Am I clinging to false hope?

34 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 8,2024 at 5:26PM UTC

   It seems like there are many applicants for this position.
   So the company is still weighing its options. Typically, if you were not being considered for the next step, the company would inform you with a call or email. However, some organizations (both non-profit and for-profit) have a poor track record of following up. Therefore, it's important to continue interviewing for other roles and to stay in touch with this company to get a response. You could consider reaching out to them with a phone call, email, or text twice a week. Also, you might ask when their projected deadline to fill is?

2. Cheryl MagenFebruary 8,2024 at 7:44PM UTC

   I agree you must keep applying until you have a firm offer. Organizations do not like to be hounded and can take a long time with their process no matter what their ideal timeline might be. You can check in after 2 more weeks but keep searching.

3. Heather HFebruary 8,2024 at 6:35PM UTC

   You wrote "I emailed her last to week to ask if she could share any details on the progress of my application."

   Some companies where I am have a long recruiting (30 days-40 days) time frame.

   During the interview it's probably BEST to ask what their time frame for hiring looks like.

   A follow up email should only highlight your skills and "fit" -- remind them of why you are the best candidate and what you can do for them as an employee.

   I worry that the structure of your inquiry implies they are too slow at getting back to you.

   Some of the best jobs have a reeaaallly long hiring process so don't ever let that issue worry you.

   But I understand -- Lots of HR are now just "ghosting" if you are not selected

4. maria roseFebruary 8,2024 at 10:34PM UTC

   Sure sounds like the recruiter is getting more from getting you to various interviews than giving you the feedback you seek ( you want to know if there's an offer and what you can do to create the best impression to get an offer). Since you are already limiting your choice of job positions to strictly remote offerings, you need to understand and destress your anxiety level even if you are at the point where you are financially in need of income coming in, because that's not helpful and may cause you to not find your best solution opportunity.

5. Leader135412February 9,2024 at 1:25PM UTC

   If any of the nonprofits are funded by the county, state of federal government they will expect you to work from their facility. The only one's who get to work from home are the directors, on snow days. And they can be very political. Jobs can be politically appointed. A who knows who, or if your kin your in. You might not be happy there.

6. GirlBossanova934974February 9,2024 at 1:34PM UTC

   In today's job market, you just have to keep applying for positions.
   Nothing is sure until there is a signed offer letter and even that is questionable. Be very wary of Tech companies rescinding offers and that sort of thing. I would attribute this unprofessional behavior by recruiters and the people they represent to an accelerating lack of decorum in the working world aka ANYTHING GOES! What these folks don't seem to grasp is that their company's reputation is being trashed. But as many of them are just job hopping every 1-3 years, it hardly matters to them. The company is left to pick up the pieces.

7. CautiousFebruary 9,2024 at 4:13PM UTC

   Oh, wow, good insight. Thank you.

8. Maggie StoneFebruary 9,2024 at 1:51PM UTC

   I sympathize. The job search process can leave you feeling discouraged and hopeless. I agree with girl bossanova: keep looking. I would also recommend changing up your strategy. Anything you can do differently? Find a new recruiter? Network or go to a job fair? Open your search to hybrid or in person positions? Any changes you can make will make you feel less like Sissyphus pushing the rock up the mountain every day only to see it roll down again.

9. AnonymousFebruary 9,2024 at 1:52PM UTC

   I don’t know how big or small this company is but hiring takes time. There’s a lot that goes on in the background you may not be aware of. I know because I have also hired and interviewed many candidates.

   i don’t think it’s unusual. It is only feb 9th today and you interviewed Jan 19th!! I mean that’s like 3 weeks only.

   please don’t take this personal.

   i would keep looking though because you are not offered a job yet but I would keep the momentum going and keep applying to other jobs.

   please accept that you may not get this job despite the positive feeling.

   keep going and continue to apply

10. CautiousFebruary 9,2024 at 4:12PM UTC

    Yes, will certainly keep applying. Thank you.

11. AnonymousFebruary 9,2024 at 2:21PM UTC

    I guarantee you it’s not you!! I work for a non profit. We are hiring right now for and admin asst and I cannot believe the number of lovely qualified candidates that have been brought in to be considered just to interview with this one manager. He’s a weird dude with all manner of strange reasons why this one or that one isn’t worth his time to interview. Idiot! So trust me it’s never you. Don’t take the interview stuff personally or it will dim your spirit for the next one. Just know the perfect job is getting ready for you. Keep going and let go of

    those unwarranted stressful thoughts.

