evaluation.
Hi Saira,
It sounds to me that some people on the panel really liked you and were rooting for you but unfortunately you bombed the demo. Some people fought for you and got you to the final interview but at the end of the day it sounds like the demo held a lot of weight on the hiring decision. I’m sorry but I’m sure you learned from this experience and will do better in future interviews.
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for your site! I just wanted to run a recent interview process by you to see what you think. I applied at a company for which I used work. I worked in several departments at this company, but quit several years ago to concentrate on graduate school. After graduating, several jobs came up at this company for which I was perfectly qualified. As a matter of fact, many friends still work in the department in which I was applying. To make a long story shorter, I had 1 phone interview with the hiring manager (whom I know) & 2 personal interviews (with various people, some of whom I know). After the final interview, I basically left thinking I got the job. The next day the HR person emailed me to let me know that I was a “strong candidate” & that a background check would initiated. A little over a week later, the hiring manager called me to tell me that I didn’t get the job because there were just other more qualified candidates. Now that could be entirely true, but I’m concerned that something could have come up during the BG check – or more importantly, some type of internal flag, which is also entirely possible. I’m sure I am leaving something out, but I guess my question is if I have been somehow blacklisted at this company, what can they pass on to other companies? It is probably worth noting that another supervisor (in a different department) & I did not get along, but wouldn’t that have surfaced with HR before these 3 interviews? Thank you.
Hi Mark,
I’m sorry you didn’t get the job. Ok, so just because you worked at the company before doesn’t mean you were guaranteed the job unless someone told you that the interview was just a formality. So you got an interview and impressed your past co-workers. You got to the final interview and unfortunately someone else got the job. You have to remember that making it to the final interview is amazing. Now unfortunately, I’m pretty sure that you didn’t get the job because of the past supervisor or co-workers that you didn’t get along with. I don’t think it would have surfaced with HR before all the three interviews cause maybe the person didn’t think you would have made it to that point and never brought it up. At the end of the day you didn’t get the job but you did really really well and I’m sure if you stay in touch you will land a job with the company again. Again I’m sorry but stay confident and keep applying if you want to work with that company again.
Thank you so much Dorothy for taking time and responding to my question. I want you to know that you are doing a great job and this blog is an amazing find.
I just looked up on the company’s career website and they have reposted the job. I really don’t know what they have in their mind but I will keep you posted.
Regards,
J
Hi J,
Now don’t be surprised that the job was reposted. Remember the employer told you that they want to interview more candidates so they reposted it. They are trying to find “the one” and you still might be it. If you really want the job I would try to keep in touch with the recruiter and maybe even one of the hiring managers so they can keep you posted on the process. Stay positive and good luck on your job hunt.
Thank you for the lovely comment *blushing* I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog and the articles
Hi Dorothy,
I am a senior in college and in the process of applying for jobs for after graduation this spring. I have a few questions. 1. I have letters of reference from past internship employers, will companies contact all of the places where I interned? 2. If so, what would be asked? 3. Should I leave off my resume an internship that I left early because of illness?
Thanks for your help,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Companies usually contact three past supervisors/managers. If you sign up for to get this blog via email you receive a list of common reference questions. They usually just want to know if you show up to work on time, if you have a good attitude, if you work well with others and if you are dependable. In re: to leaving internship off your resume it really depends on how long you worked there before you left due to illness. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy,
I just recently came across your blog and found it to be very useful with your insights of how HR/hiring process work. I hope you may have time to answer my question.
My job hunting story began with applying for a chemist job right after graduation in pharmaceutical field. I sent my resume back in Nov 2011 for a research chemist position, they did not answer me back. I worked on my resume, went to a couple other interviews since then. I saw the company to which I applied back in Nov posted the same job position, so I applied again. This time, as luck was on my side, HR called me the day after I applied and asked general questions on the phone and scheduled an interview with her and other 2 managers from the department I applied for. The interview went quite well, admittedly could have been better. She told me since they have to interview a couple more applicants so I have to wait for 2 weeks before getting any response from them. However, she also said either I would get a job or not, she would definitely call me to let me know. A week after, she sent me an email said the interview was positive and would like to have my references as well as my background check to be done. That was on Jan 18th and I was happy to receive that email from HR. After a week not hearing back from them, I email asking about the status of my job application. She responded immediately saying that “A final decision has not been made at this point – I am waiting to hear from the hiring managers. I will let you know as soon as a decision has been made.” I waited for another week ’till now and still no news from them.
What could have gone wrong with my case?
I was thinking that could it be because when they do background check, they found out that I’m an international student, my work permit only valid till 2013 and reluctantly do not want to continue processing my job application?
Regards,
K
Hi K,
You maybe right. If you are an international student and have a work permit that is only valid until 2013 than you should disclose this information. The employer was probably looking to fill a permanent role not a contract one. I think you should be honest in your cover letter so you don’t waste employers time and yours. Good luck in your job search.
Hey Dorothy! I just so happen to find your page to try and prepare for a phone interview I have later today. If you do not mind I would like your opinion.
Last week, I found a position that I was extremely interested in. I sent in my resume, cover letter, and application. The next day I got a call to set up a phone interview with a couple of directors including the recruiter. Mind you, the university is only about 30 minutes away. Is this a “fake” interview or do they seriously think I qualify? The position is an Assistant Director of Diversity and Equity at a very popular school. I currently hold a full time job and in graduate school to get my College Counseling degree. I think I am the best person for this job but you never know. I am not actively looking for a job but this one would use my expertise more so than my current job. Plus the salary is higher and I will do what I really love and that is helping people.
Can you please give me your feedback?
Thank you!
Hi Virrencia,
I don’t see how getting invited to a phone interview makes you think it’s a fake interview. You applied to the job and obviously after reading your cover letter and resume they liked something about your background. Remember you don’t need to have all the requirements in a job description. Sometimes some requirements are more important than others. It sounds like a great opportunity so just make sure you prepare for the interview and good luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I still cannot believe it but I am the one that the regional mgr of my dream job made an appt. to speak to me the following Tues. after speaking to my references and my going through every single part of the hiring process! Well, she called me exactly at 10am and said Congrats!!! We would like to offer you the position!!! I was floored and wanted to start screaming right then on the phone, I told her as much! I couldn’t believe after all I’ve done, and accomplished that I was accepted into the company of my dreams, truly. My start date isn’t until Feb. 21 pending background, drug test ect… Well of course now I’m worried about that! Do you know if I had a misdemeanor from 12 years ago whether or not they will hold it against me? In fact it says an infraction, but I have a feeling another charge from the same DUI will show up, the one that did was driving on a suspended license, and now they are searching deeper for anything else that might show up. I am just beside myself with worry. I put all of this on the application for the background so I am hoping they will take how long ago it was into consideration. Also, my references couldn’t of been better, and I gave her more than 6 in which she actually called. I asked her why I was chosen over the other candidates and she said it was my references, while they expect them to say nice things, mine said very detailed things both good and also when she asked what I could work on they got very specific. They were being honest and she knew it.
Anyway, I just was wondering if it was so long ago if I still have a chance to get hired? I want this career more than anything, I know how well I will do! Please let me know if you’ve heard one way or the other regarding misdemeanors over 10 years ago.
Thanks so much, you really are the best!!!
Hi Tracie,
In my experience when a company finds something during a background check we consider what you did and the job you are being offered. For example, if you were inappropriate to a child you probably would have a hard time becoming a teacher. So it really depends on the severity, time (how long ago it happend) and the relation to the job responsibilities. I’m hope since you were honest and disclosed these things on your application that they won’t hold it against you. Good Luck!
Hello Dorothy,
This is jacqueline…I don’t know if you remember my story as the discussion board is very “busy”. I had aphone interview with a recruiter last week on Wednesday. She told me she would “definetely be in touch with me”. At the end of the interview when
I asked her what the hiring process was, she said: we get done with the first interviews at the end of the week. Then we discuss the results with the manager that is hiring and then we continue with the process.
I have several questions : is it too early yet to worry?
I would think they would have called me yesterday if I did pass the first round. Since they finished the first interviews on Friday.
I am a contract worker for this company and the Department manager was not involved in the first part of the process (they choose a recruiter to tweek out the candidates ). I know the Department Manager and assume that she would be involved in the “one on one” interview part.
Should I contact her?
I am sure she has the scoop on how it went….
I already wrote a thank you email to the interviewer ( I read after on this discussion board that you thought it wasn’t necessary to do that after a phone interview…oops.
Should I contact the recruiter by email? by phone?(she did leave a phone number in the email she sent when she scheduled the interview) Shoud I wait? Wait a bit and then send a note? What is the proper etiquette…
…..I don’t want to be pushy but yet I don’t want to be left in the dark especially if I didn’t pass the next round.
Thank you for your kind help and knowledgable insight!
Jacqueline.
Hello again!
Well, shorthly after I sent you the previous message, I got contacted by HR to schedule a 30 minute one on one interview with the Department Manager followed by a lunch with the 2 other people I would be working with in the department. So I guess that is good news!
A 30 minute interview seems short. I have never been told in advance how long an interview would last.
Now that I am going to the next step, could you give me advice on lunch interviews and how to handle the 30 minute interview?
Thank you,
Jacqueline.
Hi Jacqueline,
Congratulations on getting to the next round. I wouldn’t worry too much on the length of the interview. Just prepare the best that you can because this is the Department Manager and you need to show them that you can do the job. In re: to the lunch, the company obviously cares that the team all get along so this is just a way to find out if you will fit in. I would just be my self and get ready to do a lot of talking. I’m sure your future co-workers will be asking you to talk about your past and they’ll try to find something in common with you i.e. school, career goals, past employers etc. Hope that helps and good luck!
Hey Dorothy! Here is an update:
Well I had the phone interview and I believed that it went well but they did not ask for any references. Does that mean that I did not impress them enough? They told me that once they finish their round of phone interviews that they will let me know if I am invited to visit the campus by Monday. I guess all I can do is pray and see what they say.
Thanks!
O! Might I add that I am concerned that I ruined my chances because they asked when would I be available to start and I said May. Only because my current job is paying for one of my classes and if I do not finish the class while still hired then I will have to give them the money back.
EEeeekkk!! Wrong answer!
Hi Virrencia,
Did you ask the company when they wanted to fill the job? If it’s immediately then I’m sure you won’t get the job but if they don’t have a set time meaning they would rather wait for the right person than you might be in luck. I don’t think every employer asks for references after a phone interview so be patient and be prepared to be asked after a face-to-face interview. Also, when a company posts a job they usually want to fill the job right away unless they state the start date in the posting so don’t be shocked that when you don’t get future interviews once you reveal that you are not ready to leave until May. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy,
My husband and I moved to live in Australia ( Sydney) 4 months ago, his area is .net developer. He is applying for jobs through recruiters, they keep calling each time he applys, and they all ask almost the same questions, then they send him email about the position and that’s it, they don’t contact any more. So I would like to know why it happen this way? are they too lazy or what? is there something wrong that he should know about? or all those positions that were advertised are fake? and they just want to collect information to fill out their datebase? Also I would like to know to which extend you can go with the recrutiers? cz I heard from some people that the recruiter was a friend of them or something like that?
Any advice? it’s so boring to keep waiting this way.
Hi Sousan,
First of all I love Australia!!! I spent 10 months traveling all over that great huge island. When you mean recruiters are you referring to employment agencies? Employment agencies are great because some of them have good relationships with certain firms. I would make sure that he actually meets with a recruiter or account manager from an agency and asks them about their openings and opportunities. Technically they get paid if they find him a job so if he has good experience and is eligible to work in Australia for a few years at least than I don’t see what the problem is. Maybe his visa is only for one year or he requires a sponsored paid extension on his visa. I don’t know all the details but the best advice I can give is to not limit yourself with agencies and find job through LinkedIn, gumtree and other sites. Good Luck and have fun in beautiful Sydney. Make sure you visit Manly because it is a beautiful place and just a short ferry ride away. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy!
First off thank you for writing such a great article, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My question for you is that I went through a very painful interviewing process, got flown out for the firm’s “SuperDay”, and heard back from them the week after, just as planned. Unfortunately I was not offered the job immediately, but was told that I was placed on hold and will be notified in two weeks. My friend told me that this is a polite way to say no, but other people are saying that being on hold means that I wait for other people to reject the offer and I get their spot. What are your thoughts? Is there anything I should do or just sit back and wait? There were around 60 people at the SuperDay, and they told us we would be notified if we were a “Yes, No, or Maybe.” In this case I was a maybe. They gave out 24 spots. How many people do you think are in the “Maybe” category along with me? Please let me know at your earliest convenience.
Bless you!
Hi Mark,
It does sound like you made it to the ‘Maybe’ pile. Unfortunately there is no way of me knowing how many people are in this pile and you will just have to wait and be patient. Do your friends work at this company? If they do then they obviously have insider information and if on hold is a polite way of saying you didn’t get the job than I would listen to them. I wouldn’t hold your breathe as you never know how many other ‘maybe’s’ are ahead of you. So I would move on and apply to other jobs and if you do get called and offered the job it would be a pleasant surprise. I hope you do move from the ‘maybe’ pile to the ‘yes’ pile. Fingers crossed.
Hi Dorothy! Thank you for getting back to me. I forgot to mention that the job was posted back in the second week of December and the position has yet to be filled. What does that mean? Also I just realized that I would like this job more than my current job so if they would like me to start sooner than May then I can. When they asked me when I can start I told them that I prefer May but can start sooner. Sorry I was not more clear before.
Thanks again!
Hi Virrencia,
The fact that the job was posted in December just means that they have had a hard time finding a good candidate. You need to be really think about the seriousness of your job search. Companies want to hire people who are decisive and know what they want. There is not much for you to do since you already told them that even though you preferred to start in May that you could start sooner. You will just have to wait and how they read into that but if I was the recruiter I probably would pass on you. I hope you hear from someone soon.
Hello again Dorothy,
hahahah I enjoyed reading your post. By chance we live in a place close to Manly, and you are right, it’s amazing, I love walking there, taking a ferry from Manly wharf to Sydney port is so wonderful. In general Australia is a nice country and the people are so friendly and helpful.
Well, regarding my previous post, we have PR visa ( permenent residancy) and by recuriters I refer to the emoplyment agencies. usually he applys through advertisment that he finds on seek.com website.
looking to seeing you in Sydney
Hello Dorothy,
I recently went through a series of interviews that went really well. I made it to the last step, which included a meeting with the vice president of the company. After the interview, I called my recruiter to find out the results, and she said he loved you. However, he tabled the offer. He has never done that before said my recruiter. So now I am waiting, its been two weeks now, to hear about the position. I also found out that there were other candidates involved in the process. So I emailed my recruiter, and she said we are just waiting on the results from your competition. So is it safe to say, that Im probably not the top candidate for the position and assume its a no? Please advise.
Sincerely,
Al Lovette
What are your thoughts?
Hi Alex,
Two weeks is a long time. I don’t want to think that an offer was made to someone else and they are just waiting for the acceptance before they let everyone else know that they did not get the job. I think your recruiter should know more if they have worked with this company and hiring manager before. They may not be telling you everything. In any case, I would move on and don’t stop your job search while you wait to hear back from them.
Hi Dorthy, I just wanted to let you know I got the job! They told me right away at the beginning of my “Schnuppertag”/trial day that HR already had my contract ready. It was a huge relief and I was able to enjoy the day meeting my future colleagues and learning more about the job. Thank you so much for your help and your website. It’s so great that you help people in these comments sections. This job search was one of the most stressful times of my recent life and it was such a relief to have your knowledgeable and unbiased take on things. I’m sure everyone else here feels the same way. Thank you Dorthy!
CONGRATULATIONS MIA!!!That’s fantastic news! I’m so happy for you and I am glad that I was able to help you through it. I wish you all the best
Hi Dorothy!
I have a question for you. Let me explain the situation a little first. I work at a summer camp and have for the past 2 years. This year, we are under all new upper management. We have always hired a few people from outside the US as well as several from here. This year, the management decided not to hire a couple of our very best and highly recommended staff members from out of the country. They did not give any reason for not hiring them. Does this employer have to give a reason for not hiring someone? It all seems very unfair to me becuase these workers are some of the best we’ve had. They’ve already worked there for two years and done outstanding work. Is there something they can do to fight this?
Thanks,
Noel
Hi Noel,
Unfortunately, management can hire whoever they want. Sounds to me since the camp went under new management that they want to approach recruiting a little differently this year and they can do that. They don’t have to give you a reason. I’m sorry that your friends didn’t get hired but that’s what sometimes happens when new management steps in.
Hi Dorothy,
I had an interview more than 1 week back and I was supposed to get a reply by the end of last week. There was no news and I decided to drop them an email on the following Monday. After 2 days of waiting, the hiring manager finally replied saying that they are not looking to hire the role that I wanted but they can offer another position for me. I’ve expressed my interest and waited for another 2 days. There’s still no reply. What should I do now?
Hi Irene,
Did the hiring manager actually offer you another role? Did you see the job description? Since it’s been a few days since you expressed interest in this new role I would contact the hiring manager and try to copy HR/recruiter and reiterate that you thank him for contact you and letting you know about this other position and you were wondering if they could send you a job description that you could review. That should get a response from them. Also, it sounds to me that they may be trying to figure things out since they decided not to fill the other role and now might have a different role available. What I’m saying is for you to be patient. I’m not sure they know what they are doing re: recruitment or there are some changes that are taking place within the company. Hope you hear from them soon.
hi, i was wondering if someone could help understanding the situation.. I had an interview on Tuesday, 7th and i think it went pretty decent, they detailed very well what the second step would be etc. etc. They said they were gonna let me know by Friday (today) and said they had other candidates to talk to. Left me their business cards.. I didn’t get the job..did I?!
Hi Ricky,
I would be patient. First, the day isn’t over yet and maybe they haven’t decided yet and will take the weekend to think it over. If you don’t hear from them on Monday I would contact them and remember to be professional and polite and stay positive. Hope you hear from someone soon.
Hi Dorothy. I got a call from a company where I had applied for an advertised position. However, they’re not calling me for the position that I applied for; they have another position that they think might suit me….so I went along with the phone interview and answered a few questions, and then she told me she’d like to schedule an in-person interview. She also told me where to find the job description of this other position, which was recently posted.
Well, when I read the job description, it is so far out to left field…very high end, has very little to do with me, and I have maybe only 10% of the qualifications. Do you think this is a “fake” interview, and they just need to fill in the time slots so they officially go through the “process”? I wouldn’t mind getting the job, but it’s just such a senior position and I really don’t feel that I qualify for it. What’s your take?
Hi Cindy,
Yes this maybe a fake interview or like many job descriptions it may look overwhelming but the job is actually much easier than it sounds. I would go to the interview with these two things in mind and prepare some questions of your own one being why they thought you (via your CV) would be a good fit in the role. It would be very interesting to hear what they have to say.
Great article Dorothy!
I applied online for an HR Associate Job with a company/brand I am a fan of. Their response was timely and within a few days, I had set up a phone interview with the recruiting coordinator. It was set for this past Wednesday at 10:30AM.
I prepared an hour earlier at home with my notes, resume, job description etc. 10:40 hits and I figure to myself that maybe something is just going on in their department and it’s okay, stuff happens. 20 minutes have passed and I’m beginning to question whether or not I have been forgotten about. By 11:10, my patience ran out and I decided to give them a call. The recruiter answered and I told her politely that she was going to interview me at 10:30. She said she was sorry and accidentally had me at 2PM (no proof/evidence communicated between us). I wasn’t available at 2 because I had other business to attend to, as well as school.
Her sincerity seemed legitimate and since I am a frequent customer of their brand, I decided to reschedule for Friday (today) at 10:30 AM once again. I followed up and sent her an email yesterday giving a friendly reminder about Friday’s phone interview. She simply replied “Thanks! I will call you tomorrow at 10:30
” Yup, a happy face.
It is now Friday, 40 mins past 10:30, and I am honestly fed up. I feel that this is unprofessional. I do not want to work for a company who cannot even get their hiring process correct. It’s painful to me because I want to have a future in HR, particularly as a recruiter.
