I had three interviews (hiring manager, two others from the team, CFO, and onsite). After the final interview, I didn’t hear back for a week and followed up with the recruiter, who informed me they would decide by the end. I never heard back by the end of that week, and now, two months later, they reached out. What would you do? My call has been scheduled, but I don't know how I feel about it.

15 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 23,2024 at 5:11AM UTC

   I work for an organization where hiring people is very arduous and where your progress is often reset. I often have to re-justify my open jobs to finance and org leadership, several times throughout the process; what one might assume is a straightforward hire ends up taking months and months due to additional conversations along the way. You never know the inner machinations of an organization as a candidate, so take the call and hear them out. Nothing to lose and you can take your decision from there! Best of luck!

2. Nancy DamossJune 23,2024 at 3:26PM UTC

   Could have hired someone who didn't work out.

3. AnonymousJune 23,2024 at 4:41PM UTC

   If you liked the job and the company, have the call.

   Hopefully, they'll tell you right away what happened.

   If they don't offer it right away, ask them what happened (friendly). Ask them about their company structure. Were there staffing changes? Ask them about their communication/management style- from there you should be able to suss out enough.

   You don't know how you feel about it because they left you hanging. If they correct themselves during the second phase, there's a shot. And it's a shot for you to show what you want and need in an employer.

   You'll find out that they're imperfect at best or bad at worst, which will help you decide if the job is worth it.

   Good luck.

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 23,2024 at 9:50PM UTC

   Always say yes (within reason) - you can always say no later.

5. Alexis GladstoneJune 24,2024 at 12:36PM UTC

   If you liked what you heard and saw during the three interviews, say yes. Talking with them again doesn't tie you to any decision. Hopefully you'll get some information that will put your mind at ease.

6. GirlBossanova934974June 24,2024 at 12:52PM UTC

   Unless during your scheduled call this company makes an offer, I would move on very quickly. In the meanwhile, I would use every mean's available to thoroughly check out the financials of this company. Is there any sign of financial trouble? Check out every job board etc...

7. Lisa MarieJune 24,2024 at 1:03PM UTC

   See what they say, ask what the reason for the delay. My current position hired someone else first, they didn’t last 90 days, and then called me again. I’ve been here 4 years and am a high performer, I occasionally remind my boss he didn’t hire me the first time. Good luck!

8. anna gillmorJune 24,2024 at 2:19PM UTC

   Most likely they offered to someone else and it fell thru.

   Your gain!

   I am sorry that the communication between you and HR was subpar. But that isn’t a reliable indication of company culture or the team and projects for which they’re hiring.

9. AnonymousJune 24,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

   This happened to me and it turned out the open job was actually 2 separate jobs and is the reason the prior manager quit. So after reconsidering this fact, they decided to split the job into two role and I received an offer for one. It took them well over a month to get this sorted out and approved but in the end it worked out perfectly.

10. GirlBossanova934974June 25,2024 at 4:47PM UTC

    Stalking is a search done to find out about a person. Company research is done to find out about the FINANCIALS of a company. Did something change with the FINANCIALS of the company? What are the FINANCIALS? Are the employees happy with the company? Are there all sorts of employee issues? SMART people want to know!!! Run a quick Dunn and Bradstreet check. I cannot tell you how many people have been ambushed by company financials that have gone south.

11. AnonymousJune 25,2024 at 6:30PM UTC

    I would be very cheery and open to conversation and listen first before making any decisions. If they start by asking you about your status let them know that you had not heard from them and made the assumption they lacked interest in you. Ask them for a what happened that delayed the situation. What might have happened is a few things, role got put on temp hold, leadership changes at the top, budget problems, business needs changed, they hired someone else and that person failed fast, or other. Be open. See what they say and then you can make an informed decision AFTER the call. Assuming the call is with the recruiter? If so and they remain positive about you as a potential candidate ask for a solid and firm timeline for going forward including any steps needed for you to take so that you know what lies ahead. Don't burn the bridge if it turns out the reasons for the hold off were negative, stay above their issues and take it as a lesson for the future.

    I hope you find their delay was because of things that are simple, so that you can once again take a possible step toward them for your future.

12. Sandra DunbarJune 26,2024 at 1:45PM UTC

    The person who I would report to had surgery. It was several months later when they called and scheduled what became the hiring offer. Worked there for 16 years. Unless you have something better, or have other concerns, at least do the interview.

13. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanJune 26,2024 at 5:02PM UTC

    There are multiple reasons why there was no timely follow up. Someone else was offered the job and it didn't work out, the company may have decided to rethink the position, someone in the hiring chain became unavailable. Plus many more. I agree with the person below who suggested going into the interview with an open mind. I would also suggest not asking directly what happened, but you can acknowledge that there was a gap with a simple "Hello, I am happy to hear from you, it's been a while," or something more tailored to your voice.

14. AnonymousJune 27,2024 at 1:37PM UTC

    There are so many reasons that something like this got delayed. When you run a business, things happen. Don't take it personally. Honestly, it says more about your resiliency that you're this upset and ambivalent about continuing. Take the interview or don't, but please get some reality about business.

15. AnonymousJune 27,2024 at 2:26PM UTC

    This is not uncommon. Hiring managers have to wait for budgets to be funded and this can take months. They may have been promised a date but this can be pushed back. It is out of their hands.