12. CautiousFebruary 9,2024 at 4:12PM UTC

    Thank you so much. Really appreciate your positive thoughts.

13. AnonymousFebruary 9,2024 at 5:29PM UTC

    These days companies have let go of many of their internal resources for hiring so the process is slow and often painfully so. Also, in non-profits they often have long turnaround times for decision making. Move onto other interviews and let it go for now. If you hear nothing from them by Feb 15 I would consider it dead.

14. Judith SheehanFebruary 10,2024 at 2:20AM UTC

    Something I have concluded based on experience.

    it does take time, but if you hear crickets, in my experience, you’re not the priority. It takes seconds to respond.

    maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised, but based on past disappointment - it’s not you. I’ve been more than qualified for roles that I’m not even given a chance on.

    do you know anyone in a non profit that has work available

    ive had more luck with people that know people I’ve worked with.

    sometimes its just a bad HR person. Please don’t beat yourself up - just keep moving forward and you’re going to find the right role for you!

15. Jacqueline McDowellFebruary 10,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

    I have been having similar experiences- also with non-profits! In at least two cases, I had interviews that seemed to go very well. One of them waited weeks to get back to me, only to tell me that they hired someone else. They also told me based on my background, to keep an eye out for other positions within the agency. A few months later, I did see another position. I applied, and nothing! What was most frustrating was that I was probably more qualified for the second position than the first.

    I almost turned down a temp job because of the second great interview I mentioned. Some smart friends told me, "Take the temp job and if you do get the other one, you can quit the temp job. That's how the game is played." I'm glad I listened to them, because the other company waited until a day after training was supposed to start to tell me I didn't get the job. (Like, duh, I couldn't figure that out on my own...)

    All I can think to say is, keep pushing and don't take any of it personally. You know your worth. Keep applying and doing those interviews and don't stop until you have a firm offer.

16. AnonymousFebruary 10,2024 at 3:53PM UTC

    I have been laid off since June 2023. At first, after over 200 applications, only 4 interviews that reached the final interview, and no job offer I started to feel like you. Then around November of 2023 I try to detach myself from the interview process. If I get an interview, I ensure I do well and make sure I am prepared; but I try not to allow my emotions to get involved. If I hear back, I hear back. If I don't, it's OK, I just continue to apply and do my best during the interview process. Truthfully, it is a tough market and MANY companies have laid off a huge amount of people. This is an employer's market, competition is steep. Try to put your emotions on the back burner, ensure your resume is tight and keep a positive mindset. Also, try earnbetter.com!! It is great and will help you tailor your resume for each position you apply to. Once I started using that site, I started getting interviews (those 4 interviews that I mentioned earlier..lol...there was nothing before). I hope that helps. Good luck and that job offer is right around the corner!!

17. Mary MeffeFebruary 10,2024 at 5:26PM UTC

    Join flexjobs.com. Most of their jobs need someone immediately. I joined on a Friday and was hired the following Monday.

18. CautiousFebruary 10,2024 at 10:45PM UTC

    Thank you. I have perused their jobs and have not found anything that I am eligible for that matches my background.

19. AnonymousFebruary 11,2024 at 1:43PM UTC

    May I suggest you apply to jobs that are similar to what you have done before. Getting your foot in the door somewhere, keep looking, and you never know what could open up at the new company.

20. AnonymousFebruary 11,2024 at 1:08AM UTC

    I would keep looking. You really have no idea what’s going on over there. Maybe they have a hiring freeze.

    Maybe they made an offer to someone and are waiting to hear back. They don’t usually tell others no go until they have a confirmed acceptance.

    Never cling on to the hopes. Always keep looking and if it comes to be that they offer you the job then fantastic but worrying about it will not help you.

21. AnonymousFebruary 11,2024 at 1:50PM UTC

    As an HR Manager at a non-profit with about 70 employees, I can assure you, it's not you. From my experience in this role, the hiring managers and HR leadership are quick to post positions before they pin down availability for the folks that are participating in the interview panels. Our roles require 2-3 panel interviews. We are timely in screening applicants and then conducting phone screens but the process bottle necks after that. Then the next hold up is getting the panel participants to return interview notes/scores to the hiring manager and HR. Candidates follow up with recruiters and HR Managers wanting updates that we really can't provide because we are brow beating and chasing people internally to be informed of next steps and decisions on candidates. I absolutely feel and know your frustration firsthand. Continue to interview well, send thank you emails after each round, and stay positive. The right opportunity is on its way.