I do have other commitments and applications going on. Should I just move on from this? And should I just call or email the recruiter and politely turn them down?
Hi Jason,
This was painful to read. I can see one honest mistake but forgetting to call you twice is really unprofessional. It really depends on how badly you want to work with these folks. You said it yourself ‘you don’t want to work for a company who cannot get their hiring process correct’. If that’s the case then move on. If you still want to work for this company then politely contact the recruitment coordinator again. If they are going to treat their candidates like this then frankly they will lose strong candidates. I’m glad you have other applications going on and I’m sorry that this coordinator is so flaky. I also can’t believe she used a happy face. She’s obviously not taking her job seriously and the company will suffer for it.
I attended an interview with a small Tool & Die company & during the interview the HR person did not even talk about the job description or job duties at all. He was too busy talking personal about how expensive such & such a city was to live in & blah blah blah. He proceeded to tell me that I would be trained in the Transportation & Customs part of the job. He also told me that the Purchasing Mgr was away the day I was there for the interview so I knew right then & there that there was something fishy with this interview. I asked him when they would be making their decision & he said by the end of the week & he told me to give him a call by the end of the week because he would probably ‘forget’ to call the candidates he interviewed. Today I called him & he informed me that they had gone with another candidate that had 1.5 yrs experience in the field. I was a little confused because he never had a job description for the position in the first place & during our interview he just said I would be inputting Purchase Orders at first which I have 15 years of experience doing. I am still shaking my head???
Hi Dawn,
When a company does not even take the time to write up a job description then you know the interview will be a gong show. It sounds to me like you dodged a bullet and should be happy that you didn’t get this job. Sorry but I’m pretty sure you will find a better job and company to work for.
Hi dorthy,
I have been reading alot of papers on interviews and how to have the interview, well earlier this week I had an interview and got the job filled out the new hired and they said they would do the background and reference check. So I waited no call called the manager and she said that they interview other people and thought they would be better fitted, she said she enjoyed interviewing with me and to not give up or discouraged. Did i not get the job because the background check, im so confused. I dont know what to think anymore I quit my last job because they lied on me but I kept the information because I dont want to lose the experience I have. Should I just remove them from my resume?
Hi Valerie,
I wouldn’t remove your last job from you resume. You just need to communicate the reasons you left the job a little better. If you think you didn’t get the job due to the background check then why not hire a company to run a background check on you and tell you what they find. At least then you know what everyone is saying. Also, when did you quit your last job? It sounds to me that you are still angry and bitter from the experience and really recommend you try to have some closure on whatever happened because it might be affecting your during interviews. Hope that helps and stay positive!
Hi Dorothy,
thank you so much for your answer! I have one more question for you.. Given that the company i interviewed for is a large corporation and the position is an important one..:
1- Do you think 3 days were enough to decide for the second interview? If they decided for me would they need approval from hr manager and so on?
2- They asked me about my hobby…now, why is that? Is it a good or bad sign and why??
Thank you so much!
ricky
Hi Ricky,
It really depends on how many candidates they decided to interview. Sometimes 3 days is enough to decide for a second interview. If they decided to invite you for a second interview they would just ask HR to set it up. They don’t need to ask for formal approval per se. Remember that a company wants to see if you fit in with the culture and asking about you and your hobbies or what you like doing outside of work is just a way to try to get to know you a little more. It’s either a good or bad sign. It’s just an interview question that you should try not to overanalyze. What is your gut feeling saying about the interview? Do you think you made a connection with the interviewers? Do you think they really liked you and could see that you were perfectly qualified for the job? Sometimes if you really take a few minutes and really lisent to your gut feeling you will probably know if you got the job or made it to the next round of interviews. Try not to overanalyze everything and be patient. Both things I know are VERY difficult to do
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for this article. It’s great that you have been responding to all of these comments, I’m sure all of the commentors appreciate your feedback!
The one thing on your list that caught my attention was the third one, about not asking for references. Last week I had a great interview. I met with 2 directors, each separately, and both went well. The interview lasted 20 mins longer than planned, and they were even saying things like “I think I could train you in 2 days,” “When can you start? I will be out of the office that week so would you be comfortable getting trained by someone else?,” and “We just need to figure out if you would be working for me or ____.” At the end of the interview, he still hadn’t asked for references, so I offered them, and he gladly accepted them, and told me he would be giving them to the recruiter.
Walking out of there, I felt great. 3 hours later, I sent each director a personalized thank you note. One wrote back saying that she “thoroughly enjoyed” our conversation and that the recruiter “will be in touch regarding your next steps, ” which made me feel great. The other wrote that he too enjoyed our conversation and that he passed along my references to the recruiter, and then signed the reply note “Best of luck,” which totally made my heart sink. I should point out that he is not American so it’s possible that it was just a matter of culture/formality differences, but who knows.
Last thing–today I looked on their website and noticed that they had removed the job posting for the position I applied for. I don’t know what to think. I would love your input! It has only been 3 days since the interview, so I guess it shouldn’t be worrisome that I haven’t heard from them yet.
Thanks!
I should also mention this is an entry-level position so it probably doesn’t have more than one round of in-person interviews, and no experience is required.
I’m Lauren, and I’ll be 27 in March. I unexpectedly lost my job (customer service position at a dry cleaners) at the end of December. A dry cleaners in Lansing expressed interest in me because of my experience about a week and a half afterward, but the only position they had available was shirt inspector. I lasted three days. I just didn’t have the “eye” for wrinkles. They knew I was a displaced front-of-the-house person, so they weren’t nasty about it. Later that week, I got an interview with the Sears in my town (Jackson, MI) for a cashier position. The woman asked me about my previous jobs, how I set goals and achieved them, things of that nature. I had a second interview after that with a different HR person, and she asked me about my education and my familiarity with the Internet (I stated that it was my favorite technology, and admitted that I had not yet had the professional opportunity to order products online for customers, but since I had purchased items online before and knew my way around the Internet, it wouldn’t be a problem). Finally, just yesterday in fact, I talked with the store manager. He talked to me about the sales process, and I provided him with examples from my 1 1/2 years as a product demonstrator in Sam’s Club as to my sales skills and competitiveness. He was really easy to get along with, and he ignored his constantly-ringing phone throughout our talk. At the end, he said that he would go over the applications with one of the women who interviewed me, and get back to me in the next couple of days (today or Sunday, I took it to mean).
Even though I had a great interview experience, and everyone I talked to was very pleasant, I’m almost positive I’m not going to get the job, and here’s why:
*I’m unemployed (a little over amonth at this point, if you factor in the laundry plant gig)
*My email address is bazingababe24@gmail.com
*When the store manager asked me if I had any questions for him, I asked him what the hiring department’s stance on where a new cashier would be placed was (single department vs. general, and I stressed that I would be comfortable with wherever they put me if I was hired), and how many people they were looking to hire, because there were multiple positions available. He said around three or four, but I don’t know if that’s limited to cashiers.
*I made a goofy face momentarily while I was trying to ascertain where he was going with a question
*I mentioned that the job would be flexible enough for me to return to school if I came up with the means, but stressed that I had no intention of leaving ANY job while I was in school
*Possibly the oldest girl they interviewed
My boyfriend has total faith in me, however, and outlined what I did right:
*Dressed professionally (black blouse, black knee-length skirt, hose, black kitten heels, hair pulled back)
*Showed up early
*Prepared for each interview for HOURS with typical questions and corresponding answers
*Greeted every interviewer with a friendly smile
*Remained cheerful and enthusiastic throughout
Adding to that my experience in selling food products, which would serve me well in selling store credit, and my four solid years in customer service, in one form or another. Also, the fact that I first mentioned the job to a Sears employee, thinking I was late to the party, and she referred me directly to the hiring department.
Saturday is over and I have gotten NO phone call. I can’t help but feel in my heart that I haven’t gotten the job. I cried practically all day today. Based on the things I’ve told you, would you hire me? Sorry this is so long. I just needed to talk to someone. I’m so scared that I will end up as one of the unemployable again.
Dorothy,
I have an update on the job situation, a friend of mine works there (I didn’t get any assist from her getting the interviews whatsoever), But she looked up the jobs and said they were not even there on the list to fill the positions anymore. I still haven’t heard anything from the recruiter whatsoever. I’m glad I did not stop looking for other jobs, keeping my options open. You are right its not so bad when you do that either, cause I DO have other options. But its still just DOWN RIGHT RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL don’t you think???
Can I get a email,phone call,letter??????
But this too shall pass right?!
Charisse,
Hi Charisse,
I’m sorry if you didn’t get the job and even more sorry that you haven’t heard from anyone in HR. I completely agree that it’s rude and unprofessional.
Hi Dorothy,
I just finished a heart-breaking application process. I am an upcoming college grad applying for a software programming job. After acing interviews with three managers and passing all their programming challenges and aptitude tests, they gave me a verbal offer. The Hiring Manager said that the managers were practically fighting over who would get me on their team, and they put together an offer that was 10% more money than I even requested.
The point is, the team definitely wanted me working with them, but the reviewer at their global HQ rejected the offer and all they told me was they ‘decided to fill the position internally’. This sounds like one of those cliche things they say to make it sound less personal. Is it common for this kind of thing to happen? Is it likely to be true that they are hiring internally or could it be that the global HQ had second thoughts about my resume? If I were to inquire about that with the hiring manager, would I be able to get a straight answer? Would I be wasting my time applying for a similar position there if it opens up? Sorry for so many questions, but my head is spinning on this one.
dont know if you remember because I know you have so many people emailing but I Just want you to know the place where i interviewed for (Through my friend) I got the job! the whole process was over a month from doing multilple interviews to background checks but i got it! I start on the 21st
CONGRATULATIONS Sharee!!!! I’m so happy for you. The process may have been long but obviously worth it right? Congrats again and thanks for letting me know
Hi Dorothy,
I have been reading all the responses to this article to help me get some answers to my recent interview rejection and have found them very helpful. I laughed when I read that part in your article about the interview being so perfect I wish I had recorded it and submitted it for an award. That’s exactly how I felt in all 5 of these interviews with this company. I thought I nailed it!
Here is what happened:
I applied for a job that is such a perfect fit for my experience and qualifications. I really like the company and frequent their stores. I knew when I applied for it that I would get a call from the company.
I applied in early November the day it first appeared online. I received a call from a third party HR company on Nov 29 to come in for an interview. On Dec 7 I met with a different third party HR consultant who used to be the VP of HR for this company. The interview went well and he said someone would contact me by the next week. I didn’t hear back from them for 4 weeks until Jan 8 to set up a time to meet with their SVP(This person would be my boss). I met with the SVP on Jan 20. It went very well. They requested salary history and professional references. I was called back to meet with three people, HR Director, Marketing Manager, and VP of Operations on Jan 26. The interviews were each one hour and went so well that the HR Director stayed after hours and discussed salary, vacation, recognition program, and benefits. She mentioned that they were just going to finish up checking on my references and they would be in touch with me very soon.
The original third party HR person began contact my references. Two weeks went by. During that time some of my references called me and said that the HR person set times with them several times and missed the appointment. Finally after two weeks I get an email from this third party HR person telling me that all my references have been checked and were great and he is waiting to hear back from the HR Director I interviewed with.
Then last night (Sunday) at 6pm I get an email from the third party HR person that said the following, “I just had the chance to catch up with the SVP and I’m so sorry to say that she has decided to pass. It had nothing to do with the feedback on your interviews or your references (which were all very positive) but they’ve decided to realign the responsibilities in this position and feel that they’re looking for something different going forward. I don’t have anything more specific to tell you beyond that. I’m so sorry it didn’t work out on this one and I appreciate you being so flexible and patient throughout the process. I wish you the best of luck in your job search. Given what I heard from your references I feel you’ll no doubt find something great. If you have any questions please let me know.”
I immediately sent a response email to the third party HR person thanking him for the considering me for the job and if he could give me any other feedback as I continue my job search. I also sent an email to the HR Director who I got along well with in the interview. She emailed back within the hour and said, ” Thank you for reaching out! What you were told you is true, however, the SVP is interested in speaking with you further. Would that work for you? I would love to set up some time this week when you are available. I hope you have had a great weekend and look forward to connecting this week.”
I replied with the times I am available.
What does she want to talk to me about? Is it for the realigned position? Is it to give her explanation as to why I wasn’t hired?
She will be calling me tomorrow. What is your advice?
Hi Dorothy,
I would really appreciate any insight you can offer.
I have been looking for another job for about 6 weeks. I just interviewed for a position that I am 100% confidant I would be perfect for. The recruiter who first contacted me for a phone interview told me that the manager for the position saw my resume and asked him to contact me. Hearing that made me feel all the more confidant.
Well today I interviewed with the manager. His boss was present for the first 15 minutes of the interview, but left when he was pulled to another meeting. In my opinion it went well. I answered all of their questions honestly and professionally. I even spoke of other companies that my previous employer outsourced for business and the manager seemed happily surprised that they used the same companies for their business as well.
My only reason that I feel I didn’t get the job is because when I asked the manager how soon they were looking to fill the position, he said as soon as possible, but was evasive. He didn’t provide any further insight to the fact that I could anticipate an offer. I admitted I was looking at other opportunities and received a job offer I was holding back on accepting due to my excitement about this job, but he was still very indifferent.
Am I being paranoid? Is it standard for a manager or hiring executive to be unspecific in showing direct interest? All of my past interviewing experience tells me no.
I want to follow up tomorrow, but think it may be too soon.
Any advise you can give would be appreciated!
Hi Dorothy,
I have been freelancing as a graphic/web designer for the past couple of years and prior to that, I worked on-site in either long-term contracts or full-time gigs. Now that I am trying to re-enter the full-time world again, I feel like I am hitting more walls than ever before. My resume is completely updated, customized and I have a completely updated portfolio to match.
I recently applied for a design position at a large corporation. I have actually held 2 similar positions in the past, so I am confident that I am a fantastic match for their creative team. My design work is also similar to their aesthetic.
After submitting my resume online, I did hear back from an internal HR Recruiter. She asked me basic screening questions, almost as if she was reading them off of a piece of paper, and then ended the conversation by saying that she was going to submit my resume and portfolio to the hiring manager and if the hiring manager wanted to interview me, she would call me back, but didn’t specify a time/date.
My question is, if I don’t hear back from the Recruiter, how long should I wait to call her and follow up on the status? It’s only been 3 days thus far, but this company has a reputation for hiring fast. I just got the impression that this Recruiter wasn’t all that interested in helping me as a candidate, and was just doing a job. I have no idea as to how I was presented to the hiring manager.
Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for replying and taking the time to look over my questions. I had a interview on Feb. 3rd for a position in the government. I felt I did just fine in the interview (was a bit nervous). I filled out the forms for a background check but there was a piece of vital information I could not provide on the spot which I promptly provided the next day with a thank you email to the hiring person and a supervisor. They said the background check could take up to a week and they would get back to me in 2-3 weeks. I wanted to ask how soon should I follow up and is the fact they did a background check mean I got this? The wait is really nerve wrecking.
As always thank you for your kind words and insight.
Hi David,
I know the waiting part of the process is the worst but you just need to be patient. Did they ask for your references? If so, if your references get checked than it’s a good sign. It’s doesn’t mean the role is yours 100% but it’s a good sign. So for now be patient David and I hope you hear soon.
Hi Dorothy,
I went for an on-site interview about two weeks ago. I really really wanted the position and I always liked that company a lot. I believe the interview went fairly well. They told me that they would make the decision in 3-4 weeks. However, I currently have another offer, not as good as this one, but pretty decent. The deadline for this offer is this Thursday (I already asked for an extension). So I emailed the team leader about my situation, asking him if he could give me a clue if I should decline my current offer and wait for them or not. He didn’t get back to me. What should I do? I am dying of anxiety. Thank you very much.
Hi Chelsea,
I would take the job that was offered. If the company that you really really wanted, wanted you than they would have responded pretty quickly to you email. It’s a hard decision that you have to make but I would take the job that is offered to you. Hope that helps.
Hi my comment is really a question I just recently went on a interview and the following happened: 1. the interview started out with just two people interviewing me and then they kept saying that they were impressed with the questions that I asked, then one of them left the room to go get another manager involved ok so I kind of thought that was a good thing but then six days later I recieve a call from a manager at the same job but from a different department. The call claims that my name and resume was given to her by the person/manager who interviewed me what does all of this mean in your opinion.
Hi Brittany,
The people might have liked you but you may not be a fit for their team so they passed along your resume and their feedback to another manager. I think it means that you may not get the job you originally interviewed for but you may have the opportunity to work with a different department and manager. I hope they invite you to an interview and offer you a job. Good luck!
Hi Dorothy. I’d like your advice. Back on Feb. 10 (above) I mentioned that I’d been called in for an interview, for a position that I didn’t apply for. I went to the interview figuring they may already have a target candidate, but it would be great “practice” and experience to do the interview. They kept me there for an hour, even though I thought the interview didn’t really go that well (I was quite nervous and couldn’t answer some of the questions!). I even took your advice and asked them why they thought I was a good match for this position, along with many other questions I asked.
Anyway, today they call me and….they want to offer me the job. Holy smokes! Well, the job isn’t really what I have in mind. I know I shouldn’t be picky, but I don’t want to accept this job when there are so many other better ones that I’ve applied for, and I have another interview with a different company next week.
How do I tactfully tell this company that I’m not interested? I think I need to get back to them no later than tomorrow morning. I don’t want to waste their time. However, it’s a great company and great location, so would like to keep the lines of communication open, should another position open up that might suit me better. What should I do?
Hi Cindy,
Congratulations on the offer! Before you decline the offer I want you to make sure you really understand what you’re doing. If you really know 100% that this role is not for you because it either does not help you reach your career goal or provides you with the environment and role where you can learn something knew than fine I would decline the offer. Explain that you are very interested in working with the company but you were looking for more of challenging role. if you’re not 100% sure then remember that you probably have a probation period – a time, usually 90 days, where the company can see if you can do the job and if not can fire you without any reason or notice. You need to understand that the probation period goes both ways. Maybe you start the job and realize that it’s not for you or that you had an interview with another company and got a better offer. You could technically quit without notice. So at the end it’s your decision. I hope that’s helpful. Good Luck!
Hey Dorothy,
I am so glad that you were of good help. I have recently got accepted to 2 jobs positions. But I am doing my first training tomorrow. And today the other company has called me to inform to me that I will be starting training next week, and listed some days. I told him that I still need to figure some stuff out and will let him know as soon as possible. He will be calling me back tomorrow to get the details from me. I was hoping that he can call me back Friday. So I can make a clear decision on which company I want to go to after my first training… I am just worried that if I tell him that I will let him know Friday and end up not wanting to go there, I will be wasting their time.
Hi Tien Tran,
Don’t worry about wasting anyone’s time. This is your career and future you need to think about. That is more important then worrying about whether you waste someone’s time or not. Good Luck!
Good Morning Dorothy,
First, thanks for providing such good information to those whom are clueless about the interviewing/hiring process. A little back ground, I have been looking for work in my chosen field for a little while now, there is an extreme shortage of positions for my job in the region of the country that I live in. Due to a natural disaster that destroyed 1 of 2 hospitals in my city, the remaining facility is having to expand in order to compensate for an increase in patient load, leading to the creation of 4 new positions in radiography. I applied for these positions on the morning of Jan 27, and was contacted by the HR department that afternoon to schedule an interview for the 31st. I do all of the standard prep for the interview, show up early looking professional…..when I meet the Director of Radiology, she seems nice, explains the requirements for the position, and tells me that since she is having to oversee not only the department at the facility that I am applying at, that she also is running departments at 3 other locations and that I will be interviewing with her second in command after our conversation because that is whom I would be interacting and answering to most often. She also let me know early in the interview that there were many applicants for the positions (which did not surprise me due to the shortages) and that it would be a couple of weeks for them to get through all the interviews and make a decision. After we finish up, she introduces me to her lead technologist and sets us loose. He asks some of the most common interview questions, walks me through the department, introduces me to the staff, goes over the type of equipment that I would be using…..etc. My resume reflects my education and professional experience very well, and it seemed that I was being tested to see if I would be a good fit with the staff, which is very important in a hospital. Things seemed to go well, and I was told that I would hear from them in a couple of weeks. I send my thank you letters to the Director and to the lead technologist as a follow up and started the waiting game. Almost 2 weeks after the interview I notice on their website that only 1 position has been filled, leaving 3. A few days after that, the position had been reposted, bringing the total back up to 4. I know that not finding any good candidates is almost nil due to our market being flooded with radiography techs, some whom lost their jobs when the other hospital was destroyed. Will it be improper to send another letter inquiring how far they have gotten in the hiring process? It has now been 2 weeks and I have not heard anything back. I wonder if her decision to have her lead tech conduct the majority of the interview has created an issue. He seemed like a nice fellow, but inexperienced with the process.
