For most people, the hiring process (and pretty much every aspect of interviewing for a job) triggers what I like to call the post interview temporary OCD blues. Although you want the decision process to move quickly, the time after your interview can feel endless. And brain-twistingly maddening!
I’m sure many of you can recognize the truth in this all too familiar-feeling scene:
“They haven’t called yet.”
I know.
“They still haven’t called yet.”
It’s only been five minutes since you last told me that.
“But I interviewed THREE whole hours ago. Why aren’t they calling me?”
This goes on for most of the next two or three weeks, in which time you’ve called or sent notes at least 6 times (please don’t), until you finally get the call for the second interview. Aaaaaaaaah! You feel your old self returning.
And then it starts all over again …
Oh sure … this job interview went well too, but right after the interview you feel the signs of temporary OCD returning. The obsessive thoughts and the compulsive need to contact them and make them act NOW! NOW. NOW!!!
“I know they liked me. They seemed to like me. Oh dear god … why didn’t they like me!”
I’m sure they did.
“Was that the phone?”
No. The dog sneezed.
“Why won’t they call me? Those self-absorbed, insensitive creeps. Don’t they know I’m waiting???? I hate all of them.”
It’s only been three days and they’re interviewing other people.
“It’s a stupid job anyway. If they don’t call by tomorrow, I don’t even want it any more.”
Makes total sense. I understand.
“That’s it. I’m done with the idiots.”
Good plan. Why be open to a job you want?
Just then the phone rings. You get the job. Wuhooo! You’re thrilled because truth be told they all seemed really nice and the job is everything you ever wanted. Ah. Relief at last.
Or so I hope in your case. But, if not, please don’t give up hope. It only takes one “yes!” And a lot of patience. 🙂
So what takes them so long to call after your interview?
Although it all goes on behind the scenes as far as a job seeker is concerned, there are many good reasons why you don’t hear back right away after your job interview. Reasons that may have nothing to do with you. In fact, sometimes it can take weeks to hear anything — even if they really like you.
What might be going on that causes the delay? This post can help you understand. At the very least, maybe the silence won’t seem so personal. And you can put your energy to use looking for another opportunity. Two offers are even better than one!
⇒  What Really Happens After a Job Interview?
Why do folks go crazy looney-tunes nuts after an interview?
So what happened to you? Why did obsessive-compulsive behavior take hold of an otherwise lovely person’s body and brain?
Of course, we know it’s an awful, stressful process where you have absolutely no control over what they do or how soon they do it. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing back in as little as a day and waiting as long as four loooong months for jobs where I was the top candidate.
There is no absolute rule or standard when it comes to the job interview hiring process. I’m sorry. I wish there were. And I know it sucks. But seriously … driving yourself crazy by trying to second-guess what you can’t possibly know about is not worth it.
Sometimes emergencies happen. Or huge rush projects. Maybe people get sick. Or there are behind-the-scenes negotiations or politics. And none of it is about you.
The best thing you can do is give the very best job interview you can and then just wait for them to do what they need. Seriously.
Sure, a pleasant note or two and an occasional polite call can help move things along — sometimes. But I suggest you do these things sparingly and without getting tied to an actual result. At least not one on YOUR time schedule. They will move at their pace no matter what we do.
So what can you do in the meantime?
⇒  12 Ways to Stay Sane Waiting After a Job Interview
More posts to help
After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
How Often Should I Call an Employer After My Interview?
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
So What Really Happens After a Job Interview?
What Are the Basic Hiring Process Steps?
Should You Send a Post-Interview Thank You? [Sample]
Job Rejected You? Sample Rejection “Thank You” Note
10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job Offer
Job search help:
Job Search & Interview Resource Center!
[Post updated in 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To the Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.
Hello,
I was recently approached by a multi billion $ company for a sourcing analyst position. I had an initial phone interview with the recruiter to go over my background. Upon completion of the interview the recruiter scheduled an hour long phone interview with the hiring manager for the same day. So I was interviewed by the hiring manager for an hour and she walked me through the role and responsibilities for the position and we also discussed my background in detail.
Next day I got a call from the recruiter and she wanted to schedule an onsite panel interview with the team along with the VP & Director of the business unit over next couple days. She scheduled the meeting while I was on phone with her. Next thing I was on-site for the interview and I thought I did really well in the interview. We had the interview scheduled for an hour and we were kicked out of the conference room because our interview ran a little longer than expected and there was another meeting in the room. Upon completion of the panel interview I was told by the recruiter that she will follow up with me over 2-3 days.
I have a practice to send a thank you email to the recruiter and the individuals that interviewed me a thank you note. Being that the case, I had sent a thank you email to the panel the day after the panel interview and I got a response back from the hiring manager and recruiter that we were pleased to meet with me and would get back to me in 3-4 days with their decision. So I eagerly waited for 3-4 days to pass by but it was a week already and I did not hear anything from recruiter, so I end up calling her to check where things are. She answered my call and told me that the company was still interested in me and they will get back to me in 1-2 days. Based on the conversation I was motivated that the company was still interested and I wait wait wait.. A week goes by and nothing. So I thought of sending a final email to the hiring manager and the recruiter to know if the position was already filled and if not letting they know that I was still interested and how can I add value to their organization. Within few minutes I got a response from both hiring manager and recruiter that they are still interested and will be back in a day or so. And this time the recruiter did call me back in a day and scheduled a 30 minutes call with the hiring manager for next day.
So the hiring manager calls me and she tells me about the emails that I had sent post interview and if was still interested in the position. Then she also made a comment that the panel felt I was seen as a little over confident during the interview and that I was on the fence and they had a lot discussion around it. Apart from that the company is still interested and she said that someone from HR or the recruiter would reach out to me next day!
Long story short 🙂 Is there any chance that I would get an offer for this job? Do they really want me or are they compromising with me if they happen to choose me? Did this had anything to do with the negotiation process? I mean they almost made me feel that I was on the fence and if they choose me for the position I wouldn’t have a lot of room to negotiate my salary?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
NI am there now and the wait is grueling. I actually have a job but I am unhappy there. The company underpays me and I believ it’s a matter of time before they go under. Aside from this, the job is unfullfilling and I know I can do better. I can easily be making double what my current salary is. I have actively been interviewing but this current opportunity is a huge step up for me. I am clearly a finalist as i interviewed twice and was given a work assignment which I turned in early (i was given 2 days).
I have notified my references that they MAY be getting a call and asked them to notify me if they did.
The stress comes from the fact that I have been here many times… I am often a finalist but never receive an offer. I feel depressed and that if this one doesn’t happen, i will be devastated. I really did dedicate myself into preparing as best as I could.
I guess I just need some hope. I am depressed and tired.
A job search can be a long, tough, very discouraging slog these days. It can be even tougher when you don’t have any interaction with other job seekers so you can see that many very smart people are struggling too. And, having another set of eyes to check out your resume and job applications can be very helpful. None of us know everything.
Are there any local job clubs nearby? Assuming you are in the USA, check out your local Career OneStop Center, stop by if you can to get some help. Also scan MeetUp.com to see if any job clubs meet near you. Even visit local places of worship to see if they have job clubs meeting there regularly — usually unassociated with any particular religion.
And, please Google your name. See if anyone with the same name (nasty politician, porn star, drug dealer, etc.) is visible in Google. Their actions may be impacting your job search because employers won’t know you aren’t that nasty person.
Hang in there!
Good luck with your job search!
Susan