How long to wait for an offer after an interview?

Anonymous

December 7,2022 at 1:00PM UTC

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How long to wait for an offer after an interview?

I interviewed for a company and position that I'm eager to obtain. The first interview was 3 weeks ago (phone) and I didn't feel that it went well. Lo and behold I was invited for a 2nd interview with the initial HR rep and her supervisor (via Teams). I felt this went SO much better and followed-up with the "Thank You" email to both. During both interviews, I asked WHEN they wanted to fill this position (they are adding slowly, they admitted) but in the meantime, I feel as though I'm left hanging.

My last job was offered after an entire month, and I nearly gave up on them. I will continue to pursue other leads, but it would be wonderful to be offered this. Any advise? I don't want to pester them.

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Martha MarinDecember 7,2022 at 1:16PM UTC
After a couple of weeks I would write again reiterating my interest in the role.
Rae WagonerDecember 7,2022 at 1:37PM UTC
In my experience, very few companies are going to hire until after the first of the year. There are multiple holidays going on, and that means that – for many organizations – they'll be running on a skeleton crew through the end of the year.
Staff members are likely taking vacation to spend traveling or with family, so there may be fewer people to help with onboarding, and many organizations won't hire right now simply because December has paid holiday time.
I'd send a happy holidays/check-in email, express my hope to start out the new year as a member of the team, and enjoy the rest of the month.
Shelly EdwardsDecember 7,2022 at 2:48PM UTC
If it's been three weeks, I'd send a follow up email to see where they are in the process and to remind them that you are still very much interested in this position. You are on their time table now and waiting is the hardest part.
Heather CutlerDecember 7,2022 at 2:51PM UTC
I was coached by a career counselor to follow up every two weeks until you have an answer. My experience also tells me that the farther away from the last interview, the more your chances decrease in getting an offer.
I had a very similar experience with a series of interviews for a job, cross-country travel for the final interview and then a series of excuses about next steps. Its a holiday, the team will be at an off-site, we're reviewing candidates. The writing was on the wall, unfortunately, but I had blinders on at that time.
Please keep applying for other jobs while this company closes the loop with you. I know this may not be the outcome you're after, so best wishes in your next steps.
AnonymousDecember 12,2022 at 12:31AM UTC
Following up until you receive an answer makes you look like a pest
ChrishoggDecember 8,2022 at 3:12PM UTC
First of all, congratulations on your progress so far ... good on you.
You have all kinds of options going forward, but it is impossible to tell what the outcome of anything you decide to do, or not do, will be.
One thing I would do, as suggested by Heather Cutler, is to keep applying to other positions for which you are qualified.
But even better, in my view, if you are not already doing so, is to begin, now, a networking and informational interviewing campaign. This approach to job seeking, generally speaking, is much more effective than merely applying to advertised jobs and hoping you're the one chosen out of the other 100 folks who also apply.
Again, congratulations on making it as far as you have so far.
AnonymousDecember 12,2022 at 12:31AM UTC
How does a networking and informational interview campaign work? You can only reach out to your contacts but so much before that gets tired. Targeting desired companies and setting up informational interviews may not be as welcome to someone (the interviewer) with a hectic schedule.
AyianDecember 9,2022 at 3:21PM UTC
Send an email once every 10-14 days. They seem to be on a slow timeline and this is a good intermediary time between contact based on their efforts so far. I interviewed for the better part of the year for a job I wanted with several months of delays for Covid illnesses, general business, and lack of time constraint on their part. Ultimately, I did not land the role, but I didn't stop looking for other positions and was busy with a project for the majority of that time.
Never stop looking even when you love the position you interviewed for, but do keep following up. Sometimes it is so far down on people's priority list that they just don't think to keep you in the loop about what's going on in their process.
Best wishes!
AnonymousDecember 11,2022 at 6:40PM UTC
If it's a job I really want, I send a follow up 2 times-one every 2 weeks and that's it. I reiterate why I'm a perfect fit for the role and try to add something I'm excited about that I may have read in the news about the organization. After that, I think we can start to come off as desperate like no one else wants to hire us. You're doing the right thing by continuing to interview with other places. BTW-I once received an offer after 3 months had gone by. So, you never know.