Hi Janyce Prier,
You have to follow up. Like you said they would have received a lot of interest from candidates and you don’t want to get lost in the shuffle. Definitely follow up and try to create a good relationship with someone there. Do you know anyone who could refer you? I think having someone who is inexperienced with interviewing can make things a little more challenging and things can take longer than usual. This is another reason you should really try to reach out to someone. Are you on LinkedIn? I would try to find a connection between you and someone in that department. Hope that helps and good luck!
Dorothy,
I had an interview with four managers from a company last Thursday. The hiring manager said she would get back to me by the following Friday. I’ve read articles about calling to follow up. It’s now the Thursday before do you think I should call today? Tomorrow afternoon? Or when do you think?
Thanks,
Jon
Hi Jon Merik,
I would follow up with them on Monday. Sometimes people say Friday but things come up so I would wait until Monday even Tuesday morning at the latest. Good Luck!
Dorothy,
I had a great interview a week and half ago for account executive position something I’d done before in a different industry. I’m confident the interview went fairly well because I was asked to do a translation assignment the next business day for them to evaluate as the position is bilingual. That went well enough that next morning they asked for my salary history and references. I was certain I would get the offer but didn’t hear back from them until yesterday saying they were moving forward with other candidates. I was so shocked I sent them an email thanking them for the opportunity and asking areas I was lacking so I could make this a learning experience for future. The HR manager told me to call her tomorrow because she’d be happy to give me some feedback. Is there a protocol for how to behave in conversations and questions to ask? I’m a bit nervous I’ve never had this type of conversation but I have been unemployed for a year now and I think that something in my presentation must be lacking and better fix it now. right?
Thank you very much!
Hi Paula,
I think it’s great that the HR manager want’s you to call her to discuss your interview. I would just thank you her taking the time to talk with you and really let her do all the talking. Make sure you’re infront of your computer so you can make notes and just try to listen carefully. You can only learn from your mistakes and listening to areas that you need to improve or didn’t do well can be hard but remember that this person is doing an amazing favour for you. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy, I was hoping to get your advice.
I have been interviewing for lots of roles lately and not having any luck getting an offer. I am consistently getting the feedback that the interview was great, really enjoyed meeting me, my background is great etc, but I am either too experienced or in one case not experienced enough for a role.
I have taken it in my stride up until now and kept on searching, but today I got rejected for another role that I have been through 3 rounds of interview for. The 1 line email I received advising me of this said –
“xx really enjoyed meeting with you. She sensed you are looking for a larger opportunity than she can provide at Company Y and as such, will be passing on your candidacy.”
I was really taken aback, especially having been through 3 interviews where I have clearly said this is a role that I want, explained why, and talked about how I see this fitting in to my career plans. I am also uncomfortable with the comment that the manager “sensed” I was looking for something else – I might be reading too much into it, but I felt that kind of suggested that I was somehow not being honest about what I wanted.
So I have 2 questions for you –
1. Do you think I should email the manager direct and ask for an explanation/more feedback? This rejection email came from the recruiter, whereas for the last several weeks the manager has been emailing me directly, so I kind of feel like she does not want to discuss this because she didn’t send it herself
2. How would you suggest I manage this perception of being overqualified/wanting a bigger job when it is not even coming up during the interview process? I don’t feel that the roles I am applying for are too junior for me, plus my CV is very clear on my experience, so I wonder why I am being invited for interview if they think I am beyond the job.
Thanks for your help!!
Hi Chis,
A recruiter/hiring manager really listen to their gut instincts just like candidates do when they have a good feeling about a certain company. When we read someone’s resume and look at their experience we can see if they will fit in the role or the company we are trying to fill. If you have always had senior level roles and are a type A person than the recruiter will have a sense that you may not like the job you think you’re great for because the recruiter/hiring manager know the company, the people who work there and most importantly the role they are trying to fill. Sometimes when you show portray yourself as a go getter or really successful and loves challenges then the company will start to think that maybe this role will not be challenging enough. There is a fine line of showing that you can do the job and showing that you can do the hiring managers job. I hope you know what I mean. Yes, you can email the manager but I think the feedback was honest and you probably won’t get anymore. I think you need to really look at how you sell yourself and how you come across. Maybe you’re intimidating some people. Hope that helps.
Hey Dorothy,
Ricky here, i posted last week about my first interview. Well, just a short update: i sent a thank you email on monday and after one hour they invited me for the second interview. They are flying me on the other side of the country!! They said i will meet in 2 separate interviews: first sales manager and sales director and after HR director and VP. What do you think? Do i have a good chance? What do you think about the way they set up the 2 interviews? Thank you!
Ricky
Hi ric,
Congratulations!! Different companies have different interview processes and I think making it to the next stage is great news for you. Just remember to if this is a job that requires you to move than you are in competition with local candidates. You need to stand out and really prepare well for the job. Good Luck!
Hello Dorothy,
I actually had an interview on Monday with the HR Dept and the Hiring managers separately (3 hours long), either way I felt it went extremely well, they said they would be making offers Friday (today). I have not received a call back yet, but last night I did get a call from their 3rd party company that is doing back ground checks. When do you think would be a good time to follow back up with them Monday?
Hi Patrick,
Yes I think Monday would be a great time to follow up with them especially since they said that they would be making offers on Friday. I also think it’s great news that they checked your references. Hope you get the job!
Hi Dorothy,
I really enjoyed reading your article, but this is my issue. I had receieved an email about different internships for a professional football team. I replied almost immediately with a professional job description letter and resume (I’m a business major so i know a few tips when it comes to writing certain letters). They responded within 30 mins saying, “You are perfect for this position..” they also said they wanted to “meet” with me during tryouts (tryouts for the players, not potential employees). They didn’t exactly say “interview” so should I be worried about doing an interview? I also have another question. I know other people who applied and didn’t get a response so when i got a reply i was super elated. I was so elated that i responded as soon as they said they wanted to meet me. Later on that day i was showing family and friends the emails and realized something, i spelled a simple word wrong! Should i send a correction of my email? Or should i have the “they know what i meant” mentality? It was just one letter wrong in ONE word.
Hi Tony,
Don’t worry about the misspelled word. I wouldn’t be too worried that they didn’t officially say that you are invited to an interview but I would go in totally thinking it is an interview. It may be less formal but you will be judged and asked typical interview questions so just go prepared and I’m sure you’ll do fine. Good luck!!
I applied for a job with an employment agency. The hiring manager interviewed a week later the agency called and offered me the position. I accepted the offer, but was told they needed to check rehire status because I was a 20 yr employee I waited the hiring manager found out I was illegible for rehire. I sent an email asking questions and was told they called me ONCE and when I contacted them I was told all the position had been filled. I check every call record through Verizon and they called me one time at 8:43pm and never tried again. When I interviewed with the manager he explained the only reason he went
through the agency was the bldg they were in was up for sale.I think the hiring agency was incompetent they called me once never left a message. I asked for the agency to get a message to the hiring manager and was told they could not do that. The hiring manager told me if I needed more clarification to let the agency know and he would call me . The agency said they would not forward my email and they would not get a hold of him because the positions were filled.
Hi AdriAnne D Bridges,
I’m not sure I understand why you were not hired. Did you used to work for the same company and they had some kind of policy that did not allow passed employees to be rehired? I am sorry that you didn’t get the job. I know the employment agency looks incompetent in your eyes but sometimes companies like to hide behind the agency they work with. This means when you meet them they are very open to talking with you and tell you to get in touch with the agency and any questions you have will be forwarded on etc. but reality might be very different. The company might have said they decided not to hire you for whatever reason and told the agency not to forward any questions or emails to them from you. They don’t want to explain why they didn’t hire you so they are hiding behind the agency. Just another way of looking at your situation. In anycase, you weren’t hired and I’m sorry.
Hi Dorothy,
My name is Debbie and I had a telephone interview on Tuesday, Feb 14th that I thought went very well. The interviewer, who is the Director of the department that I will be working for, said I will hear something within 1-2 days as they would like to start their second round of interviews next week. As of today, I still haven’t heard anything back from them. She said I could reach out to her if I had anymore questions but I did not get her contact information. I have the e-mail information of the person who scheduled the interview but not the director’s. My question is, what should I do next? I would like to reach out to her Monday morning (I could find her email address on-line) but is this appropriate? Should I wait for them to contact me, send the director an email or send an email to the person who set up the interview? In addition, what should the email say? Should I ask a job-related question or just send a follow-up email? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Hi Debbie,
Since the Director said that it would be ok for you to reach out to her if you had any questions than it’s fine to find her email and contact her. You shouldn’t feel bad about following up especially when the other person gives the the green light. I would not wait for them to contact you since a lot of time has already passed. It’s up to you on how comfortable you feel but I would send an email directly to the director and state that you are still interested in the role and that you really enjoyed the conversation you had with her and you were wondering if she could tell you where you were in the interview process. Hope that helps. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I am not sure if you remember me. I had 3 rounds of great interviews and was told that they are still reviewing other candidates and decision has not been made yet.
Just wanted to give you an update. I did not get the job. I emailed the recruter after 2 weeks of my last interview and I did not get any reply then I called her after waiting for 1 more week. She said that still they have not decided. Next day I got an email from her saying they have decided not to move forward with me. Upon asking for feedback I got a response that company X does not give feedback. I am just going to take this as a lesson and move on with my job hunt.
Thanks for all your support.
J
Hi J,
I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job. We didn’t have high hopes since they were still reviewing other candidates. It doesn’t actually sound like they filled the role so don’t feel that bad. I’m sure you’ll find something way better. Thanks for the update.
Hi Dorothy,
I just want some advice about a interview I went to. The interview was for an Office Assistant Position for a small company. The 1st interview was with the Administrative Manager and her assistant. I sent her a Thank you letter after the interview and got a call back couple days later for a 2nd interview with the general manager.
I went for the 2nd interview today and the general manager said that she really hasn’t discussed anything with the administrative manager about me and that she really hasn’t looked over my resume yet. she basically asked me around the same questions as what I had for my first interview. She said that she currently hasn’t decided if she wants to hire someone who has less experience (that’s me) to start off at the bottom or someone who has more experience and start off as a manager’s assistant. She has discussed salary with me and what to expect for the job. And she didn’t ask for my references…..I actually brought it up and gave it to her. So I’m not really sure if I’m still in the running for the position…
I’ve been trying so hard to apply for jobs but I don’t get any replies….the office assistant job is actually a referral. I’ve finished university 9 months ago and I’m completely losing hope and motivation…
Thank you
Hi someone that is losing hope,
Please DON’T lost hope. Being a recent grad and looking for work is really hard. Remember that the more interviews you go to the more comfortable you’ll be. My advice regarding your resume is not to mention that you are a recent grad. By looking at your experience and when you finished university recruiters/hiring managers will know automatically that you are a recent grad. When you state that you’re a recent grad many recruiters won’t read on so take it off your cover letter and resume profile (if you have one). I would be happy to look over your resume for you if you would like. You need to stay positive and getting an interview through a referral is not a bad thing. You just need to land your first job to start getting some experience so make sure you’re confident and don’t let some unsuccessful interviews keep you down. Good Luck!!
Dorothy,
I had a telephone interview with a recruiter on February 6th. At the conclusion of the interview I was told that I would be “recommended” for a face-to-face interview and a colleague would be contacting me. (I had the phone interview on a Monday and I was to hear by the end of the week to schedule the interview.) I immediately wrote my thank you note and I have followed-up with the recruiter twice but have not heard anything. If I am told I am a good fit for the position and that I would be hearing from someone about scheduling a face-to-face interview “by the end of the week” how was I experiencing a “fake” interview?
Hi David,
Sometimes a recruiter can recommend someone for a face-to-face interview but the hiring manager might have someone else in mind already. I don’t think the recruiter thought of you as a fake interview. I don’t like that they didn’t respond to any of your follow-ups. I think that’s pretty rude. It sounds like the recruitment strategy changed and that’s fine but they should have notified you. I’m sorry.
Hi Dorothy,
I want to thank you for your honesty. To date, my only true complaint in my job search is the lack of courtesy from the recruiters. Having been in my field over 20 years, I would say 85% of the time I have applied for a position, I have been hired. That being said the past 6 months have been utterly bizarre. I have been called no less than 15 times for jobs I sumbit my resume to. Of those jobs, I have been given the message of you’re great for this position, we’ll call you on Tuesday or some other set date and I never hear back. I call and email in follow-up and receive not even a courtesy response of the position has been filled. I am currently waiting to hear back after a 2nd interview that went very well, however, they have not asked for referrences and while they did respond to my inquiry follow up today stating they have not made their decision yet and thank you for checking in. I believe it is apparent they have someone set for the position. Why the complete disregard of another person’s time and hopes? I’m only 40 so not out-dated in my expectation of courtesy am I? Also, thank you for explaining the “fake interview” of which I have been a victim no less than 5 times now. I was beginning to lose confidence in my abilities!
Hi Amanda,
Unfortunately, the lack of courtesy from recruiters is turning out to be a very common occurrence. It’s really sad to see. Many recruiters fail to understand that their job is not just to fill a vacancy. The interview process is the first glimpse into how a company works and treats their employees. I think with the economy the way it is many companies are not having any trouble finding candidates. They are probably receiving more than enough applications and because of that they are forgetting one of the most important rules in recruitment – treat everyone with respect and communicate clearly about the interview process and the outcome of interviews. I am sorry but please do not lose confidence in your abilities and I’m glad you found this article helpful. Good Luck on your job search
Dear Dorothy,
I recently applied for a job in a school and had an interview last Thursday.
On Friday I got an E-mail saying that they were very interested in my application and that they were awaiting references before making a final decision.
They said they would be making a final decision early in the week commencing Monday 20th.
Should I assume I am not getting this job?
Hi Laura,
Why would you assume you wouldn’t get the job? They are checking references and that’s a good sign. I would check with your references and see how it went. I would stay positive unless your references were not checked. Hope you hear from them soon.
Hello there Dorthy,
I had an interview for Build-a-Bear awhile back. It has been about 4 weeks and still no call back from them. I know for a fact that the interview went really well because I felt a sense of immediate connection with the manager and the other workers there. After the interview had ended, they had told me that I would get a call back in a week. I waited for a week and no call, so I called them back. They told me they had still not made any decisions yet. So I waited another week and called again. Once again, I was given the same answer. Then I waited past the third week and now it’s the fourth week. I am about to call them again today. I really wish that they would just call me to tell me if I didn’t get the job instead of getting my hopes up when I call them instead of rejecting me if that is what they are planning. What should I do?
Hi Toan,
Wow, four weeks is a long time. I would definitely be persistent and call them back. If they say that they still have not made a decision ask them if you can provide any more information for them or if they would like you to come and meet with them again. I personally would move on. Don’t stop your job search while you wait to hear from this company. Good Luck!
One afternoon, I received a phone call from one of the biggest computer chip maker located in West Coast in US. He asked me if I was ready for a technical phone interview right then. I was interviewed by the same company that morning too but for a different position and was waiting for a feedback.
I declined and said about the earlier interview I had and he said he will find out more about that interview I had and will get back to me as soon as possible. Three days later, he called me back and asked me If I received any feedback from that earlier interview. I said I was still waiting. He asked If I can work for similar position for the same company that I was interviewed for, and also said If I can do well in that technical interview he will give me a job confirmation within couple of days.
I agreed but I said I need half an hour time. He agreed and called me back 33 minutes later. He asked me about the last two software project I worked for and around 30 complicated technical questions. I answered all of them. He was happy about my technical skills and he said I am a great candidate and he will look forward working with me. He said he will give me a feedback within next 2 days.
At that time, I didn’t even know what project he was in and who he was other then his name. When I was asked If I have any question, I asked him about his role with that company and how he received my resume. He said he is a Project Manager and he received my resume from another project manager within that company. Then he promised to get back within couple of days. The interview went for an hour, longer than usual 30 minutes technical interview.
5 minutes later, He called me back again and asked how soon can I join the company? I answered as soon as they need me. He asked another question If I am ready to relocate to West coast because I lived in East coast, I told him that I would. He asked me about my work authorization status and after that he said he got all the information about me that he needed and will get back to me as soon as possible within two days.
It’s day one and according to his time frame, I have to wait until tomorrow at the latest for his confirmation. Dorothy, he called me back to asked If I can relocate and how soon I am able to join his project. Does that mean I can be certain that he will call me back to give confirmation and he is interested in hiring me?
(I am a software engineer and most of the job don’t require face to face interview, all they do is a technical telephonic interview and offer a job)
Hi Dorothy,
About 2 weeks ago I interviewed with my Manager. She called me that morning and we met that afternoon. We talked for 2 hours but I found it wierd that she didn’t ask me any questions about my previous experience or my background. While I thought it was odd I understood because she and I have worked together for awhile. I found out that two other people applied for the job in my department as well. Of the three of us I am most senior, most experienced and I have a great rapport with my team members. Additionally, I have the heaviest workload of everyone on my team. I got a call today telling my very quickly that I didn’t get the job and she wanted to tell me before anyone else told me. She picked the least likely candidate, the least experienced and the laziest guy in the group. I was shocked but I wished him well and went on with my day. But now its a few hours later and I’m irritated by this. I was given no reason as to why I didn’t get the job and from what I can see the only obvious thing between the two of us is that her management team is all men, besides me if I were to be considered. She hired another male. Without saying the obvious reasons because I want to believe there is a legitimate reason I didn’t get the job……….should I follow up for an explanation as to why I didn’t get the job and what I can improve upon? Should I just let it go and see what else comes up? I can’t seem to make rhyme or reason out of any of this. Can you advise?
Hi Alissa,
Absolutely follow up! They need to provide you with a good reason and if they don’t I would really re-think your job search and maybe look at other companies rather than within your current one. I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job.
Hello! I just stumbled across your blog today, mainly because the past 1.5 weeks has been the longest of my life!
I was wondering if I could get your advice…
To begin, I’m a recent college grad. In the past 7 months I’ve had on and off employment…virtually, nothing. I apply to jobs daily, but it appears I am either over-qualified (retail or grocery chains don’t call back if I put “college” on the resume), or just not qualified at all.
I had some offers earlier that I turned down due to location (wish I hadn’t now), so I know that being a horrible interviewer isn’t always the issue.
Last week I interviewed for a position at a small non-profit. I was interviewed by the director/supervisor and hiring recruit. While I did not have the initial experience that one could have, it was still an entry-level position, and my interview went very well. I was told that my college education studies was also big plus for the position. I was calm, outgoing, and did awesome with the interviewing questions as a whole… to many of the questions (specific to the residents of the organization), the supervisor interrupted me on most answers to add on to what I was saying…on one she even said “I…yes..yes…you know, that is the first time I have heard that answer today”, and began to snowball more conversation from it, like most of my answers. She kept talking about how the field is not what it used to be, and most people don’t understand it [what the organization sponsors]. We went back and forth between conversation for over an hour, and it ran into the next interview slot.
She stated that there was a high turnover rate for the said position..and that they needed “new blood” ( a supposed fresh, energetic person with a modern view on the issues–which I tried to make clear I had), and implied that previous employees simply weren’t willing to put the work and passion up to the plate.
Before I even asked about the call-back process, she told me they had to write a recommendation, send all my files over the HQ, and they had to do background checks, etc. before I could be approved. I assumed that was a good sign?? They walked me to the door, and she said “we need more people like you…”.
Anyways, I felt great about the job afterwards, though before I wasn’t sure I wanted it. I was (and still am) up for the challenge, the long hours, and the hard work. I didn’t feel as if any of it were fake…it’s a small, personable non-profit.
