An hour feels like a day when waiting to hear back from a job interview!

Anonymous

May 4,2023 at 4:04PM UTC

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An hour feels like a day when waiting to hear back from a job interview!

I had an interview with the hiring manager on Tuesday, and he ended with [recruiter name] will be in touch about next steps in a day or so. Is this a fairly standard thing to say? I'm a hiring manager myself and would only mention next steps if I was interested in moving the candidate forward. If not I'd usually say we'll be in touch. Has anyone experienced what actually happened when hiring manager mentioned next steps?

I know I'm reading too much into it but this waiting game is almost painful!

Thank you!

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AnonymousMay 4,2023 at 6:08PM UTC
In my experience every individual handles these things differently. 2 days can a be a week or more. Things happen on both sides week to week that slow communication down and you can’t control it. If waiting goes on for 2 weeks that’s when I would assume they aren’t moving forward usually, but even then sometimes you might hear something. Just hard to say but in my experience there is no hard and fast phrasing that someone might use!
AnonymousMay 4,2023 at 6:21PM UTC
This is the processes now - even though they told you that, they most likely are still looking for qualified candidates - that's what's so wrong about the process. Always looking for perfect and then they lose a good person because of the wait. Rinse, repeat.
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 3:44PM UTC
That's one way to look at it. Interesting thought.
Though yes, it usually takes about a week or more for a company to call or email.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterMay 4,2023 at 7:14PM UTC
You really can't assume anything in today's hiring climate. Keep up with the other strategies you are using for your job search - that will help with the "waiting game is almost painful" feeling.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 5,2023 at 3:40AM UTC
You're reading too much into it. That's really just a figure of speech. Declining to move a candidate forward is also a next step.
Good luck!
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 12:10PM UTC
Pause. Patience. You can't control that time, things happen and if they gave a you a date you should hear back by and that comes and goes then reach out and check in.
Maggie StoneMay 6,2023 at 1:36PM UTC
This is very common. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this, but the waiting game is a very real and painful part of this process. Keep searching and interviewing and keep yourself busy with other things. If you have not heard anything in a week, a polite follow up is appropriate.
AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 2:12PM UTC
Pause and relax. I think it depends on the person. I’ve had this been said to me a few times only to get a rejection email a week later. (Not trying to be negative - I’ve just been learning to not get too overly excited until it’s final as I’ve found it’s easier to have a low expectation of this process and be pleasantly surprised vs get too excited from the front)
AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 4:24PM UTC
If you hadn’t read my note on, a three month relationship with HR…. Sometimes it can take that long to get an answer…lol. Honestly! It can be terrible, and it sucks, and you really start to question the entire process. Best advice… continue to apply to other jobs, always send a hand written thank you card, within a day or two of the interview, and read this blog… the folks here have great advice.
oh and after 4 months.. yes, I got the job…. And I love it. Just took that long to get it. It seemed like hell, but I had the patience and the sass to let them know who I was, the best person for the job.
best of luck to ya!
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 5:57PM UTC
No need to send a handwritten thank you card, one by email is sufficient and they receive it immediately.
AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 5:27PM UTC
Don't get locked into semantics because his next steps may be no steps at all. Generally most HM's keep it generic and let the recruiter do the dirty work of rejecting you or advancing you after the HM provides feedback into the ATS. Most systems are automated and the bigger the company the more likely you will get some robotic response on the next communication. Keep applying and interviewing and pretend that you don't care because until they wave a true flag of sure interest you will make yourself nuts wondering.
AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 11:57PM UTC
Most hiring managers throw it on the recruiter to give the bad news. The HM did not give a time line for when his scape goat will call and give you the bad news. Recruiters get a bad name but the blame goes on the hiring manager. Sorry. Keep looking !
AnonymousMay 7,2023 at 4:22PM UTC
I once had a hiring manager straight up say: "We would love to hire you. So-and-so will be in touch with next steps." And then...crickets.
Finally the recruiter got in touch with me and told me I wasn't a good "fit."
I wouldn't read too much into it.
100% the waiting game is intense and just know when you are trying to parse words like that you are reading tea leaves. It may be a fun distraction but don't put too much stock in it.
AnonymousMay 9,2023 at 12:42AM UTC
I had a similar experience except they said we'll let you know in a week or two if you advance to the next step, which will be a panel interview. It's been more than two weeks and I've heard nothing. Sent a follow-up email earlier today but I am assuming I am not moving on.