22. Cheryl ShawFebruary 11,2024 at 2:33PM UTC

    First, you can benefit by getting into a more positive mindset. You have no indication that the problem is definitely you). You don’t know. Second, don’t doubt that you will ever get a job as good as the last one? Speak out loud that the next one will be even better. Ask God for it and expect it.

    Third, I have had two jobs in the past where it took months and years to get. One it was six months from the time of interview one and interview two. I got the job and stayed 5 years. The other job, I applied for two years! When I showed up my first week, as my boss was introducing me to her colleague he exclaimed, what’s your name again? I have been trying to reach you for a year! It turned out he had an old resume with a typo in my phone number.

    So, things happen. Continue to apply for other positions and something will come soon.

23. CautiousFebruary 13,2024 at 1:13AM UTC

    Thank you, Cheryl.

24. Lisa PrimeauFebruary 11,2024 at 2:55PM UTC

    As an HR manager, I will be blunt. The crickets you are hearing are from poor management of a company that doesn't have the guts to tell you, you are not getting the job. However, who wants to work for a company that treats their applicants like this? You are better off not working for a company like this. It shows very poor communication skills and a lack of empathy and caring for both candidates and employees.

25. virginia garrigosFebruary 11,2024 at 3:23PM UTC

    I’m in the same boat is you,

    its so frustrating, I had interviews past to the 2 and 3 rd round and then I received a message that they have decided not to filled

    that position and they will reach out when tje position re opens. I m so done with this companies who have no interest in hiring anyone. I know is discouraging but the right company will hire you soon! Best of luck on your journey.

26. AnonymousFebruary 11,2024 at 4:14PM UTC

    Send handwritten thank you notes following an interview.

27. Gerald CombeFebruary 12,2024 at 1:36PM UTC

    Be patient and if you do not hear anything soon email the recruiter and express that you will need to move on with other options. Sadly, ghosting, happens alot. It is unprofessional and taints experiences.

28. AnonymousFebruary 12,2024 at 2:00PM UTC

    I've become so jaded by the entire process due to rampant ghosting. I don't know why people have to treat others in this fashion but it feels like wasted time. I mean, how hard is it to send a generic response?

29. Marcia SmithFebruary 12,2024 at 4:37PM UTC

    I truly agree - they expect loyalty - but want to treat employees and prospective employees like crap - doesn't make sense to me either!!!

30. Marcia SmithFebruary 12,2024 at 4:36PM UTC

    Unfortunately, I would not put any hope or faith in anything during the job-hunting process until I have actually started working - and even then, be wary.

    There have been many cases where job hunters have accepted positions and given notice at their current job - only to have the new employer rescind the offer - or have a layoff just a couple of weeks into the job. Be wary - be VERY wary...

31. AnonymousFebruary 12,2024 at 5:58PM UTC

    Unfortunately you might be clinging on to false hope. If you have not heard back at all by now you probably aren't going to hear back. And I know that sucks. But I have gone through something similar back in the summer when I was looking for a new job. I had an initial interview with their internal recruiter who moved me forward to the next rounds of interview. I had three different interviews set up in one day and they were with groups of people. I thought they all went well. I waited a few days to contact the internal recruiter when I hadn't heard anything. I wanted to get a sense of whether I was going to move forward or not. Crickets. Got nothing back. I just let it go but then after a week or so I decided to contact her again. Again, nothing. So, I gave up on it. And then I thought if the company is that bad about a simple thing as replying to an email then I don't really want to work with them anyways. It's common courtesy I think.

32. Janet ParkhurstFebruary 12,2024 at 10:36PM UTC

    You would think, Anonymous. But, just like the lack of "common sense" these days, there is no more "common courtesy." In fact, any courtesy extended in these situations is UNcommon. And this has been going on for years. I once wrote a blog called "The New Rude." (I was referring to Human Resource people, who are neither human NOR a resource.) Nobody cared. So, neither should you. Just keep applying at different places, do your best, and then move on. I HAVE found, pretty recently, that if someone wants you, it a) happens quickly and, b) they know exactly how to reach you. Good luck. Just treat it as a game, and you will finally win.

33. CautiousFebruary 13,2024 at 1:11AM UTC

    Yes, I agree with you. Bad practice on their part but happens, unfortunately.

34. AnonymousFebruary 13,2024 at 4:24AM UTC

    I am sorry to hear you are dealing with this. The current climate of ghosting is insane. Having done recruiting it does take time to get back to people and let them know their status, but it is the right thing to do.

    Hopefully you will hear from them soon one way or another.