I accidentally sent my thank-you email a few days late, but it turns out they aren’t the ones who hire me anyways.
After a week and a half, I called back the hiring recruit today. As I figured, she told me to call HQ, because they were going over the documents. I called, inquired, they checked and they said “we are actually still waiting on one reference check to come back”.
My initial translation of that was “we are no longer considering you for the position”. Is this right?
I know they do full background checks, etc…does she mean they are waiting to hear back from one of those checks?
Thanks!
…also it may be worth noting that for the specific position, a background check and full criminal history check are required. They may have been referring to that, but who knows
Hi Dorothy,
I applied for a role back in December, did not hear from them until Feb 13th and was told I have been shortlisted for a telephone interview on the 14th of february. I had the telephone interview as scheduled and it lasted about 15mins with a panel of three. However, the job is in a different country and I have always wanted to work for this particular company. I received an email on the 17th of february from the HR manager stating they would like to invite me to that country for a face to face interview and that they would provide me with a return tickect. They asked me to give them my availabitlity for the interview. I responded accepting the invitation and gave them my availabilty. However, it would be a week tomorrow since I responded the email and I have not heard from them since.
I was wondering if you think it would be a good idea to email the HR manager again.
Your response would be hoghly appreciated.
Hi Priority,
It seems like the company is not in any rush to hire so I’m not surprised that the process is taking longer than usual. I would definitely follow up but don’t be shocked if this process is slow. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I had a weird interview experience. I interviewed with a company on Monday(02/20). In my opinion, the interview went great. At the end of all the interviews, there were 4 in all, the VP called me. He was the most senior person in my interview loop and said that they though I would be a good candidate and I was a good fit. They asked about my time frame since I am currently working and I would have to move etc. I asked them that I would like to move as soon as I find the right opportunity. He said that the recruiter would be contacting me and I left. At this point, I was pretty certain that I should be hearing positively from them. However, when the recruiter called me back on Wednesday, she just asked me about my experience and how interested I was in the company. She also asked me whether I was interviewing at other places. I have never heard a company having this kind of hr interview after a technical onsite interview. Generally, this happens before the technical interview and the recruiter and I had spoken about this before. So I did not understand the use of this phone call. I asked her what was the feedback she had heard from the team and she responded that it was positive. She said that she would get back with my feedback to the team and she would be contacting me within a week.
What should I make out of all this? Did I raise some red flags regarding my interest in the company or could this just be routine before making an offer?
I would be very grateful if you could help me make sense of this.
Thanks a lot
Hi Nidhi,
When a company thinks about offering a job to a person who is not a local they need to make sure that the person is taking the role seriously. It’s a huge decision on the companies part and of course yours. I really think the questions were very routine but keep in mind that the decision to chose a person who is not local is a very difficult and companies take it very seriously. Good Luck!
I’ll go ahead and post my update:
Turns out my gut feeling was spot-on; when they told me yesterday they were “waiting on one more reference check”, they had actually already made a decision. I received a rejection post-card in the mail TODAY (post-marked before I called to check in on my app status)…not even in an envelope, so I found out via my roommate. As if I wasn’t upset enough, then everyone got to see!
It’s a shame. I expect this kind of dodging from corporations or larger organizations, but not a more localized non-profit. I guess the interview process is changing everywhere.
They could have at least had the decency to tell me after they had already sent out my rejection letter., rather than get my hopes up all over again.
anyways…I just want to say best of luck to all the recent college grads out there who don’t have the “ideal” degree that fits most jobs. I hope you have more luck building a strong resume and getting that first job than I have had! It appears I will be going back to grad school after all. Best of luck to everyone. Your big break will come!
And thank you for writing this blog, it really has been a help.
Hi Casey,
I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job
Hi there,
Couldn’t stop from sharing my experience. I am a hotelier and worked with a very renowned company for a period of 6 years. But as it happens with a change in management there is a change in work environment.
After a lot of thinking I decided to move on to greener pastures and try out chained restaurant groups….which was a refreshing change. But I started missing the Hotel life…trust me if you have worked in hotels you will understand.
I started looking to get back in to Hotels and started applying for jobs. Now, after a exactly 45 application I got a reply from a very reputed company. I got invited for an interview…I travelled nearly 6 hours to and for for a 45 min interview.
Frankly the interview was good….the Food & Beverage manager sounded very impressed with me and went on to say I was the candidate who answered every question the way he would do and was told to look for a reply soon.
Well after 3 weeks, 2 e-mails with no replies and a phone call I was told by the interviewer that he is still to make a decision but I should give him a call if I had any questions and that he would get back to me soon.
Well after all the shindig I was quiet confident to get back to a thing I loved but surprise surprise got a very impersonal standard reply that the position was filled and I was thanked for my interest.
Now you would understand the feeling I got….it made me angry and frustrated. But I try and look at the brighter side thinking if the management is so unprofessional in the initial stages of employment, working there would be no less than working in a circus.
Hence I still am countlessly applying without a reply back from the companies that advertise the jobs but have no time to revert to the applicants….
Hi Nitin,
I am sorry that you didn’t get the job but you NEED to stay positive and I am surprised with 6 years of experience that you haven’t been getting invited to more interviews. I would definitely review your resume and maybe update it. In the meantime, stay positive and good luck!!!
Hi Dorthy,
I interviewed for a position I am extremely excited about yesterday. The processes consisted of two interviews. The first one was a panel filled with various people in the department I would be working in. I thought I did a good job articulating how my experiences/education fit their needs. They seemed impressed and had positive things to say. However, I was told that a second round of interviews would “probably” be held in two weeks and that I should expect to hear from them then. The second was with someone from HR. She admitted that she was having to fill-in at the last minute for the person that I was originally scheduled to meet with (she was obviously not prepared because she hadn’t even looked over my resume or knew which position I was applying for). She asked about my salary expectations and mentioned she was concerned about my availability (I will graduate in early May but told her I would be able to commit to near full time hours). This interview mainly consisted of her going over schedules, PTO, insurance, etc stuff you normally discuss after an offer is made. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on the comment that they will “probably” have a second round of interviews. Also, I felt the second interview wasn’t nearly as smooth as the first, do you think this could have a major negative impact on my chances.
Hi Shane,
Not all interviews are going to feel amazing. The HR person was going through HR things such as insurance and schedules. I think if you impressed the first group then that’s great but if you’re not available or your schedule does not fit their role then I would be a little concerned. HR usually likes people to be available and can commit to full time hours if that’s whats required for the role. I hope they get back to you soon.
I have had a few “fake” job interviews; the particularly painful one was with my former employer who was passionate about re-hiring me in the very near future. My division was disolved due to consolidation and political pressure. Anyway, I was passed over for a political hack…after 22 years of loyal service to this company. I don’t understand how some people look at themselves in the mirror on a daily basis.
Hi Dorothy,
Love your blog! I am desperately looking to make a job change and recently interview with the owners of a company for an hour for allegedly a Director of Sales position. It went well. This company has created a very unique culture and is always ranked as one of the best places to work. At the end of the interview, the owners said they were still ‘vetting out the role.” I sent thank you notes to all 3, and heard from the HR manager a few days later.
The email said “we are exploring what would be a good long term fit for you with the company and if I was made another offer to let them know immediately.” I unfortunately know all to well that recruiters don’t call or email- period. I always appreciate a response, even if it is not the one I want. However, I was struck by the “if another offer comes along to let them know.” For the record, I was with the same company for 14 years and have been with a start up company for almost a year. Thanks for your feedback!
Hi Tamara,
I think this company just isn’t ready to hire for this role. Like they said they are “vetting out the role”. I think they actually sent you a generic email stating “if another offer comes along to let them know…..”. It’s supposed to make you feel good and wanted by the company but in reality they don’t have a role for you at this point in time. You obviously had a good interview and I would be proud of that. If you really want to work for this company then I would keep an eye on their job board and apply to future roles that interest you. Good Luck!
What exactly could you say when calling to follow up an application?
Do you call the main company or the store you applied to?
Hi David,
I would suggest you follow up with the person who invited you to the interview. If during the interview you made a connection with the interviewer and they told you to feel free to contact them then that would be the person to follow up with. If it’s a store then I would make sure that you get that stores phone number and name of the person you interviewed with. The goal is to always get a contact name and number before you leave your interview. Hope that helps.
I’ve been on quite a few interviews lately and I keep getting the same feedback after being told that I didn’t get the job. The interviews felt good, I asked questions and tried to show that I was interested in the position. I keep being told that it seemed like I wasn’t enthusiastic about the job. Ugh! In one case that may have been in true, but not in the others. I definitely wanted those jobs. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Gina,
I think sometimes when your job search gets intense and you do go to a lot of interviews that the enthusiasm for the job gets lost as the interviews start to all feel the same. I think you need to either take some time off from your job search or apply to jobs that you are truly interested in. Since you’ve been told that you aren’t enthusiastic about the roles then I would try to work on that and try to really be more passionate. Hope that helps and good luck!
Hi Dorthy,
I work for a company as a contractor. Recently, the company posted a new position for different department and I applied. After one week I got call in for an interview. During the interview one of the 3 persons that interview me read my resume and tell me that my background only in the manufacture not much technical. After interview they didn’t say when they will contact me or give me a final decision. it’s almost a week and I haven’t heard anything from them. Is this mean that they think I’m not a qualify candidate so they not told me anything about the hiring process?
Hi William,
Yes since one of the interviewers mentioned that you don’t have much technical background it maybe a reason for you not to get the job but since you don’t know when they are looking to hire or when their interview process is over it’s hard to tell. Did you send a thank you note? I would definitely follow up and see where they are in the interview process. Good Luck!
I have a question and I’m not sure if you could answer it but I was recently offered a job and I accepted it. My orientation starts Monday and my husband just told me that he is being relocated. Now I have to call the person or who offered me the job and tell them I won’t be able to start working for them. I’m scared that it would negatively effect me if I were to try and apply with this company again. Would it negatively effect me??
Hi Sophie,
I think if you’re honest and genuine that you did not expect this and obviously can’t control the fact that your husband is being relocated that it would not negatively effect you. I’m not saying the company won’t be upset or shocked but if you’re sincere when you talk with HR I’m sure it will go well. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I had a phone interview yesterday (only 2 business days after applying on the company’s site). An HR manager conducted the phone interview, she didn’t ask me too many questions but ended with “I can see you definitely have the experience we need and are looking for” she then proceeded to tell me she would be forwarding my info to the hiring manager. I received an email later that same afternoon asking me if I would be able to come in 2 days later for an interview… I of course said yes. The HR manager then replied with another email stating that her HR coordinator would be reaching out to me with the details and cc’d this HR coordinator. I emailed a reply all to this email then addressed it to the HR manager and the coordinator stating that I look forward to the in-person interview the next day and that I am following up on the details regarding the time and location information for the interview; and I also typed that I would like to have a chance to make arrangements with my current employer for this interview. It has been a couple of hours since I sent the email and have received no reply. It is now halfway through the late afternoon. Am I being brushed off? Did they for some reason change their minds about granting me this in-person interview tomorrow and have just not told me? I am just assuming that if they expect me to interview tomorrow that I would have a time and location info by now, or at least a reply of some sort. Shall I email them again tomorrow if I do not hear from them tonight? This position is nearly identical to a job I have been doing for the past 5 years but with some additional responsibilities… and this job is at a much more reputable company with many more opportunities for growth. I don’t want to come across as desperate to them but I really need this job. Thanks in advance for your advice Dorothy!
Hi Anne,
Be patient if the company wants to interview, and they do, I would just be patient. You already sent a professional email and I would not bombard the company or HR with more emails that will make you look desperate. If you miss the original date of the interview don’t fret. It’s just a date. It can be rescheduled. Again, be patient and good luck!
I’m a bit confused. I was a trainee teacher in a department that now has a vacancy. I’m still in contact with some people in the dept and they reported back to me that there was a positive response when I applied for the role. The head of the dept had an informal conversation with me about the role, alerted me to the closing date and confirmed that she had received my application. She was positive about my application. On the day of the closing date the role has now been advertised in the national press! What does this mean for my prospects at securing interview? Am I out of the running?
Hi Sarah,
Sometimes a company wants to be fair or show that they are being fair so they post their job everywhere. I wouldn’t be too freaked out by it. Just make sure that when you get an interview that you stay focused and are confident. So don’t sweat it and I wish you all the best in the interview
Hi Dorothy,
I did send a thank you note after the interview. I know that the division is urgent for finding the people. I think the interview process still on cause I saw the job still post on their company site for internal view. One thing I feel really strange that the project manager c0me to my cubical and ask me for the interview with their team at the same day without let me prepare. I dont know what should I do right now ? wait couple more weeks and shoot her an email for asking the hiring process.?
Hi William,
I would definitely wait a few days and then follow up and ask them where they are in the interview process. Stay positive and patient. Good Luck!
Hey Dorothy, I interviewed for a position about 3 weeks ago. They finally got back to me. With this email “Hello David, thank you for your e-mail. We are currently reviewing our staffing needs for the next fiscal year. Your resume and interview notes have been retained on file until we have determined our future requirements.”
Meaning I didn’t get the job or any time soon right?
Hi David,
Yes, this means that they are reviewing their staffing needs which means they are not going to hire right now or aren’t in the position to hire but when they can (have the finances) they will review your resume. I would start applying to other companies.
Hi,
It’s like school jobs. They already have planned who is going to get the job before everyone gets interviewed. I was told by one that I answered the qustions perfect. I just needed more experience. I am doing voluntary work in a school and I am at University. Plus more experience on placement etc. I applied for a job at my voluntary setting and they said I was unsuccessful because loads of qualified teachers were applying for the teaching assistant job. Then I went for another which I thought went really well. I found out a day later that I did not get the job because I didn’t answer the qustions in detail. It’s a joke!! People who really want to do these jobs are not given the chance.
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I know it can be frustrating but you need to stay positive and learn from the feedback. After you get more experience and possibly work on your interview skills I’m sure you’ll be more successful. Good Luck!
Ok, fake interviews and target hires I understand. Unfortunately, I have had to do them myself. What about the interview that goes great, get called back FIVE times, ask for references, gets glowing recommendations from references, but still no decision? I started this process on Jan. 18th and have had over 9 hours of interviews with this company. Unfortunately, none have been with the hiring manger. Three of the interviewers said they would hire me on the spot if they could, but we had to go through the process. All references have been checked; all background info has been done. Last communication with them was last week, stating everything looked great, and they would follow up in the morning. That morning was last week. I understand being thorough, but this has gotten a little crazy. You would think I was applying for a government position…. it’s GM training position with a theater company!! I rarely stress, but this process, I believe, is making me have ulcers!! I just want to know, do they want me or not? (breathe, breathe, counting to 10….)
Hi Mickey,
I completely understand your frustration. At least you made it to the end and now it’s just a matter of making the decision. The waiting part of the interview process is just terrible. Good luck and I agree make sure you take deep breathes
Hi Dorothy, I would appreciate some feedback.
My friend and I recently applied for the same job and she ended up getting it. The thing that confuses me is that I was much more qualified as I hold many leadership positions in my school, while she flat out lied about being in certain activities geared towards the job. Don’t interviewers check up on that stuff? Should I lie if it will help me? If I say I am in charge of many activities, will that hurt my chances? Thank you for your time!
Hi Anna,
I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job and I do not recommend you lie in interviews. Remember that recruiters and hiring managers are looking for people who they think will be a good fit. If its a job that didn’t need a lot of experience then they obviously just picked the person they thought would work well with the team. I know you’re upset but with your experience and leadership I’m sure you will land a great job
Hi Dorothy
Great website I must say, you got a dear fan here in Norway.
Around three weeks ago a friend of my boyfriend passed his CV to a contact in a company and the Partner and Head of the legal department asked to meet my boyfriend as they found him interesting. My boyfriend went to the interview two weeks ago but only met the Head of the Legal department briefly as the Partner was on travel and this meeting was not long. Anyway two weeks later he was scheduled to meet the Partner but again he was on travel and met with two people from other departments and had an interview for 1 hour and they said they were interested and could offer him a traineeship of 6 months and then perhaps a contract (my boyfriend was interested in a fulltime position) however he has to meet the Partner before that. Now a meeting is scheduled with the Partner next Friday and I am a bit confused and worried about this. I live in Norway and he in Paris and he really need to get something as he is staying with friends and wants to get an apartment of his own and get stability. This is also a big banking company and would be a great start of his career and I really hope he will get something. What do you think about this Dorothy? I know that this was not a typical interview process as my boyfriend’s CV was passed through a friend and perhaps there is no job opening even if the Partner founds my boyfriend interesting but I don’t understand then why they wasted their and his time all this time as they could easily have passed down the CV when they received it through the contact. It is also a bit cheerful that the Partner himself found interests in my boyfriend – but does that really mean something? Plus why would they say we can offer you an internship if they don’t mean it? Please Dorothy I could need some good advise on how to stay strong especially now when his friend just told him he has to leave the place soon as his wife’s parents are coming for a holiday. Thanks
Hi Myra,
I think this is great news. It sounds like your boyfriend is impressing all the right people so far and they might be interested in offering him an internship. I know it is not ideal as he wants a full-time job you both need to stay positive and this job may lead to something full-time. Sounds like it would be a great opportunity and I don’t think the company is wasting his time at all and I hope his interview with the partner goes well. Make sure he prepares his best and wish him luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Not long after my previous question to you about whether I was being brushed off, I was emailed the details for the face to face interview. I was asked for my references upon confirmation of the face to face to interview. Seeing as how the interview was conducted on a Thursday, how long after the face to face interview can I expect them to start calling references… today (Friday) or next week? At the end of the interview with the hiring manager, she informed me they had actually been interviewing people for 2 weeks before I came along and that there would be about 2 more interviews after me. She stated that they wished to make a decision by this coming Tuesday and that I would certainly be hearing back from her or the HR manager very soon. Main thing that bothered me about this interview is how smoothly and easily it went… no grilling or major questioning by the hiring manager…. a couple of the typical interview questions were asked earlier by the HR manager such as 3 words to describe myself. Another thing that bothered me was that almost immediately after the interview started, the hiring manager’s daughter called her personal cell… she asked if I minded about her answering the phone (I of course said no) and she proceeded to talk to her daughter for a few seconds then quickly explained that she was in a meeting- she apologized to me after this. When I ended the interview by asking the hiring manager whether she had any further questions for me or areas of concern I could address she stated no and that I had the experience they needed. Does this sound like a successful interview to you? I don’t even know how to categorize this one… of course this is only the 2nd interview I have had since college graduation (the first 1 got me my current job). I thank you again in advance Dorothy!!
Hi Anne,
Try to not to over analyze this. Just feel good that you did your best. Did they ask for your references? Did they say they woud call your references? If yes, then just ask your references to notify you if and when they get called. That would obviously be a good indication that they are interested in you. It also sounds like they want to make a decision fairly quickly and you will find out sooner than later. I kind of have a feeling that since you didn’t really feel a connection during the interview and that it went just ok that you may not get the job and they have someone else in mind. I hope I’m wrong and I wish you all the best.
Hi!
I have a story myself for a few interviews I gave. I applied for an Interior Design position in a company, but a few weeks later then head HR contacted me saying that that position has been filled and I should contact her in the future for any other positions available. I thanked her and dutifully sent out an email 3 weeks later asking for any new openings in the firm. She said there was a project management position available. I said I would love too talk at length about this position. She and I had an hour long phone interview. She seemed impressed and liked my eagerness and invited me for a face to face interview. I drove 150 miles and met with her, the head interior designer, the project manager (who I will be replacing, since he is being promoted), other project managers, other designers and the head of sales. I was there from 8 am to 11am that day. On my way home, she called me asking me how it went with everybody, and that everybody liked me alot. Their only concern was that I studied design, and if I will be happy with project management. I told her that in my previous position, I did design, project management and installation and enjoyed the project management aspect of the job as well. I got home, wrote a thank you mail to everybody. Two days later, I was invited again to meet with a second HR personnel in the firm. I went there, met with her, and then headed back home. She seemed pleased. Sent out a thank you email to both HR people. The first one responded back saying “Please keep me posted on your other opportunities. We are very interested in you as a candidate and feel you would be a great addition! We have a few other things to work out but hope to be able to have an answer soon!” and the second one said that the first one will get back to me as soon as they have all logistics figured out. A week later, the first one emails me saying “Hi!
