Follow Up Calls / Emails

[naiku]

This is kind of a follow up from my other thread, I had an interview on 3/7, initially they said they would make a decision and let me know by 3/16. I heard nothing (and to be honest had figured that meant I did not get the job) so I called on 3/20 to ask where they were in the hiring process. I spoke to the person who interviewed me, and she said she had made her decision and passed that onto HR, and was just waiting on approval before calling with offers, and to wait a few more days. That gave me a glimmer of hope, since (and I could be wrong) I would think that if I was not still in contention, she could have just told me over the phone. Anyways, she said to give it a few more days.

Then, Friday 3/23 I get an email saying they are still waiting on the approval, and am I still interested. I replied yes, looking forward to your decision etc. Tomorrow that will be another week since I have heard anything.

Should I send an email tomorrow asking the status? or call? or wait until early next week? I am afraid of coming across as a nuisance at this point. But, the interview went well, and I really want this job.

Thanks.

[im easy]

I would wait another two or three days, usually HR takes a long time. Trust me it's hard being patient especially when you need the job to pay bills.

[naiku]

I would wait another two or three days, usually HR takes a long time. Trust me it's hard being patient especially when you need the job to pay bills.

Thanks for the reply, I actually ended up emailing late last week. Got a reply back fairly quickly, they are basically now waiting on EVP approval at the company. At least I am working though, and so able to pay bills, I know people are in far worse situations than simply having to be patient.

[Diamond Dave]

I spoke to the person who interviewed me, and she said she had made her decision and passed that onto HR, and was just waiting on approval before calling with offers, and to wait a few more days.

And you didn't ask her directly right then, why?

Then, Friday 3/23 I get an email saying they are still waiting on the approval, and am I still interested. I replied yes, looking forward to your decision etc.

This is because they sent a written offer to their first choice and that is taking a long time to evaluate the information. It's easier to keep the 2nd & 3rd runner ups on the line until they know if their offer will be accepted than it is to tell you and the other guy that you weren't chosen, then find out in 2wks that their first candidate accepted a position elsewhere. They'd look pretty silly coming to you saying "Congratulations!" after they already kissed you off. So, they leave you in limbo and placate you until their first choice accepts.

Got a reply back fairly quickly, they are basically now waiting on EVP approval at the company.

They're jerking you around. No one spends time recruiting for a position that isn't approved.



You should be treating this as a lost opportunity and keep looking for work. If it ultimately turns around, great, but hopefully you haven't stopped looking for the last month.

[naiku]

Thanks for the reply, makes sense, and yes I have still been looking.

[barrier12]

We do not know what exactly is going on, but I would agree with Dave on almost everything he said. Here is a thought in a little bit different direction though- it seems, like you are still been considered, well, unless HR tells exactly the same thing to EVERYBODY.

I would say congratulations to you and here is why. You are not cheapest candidate. If they indeed considering someone else, but keep you as option #2 or 3, it may mean they are trying to hire someone else with approximately the same skills, as yours, but cheaper or with better skills for the same rate as yours. It is always trail and error way, so I would "forget" about this vacancy for a while, I would not not call or e-mail them, they have your contact info and if they will be interested, they'll contact you. Keep looking.

BUT, if they would come back to you week or month(s) from now, keep in mind this scenario and consider whether you would like to increase your compensation expectations a little bit.

I had interview at one company while ago, they choose another candidate and for a while(for several months) it looked, like they were not interested in me. Several months later I contacted the owner, who interviewed me and it turned out they were interested in seeing me again. After new round of discussions they offered 30% increase to their original level of compensation. It was still not enough from my point of view, so we went our own ways.

I have heard story of a guy, who went through the interviews, was not contacted and about month or two he gave up his wife's begging and called the interviewer and asked what's going on. Believe it or not, he was told they lost his contact information(!?) and he is more than welcome to come and start "tomorrow". He did and was more, than happy with company, team and compensation. He credited his wife big time for that.

[Diamond Dave]

it may mean they are trying to hire someone else with approximately the same skills, as yours, but cheaper or with better skills for the same rate as yours.

I can't recall a time I considered (or my clients considered) pricing to be in the top 5 decision elements for candidates.

Only when two products are nearly identical, can price be used as a differentiating factor. Even then, the adage holds true: An informed buyer chooses based on value; an uninformed buyer chooses on price.