Has this ever happened to you?

20 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 19,2024 at 6:42PM UTC

   Unfortunately it's a pretty common occurrence these days.

   Companies are rethinking their resources and timing constantly these days and we are seeing posts regarding this issue here.

   Hang in there. Just keep your connection alive with this company so when they reevaluate their plans you are top of mind.

2. AnonymousJune 19,2024 at 8:01PM UTC

   Happened to me with my current company. Did the two rounds of interviews, they said they'd have an offer letter within a day or two then the company recruiter called me that afternoon to say the position had been put on an indefinite hold. Now I lucked out that her next sentence was, I have this other position that I think you would be a great fit for here, would you be interested? I said sure and did two interviews the next day. One day later, they sent me an offer and almost 18 years later I'm still here, now leading the team I started on.

   Sometimes it happens, budgets change, companies get nervous about financials, etc. It is disappointing but if you are interested in the role and company, make sure to stay in contact with your recruiter, you never know what the next opportunity might be.

3. AnonymousJune 19,2024 at 10:24PM UTC

   I had this happen with the company many years ago and it was heartbreaking. To their credit, they kept me updated for almost 18 months before the position came off hold! The kicker was that when it came off hold, they redesigned it to include a component of experience that I did not have. So, they ended up reposting it publicly. This is difficult when it happens, but definitely keep looking for another role because it may or may not come back around to you in a way that you continue to be qualified for.

4. Bonny FilandrinoJune 20,2024 at 1:31PM UTC

   If you had a signed contract, and quit your job, you could be entitled to a pay package for lost wages. I would have contacted an attorney!

5. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 1:58AM UTC

   I sued for damages as I quit my job and packed up my house (movers were due in 2 dsys).

   The company had to pay me 1 year's salary plus moving and storage expenses . I ended up at a new job 3 months later so I was ahead of the game. It was horrible and wonderful at the same time.

6. GirlBossanova934974June 21,2024 at 12:50PM UTC

   Verbal offers are just that. VERBAL! Until there is a written offer on the table, nothing has happened. It used to be that written offers were sacrosanct but even that is now iffy. I would just continue on in my job search. I would FOCUS on financially stable companies where you can look at the financials (public companies) and see what is going on. Startups these days are just too risky. Anything TECH is also quite risky. Just keep applying!

7. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 5:54PM UTC

   Thanks it was a global Fortune 500.

8. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

   Yes, this happens. Sometimes it indicates a shoddy company. Sometimes, if they're up front and keep in communication through the process, it's just internal factors (politics, financials, etc.). You won't know til you know.

   Good luck and keep looking.

9. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 2:25PM UTC

   I signed an NDA as part of my settlement.

10. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 3:57PM UTC

    Unfortunately, I see this does take place. It doesn't happen often but it does happen for many different reasons, internal budgetary changes, headcount / staffing changes, an overzealous hiring manager pushes to move forward without proper internal approvals, miscommunication between the hiring manager and recruiter. Nonetheless, its painful for everyone. My guidance always is to never give notice until you have the signed written offer letter in hand. There are too many moving variables at stake.

11. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 12:25PM UTC

    And it sounds that you didn't leave a paying positon for this one that fell through.

12. Kirsten BunchJune 22,2024 at 1:47PM UTC

    Yes, it happened to me. It was so frustrating. I moved on.

13. Colleen HansonJune 22,2024 at 2:16PM UTC

    I have had this happen! They assured me that all paperwork would be completed on my first day (including the offer letter) so I gave my two weeks notice at my current job. I showed up the day I was to start work and no one seemed to know who I was. I had interviewed with three different people over a weeks long process and was able to provide their names/titles only to find out that the person who made me the employment offer, "Hiring Manager", had been let go a week prior. There was no record left behind of my hiring. I was able to provide an email from their company saying that I was being offered the position. After speaking with several different people, two of whom I had interviewed with originally, the "Interim Hiring Manager" let me know that they had no need for any additional staff. It was such an embarrassing and disheartening situation! This job was literally right down the street from where I lived, so I had been so excited thinking about the money I would save in fuel and the commute time I would save. I was left with no job and no recourse. About two months later I received a call from that same company asking me if I was still interested in a position, obviously I was not. I watched them post several ads over the next several months for the position and next thing I knew they closed down. Sometimes this kind of disorganization can be a sign of more serious issues within a company.

14. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 2:43PM UTC

    I work at a large company and I was the hiring manager a role we really needed filled asap. Due to other reorgs that werent announced yet it was put on hold. I kept following up with my leadership and eventually we were able to move forward. Pur HR team kept our candidates updated. Not ideal, but in some situations its for a justified reason.

15. Eloisa JacintoJune 22,2024 at 8:44PM UTC

    It did not personally happen to me but it does happen. Most of the time, there are unforeseen org changes that cause it, occasionally, it’s background checks that do not check out, a hiring manager changing their mind because they found a better candidate out-of-the blue, etc. Don’t get stuck or disheartened. Continue to look around for better opportunities. Good luck!

16. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 9:55PM UTC

    It happened to me. I think there were problems with the company and I dodged a bullet. I restarted my job search. I was submitted to a role in the MA State and the budget changed and the role was put on hold. It’s never your fault. I wouldn’t take it as a personal critique.

17. AnonymousJune 23,2024 at 5:46PM UTC

    It happens all the time, don't dwell on it, if the role resurrects be open but move on to other things.

18. AnonymousJune 23,2024 at 9:33PM UTC

    I have had to be the bearer of bad news unfortunately. I interviewed a candidate for a full time position. She was amazing. I wanted to move forward with her. I told her to be expecting an offer. I went back to my desk and my manager came to me and told me there was a company wide hiring freeze. I could only hire a temp. I contacted the candidate and apologized immediately. I offered her the position as a temp and she was not interested and I could not blame her.

    It stinks but it does happen. Unfortunately sometimes it is beyond the hiring manager's control.

19. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEJune 23,2024 at 11:15PM UTC

    With over 30-years of experience in the business world, I have experienced the good, bad, and ugly.

    When a company puts a job on hold, I have to wonder what's going on internally. Are their looking to distribute the job responsibilities among other staff members? Companies will do this to save money.

    I have had this happen to me and it is disappointing.

    This may be a blessing in disguise. The right job is waiting for you -- without any delays.

20. Michelle StewartJune 24,2024 at 2:54PM UTC

    I was given a verbal offer from the hiring manager and when I followed up about onboarding, I found out their manager had canceled that offer and they simply didn't reach out to me proactively. And I desperately needed out from where I was. It was devastating.