We are still strongly interested in you. We have a few internal things going on right now, so we are not in a position to move forward just yet, but wanted to let you know we are still very interested. I will be on vacation next week, so please, let’s touch base after that!”.
I am so confused, because I thought there was a position available, and then I met all these people, and they all seemed very pleased, gave a positive feedback to the HR and she called me herself on my drive back to let me know that, called me over again, and then I get this email.
What do you think is going on?
thanks!
*confused*
Hi kbhn,
I know it’s frustrating but it seems to me that they liked you but you just weren’t perfect for the role. They obviously had some concerns with you re: if you would be happy with project management. I think it’s great that they liked you and everything was positive. I really believe you are building a great relationship and the better they know you the better chance you have for them to hire you for a role that you are perfect for. It may not be the project management role. Stay positive!
Hi Dorothy,
I just realized something that could be perceived as inaccurate on my resume. In March of 2009, I was promoted to a Director role. However, my employer was going through a restructure to avoid bankruptcy so there was no money involved. I was referred to as this new title in all emails and introductions from the president, but due to a delay, the actual paperwork for the ‘title ” change was never actually completed until April of 2010. I realize it sounds crazy and I have exemplary references and review at past employer, but how do I handle the title on my resume? I am on a job search and would not want someone to think I was being dishonest. Should I list April 2010 of the start date of this position or March 2009? Either way, someone could perceived either as being dishonest. I was with the same company for many years (almost 15) so I wouldn’t want this to be an issue on an employment verification. Thanks
Hi Tamara,
I wouldn’t worry about the job title. At the end of the day you got that title officially (April) so don’t worry that it wasn’t official in March 2009. You have great references and again you were the Director so that is what the background check will confirm. Hope that helps.
Dorothy,
I recently was offered a phone screen for a position which I was very excited about. I felt like the phone screen went well and expected to hear from them within a week or so regarding an onsite interview. The following morning I sent a thank you note to the recruiter who interviewed me and promplty received a reply stating they were promoting from within however they were considering me for another position. The recruiter named the title and suggest I go online to review the new title. We corresponded several times on this same day and ended on a note with her telling me she should know by Friday where the openings are and what the situation was. I did not hear from her on Friday and decided to send her an email following up on earlier correspondence and reaffirming my interest in working for the company. I also reviewed the companies website Friday and noticed that the position they were considering me for was no longer listed however the original position was still listed. I realize that I will need to be patient and that I have not recieved any overtly negative signs but I wanted to get your advice as I have never been in this particular situation while searching for jobs.
Thanks
D
Hi BOSDR,
I think if they were considering you for another role then you should have gone on their website and applied immediately after you decided that you liked the role as well. You have to make it official. It’s nice that they were considering you for another position but nothing will happen unless you actually apply for the role. Hope that helps.
Hi,
I am 28, from Hanoi – Vietnam and I just found your blog today and I love the article. I just got back from an interview, I am feeling a little depressed because the interview, I think was a mess.
My story is a little different, I am someone who is almost never good in job interviews. However, at my previous jobs , I was always one of the best in the team but my ex-bosses always tell me that I am not good in the interviews, but then when I start working, they really appreciate my competence, hardworking, motivation, humbleness and friendly. I just don’t know how to show people those things in job interviews.
My 1st problem is, I am easily intimidated by people ( only in interviews) , and often when I met some cold managers, I got frozen, I started being clumsy, saying things I don’t need to, forgetting important things…. I believe their coldness somehow prevents me to express myself well. I always believe in warmness, when i interviewed people for my sales team last year, I was very friendly and nice because I wanted the people to feel most comfortable so then they can express their true selves. I got a very talented assistant after that and she thanked me again for doing that later. Of course I don’t expect people to always be nice and friendly and sweet , but it would be better if I can be less intimidated and more confident.
My 2nd problem is when I meet managers who say wrong things ( but said I am wrong and they are right – it happened, one of my ex-bosses did not even know how to use our internal software), in this case I get nervous because I feel that I want to tell them that I don’t agree, but then i can’t because I feel rude to do that and i might lose the chance totally.
I hope my story does not bore you and I would very much appreciate if you could give me some advice on this.
Thank you very much
Thuy
Hi Thuy,
I have said it over and over again on my blog but being confident is very important. If this is really a problem I would try and maybe see someone who can help you. It’s very easy for me to tell you that you should not be intimidated by people especially hiring managers or recruiters but that’s really easier said than done. If you know that you are not a confident person than read books or talk with someone who can help you because being confident really makes a difference in your life not just in interviews. Hope that helps.
Hi Dorothy, Thanks for the blog , I think you really know what goes behind the scene,I have been through frustrated experiences.
I had one interview on Friday, where in the person told I will expect a call on Monday morning, he will recommend me and it will be great working together, no calls after that!Then another interview , the client send letter to let the ball rolling , just expect call to get to know the teams, no calls after that yet. 3rd interview , the business manager told, we will hire you for this position and now the position is on HOLD. I gave fourth interview last week, they asked me when I can join and told me where I would be sitting in the floor, no calls yet. Its so frustrating , just let us know NO, in case you hire someone else, position closed or whatever. It is so frustrating in this job market!
Hi Roop,
I agree I think recruiters need to be honest with candidates and where they are in the interview process. It seems that you go to many interviews, which is good. I think many companies are putting jobs on hold or waiting for financing etc. before they hire and you can’t control these things. Just be patient and I’m sure you’ll get a great job soon. Searching for a job is not easy and that’s why I created this blog. Good Luck!
I was one, just like all of ya’ll (6 billion per page I think ) that went to what I feel like was a fake interview- I talked directly to the manager that hired, was going to volunteer at a small hospital in lubbock, and was asked my needs- I said, “Not on tuesday “and then she said It’s not about Your Needs it’s about ours too.” And the patients, etc. I said, “It was an interview question, and what Are your needs?”
Then she said she would get back with me after the criminal history- it feels like it’s been about a week- it was way after President’s day- NOTHING !!!
Also, I’ve been extracted out of hospital rooms with patients in them because the u/a says my insulin shot is working too well( dirty with too much sugar- just called Dirty -) this happens every time- how long should I give it? Thanks guys for ya’lls stories- mine’s the same and thanks for letting me vent- my best to all of ya’ll!
Hi Dorothy,
Although this isn’t the subject of your original article I’ve read the great advice you’ve given others and was hoping you’d be able to help.
I interviewed for a job yesterday. I was recommended for the role and felt the interview itself went really well. The manager of the company and the recrutiment agent interviewed me. I was shown out by the manager as the recruitment agent stayed in the interview room. Although unprofessional, the manager implied that he had already made his decision that I had the job and I was to expect a phonecall that day.
This has happened to me before and I haven’t been successful. I have already had a phonecall this morning to tell me the manager is still trying to make his decision. If I don’t get this job I still have a summer work experience position (unpaid) this summer with the same company. My dilema is if I am unsuccessful, do I mention what the manager said to me after the interview to the recruitment agent, if only to prevent it happening again, even though I am potentially working with the company this summer? Will this just make me look bitter? Do recruitment agents warn/prepare managers against this in preparation for interviews? I’d really appreciate your feedback and what to do if this happens again in the future. What would be the correct response to this after the interview?
Helen
Hi Helen,
It is very unprofessional of that manager to say that to you. I can’t speak for all recruiters but I definitely warn my managers not to give false hope to the candidate and I always walk the person out so the manager does not say anything stupid by accident. If you’re not working with that manager for the summer work experience then yes I would mention what he said to the recruiter when you follow up. It may not result in anything but at least you get it off your chest and maybe/hopefully the manager gets warned not to do that to another candidate. I hope you hear back from them soon.
Hi, great posting and reassuring to hear I’m not the only one feeling confused. Can you offer me any of your great insights, Dorothy? I went through an agency here in London for a great job, really ideal job for me. I had a lot of very relevant experience. I had a great 1st interview with the person who would have been my manager. We really clicked. I was called back for a second interview later that same week. I spent the afternoon there, with the first manager, her director, the HR manager and then met the team. It all went really well. I felt I had clicked with the place and had come up with loads of good stuff. I heard nothing by the following week, so I emailed the agent. They promised to chase and I had a voicemail just now from the agent, saying very nicely that very unfortunately I didn’t have the job as they had hired an internal candidate. Was I put through hoops so they could tick the employment law boxes? Thanks for your feedback. I feel pretty disappointed about this situation.
Hi Jen,
I am sorry that you didn’t get the job. You need to remember that making a positive impression on a manager or team is very important. The manager or someone in that group may really like you especially since you mentioned that you clicked with interviewers. This is soo important. This means that they will probably think of you for another role in the future. I know it sucks that an internal candidate got the job but you are building relationships and if you nurture them they can possibly grow into a job offer in the future, which may be in a few weeks or a few months. Just be confident and happy that you had a great interview and bring that same great attitude to the next interview you have. Searching for a job is hard so don’t give up and stay positive!!
Being one of the minority groups here at West Virginia University has made finding a job a huge nightmare. I’m majoring in a demanding engineering major and I’ve got a good GPA. However, being a minority has made it impossible for me to find a job! Wake up USA! Racism still exists. I don’t see any reason not to get a job at this point because all my classmates with lower qualifications got one!!!!!
Hi Marcus,
Stay positive and stay confident. I hope that being a minority isn’t the reason you’re not getting a job and if I were you I would focus on your interview skills and your attitude. Being confident, articulate, professional and likeable is the key to getting a job. Also, make sure to network and meet people who can help you open doors to great opportunities for you. Good Luck!
I have a question i went for apply for a maid job twice because didnt hear anything back even though they needed people asap. The second time i spoked to the manager and she said i wasnt fit for the job because no one speaks english and i would have to speak spanish but im only cleaning . She said thanks but its not going to work . Few weeks went by hoping i could speak to someone else i called and another lady answer said the same to me spoke spanish and was rude and said its not my fought you cant understand. My sistern law works there and was told from the manager im not hiring anyone besides latino’s. She spoke i dont like white people. And now im going in to a interview but not sure why if i was told i wasnt fit i feel that either there going to make me look like a fool or make fun of me . I told them i knw alittle spainsh my husband is latino and my daughter is mexican but what difference does it make. It didnt say on the application you must know spainsh. I knw for a fact there been comments and complains customers sayn they need to hire someone who speaks english bc the ladys dont understand. And they break things. And etc what should i do about this? P.s my sister n law was wrote up from this bc i complain and the manager was sayn if they hear about this again she will be fired.
Hi Angel,
I would look for a job with another company. If your sister in law is happy working there than don’t rock the boat and get her in trouble. A company can hire who ever they want and ask for whatever qualifications they want even if you heard that the customers want something different. At the end of the day the company will hire who they want and if they are rude to you or might fire a family member because you’re complaining than I would just look for work with another company. Hope that helps and good luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Great insights! I am impressed with your responses to all the mails.
Here’s mine: On an onsite interview, when you hear these words from a Director, such as, “you have great communication skills” “You have done well, many people get confused in that question” and something like ” I have not been able to trump you so far” , do they really mean anything? I have heard those words so many times and yet no offer….Please shed some light…
Hi Jyoti,
Different interviewers have different interview techniques. I personally don’t like complementing a candidate or really making any positive or negative comment on there responses because it can give false hope. We are all human tho and making someone feel good by complementing them during a normally stressful experience is a nice thing to do. At the end of the day the interviewer wants every candidate to have a good interview experience and unfortunately sometimes it can go too far and people get mixed messages. Again, as a recruiter I think being to positive can do more harm than good. Hope that helps.
H Dorothy,
The saga continues. I received a response from the HR Manager to my thank you email and it stated “Thank you for the correspondence. It was a pleasure meeting you. A final decision has not yet been made. However, I will contact you as soon as I have further information.” So clearly I will give them some time now before I send them another follow up email but does this sound like I’m still in the running? I’m trying not to read too much into this but I figure that if they weren’t considering me they would have just said so then. The hiring manager did not reply to my email though. Also, I must add that I sent them each a hand written thank you card through UPS prior to the email but was informed that they were lost so I sent the email….. I then received a POD for the thank you cards later on the same day I sent the email (UGH!) … I hope that didn’t make me look crazed to them.
Hi Anne,
I think it’s great that you got a response as normally you wouldn’t or shouldn’t get one after a thank you email. Saying that I also would not over analyze it. Have they checked your references? That’s always a good sign. I think you look very professional even with the handwritten thank you letter through UPS. I really think you should be proud of yourself and feel confident about the situation. At the same time I hope you have not stopped your job search while you wait for their response. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you for your positive feedback. More to the story: So I emailed the HR after she said she would get back from the vacation:
Hi,
I hope you had a great vacation. I was a little confused with the email below, and would love to hear from you as to when you think *the company* can move further with my application and if any further information is required by me to accelerate the process.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
To this she responded
“Hi!
I had a great vacation and enjoyed my first time in *place she visited*. As for your application, I am currently checking and hope to have an answer soon. I will let you know as soon as I know where they are at in the process!
Kindest regards”
I have a feeling they are waiting on my background check, because she did say East Coast does take a while to get back?It however ha been about 3 weeks, and not sure if my references have heard from her yet.
What do you think?
Hi kbhn,
I think you got a very positive email response. I dont’ know how you’re not sure if your references have heard from them yet. They either have or they haven’t. Also, some background checks do take a while depending on the company they use. I think they are not in a rush to hire so the process will be slower than usual. So you don’t drive yourself crazy with this (and I know how easily you can) make sure that you are applying to other roles and are not stopping your job search while you wait to hear from this company. Stay positive and good luck!!!
hi Dorothy ,
I was hoping if you could give me some advice…
i applied for job and i received a call for interview after 1 week, i attended my first interview with hr mgr and it was a very good interview .. then 2 days later she called me for interview with the branch manager and it was an excellent interview. he told me to wait a call for last interview with the owner cuz the owner likes to see all the candidates that will be hired … i attended my last interview and i felt so comfortable when i noticed that the hr mgr and branch mgr made a very good report and they attached 4 papers to my profile …. the owner said he’s so happy and he want me to be part of the team ….. i waited 2 weeks and no reply…. i’m now in bad mood toward that work and i don’t know if it’s good choice if i send an email to figure out if my last interview wasn’t successful.
I don’t know what should i write to them and if it’s good choice to contact them
can you help plzz
Hi Hasan,
Have they checked your references? It’s been 2 weeks and I would follow up and say something positive such as I really enjoyed speaking with (name of owner) and I am even more interested and excited about the prospect of joining this great company. Could you provide me an update on my interview that was ‘insert date’. Did you send a thank you letter to the owner after your email? I’m sure you will hear something soon 
First of all it’s always a good idea when you finished one stage of the interview process to ask when you should expect to hear from someone re: either your interview or if you were chosen to go on in the interview process. This helps to keep you sane and in a good mood
Hi Dorothy,
I had an interview last Thursday with the VP of the department and the Senior Project Manager. I think the interview went very well, and they told me that they had two more interviews; one of them was this week. They said that they were hoping for the person to start working in April, and they may have a second round of interviews if they were “arm wrestling” over two people. I sent a thank you email to both of them after my interview. I have not heard back from them yet, and I wanted to know if I should follow up. I don’t exactly know who the hiring manager is, because the Office Manager called me and invited me to the interview. Also, I should add that this is an internal transfer from another department.
Thank you,
Anonymous
Hi Anonymous,
How do you not know who the hiring manager is especially since it’s an internal transfer from another department? In any case, internal interviews can be very tricky and I find that most internal transfers are target hires. I would just be patient and definitely follow up with the office manager or who ever invited you to the interview. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy, this is a reply to a post I wrote last Friday regarding my boyfriend’s interview with a Partner of a big finance company. The fact is that he met up with him this afternoon and it went really good, actually a bit surprising but the Partner kind of offered my boyfriend a job instead of an internship but in another country. He said he will travel tomorrow but that he will organize everything for my boyfriend by the end of the month and that he will call the other partners of these countries and then give him the full information. From my point of view and what my boyfriend told me, the interview went really good and the Partner was very understanding and a bit like a Mentor as he gave career advice and said that a full-time position was a better option for my boyfriend who just turned 29 today. I am very pleased and happy, but a bit overwhelmed too, I mean I am a bit skeptic person and this sounds too good to be true. On the other hand this guy is the partner of a well known actually one of the “Big Four” accounting firms in the World and I don’t think it’s a fraud or anything but do you think we should celebrate in advance or be a bit cautious to this? I should mention that the Partner and my boyfriend are from the same country or ethnicity (which might explain why he is extra understanding and nice) – I don’t know but by boyfriend is very happy and started planning for this new opportunity. And to point out, he was also offered the internship but when the Partner asked him about this new opportunity my boyfriend accepted that new “offer”. Please give me your thoughts, because it’s going to be a very long two weeks now ahead. Greetings from Norway
Hi Myra,
I am very happy for you and your boyfriend but I never try to celebrate and plan to much until I receive a written offer. I would make sure that your boyfriend sends a thank you letter stating that he is very excited about the opportunity and was wondering when he should expect to receive an offer so he is able to plan and make appropriate arrangements. Hope that helps and congratulations again
Hi Dorothy!
I was wondering if you can give me an advice. I interrviewed for a job about 4 weeks ago.The hiring manager told me it would take about a week for me to hear back from them. after a week i called human resources and asked if they were still considering me for the job and they told me that the manager hadn’t made a decision yet. The week after that they hire 2 of my friends who applied for the same position about one week after me. I waited another week and called again to find out that my application was rejected because the hiring manager had put ” no show foe interview” on my application. I was so stunned to hear that. I called the hiring manager and talked to him and he denies to have done that. He claims thai it must have been a mistake from hr or the other hiring manger. But on the other hand he tells me that there is nothing he can do about it becouse that position is not open anymore. So what do you think? Should somebody take responsability for this mistake that costed me the job? Is there any rule or law that can help in getting the job back. I want to go to talk with the director of HR but I want to make sure I know what to tell het because these people aren’t really known for helping people that don’t belong to the company. Plus I interviwed for another position at the same company and now I think they probably wont call me if they see the “non show” on my previuos apllication. Please let me know what should i do because i am very frustated for the unprofesionality of these people. Thank you.
Hi Ina,
How did you find out that they put a ‘no show for interview’ on your application?
Hi Dorothy! Thanks for replying! I contacted the employment center of the company and I was told that my application was rejected because the interviewing manager put noshow for interview. He denies to have done that and claims it must be a mistake from the other manager or soebody in HR. Anyway I am really frustated that he is not taking responsability for this because HR keeps telling me that he is the one who did it. Please let me know what should I know.
Hi Ina,
I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job and about this misunderstanding between the agency and the hiring manager but you can’t really do anything. You can see an employment lawyer but that’s up to you. I would move on and I’m sure you will find a great job soon.
Hi Dorothy,
I was hoping if you could give me some advices. I have an interview with a hiring manager and two technical leads last week. The interview came out pretty good. Even the two technical leads gave me a good feedback that I could solve all of their technical question. The manager told me that the hiring process take at least one week and he has 2 positions open. He told me after they select the two qualified candidates they will set up with an interview with the VP for the final round before submit to HR. It takes about one month. It’s been over a week and I didn’t heard anything from the hiring manager. I even send him a thank you letter. Is this mean that I didn’t get selected for the qualified candidate so I didn’t get any feedback from him ?
Hi Will,
I think you need to wait a bit longer. I’m glad you sent a thank you note but I would wait another week and follow up again. I think the feedback you received was positive and now you just need to wait it out unfortunately but stay positive but it sounds like everything went well
Hi again Dorothy!
You might remember I went to a trade fair to do an interview with the CEO of that German company where I was supposed to interview entirely in German even thought it was not the requirement in the job description. The interview went pleasantly, there were probably too many jokes, everything was very free-wheeling and too relaxed. Moreover, the boss spoke English to me! It all took 20 minutes, they even offered me a larger salary package and that was that. Now I am supposed to wait another fortnight for feedback. Does all that look like a bad sign to you?
