How common is it to not have a follow-up following an in person interview?

20 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 12:50PM UTC

   Some places don't care and have a "don't call us, we'll call you" mentality.

   After I send the thank you note(s), I never expect anything except my need to periodically check in...IF I'm even interested.

   I've had interviews so poor, I'd send a "thank you, no thank you" letter as well: seal the deal- no.

2. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 2:09PM UTC

   I would ghost them. Lol.

3. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 2:53PM UTC

   True! But in the situation and horrible experience, it felt good to kill with kindness and a big, fat no :)

4. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 12:54PM UTC

   Or, perhaps your qualifications are exceeded by others in some way and at that interview they knew you weren’t whatever they are looking for.
   May not be internal.

   But I agree. Post interview etiquette is lacking. When I was a hiring manager or search chair, I made sure to call those who interviewed in person and at least email those we spoke to on the phone.

5. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 1:11PM UTC

   The internal candidate, as long as they're qualifed, should always have the upper leg.

6. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 1:30PM UTC

   True. But then organization should not interview external candidates unless internal declines. It's a matter of ethics which many places lack.

7. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 6:26PM UTC

   Certain industries must post a position externally before hiring an internal candidate (government positions, for example).

8. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 6:31PM UTC

   You are certainly correct and it's a ridiculous guideline. What's the point in the end?

9. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 6:55PM UTC

   I worked for a company (not the government) that had it as a policy for all positions to be posted internally for one week before it was posted externally to give internal candidates the option of applying. In addition, they required that the hiring manager interview two external candidates for every internal candidate they were considering. Since this company was heavy in R&D, it allowed managers to reach outside for anyone who could bring in fresh ideas to keep the products from becoming stale. However, some managers were so invested in the internal candidate that they only went through the interviews with the external candidates to "check the box." The only exceptions were for director level and above, as those were typically promoted from within. Although the Sr. VP could choose to look outside rather than taking an internal candidate for the same reason.

10. AnonymousApril 14,2024 at 12:15PM UTC

    Still a broken system. I'm sure the process can extend for months as well.

11. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 6:57PM UTC

    I worked in government and posting publicly includes the bulletin board in the public lobby.

12. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 6:53PM UTC

    Agreed. But why put the other candidates through the interview process? Just in case someone is better than the internal?

13. AnonymousApril 14,2024 at 12:13PM UTC

    If they offered to internal applicant, and offer was accepted, NO need to go outside organization and waste people's time.

14. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

    Yes!!!!!!!!!

15. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 4:09PM UTC

    There are no more manners. I am sorry.

16. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 14,2024 at 10:00PM UTC

    That may be what you heard but that's not what she said.

    Candidates are always wanting to know what the timeline will look like, what are realistic expectations - this person did exactly that.

    It may not be the most courteous approach, but she told you what you could realistically expect going forward.

    I try to release all the candidates that I or my hiring managers have spoken with with a phone call. You can learn a lot about a company by how they treat their candidates.

    They should be on their best behavior, trying to convince you to come work for them. This may BE their best behavior. You now have an idea what the culture of that company is.

    Regarding a potential internal candidate and all those saying why interview external candidates - every hiring manager I have ever worked with wants to hire the best person. How do you know if the internal candidate is the best person for the job if you don't interview other candidates.

17. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 10:09PM UTC

    That's fair, but if people are unemployed and paying for childcare/parking/etc to interview for a job where they have to beat the top contender, is THAT fair?

    If companies were honest that they might fill the role internally or even "we have strong internal and external candidates" some could take the hint right there.

    I've been the internal candidate who didn't get the job, and I built a good working relationship with the person who did, but it can be awkward and if you have a candidate who is casually looking vs in need of a job, that person may not want to land in that dynamic.

18. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 16,2024 at 10:34PM UTC

    Beating the top contender is literally what the interview process is all about. That's how you get the job - by either beating, or being, the top contender.

    Regarding it being awkward if you're an internal candidate and don't get the job. Uh, well, yes - that can happen. Only one person gets the job.

    If someone doesn't want to put themselves in the position of having to work with someone who beat them out for a job they both interviewed for, then maybe they shouldn't put themselves in that position. Don't apply for the job.

    Jobseekers are always free to ask questions. If you want to know if there are strong internal candidates in the running for a position, is there something I don't know about that's stopping the applicant from asking about that?

19. AnonymousMay 8,2024 at 12:40PM UTC

    I understand that you are frustrated that you didn't get this job, didn't hear back. I've been playing that game for a while, for several months while unemployed and a lot over the last year as the future of the company I work for is...shaky...and I'm on the other side of 50 these days. But I am not quite sure I understand the rest of your complaint. Are you just venting? Are you angry the best/strongest internal/external candidate was hired, and it was not you?

20. AnonymousJune 9,2024 at 10:04PM UTC

    I'm saying IF there are really high odds the job is going to a strong internal candidate who everyone knows (and in my case, people wanted to see me in that role, just not the right management people) it's not a situation I would personally want to spend time on as the external candidate, at least in a case where I was working and not in danger of layoff or in a REALLY toxic place.

    And the amount of time and money people spend when NOT working to go to an interview may be wasted too in that case--maybe if I determine attending an interview costs me $25 in gas and parking I'd go if the field was wide open but not if I had to beat a strong internal candidate.