I interviewed for a job two months ago with a start up.

Anonymous

August 18,2022 at 2:25PM UTC

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I interviewed for a job two months ago with a start up. It went incredibly well with the multiple people I interviewed with. Then there was a two week delay before I heard from them again, and when I did, I found out that they actually created another position based on many of the items I had discussed during the original round of interviews. So they interviewed me for the position they created, again based on what I said, and I thought that went very well. But now it’s been three weeks since the last round of interviews and I have not heard anything. I’m not entirely certain what any of this means anymore. I felt so positive and confident after the interviews and now nothing. I reached out to one of the interviewers last week for an update, and didn’t receive any response. I am trying to remain positive, but I’m starting to feel I really need to move on mentally and I’m second guessing how well the interview went. And yet I’m having a hard time doing that, because the role they created would be absolutely perfect for me! And if they hadn’t created the role, I feel confident I would’ve gotten the first job. I just don’t know what to think. Give me your thoughts, positive or negative.

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AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 2:39PM UTC
even if they actually have you on deck to be hired, even if the job itself is perfect; do you want to work for an organization that disrespects you this much? these kind of things show the true face of the company; especially when the interviewer you contacted didn’t respond.
i know how hard it is to find “the” job, but i would write it off at this point.
AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 3:54PM UTC
I wouldn't completely write it off. I would keep searching. And even if you don't end up working there, it's a good example of your skills to analyze a need and make good suggestions. If they offer the position, their behavior should be one consideration when you decide whether to take it.
AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 8:56PM UTC
I don’t see any disrespect. I see the chaos and uncertainty of a startup in play. 3 weeks is a short time in the hiring cycle.
Lauren FraleyAugust 18,2022 at 2:53PM UTC
Start ups can move quickly due to their size; however, they can also move slowly due to their size (I've had roles that require CEO approval for everything). I'd ask if you're still in the running, but in the meantime, hedge your bets and start applying to other roles.
AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 3:26PM UTC
Startups are generally a mess and as you experienced very open to advice options and opinions. They don't don't what they don't know and therefore find it extremely difficult to make decisions or find it extremely easy to jump before they truly understand what direction is best.
Given all this chaos, they can take so long to put a strategy in place. The position you are focusing on probably impacts many areas of their operation so you'll need to be very patient with their process.
I wouldn't write anything off. Just stay in touch and allow the time to struggle through it all.
In the meantime keep looking and keep viewing your job search as a ling haul strategy. Don't make this particular job the be all end all.
AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 3:37PM UTC
Nothing is quick in a start up. Keep contacting someone. Check to see if they have already folded.
Kristie WhiteAugust 18,2022 at 4:07PM UTC
Don't second guess yourself because they haven't responded. Startups are notorious for being laser focused on only one thing - the product they are serving to the customer. That means everything else is being poorly managed and there is no foresight, it is all reactionary. They learned something from you - a new approach to a position to serve their needs. Then they might have decided to post the new position publicly just to see what they might find. Or - the position has to be approved for budget since it is new and this also takes times. There are lots of reasons for this delay - and delays are rampant in our current hiring system. So keep in touch, and put yourself first and keep looking. Maybe you will be in an even better position to negotiate when they come back around.
Audrey KirschAugust 18,2022 at 5:35PM UTC
You've spent 5 weeks on this endeavor. If you're financially in a place where waiting is no big deal, then keep waiting. Personally I would have kept looking all during that wait time. I never count on a job coming through even if interviews went well and I can see myself working at a company. Some company hiring practices are so slow that I wonder how they ever find a decent candidate still available when they finally getting around to making a decision. I say keep looking. If they get back to you, want to hire you and you're still available, great! If you've moved on, they missed out, not you.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 18,2022 at 5:39PM UTC
Keep applying. Never take your foot off the gas in your job search until you have a written offer letter in your hand.
You do need to move on. They may hire you. They may not. But you can't make yourself crazy worrying about it.
Don't second guess yourself - you obviously have good interviewing skills - otherwise they wouldn't have approached you about the second position.
Everything happens for a reason. Put your energies toward the future, toward finding your next great adventure.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 8:53PM UTC
It’s hard to know what is going on at the start-up and pointless to try to parse it.
I suggest moving on mentally, knowing that you had an excellent interview and gave the company excellent ideas. If the company didn’t think well of you, I doubt that they would have created a position based on your input, much less interviewed you for the second job.
At this point, write individual thank you notes to those who interviewed you, reiterating your interest in both positions.
If they end up hiring you (3 weeks is not that long during the hiring cycle), that will be a pleasant surprise. If not, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you conducted yourself well and gave the company some valuable advice.
Kathryn MontbriandAugust 19,2022 at 3:30PM UTC
What you're experiencing is likely a reflection on the company and not on your interview performance or the conversations you have had to date.
If you have been working with a recruiter, I recommend reaching out and asking if they have a timeline for when a decision will be made. Recruiters are a helpful go-between so you don't feel like you are pestering your future boss or colleagues.
If that isn't an option, keep doing what you're doing and the right opportunity will find you, whether it is this job or a different one! good luck!