All the best,
Nick
Hi Nick,
No all this sounds really good. Sometimes when people hit off then the interview seems casual but really they are really getting to know you. I think this is good especially that they offered you a larger salary package. Now you wait, which might be the hardest part of the interview process. Good Luck and I’m crossing my fingers for you
I’ve gone in for a final interview at a place before — and was told flat out to my face that their other candidate was a 30-year old manchild (that they’re college buddies with) running a Call of Duty fansite. Meanwhile I have 15 years experience in my field with several advanced degrees and industry rewards. They never called back. Nepotism trumps experience, pro certifications, merits, rewards, recognition, education, and brand-name work history.
Hello Dorothy,
I went on an interview on Feb 27 2012 the interview went really well i was interviewed by the two heads of the billing department. At the end of the interview he asked for my reference and said give him a few days and he will contact my references. The day after the interview he called one of my references and then the other the following week. Today is now march 14 i haven’t heard from him so i decided to call, i got his voice mail and i left a message so then i decided to contact the other person that interview me n she was shocked that i was calling to ask what the next step in the interviewing process was. She stated that she spoke to him last week and he said he sent me an email but i never received the email i don’t know if it went my spam folder or i accidentally deleted it so she asked me to repeat my email because maybe he had it wrong and she took my number and said she would have him email me again or give a call that was since 10am its now 3pm and i haven’t received either. I don’t know what to think did i get the job or not? Was the email to offer me a position or to tell me i didn’t get it? If so couldn’t she have told me that herself on the phone? Idk im anxious and annoyed!
Hi Latoya,
I think it would have been very easy if you just asked the person who interviewed you what the result was. I think most people don’t like giving bad news (on the phone or in person) and obviously she would tell you if you got the job so I think you may probably didn’t get it unfortunately. You will just have to wait for the email and I hope that I’m wrong and you did get the job. Good Luck.
I just had an interview today for bottom dollar food. I did not think I would be called for an interview because I never gave them references or past job history. I was going to finish my application the next day and did not know that my application went through. Anyway they contacted me had the interview. Have to wait two weeks to get an answer. I just don’t know why they called me for an interview and not someone else who finished their application just weird.
Hi Barbara,
Maybe they really need someone to start ASAP but then to wait two weeks for an answer is very weird. While you wait to hear back from the interview make sure that you are still applying for other jobs. Good Luck.
Hi Dorothy,
I have just discovered this blog today and find it to be really helpful. I believe you can also give some feedback about my situation.
I have been working with a multinational company (in both contract and permanent roles) in different countries for last 5 years. Recently, I have migrated to Australia and managed to get an interview with the same organization. The interview was on Tuesday where both Technical manager and HR manger where present. I had a feeling that the 40 minute interview went quite well as at the end I was asked about the expected salary and possible start date. I got a call from HR manager on Friday saying that both of the interviewers were impressed with me. However, the management is reassessing their requirement and keeping the recruitment for this position on hold for some time. When asked about the timeline, I was advised that it might take even a month or two to decide. However, he told me to give him a call if I don’t hear from him in next 2 weeks. Now, I am wondering whether it is a polite way of rejection or I still have a hope. Your opinion would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for your comment. Can you please tell me one thing that when the recruiters reject somebody, do they always say it directly or they might say something like the one they told me just to prolong the rejection. It is obvious that a person will not wait for 2 months to hear from them and they know it. Thank you.
Hi RS,
I don’t think this is a polite way of rejecting you. I honestly think they really were impressed with you but for whatever reason they can’t fill the position at this time but in a month or so. I think they want to hire you so please follow up. I definitely think you have a hope
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you so much for your reply and for all advices you are giving to everyone else.
Wish you all the best !
Hi Dorothy,
I have just discovered this blog today do believe you can advice me about my situation.
I have came in with a SMS confimation from hiring manager to come in for interview on Wednesday (7.3.2012). I completed the interview on Wednesday (7.3.2012) wit the hirng manager and the HR manager which last for 2.5 hours. At the end I was asked about the expected salary and possible start date and they also mention that they are accessing other candidate as well and will informed me by next week between 12 to 16th of March 2012 to see if i am granted a futher interview with their director.
On the Thursday afternoon (15.3.2012) i sent a follow up sms to the hiring manager to inquire on the status of my job application and express my deep interest of working with the hiring manager and the organisation. But there was no SMS reply from the hiring manager (since then no further action was taken by me nor any reply from them). Now, I am also wondering whether i am being rejected or I still have a hope. Your opinion would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Tiffany,
No response isn’t good. To me that means that you are not there number one choice. I would send another follow up email instead of SMS and see what they say. I don’t think it looks good and I hope I’m wrong. In the meantime make sure that you don’t stop your job search and keep applying to other jobs and accepting other interviews. Good Luck!
Hello Dorothy! I am new to your blog here, but find your gems and/or pearls of wisdom you unlock from the treasure box of your mind extemely helpful. I sent you e-mails already on my situation, but wanted to add my story for your bloggers to review also. I went to 1st interview with HR Manager of a Nursing Home for a Social Services Director position. Interview went very well. Prior to this interview, when the HR Manager called me to invite me in for the interview, she immediately stated she was not one that prefers to waste anyone’s time and told me the salary for the position, and asked if I was still interested. Since it was more than what I made at my last job, [didn't disclose that to her] I told her it was acceptable. She replied in a surprised manner, “Really?? Well ok then.” And invited me in for the interview. After the interview, she said the hiring process was two steps, and said she would like to invite me back for a 2nd interview with the Executive Director the following Thursday, and said she would call me that Wednesday before to schedule me for the second interview. Tuesday morning of that week, she called me and said she met with the Executive Dir. , who wanted me to come in that day by 4pm to have my 2nd interview with her, and asked if I would be able to make it. I went in for the 2nd interview. It went very well. I met the Social Worker Assistant and had great rapport with her and the Executive Director. I asked when would she be making a hiring decision and she said I would have to wait a little bit, as she said she would be making a hiring decision on or by the end of the following week. I immediately sent out thank you cards to both the HR Director and Executive Director following my 2nd interview, and I called all of my references to let them know. All of my references stated they would call me as soon as anyone calls them for a reference. When I did not hear back from anyone by the end of that week, I called the following Monday and asked to speak to the Executive Director, and the Receptionist stated she was in a very critical meeting and could not be disturbed, but she took my message and said she would make sure the Executive Director receives it. I asked to speak to the HR Director, and the Receptionist put me right through to her. I asked the HR Director for an update, and she stated, “We have had major setbacks here in the building. We still have a number of candidates to interview yet. It has been very busy here.” I asked if the position was still open and she said yes. I asked if I was still being considered for the position, and she stated, “Oh most definitely. Actually I will tell you that you are our front runner. We were actually going to be calling you by the end of this week, so we should be calling you on or by Friday of this week [3/16/12] but please be patient in the event you do not hear back from us this week. We have had major setbacks here and it is very busy here.” I found out from my references that NO ONE has called them to check my references, and I found out from one of my former coworkers at my last job that the Executive Director had a family member at our Nursing home a year ago. The Executive Director never indicated to me in the second interview that she knew me from my last job, but it took me a bit off guard when she asked me in the interview what I could tell her about her. I never had an interviewer ask me what I could tell them about them. It is Sunday 3/18/12 and I did not hear from anyone on Friday 3/16. No one has checked my references yet. The Executive Director has not returned my call from last Monday 3/12. When, and how frequently should I be calling them for updates? Should I continue to hold out hope that I will get the job, or are there indicators here that I am not going to get this job? I am already registered with an agency, and I am continuing my job search, but there is nothing out there [it took me four months to find this job]. I was certain I had this job clinched, as both the HR Director, and Executive Director told me I had the skills and qualifications they were looking for and felt I would be the ideal fit for the job. The HR Director even said in my update call to her that I am the front runner. Would appreciate your further thoughts Dorothy. Thanks so much!
Hi Dorothy! You were right about my interview with the German company. I got the job. Unfortunately and misteriously they offered me only a contract position. Anyway, I won this round. Thank you for your advice.
Congratulations Nick! A contract position is better than no position
Glad my advice helped.
Hi Dorothy,
I need some advice. I am unhappy with my current job, so I have been applying for other jobs. I actually am scheduled for an interview tomorrow, but with my current employer we have to use up all our vacation time before April otherwise we lose it. I used mine a few weeks ago. Therefore, I would have to call off sick to go to this interview. Normally, I would never do this and I feel uncomfortable about doing it. Plus, my boss has been unhappy with the amount of call offs she has received recently, and I have already called off a few times in one year. I am not sure if I am making excuses so I don’t go to the interview because I normally get really nervous and have trouble articulating what I want to say. Furthermore, I feel the job description is very generic and I won’t know more unless I go to the interview. I am not certain what to do.
Sincerely,
IWorryTooMuch
Hi IWorryTooMuch,
You are in a very sticky situation. You don’t want to upset your boss or company because essentially you need them as a reference if you do get a job and you don’t want them to mention that you take sick leave a lot. See if you can work from home for the morning or afternoon when you have the interview. Or next time you’re invited to an interview make sure you tell the scheduler that you are only available in the early morning or later afternoon/evening and I’m sure they will try to accommodate your request. Hope that helps and good luck on the interview
Hi Dorothy,
I stumbled upon your blog and found your responses very helpful!
I was wondering if you could help me with my current situation. I recently interviewed for a position at an entertainment company. I had my first interview with the hiring manager almost 2 months ago. The interview went well and he had me come in that next week to meet with the VP. The interview with the VP went really well and he expressed to me that I was actually the first candidate they were interviewing and to be warned that the process may take some time due to scheduling. About 2 weeks later I received a call to come in for my 3rd interview with my counterparts which went well. I had sent out all my thank you e-mails and only heard back from one of the interviewers (2 weeks later). I figured maybe since it was an entertainment company things really just moved extremely slow. I reached out to the HR about a week ago and my call was never returned. I was debating on whether I should send a direct e-mail to the VP that interviewed me or just assume at this point that they have decided to go with another candidate. Do you think it would be appropriate to send a follow-up e-mail to the VP?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
C
Hi Carrie,
You were warned that the interview process may time some time so I would be patient. Did the VP give you there contact information and tell you it was ok to contact them? if not I would not go that route unless it was your last hope. I would be be persistant with HR but also be patient. Stay professional and polite at all times. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy!
I have not heard back from anyone. I called and left voicemail messages yesterday 3/20 with the HR Director, and the Executive Director. No response from either of them. They also have not checked my references. It seems I am not getting the job after two great interviews. It is so very frustrating and annoying when they say they will call you on a certain date, then they don’t, and they do not respond to phone voicemail messages. I feel I might have been subjected to “fake interviews” as the HR Director asked me on several occasions if I would be interested in a part time position in the event the full time position is filled with another candidate, and she stated in my 1st interview, “We can not move forward in this interview without my having an answer to that question.” Then, the Executive Director stated in my 2nd interview that she needed to clarify things and said I was NOT being considered or interviewed for a part time position, but only the full time position.
I drove a total of 270 miles round trip fopr these interviews, and I am wondering if my former employer had given negative info that killed the deal for me. Anyway, I am staying positive with coffee, chocolate, as I continue my job search.
Hi Needajob,
If you’re references haven’t been checked then I doubt that they did a background check. I’m sorry but I agree and think you probably didn’t get the job. I wouldn’t leave too many messages because you want to seem cool and collective and not stressed and anxious. I hope we are both wrong and I’m glad that you’re continuing your job search. Good luck!
HI Dorothy,
After two weeks I send an email to the hiring manager for asking the update status. It’s been couple day and he’s not reply back to my mail. Is this mean that he think I’m not a qualified candidate so he didn’t contact me. thanks
Hi Will,
I would wait a few more days and follow-up again.
Hi Dorothy,
I have called the HR manager on last tuesday and he remmember me and he informed me that final interviews process has just been completed and ask me to give them some time to make a decision and hopefully they would come back to me by the end of this week.
Having receive the above comment. Does this increase the chances of me being hired for the job? Thanks
Best regards.
Hi Tiffany,
I don’t know but you just need to be patient and remember to follow-up if you don’t hear from anyone by the end of the week. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy:
After submitting an online resume, being interviewed by a 4 person panel consisting of office managers, and having my current supervisor provide a reference check, I received an email this morning stating I was not selected for an entry level federal government position.
I checked online and notice there are several more positions open within the same agency, but different department. I wonder if it is wise to go thru the process again, since I really do want to work for this particular government agency. My question: how would a recruiter look upon someone applying for a new position, after a recent rejection? Thanks!
Hi Meda,
I would definitely apply to all the jobs that you are interested in. As a recruiter it shows me that you are very interested in working with the company and just make sure that the roles that you are applying to you have experience working in. Recruiters don’t like seeing a candidate applying to different roles that they have no experience in. It’s just a waste of time. Good Luck!
Hello Dorothy!
Thank you for your blog, I happened upon it in my frustration of wondering what went wrong with a recent phone interview. The job is for an EA position in the Portland area, where I’m hoping to relocate. I’m currently in New Orleans however my background is in Los Angeles and is very closely aligned with the firm that I did the phone interview with. I *thought* the phone interview went exceptionally well and I was energized and excited about the possibility. I was told by the recruiter that they would like to know if I could fly to Portland to interview in person sometime this week (Interview was last Wednesday) and that she would know more on Monday. I sent a thank you email and received a nice response back saying she was looking forward to potentially meeting with me in person and would get back to me by Monday (this was Friday morning). I followed up on Tuesday when I didn’t hear from her and provided my references and declared my interest and availability in the position again. She never once said that my relocation was an issue and I have a local address and phone number in Portland so I don’t think that was the problem. I just don’t know what I did wrong or if I was simply delusional about how well I thought the interview went. I don’t know if I should follow up again or just let it go. What are your thoughts? Would you be so kind as to review my resume for feedback? Thanks much – Didi
Hi Didi,
If you would like me to review your resume please check out my services page. Personally I would give it a few days and then follow-up again. Be patient.
Hello Dorothy!
I went on 2 interviews. One with the HR manager and then the second one with the owner. Both I thought went very well. The owner was very comfy speaking with me. I started to think of all the good things I could do to help this company. He stated that the salary I had added on the application was fine went into detail about benefits. He did say he would need at least till Tuesday or Wednesday to get back to me because of paperwork etc. The interview with the owner was conducted on a Thursday. I had to leave town for the weekend and was limited to voice mail. The HR person called and left me a voice mail Friday stating it was nice meeting me last week and that they wanted to touch base with me regarding my resume and my application? Is this an informal way of saying yes or no? Would a company be more inclined to leave a message stating they were not interested? This person also stated they wanted me to call back. I dont think if the interest wasn’t there they would state that no?
Hi Shelly,
Your right, if it was bad news than they would just leave a message so I’m hoping they want to offer you the job. My fingers are crossed. Good Luck
Hi Dorothy
Your articles lifts me up from burdening a rejection from getting hired. Its almost 2months since now since i started another job hunting. And when I always done with final interviews with the manager, and I know I did it well. After that I still not get the job. You are right they always say “We will contact you or email you after a week” But I know if you really got the job they will inform you ahead of time.And those lazy employers they will really not inform you if I am considered or not on the job and what I hates, you are really hoping.And those fake interviews, they really wasting my time to find a better job.
Stay positive JM!!
Hi Dorothy! Wanted to update you on the latest.
I called the HR Director at the Nsg. home today mainly for closure and feedback. She confirmed another person was selected for the Director of Social Work position, but stated that person is a contracted employee that had been selected on a temp to perm basis by the Executive Director before I was called to come in for a second interview. The HR Director told me it was done without her knowledge, and she said she was very upset that I was not hired for the position, as she said I was the best candidate. She said she was intially told by Exec. Director and Corporate to offer me the job, but then said she was later told a “cross the board” hiring freeze was imposed by corporate and the position was being filled by that contracted Social Worker on a temp to perm basis. She stated there will soon be a Director of Social Work position available at another facility, and she said she sent that Administrator my information, and said she highly recommended me for that job. She said for me to be patient and she would call me “soon” with more details about that job as soon as it becomes available, and said that job was coming available “very very soon.” She then suggested I continue my job search and to not turn down another job offer if offered another job, but she stated, “I would be very disappointed if you are hired by someone else. You did extremely well in the interview, and was by far the best candidate. I do not know what the Executive Director is doing here, but unbeknownst to me, she decided to go with a contracted Social Worker temp to perm. That person is here doing the job now, and that person is not working out. I was directed by Corporate to not send you a rejection letter and to put all of your information on hold. I was directed to not do a background check or reference check yet, but to put everything on hold for now to see how the contracted employee does. I would suggest for you to just be patient and you will be hearing back from me as soon as things develop which will most likely be at the other facility and I already highly recommended you for that job.” Dorothy, I would appreciate your thoughts on all of this. I am certainly continuing with my job search and not holding out to hear back from this one, because I keep wondering that if I was the “chosen one”, why would they choose to continue with a contracted employee who is already being assessed as not being a good fit for the job instead of bringing me on board? The HR Director spoke to me for over an hour on the phone and kept suggesting that I be patient and said she would get back to me via her personal cell phone as soon as things develop. Dorothy, (and other bloggers) I would love to know your views on all of this, as this one is stumping me. Thanks!
Hi Needajob,
The hiring process can be a very crazy process. Depending on the people who can make the hiring decision sometimes the right person does not get hired. It can be very political and maybe there was a reason they had to hire the contracted employee that the HR director was not aware of. In anycase, there is nothing you can do but stay in contact with the HR Director and be patient. Hope things work out for you.
Hi Dorothy,
I was an employee of the State of PA until I received notice of my job elimination at my veterans home facility 3 weeks ago. My last day was Friday the 23rd. As soon as I received notification that I had a job for 2 weeks, I started applying to positions online. I applied for one job and received a call from an HR gal within a week on my last day of my job. I called her back immediately and was given the first interview that Monday at 10 a.m. That was yesterday. The interview began with the HR gal who was personable and informative and then moved to the dept manager and 2 other peers. The position I applied for was for a position I held in the same exact industry but a different company. At one point, the manager asked “do you know someone who works her or something because you know an awful lot about our industry and company.” At first I said no because I didn’t know but then went on to say that I had done a lot of research on their company and that since I already had experience in this industry (energy) and my husband worked for the other company for 12 years and was currently 12 years in another energy company so they all seemed impressed. At one point, a gal asked the “there are many differnt personalities in our department, how would you handle working with someone who may be difficult at best.” Of course I had the perfect answer for her and after a few other answers that same gal said “I think her personality would fit perfectly in our dept”. I bascially said that I pride myself on getting along with almost anyone but that ultimately, I’m not at work to make friends, I’m there to work. If I make friends along the way, great, but that’s not my goal. The manager said around the middle of the interview that there were taking their time finding the right person this time as they lost 2 people over 1 year; one due to moving to another location and the other who died of a horrific illness. By the end of the interview, we were talking politics off the record and I was sure to be very careful not to show too much however as the one peer said she gets so angry when she sees bumper stickers with someone she doesn’t care for and that was my same view. At the end, the manager said they had 2 other people they were interviewing but the last one wasn’t until the end of next week AND she said that March 31 was the end of their fiscal year so since this is in the acctg dept, I expressed my empathy at her plight. She said before walking out of the room, “don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear from anyone within the next 2 weeks.” I said I appreciated the info and thanked her for it. Then, as she walked me out, she reached out and touched my arm and very close to me making eye contact said, “now remember, don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear from me within the next 2 weeks.” It seemed to me as though, from the feedback I was getting, that I would be the perfect fit for the job and I felt by the manager telling me not to get discouraged that this was her way of saying “we have to at least see the other 2 people but if you can just hang in there, we would like you to be our choice.” What are your thoughts??? I know I try to overanalyze things but that’s just my control-freak nature…LOL! Thanks for any feedback!
Hi Karen,
I think this company is really taking this hiring procedure seriously but overall I think you did very well and have a great chance of getting the job. I would just be patient and remember to send a thank you note. At the same time don’t just sit there and wait to hear back from them. Keep applying to other jobs and don’t freeze your job search while you wait. Good Luck!
I’ve been Googling what in the world to do in situations much like what has already been asked. I interviewed for my dream job & was offered the job on the spot. She just needed to check my references (which I had to email when I got home. Stupid, I know). That was a week ago. None of my references have received a single call and I haven’t gotten a reply to my email or my phone call on Monday.
My heart is growing heavier every day. I’ve applied to so many jobs over the last few years and have repeatedly been rejected. It seemed like this job is too good to be true, and it seems to be turning out to be exactly that.
Hi Kyndra,
I would be patient. When the company offered you the job when was the start date that you agreed upon? If it was not until a later date then maybe they are not in a rush to check your references. Also, many companies outsource there reference checks and this can take a few days to a few weeks to complete. Be patient and definitely follow-up especially if this is your dream job. Good Luck!
hi dorothy,
i’ve googled about job interviews and just found your blog & i think it’s great. i’ve also read your post on fake interviews, it was a very helpful one. i really don’t know if my recent interview situation is a fake interview or not. about a month ago, i received an email (there were no telephone calls) for an interview, the interview time was 5.30pm, the scheduled time was a bit weird (after office hours maybe, i don’t know) but i say to myself what the heck, just go to the scheduled time. When I arrived during the interview, I was left alone, as if no one was expecting for the session. I managed to get the help of an employee, he informed the superior (the COO). The COO met with me at the front office, she told me that the manager could not make it & she would be conducting it herself. She asked whether the manager contacted me that he will not be available, I said no, was a bit irritated but kept my cool. The interview went well (one of the best in my life), she said she’ll give a call in another 2-3 weeks if i’m successful. the interview was with her face to face without an HR representative (i guess all of them just gone home) . Called the HR yesterday and been informed the position is filled. I said to myself they have a better person more qualified for the job (as always trying to be positive) but after reading your fake interview entry, it may have been one.
Hi MaiLL,
Yes unfortunately it sounds like you did have a fake interview. The fact that the original interviewer was not available and did not let you know that they would not be available is a red flag. The other red flag is the fact that you waited with no word at their office. The fact that the interview was at 5:30pm is not a concern as most interviews are held after typical work hours because most candidates have an easier time to attend interviews after hours. I’m sorry but you need to stay positive and good luck on your next interview.
I went on an interview on Tuesday last week. Its now the next monday, the interview seemed to go very smoothly, I answered the questions very honestly. The interview was an hour long and had the manager and doctor (vet). They both seemed to like me, but after the interview they said they would contact me via email in a few days and didnt ask for my references either. Im unsure what Ive done wrong or if I should send a follow-up email or not.
Hi Rhoda,
I would definitely follow-up because that will show that you are professional. In regards to your interview remember that it’s not just your answers that will land you the job it’s your personality and how well you got along with the interviewees. Remember they have to like you enough to work with you everyday from 9-5. Please follow-up and remember to send a thank you note.
Well here’s a twist…How about why you got the job even after a lousy interview!
Here’s what happened: Applied for about 100 jobs over the past few months. Got a few interviews. One job in particular seemed really great, but I was so nervous I really blew some of the questions….I left the interview knowing immediately in my gut that I didn’t get the job. Well life goes on so I kept applying to more jobs and went on a couple more interviews with different companies. 3 weeks ago I received a job offer….the job was a little bit below my expectation as far as challenge is concerned, but the pay was fair and so I accepted. I’ve been at this new job for a week and a half.
Unfortunately the work is really boring and not at all what I expected.
So, last night I got a call from the company I interviewed with last month (the one that I thought I blew the interview). The person they hired did not work out…and since I was their 2nd choice they wanted to know if I’m still interested. Well, of course I’m interested! Better pay, better company, better position, etc. They need me to start on Monday! Well, they actually wanted me to start TODAY, but I asked if Monday would be acceptable, and after some negotiations they said ok to Monday but that was the absolute latest they could wait . So I accepted their offer (I even got a written offer letter by email shortly after the phone conversation.)
Now, I have to tell my current employer of only 10 days that I am leaving. This is going to be difficult. I can’t give them 2 weeks’ notice — although they never gave me anything either verbally or in writing that requires 2 weeks’ notice. I haven’t even been paid yet…so not sure how today is going to go. I’ll offer to finish the week (2 days left), but I cannot stay or I will lose a very special opportunity. Just wondering if they would have anything against me from a legal standpoint? Can they refuse to pay me for my week-and-a-half of work if they end up taking the news badly?
I can’t believe this is happening! I feel bad for my current employer, and not really sure how to approach breaking this news to them. It’s a very small company (less than 10 people), so losing me after just getting me is going to be hard on them. Dorothy, I hope you will be with me in spirit to get me through this day!
Hi Cindy,
Congratulations! Good recruiters can usually look past nerves and I’m really happy there first choice didn’t work out. In regards to you quitting your current job, it should be no problem as you are probably on probation and don’t need to give any notice if you quit just like they would not need to give you any notice to fire you if they wanted. Good for you and congratulations again!!!
Hello Dorothy,
Your advice and insight is fantastic and the site has been a godsend. Unfortunately, in my case, I am still unable to separate the wheat from the shaft.
After applying and receiving interest, the HR manager kept asking for ever more examples of work, relaying the owner’s interest. After 2 weeks of demonstrating more work, I finally got an interview with the studio director, the owner and his son (CEO). Naturally, as with everyone here, the interview was deemed a success. Compliments abounded even if they were still in talks with someone overseas. They wished to get me to do a “little” project for them and so a few days later was given the assignment which took a solid week’s worth of R&D. All was received and was told what I sent in sufficient. Now after reading all this, references were not asked for after the physical interview so, theoretically, I did not get it. I have not received ANY response now for a week. Why then was I given such a large assignment? For sadistic humour? It is work I have NEVER had to do before, especially with the masses of experience on my CV. This has left the most bitter of tastes. I can’t imaging having to do this for every job, it would be impossible! I wouldn’t need a job if I could spend a week for every application… Was I blind all this time? Is it normal to ask applicants to do such things for nothing?
Hi Richard,
Interviews can be very different from one another and a company especially when they are not 100% sure that you can do the job can ask you do submit a project or other information to help them rule you in or out. If I were you I would definitely follow up but at the same time make sure you are applying to other jobs. I don’t think you’ll have to go through this again for every job interview but unfortunately each company will have there own interview process and you will just have to be patient and just do your best. Hope that helps.
Hello Dorothy!
This is such a wonderful site that I stumbled upon! Very informative.
My questions may sound silly but I wanted to ask a professional.
I am looking to work for a culture-oriented company. I lived in Asia and Europe, and really want to be able to promote the cultures of Asia, especially japan and Korea for a career. I have found sites where I would like to work, such as Japan national Tourism Organization and Visit Japan. I saw no real HR information, so I cold-called a person to ask how jobs are seen to apply for. He basically laughed and said all jobs go through a recruiter/agency but wouldn’t say which one. How can I start determining what kind of agency fills these positions? I have done some basic web searches with no answer.
Hi Lorena,
I’m sorry that the person you spoke to laughed at you but if you want to work there then I would definitely try calling again and find out what agency recruits for them. You also need to keep in mind that recruiters/agencies will take you more seriously as a candidate if you live in the country where you want to work. I would not give up and if this is where you want to work then keep researching and I really hope you find a contact. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site as I have a question I’d like to ask a professional if you don’t mind.
So I’m not sure if my interview qualified as a “fake interview” (it definitely wasn’t a perfect interview however) but I had applied to be a Research Assistant summer student through an online service through my university. The ad looked great and advised me to “apply early” which is what I did. I soon received an email regarding an interview from one of the PhD students working in the lab of the professor I applied for. The email had stated that both him (the PhD student along with the professor would interview me). So I did what any sensible interviewee would do and I did my research on both their lab work, which turned out to be quite impressive. When I got there however (5 minutes early as usual), other PhD students were confused as to who I was and why I was there and told me the one who had sent me the email was not in yet and just told me to wait, which I was totally fine with. However, within 2 minutes, 2 other PhD students began to interview me instead. I was really confused as I had never had the chance to do any research on their work. Later on, the original student who had emailed me arrived but did not introduce himself so I had no idea who he was and just smiled politely. Later, during the lab tour, I introduced myself to him and found out his name and said “Oh! Well, you’re the one who emailed me! Do you have any questions you would like to ask me?” And he barely talked to me and just said, “No, they already asked you whatever they needed to.” I also had the chance to briefly talk with the professor who just wanted to know what program and year I was in. I told him and he was like “Oh, we usually prefer students a year older than you.” And I was like… “Oh, okay.” He also asked why I wanted to work there and I started off saying something like “Well, I’ve always been interested in psychiatry… ” and he cut me off saying “This isn’t even psychiatry. The first line in the ad clearly said ‘washing glassware.’” I just felt like he cut off any responses I gave while all the other PhD students stood awkwardly around listening to us. Finally, the interview was over when everyone just kind of left and nobody really acknowledged me anymore and the student who had originally interviewed me said, “Okay, well, I’ll probably let you know by next week.” I said “Okay, so next week then? Great.” Then he said, “Or maybe even the week after that.” And I said “Oh, okay then, it was nice meeting you.”
So here we are now, it’s the “week after next week” and albeit it is only Monday, I’m debating whether or not to follow up. I have already followed up the day right after the interview thanking both the original student and the professor but not the two who had actually interviewed me because I could not, for the life of me, find their email addresses online. So I asked the original student if he could ever so kindly thank them on behalf and then emailed a kind of longer thank you to the professor, targeting all the things he had said in response to my answers and assuring him of my qualifications. So now, I am pretty desperate (as is obvious) as this had been one of the only interviews I have had after sending out numerous resumes and they are not getting back to me. I just wanted to ask if there was a reason why I had been interviewed by different people at the last minute (who had never before even seen my resume) and if following up for a second time would better or ruin my chances.
Thank you!
Hi Linda,
It sounds like your interview was just very unorganized. You also don’t want to annoy anyone and it sounds like you were not what they were looking for. I know you’re desperate but you need to move on. Focus on other roles and keep sending out your resume. I hope you hear from someone soon and I would follow up one more time but don’t expect a response. Good Luck!
Greetings Dorothy,
A recruiter for a company started interviewing me on March 1st, and I was sent two separate technical questionnaires which I filled and submitted; and from there I had two phone interviews/screen by the hiring manager…
On March 29th, we had the face-2-face interview where I met with the recruiter, hiring manager, director, and the VP of the department…just like the phone screens, the interviews were successful as they were very technical…at the end of the day, the hiring manager mentioned that they would be finished interviewing candidates on Tuesday, April 3, and that they would notify me pro or con no later then Thursday…the hiring manager also said that the final interview is going to be between two candidates called in for another face-2-face and another technical phone screen…
On Monday, April 9th, I e-mailed the recruiter and the response was: “we are still interviewing and you are in consideration”…
I have been unemployed since September and have been on hundreds of interviews…I dress and speak professionally, and my LinkedIn.com profile, resume, and references are all very good…
I am usually told that a company is looking for someone who more closely fits their need, or nothing at all except the above statement with no feedback…
Any advice or feedback on how to deal with this situation each and every time I attend a interview…
I am always told that my resume is unique and is well written, and then I attend the in-person interview, where I am usually told that they are looking for someone else for all kinds of reasons…
Hi PB,
I’m happy to hear that your resume is unique and well written but unfortunately that isn’t enough to get a job offer. Interviewers need to make sure that you will work well with the team and fit in with the company’s culture. There is a lot to think about and this is why some interviews can take a long time to complete. My advice is always be patient and be yourself. You will find a job and company that will be a good fit. I would also suggest that you research the company culture and determine whether you will fit in or find ways during your interview to make a point to build a relationship with the interviewers. Hope that helps and good luck!
I recently underwent a really bad experience. I applied for a relatively good position in a different country from New Zealand, to Australia. They had called me for an interview, but I had to pay for my own flights. As the flights were nearly over $1000 I had to double check that they were very interested in me. They said I was the strongest candidate. It was at a hospital and one of the best in the world. They were very quick in their response and feedback, so I paid for my own flights $1100 NZD to Australia for one night (paid for my own accomodation too). They said this show’s my interest and really appreciate me flying in. I attended the interview and got told I was the strongest candidate and that I will be hearing from them in the next day as a decision had to be made. It’s been 5 days, I’ve sent two follow up emails and phoned twice to only get through to the receptionists who say the interviewers are busy. Then I finally got a phone call a week later saying sorry, in this occasion I was unsuccessful. This made no sense to me. I think this is very unproffesional and really put me off applying.
Hi Ash,
I’m sorry that you felt you waisted your time and money on this job interview but remember that deciding on a candidate is not easy especially when one is not local. Next time I would try to negotiate a Skype interview or if they really thought you were one of their strongest candidates then they should have paid for your flight and accommodation. I obviously think you should keep applying to all the jobs you are interested in but after this experience at least you have learned that you need to negotiate flight and accommodation or skype.
here is my story..
i had been interviewed last week, the interview went well we i sold myself to the recruiter and he told me the benefits i can get and the job they will assign to me if ever i was hired. he seems to tell me that he likes me because he discussed the process of the first position i will be until i get promoted. then he told me that the final interview will be on the next following week because the hiring manager was not around. he haven’t told me the exact day he will be calling back but it is now wednesday of next week and i have not yet receive a call from him. do you think it would be best to follow up? im a filipino so i think texting him will be a good idea isnt it? thank you.
Hi Kurt,
Yes, I think you definitely need to follow up and no I dont’ think texting is a good idea. Call or email the recruiter.
Greetings Dorothy,
Thanks for your feedback…
I definitely understand and had already researched the company…I do understand that they are interviewing others and the decision is not that easy, especially when you have a pool of excellent candidates…
I received feedback this morning that reads: “Hi,
We hope to make our decision Monday, April 23; sorry for the delay; you are a strong contender for the position.”…
Now that is not bad news, but I guess the suspense of wanting to work for this company is killing me and sometimes I just do not know what to make of their comments…
Well Dorothy, I want you to know that your time and services, shall be forever, cultivated and honored…
Have a pleasant day…
Sincerely,
PB
Just be patient PB
Hi, I had a job interview at Home Depot yesterday, and the interview went well. The manager told me this, in exact words, ” I don’t want you to walk out here thinking I don’t want to hire you, I actually really want to hire you”. Then he said he would call me the next day,,he asked me whens the best time to reach me at,,we agreed on 4pm,,and he said he would call me at 4pm the next day. (which is today),,and as im writing this its now 6pm,,and i haven’t heard anything yet. I don’t understand why not. He said they really need people, and he all my experience match the position as the freight associate. Should I keep waiting,,or call him to tell him I still interested in the position or I dnt know what to do…???!!!
Hi Angela,
I’m sure something just came up but definitely call him and follow up.
Hi Dorothy,
I just had an interview for international Student’s Leader at my college (University of Denver), they need 12 students for the Fall session.
First, i think I made a mistake…she said I should come 10 mins earlier before the appointment time (that was 3pm), but I came at 2:55pm…it’s a bad sign uh?…
During the interview, she mentioned about the time schedule of the training session also the work time for this job, and after that, she said, the whole interview would be end on Friday afternoon, so she will email all the approved students on Monday morning. Will these are good signs? Cuz I waited the interview inform from her for a week too after I turned in my resume, I think it maybe their working style?..
Anyway, I will know the answer this Monday, but still being worried…
Thanks
Hi Dorothy,
I had a direct interview with a company I am very interested in working for about 2 weeks ago. I thought the interview went very well and I was even introduced to the team in the department of the open position. I sent a thank you email the same day and they requested a list of references which I provided immediately. A week later they emailed a consent form to do a background check. The form did not specify what kind of background check, but I assumed it would be a criminal check. It’s been a week and I have not heard back from them. I know they contacted my references and received positive feedback. My background is clean, except for some student loans and medical bills on my credit. Do you think most companies are conducting credit and background checks before they hire? Also, how do you think I should proceed? Should I send a follow-up email?
Thanks!
Hi Pat,
Background checks usually take a little longer since another company usually handles them. I’m sure you will hear from them soon but I don’t see why you shouldn’t follow up and ask them if they need anymore information from you. Good luck and just be patient.
Hey Dorothy,
I recently had an interview with an organization that I am very eager to work for. I initially was given a phone interview then asked if I would be available for a physical interview the following week. They also stated that after the interview, I would receive a tour of the work place. The interview in my opinion went well as she kept it pretty informal asking only a few work related questions (probably because some were answered during the phone interview) and she even said “you interviewed well considering you only got three hours of sleep” (I work night shift and the interview was the next morning. After the tour, I was introduced to some people who looked fairly important and was given a description of the work. Now for the confusion, during the interview it seemed as if she was going to hire me by specific things she would say, however after the tour she just shook my hand and professionally said goodbye. The interviewer didn’t even inform me of when I should expect a call or email and I didn’t want to ask because everyone was around and for some reason I thought it would be unprofessional. The next day I sent a thank you email (that of which no response was given) in hopes that she would remember me. So, what do you think?
Thanks a lot
Hi Pierre,
I think you should follow up again and ask when you should expect to hear from them regarding a decision. I understand that you may have felt uncomfortable with so many people around you but you should never leave an interview without know what the next process will be and how long it will take to hear from them. I hope you hear good news from someone soon. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
I went on an interview 2 weeks ago. It was four seperate people 45 mins per, plus the internal recruiter. All went well. The recruiter emailed me and said ” the team was very positive” and we want you to come back and interview with the VP of the department. However, in the mean time coud you please give us your list of references. Great I thought. I emailed them with 10 mins. So the VP interview came the following week, and honestly, he kept falling asleep, and it started within the first 5 mins. And he askd me off the cuff questions like how much was my mortgage payment? I finished feeling insulted. So just Monday, the hiring manager said he wanted to keep me in the loop on things, and wrote that they are “evaluating” another candidate, puzzles me he did not say “intrview” and advice
Hi Joe,
It sounds like they might have a target hire but really liked you. I would stay professional and follow up but at the same time apply to other jobs as well while you wait.
Hi dorothy,
Nice to see u and thanks for advising on the interviews.
I really need a bit of help or advice reagrding my interview.
On 28 th march I had a telephone interview with a company which was through agency,which i was succeded and later the agency called me a placed me face to face interview with the comapany on 3rd april.
Two managers have taken the interview and time taken was 1hr 20 min.The interview went well.They told the agency one of the hiring manager is not available,once the HR is back we will contact you.
Its been 2 weeks now,I have been contacting the agency but they have no feedback form the company.
I have recently messaged the manager through facebook with requesting letter to update the feedback and no response,can i keep hope on that interview or shall I call the company directly instead of calling the agency.
After the interview i have also massaged a thankyou letter to the manager
Please advice
Hi reddy,
First, I would just be patient. 2 weeks really isn’t that long. Stop messaging them and I would go through the agency since the company decided to use them for a reason. They don’t want candidates to bug them. You’ve done enough and I would just be patient and while you wait to continue to hear from them I would apply to other jobs. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy i was hoping you could shed some light on my situation
I applied for an entry level job for one of the biggest exploration companys in the world. i had a phone interview that went well, then i had a face to face interview that went well then they contacted my refrences and had me do a 2 pre employment medicals that went well then invited me to a 2nd interview that i thought went better than the first one as they where recommending what sports clubs i should join etc when i relocate
the day after the 2nd interview they contacted me for my uniform sizes via the admin dept, then 2 weeks later i got a call saying i was an unsucessful applicant and they would like to place me in a talent pool for future positions that may arise and to please keep applying for positions that i see with them
when they give me a response they just said they had stronger applicants at the 2nd interview which there was 8 people left for 8 postions out of 3200 of the applicants
what also has happened is they had to shut down one of there depts that they now have to relocate 500 fulltime staff or make them redundant. so i am left wondering did i really bum out at the 2nd interview or have they just relocated exsiting staff so they dont have to pay them out.
im fine with not getting the job to exsiting employees as they have a lot to loose than what i did. what bothers me is did i actually crash the interview or is it a generic response as they dont want to tell me that they shut down the dept and they are getting first prefrence to the positions.
Regards.
Hi Daryl,
I would over think it. I think you did very well and I don’t think you were given a generic response. I’m sorry you didn’t get the job.
Hi Dorothy!
I had a quick question. I gave an interview about 2-3 weeks ago with the director and manager of the department. I believe the interview went well and they had told me that it takes HR a while to finish with the process and that they would contact me. I email HR and their response from the interview was that the interview went well. The director had a lot of great feedback on me and felt I had a lot of skills beneficial to the role and that the director expects to make a decision over the next week hopefully. What does this mean overall towards my chances at getting this position?
Hi Tom,
Positive feedback is always great. Just send a thank you note and don’t forget to follow up especially since you were told that the process can take a long time. At the same time be patient and keep applying to other jobs while you wait to hear back from this company. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy, great website, I’m really glad I came across this!
I’m about to finish my undergrad in a few weeks and applied for a job that I desperately wanted whose company hires a lot of entry-level positions so I figured I had a good shot at getting interview at least even though I don’t have much experience. I have a few friends who interned at this company last summer and are now about to start full time positions there and used them as references. Last Thursday I had a phone interview with the company’s college recruiter (my friends who interned there did say that the first step is a one-on-one phone interview with a recruiter and then from there you go to the office and meet with a few managers). I definitely thought the interview went really well, it lasted about 25 minutes and I did everything I was supposed to do, and showed genuine interest in this company. The recruiter e-mailed me yesterday and said that she recieved great feedback on my background from the managers that reviewed my case, but that all of their full-time positions were currently filled and that they are in a position to have to turn down great candidates. I then proceeded to e-mail her and say that I would be willing to accept an intership position also, but she said that the company is currently not accepting post graduate interns. If the positions were filled, then why did she interview me? The phone interview didn’t seem to be a fake interview because my friends went through the same process, but overall I’m just a little confused and put out by the situation. Is that just a generic response recruiters give people who they don’t feel are qualified or were the positions genuinely filled and they just interviewed me to be polite?
Hi Bridget,
I’m sorry that you didn’t get the job. The position probably weren’t filled when you had your phone interview and face-to-face interview but you were probably not the only one being interviewed. I’m sure as you were a referral or had internal references so did others. This time you didn’t get the job but I’m sure next time you will. This is how the crazy world of job interviews go. I’m glad you felt that you did well and you need to take that and stay positive for your future interviews. Good Luck and stay positive.
Didn’t get it
Hi Dorothy,
I’m an senior officer in govt of India, recently i attended a interview in premier institute in world.
Only 04 candidate attended the interview , only i was interviewed for 01 hour ,others interview lasted only for 10-15 minutes , even we discusses about salary and one of the member in interview asked me to take a look at the institute.I felt thihs is the best interview i had ever attended
seriously i know im the best in the industry for that job and even the interview sounded like that expect a few technical question which i have not answered But the result came as no candidate found suitable. I was disappointed though i have a good job in hand.The institute told me that after 06 months they again call for the application. Now my question is in that case,shall I apply again or not
Please throw some light on this matter
Dhanraj J
Hi Dhanraj,
Whether you should apply again or not is your decision. How badly do you want to work there? What I would suggest is that you ask for feedback. How could you better prepare? What made you unsuitable for the role? If you can get answers to these questions the decision whether to apply or not will be easier. Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy,
A recruitment office sent my resume to a great energy company. I got a call to come in for an interview. I Interviewed with the head of HR and at the end of the interview she called the manager to see if he had time to meet me. He did, so i waited about 5 minutes then went in to see him. This 2nd surprise interview also went well and the manager seemed to like me. I got a call from the recruitment office a day later to tell me that the company was very impressed and that they wanted me to meet the CEO of the recruitment office for some sort of professional evaluation. I had to drive 1.5 hours to meet her. this was a week ago, i just got off them phone from calling the recruitment office to ask what is going on and she said that the energy company is not filling the position.
I feel annoyed and disappointed because i really wanted the job and they totally jerked me around. Do you think they just didn’t want to tell me no?
update
I just got a call from the head of HR at the energy company (the lady that interviewed me initially), she explained that the position is on hold (not being filled right now) she led me to believe that this might change next week (!) and she asked me to slow things down with other potential employers bc she was very impressed with me and wants me for the position. I’m not new to job hunting and I’m having a hard time believing her (after being strung along quite a few times in the past). In the end I asked her if i should call her on Monday or if she will call me; she said whoever reaches the other first (?!)
i’m feeling confused
Hi Shosh,
So many things can change in the recruitment process. I think you need to be patient and don’t put all your eggs in one basket. It sounds like this company is trying to be honest with you and every situation is unique so you need to work with them and not think negatively. So the job is on hold but they really liked you. I would keep applying to other job openings and continue building this relationship. Don’t feel confused….you just need to adapt to each situation.
Dorothy,
Just wondering, what is it called when a recruiter initiates a call to an applicant, the applicant agrees to an interview and on the day of the interview the applicant is contacted exactly 45 minutes prior to the interview time via phone and told, “You don’t have to come to the interview because we’ve made out selection” Was it really necessary to waist my time like that? I’m just sayin, and the organization in question is Macy’s. That long trusted department store with that ever present red star and fabulous over the top Christmas ads. featuring celebrities who don’t need another penny!
Hi destitute & hungry,
At least they didn’t go forward with your interview and conduct a Fake Interview.
Hey Dorothy,
I would love your thoughts on my current situation. I had a phone interview with recruiting and they told me I’d hear back from them in the following week if I were selected to move forward. Fortunately, I did hear back and was invited in for a panel interview with the Sr. Manager, VP, and what appeared to be a working peer. I’m currently in Florida and at my own expenses flew out to Dallas for the interview. After filling out my paperwork and background check in HR, I was told that I was being considered for two opportunities (one I didn’t want). The day of the interview I found out that peer-manager went out on maternity leave early and the VP wasn’t available (this happened for all interviews that day). So in the interview were two senior managers. Everything seemed to go great. I revealed that I was relocating to Dallas, but was waiting on an official offer before I officially relocated at my own expense due to the volatile economy. The Sr. Manager walked me out and engaged me in small talk. As I hit the door, he extended his hand and said, “Thanks again. Good luck.” I did the follow up email to the two managers, the recruiter (did this prior to the onsite interview), and one to the VP who couldn’t make it (I extended an offer for her to reschedule a time for a brief phone interview). I also sent them my writing portfolio (the job is for a Corporate Communications opportunity). I brought my portfolio but due to their time constraints we couldn’t get to it. I was told the hiring managers would be meeting the following week to make a decision. On Tuesday, I received the rejection letter for the position I didn’t want. I emailed HR and the Sr. Manager I’d be reporting too and didn’t hear back from HR until Friday. She informed me that they were still in deliberations and would definitely be in contact with me in the upcoming week. I’m a little surprised that the Sr. Manager never responded to confirm he received my writing portfolio or to inform me if I were still being considered. How do I know if I am still in the running? If I don’t hear back this week (the week they said I would) should I assume that I didn’t get the job and move on?
Hi TMC,
Yes, if you don’t hear from them in the week that means you didn’t get the job. Hiring someone from another state is a difficult decision for a company. The odds for that happening are very low unless you already knew someone on the interview panel. I would not keep my hopes up as they probably will pick someone local or internal. I would suggest that you push for a video Skype interview before flying to an interview at your own cost. Good Luck!
Dorothy-
Good morning! I would like to hear what you may have to say about my recent experience with this particular government contractor in Northern Virginia. Recently in late March I was invited in for interviews with three different managers (including the CFO) for potential opportunities within as they absolutely liked my resume. The interviews went very well and they told me that they were looking to hire because some of the folks at the company they purchased in Mid-west did not want to relocate. I was told that the interview with me went very well and that I was very high on their list of hires.
I sent out email thank yous to all involved and then followed up with them after two weeks with both recruiters saying that they would get back to me in a few weeks. I then contacted them two weeks ago to see what the progress is. The last email response I got was two weeks ago notifying me that they are still assessing the company’s needs and that they would contact me soon. It has been another two weeks today and still no notice. Shall I email him once again or shall I do what many recommend job candidates do: move on.
Please advise.
Thank you kindly-
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
It’s good to be persistant but at one point you need to let them contact you. If they are interested in you they will call or email. Stop doing all the leg work. If they are interested you will know because they will contact you. I think you did a great job this far but at this point I would send a last email stating that you are still interested in working with them and if they need anymore information to please contact you and provide them with email, LinkedIn profile, personal website etc. You can’t wait around forever. The problem is that they are still re-assessing the company’s needs so at the end they may not have a spot for you. Definitely keep applying to other jobs and maybe once in a while touch base and see how this company is doing but I bet when they decide to hire again they will make you go through the interview process again. Good Luck!
Hi,
I submitted an application and the Hiring Manager emailed me the next day asking if I can schedule a time to discuss the position in detail. The phone interview went well and he asked if I could come in for a face to face interview with him and 2 people. I met with the Hiring Manager first and before the interview started he said that their in the decision making process and if I am a good candidate I would hear from them by the end of the week to schedule a second interview. 2 days later I received an email to come in for a second interview to meet with 4 people. The Hiring Manager briefly asked a few questions like: When can you start? How would I commute to work? With me having a child, how will I be able to work fullime and juggle other obligations? “I don’t know if he asked because their interested or whatever. After the interview ended HR called me in her office. She asked ” How did the interview go? Then she said let’s discuss compensation…. then commented and said that your bonus will be prorated… indirectly. So I’m confused if they are interested in me. The next day I received an email from the Hiring Manager thanking me for my time and saying their still in the decision process and just hold on a little bit longer. He told me there is a possibility I may have to come in for a 3rd interview but either way I should know by the end of next week. I’ve never received a followup like this in detail. Can you give me some insight on this situation? Thanks!
Hi Brenda,
Sounds like you are doing well. All this back and forth is good and I would stay positive. I’m sure once you get invited to a certain stage of the interview process each candidate gets to meet HR and discuss compensation. Just hang in there and remember to send a thank you email to everyone. Good Luck!
I need your help! I went on an intereview about two weeks ago. It was at an employment agency but it was to actually work for the employment agency. I was supposed to meet with the boss and the office manager. It turns out the boss had an “emergency” and was not there. I got an e-mail asking if I could come back and meet with the boss. I did. A couple of days later, I received a phone call and an e-mail asking how long I would be willing to wait before they brought be aboard. They asked if I could wait one to two months. The reason he gave was that it was financial/staffing issues and that some things were a mess and they did not want to bring anyone in until it’s cleared up. I said that two months was fine. Considering that I am home and have had no other offers to date I really did not mind. However, I was given no exact start date, nothing in writing, etc. Here is my issue. A friend called me yesterday, I am interviewing with her company today. I would actually be taking her place. She said that I most likely have the job already due to my background and her reference. The fact that nothing is written is stone at the other place bothers me. I don’t know why it would take one to two months to clean things up. If that is the case why are you interviewing already? Do you think that they are just keeping me on the back burner while they are interviewing others? The OM said that they did not want to lose me and was checking to see if this time frame was ok. I don’t know if they don’t want to lose me just in case they don’t find someone else. I don’t know what to do if I am offered this other job today. I really need a job and I don’t want to let something else go only to get screwed over by the another. The job I am interviewing for today is less money. However, my friend said that it is stress-free and and easy place to work. I believe the other job will be pretty stressful and the communte possibly pretty bad. Help! Thanks!
Hi Pat,
Good Luck!
If you need a job then go for every interview that you can. When deciding to accept a job over another you need to just go over the pros and cons such as commute, stress-level, compensation etc. You could also just take the first job (if they offer it) and then decide it may not be for you and take the other job (if they offer it) as well. Just be patient and wait for the offers to come in before counting your chickens
I had a interview last Monday with a company in which I have over 5 years expereince in the field. I was called maybe 3 days after submitting my resume. I meet with the recruiter which after 10 mins and a few questions I was offered a chance to interview with the manager and director of the department on the spot. She said she would phone them and see if they both had time to meet with me. Me and the director seems to vibe well, we discussed alot about the position, the manager was also great but was in and out of the room. He kept saying things like If I am lucky enough to have you on my staff, he said that like 3 times. he talked about a girl who would come in at 5pm and work and how much of a hard worker she was and how he would be lucky to have us together. He then gave me feed back and said if he could give me a grade it would be a A+ on interviewing so if I didnt get the job it was nothing I had done wrong. He sold the job and talked a lot about team work being important. At the end we walked me to the lab and introduced me to the workers and then said hopefully next time you will be entering from this employee door. That was one week ago, no call back yet. But when I asked at the end of interview how long to make a pick they said a week or two.
Hi Monique,
first you need to send a thank you note and second, you should have asked how long the process was going to take and when you should expect to hear from someone. At this point I would wait 3-4 days and then contact someone and ask then about their timeline to make a decision. Good Luck!
Hi, Dorothy! I was wondering if you could impart a little wisdom in my situation. I’ve had two interviews with Chase Bank for a P/T teller position and I haven’t been able to land one yet. I think I did well on both of them but apparently the interviewer and recruiters didn’t think so. I had great conversations with the people who greeted me in the front while I waited for the interviewer to prepare, highlighted my strengths and love for my current duties in sales (retail) and informed them that I’m just looking for an opportunity to move forward in my career since I plan on being in sales for a while (I’m studying Economics at university now). My schedule’s incredibly flexible, I was polite and enthusiastic throughout the interview, I’ve had very little slip-ups when dealing with transactions thus far and I answered the interview questions with as much honestly as possible without being too candid. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I understand that I might be having a hard time because it’s my first job in this vein of work (or the stammer I have but hopefully that’s not being taken as a sign of unpreparedness) but the only other things I can think of that might improve my chances is bringing references with me and maybe adding a cover letter. What do you think?
Hi Annie,
I would just be your self. Remember companies are looking for the right fit as well. Look at the other tellers, are they as bubbly and energetic as you? If not then maybe they don’t think you will fit in. Also, sales and working as a teller are two different things. They may like your enthusiasm but they may think you may not like being a teller. Just keep applying to all the jobs that interest you and be yourself! Good Luck!
Hi Dorothy
I applied for a job and was scheduled for an interview within 24 hrs with a state employer. Hiring manager and 3 team members interviewed me for a state position (public school)
Interview took 1 hr instead of 30 min, I received a lot of compliments, was told that my answers are fabulous and excellent and my knowledge and resume are wonderful. We also talked about things unrelated to work and the whole process went great. They laughed and gigled and seemed happy. I sent thank you note right away. I got no reply to that. 24 hrs after the interview I followed up with hiring manager and she said decision will be made nex week. I am worried that I was not asked for the references and exact date right away. However, I am not sure if state and federal employers do things a bit differently. I was told they need to fill position ASAP.What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Also adding that my interview was over the phone, so if the decision will be made next week how will I get a chance to interview in person. It seems like time wasted.
Hi Regis,
You’ll just have to be patient and see with this job but next time you need to ask what the interview process is i.e. is there a second interview? what is the next process? When should I expect to hear from someone and who should I expect to hear from or follow up with? I don’t like that everyone was very complimentary during your interview as a recruiter would never be so we don’t make you feel like you have the job. I hope this wasn’t a waste of your time and that you hear from someone soon. Good Luck!
What does the following in a rejection mean –
… if we have another role that we believe would be the perfect match for someone with your background that you would be ok with my reaching out to you again? Please confirm that this would be ok. …
Can I read too much into this?
Rob
Hi Robert,
They just want to make sure that they can keep your resume on file and then contact you if your experience matches a future job opening. I wouldn’t read too much into this. They are just trying to have a pool of candidates that they can access if they need to hire ASAP.
Hi!
So i recently was hired as an office assistant in a small private company. I’m currently still on the 3 month probation right now. I’m confused on my General’s Manager’s…attitude towards me. She hardly ever smiles at me when i greet her or she’ll give me this really fake and annoyed smile. she seems so friendly and nice to everyone else and always jokes around with them. She criticizes about what i wear (leggings and long sweater on casual day, she said my sweater is too short even though it covers all of my bum)….but honest to god, i see my co-workers wearing the shirts that only cover half of their bum in tights. She also says I work and walk too slow. I always finish all my work and go ask for more work, it always ends up being there is nothing else for me to do. I don’t really understand the whole walk too slow part….so i’m so confused
Does she not like me?…or is it because i’m still on probation?…if she actually doesn’t like me….will she just let me go from the company even though i work hard and finish all my work?
Hello Dorothy,
This is a great blog. I learned a lot from the cases of others and your thorough analysis. Thank you! I would love to discuss my case with you.
I’ve been pregnant for over nine months. My due date is next week. I had an interview for an assistant position yesterday (May 10th) which will start in August. The manager who needs assistant didn’t know my pregnancy until I showed up in his office. He was nice to me but I think he was surprised about my pregnancy indeed. At the very beginning of the interview, I briefly talked about my current situation and told him that my parents are here to take care of the baby, then we started to discuss about the position. The manager introduced the basic responsibilities and duties of the job and asked me a few questions about my qualifications. It was an enjoyable meeting and he gave some positive feedback when I was talking. However, the interview only lasted 20 minutes. In fact, even only after 10 minutes, he said he would decide in a few days and said “good luck”, and then he asked two more questions. At last, he walked me to the door of the office building (it’s only a one-minute route), asked me whether I named the baby, and told me he had four children. Once again, he said “good luck”.
Dorothy, do you think I have any chance to get the job? Was the manager just trying to be polite? I am afraid he has made his decision the moment when he knew I am pregnant. I really need the job. I don’t know whether I should give up the hope.
Thank you!
Great blog. I have recently been to two great interviews, without landing a job. I believe 1 was fake and the other I may have presented myself as over qualified.
The first interview, I was surprised I got an interview in the first place as the job was a bit above my experience level. I realized it was a fake interview when the hiring manager went on and on about the job and what the work entailed, leaving me with less than 40% of the time to answer any questions. The HR lady was very professional and when she called me to tell me I didn’t get it, she said two other people had more direct experience but recommended I apply for another type of position within the company in the future.
The second interview, they wanted to know my current salary and I gave it to them. They wanted 1-3 years of experience in oil and gas pricing, and I had 5. (with another 5 years in another area of expertise) I am 32 and I am pretty sure the hiring manager and the HR person were 5 years my junior. I wonder if I came off as too qualified? The HR person asked me over the phone before I interviewed what my salary was. So she still brought me in for an interview. But alas, they chose another candidate. I am not sure how to be more successful in future interviews? Just keep going and use these ones as learning and practice pieces?
Hi Dorothy,
This is just a follow up to my post for 5/4/12. My interview was a fake interview. I learned today that they had an internal candidate, so basically they were interviewing just to fulfill a requirement. From now on I will ask recruiters or hiring managers,when interview is being set up, if there is an internal candidate for a position advertised. I will also ask them at the end of interview what will preclude me from getting a job based on my interview. What do you think? I think these dummy interviews are unethical, because for the most, internal candidate is a definite choice and they will always beat me because they have a knowledge of a company’s business. I am very disappointed because they have wasted a tonn of my time for preparation, and the interview itself.
This is an interesting post! I still don’t understand why people conduct fake interviews.. is it just HR protocol?
I recently interviewed at a fairly small non-profit and met with the Exec. Director after having a phone interview with her. I thought it was a big deal to meet with a head honcho rather than the person that would be my supervisor, as the Exec. Dir. is notoriously busy all the time. She kept telling me how great my resume was and what a great job she thought I had (even though I *wanted* to say STOP IT! I HATE WHERE I WORK!). She only asked me about my very specific experiences and sort of detailed how it would fit into the job. After asking me a ton of questions about my experience, she asked if I had any Q’s. Um.. yeah? I want to know about the position I’m applying to (I don’t know how to not end this with a preposition.. carrying on..)! I asked some questions but it was getting late and I figured I could ask the rest in a 2nd interview if I landed one. She was great about responding back to me when I checked in but I never got a 2nd interview and eventually the hiring manager emailed me to say that although my resume stood out in the crowd, they were going with someone else. Should I even be flattered or do they say that to everyone? I feel so creepy about going in for interviews like this. Do they mean anything??