During the week of January 19th, I interviewed with recruiters, HR and first contacts at various companies.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 30,2023 at 5:42PM UTC

   Keep looking and don't stop looking til you get that job. Follow up is a give and take situation. You don't want to sound desparate. I was on the "short" list of two. Week later, it was three. The owner was getting sketchy. I moved on. Then indeed says the job was closed. KEEP LOOKING!

2. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterJanuary 30,2023 at 6:49PM UTC

   I teach my clients to use my "+1" approach when applying online to increase their chances of getting a closer look.

   Think of 1 more thing you can do in addition to just applying online like everyone else - is there someone who could put in a good word for you with the hiring manager? Make an introduction? Could you somehow meet the hiring manager in person?

   This approach not only increases your chances of getting an initial interview - it keeps you from applying to jobs that you are either not that interested in, or not that qualified for. If you aren't willing to do the +1 - don't apply to that job, and use that time to apply for positions you are really interested in and very qualified for.

3. L HJanuary 30,2023 at 6:49PM UTC

   It's currently taking 3-6 months to find a new job for most people. It's not over till its over, keep applying send thank you notes and move forward. If they want you they will follow up quickly. How you are treated in the interview can sometimes be a sign of how the inner workings of a company are or aren't.

4. AnonymousJanuary 30,2023 at 10:16PM UTC

   My suggestion would be a targeted email to the hiring manager stating that you wanted to reach out personally to express your strong interest in the job. Briefly summarize your credentials and say that you’d welcome an interview opportunity to discuss what you can bring to the role.

   The hiring manager may not respond personally, but is likely to be impressed by your initiative.

5. Bonnie CoventryJanuary 30,2023 at 10:43PM UTC

   Depending on the business this could be the end of their fiscal year and energies are elsewhere. Which could also mean leaders are getting their pto in before they lose it. If this doesn't pan out I would say it's a good thing to ask timing expectations from your interviewers at that time. Not sure if you asked about timing expectations. Not every company is good with communicating if you're not chosen to be moved forward with the process, this is something companies could be better at. Show them some grace and if you haven't heard by Thursday of this week I would say follow up, no one likes pending emails going into the weekend. Thank them once again for their time and just ask them if you're being considered and being moved forward. It's okay to do that. You are your biggest advocate. Your interviews is where you would stand out from the other candidates, to be honest. Good luck! If this one doesn't get offered, then it wasn't The One. It's out there then waiting for you.

6. AnonymousJanuary 31,2023 at 5:56PM UTC

   Thank you all. I've asked for timeframes at the end of each interview and HR says when they get done with screenings, when they find the right candidate or employees, I'm screening candidates and then passing along recommendations. This turns into endless waiting periods without have any clear timeframes. I'm continuing to job search but I'm so disgusted with this lack of respect for anyone's time.

   I finally walked away from a job that kept prolonging the process past 6 months. I was so interested in the position but I kept having to meet with staff members that didn't have any say on the final decision. During the first six meetings, I was glad to meet other members but I felt like I was being strung along and without a timetable in mind. I asked when they were going to make a decision and they didn't know. I finally asked for a concrete ETA after the sixth-month mark or I needed to walk away and they didn't want to lose me but said they still didn't have a clear hiring date.

   Is anyone else facing this noncommittal attitude? I'm starting to think that these companies aren't even hiring. It's one thing if I was working but when they know that I was laid off and need a job, it's so frustrating and I feel it's a lack of respect for job seeker's time. If you're not hiring, please take down positions or express that it would be for a later date.

7. AnonymousFebruary 5,2023 at 10:58PM UTC

   I hate that they are putting you through the paces and interviewing with people who are not the decision makers. It is so very disrespectful of your time. I once had an interview with 8 people at once, I thought I was interviewing with the decision maker but instead I was meeting with 8 people I would "support" but the job listed was "proposal manager." Since I had given them a salary range before I went on the interview, I was confident going in that they would meet my salary requirement. Immediately after this huge waste of time meeting, I asked HR specifically what the salary was and they refused to tell me. So when they gave me a 10 page PDF file that they wanted me to edit as a "test" I said, I would be happy to but before I spend any more time, they had to tell me the range. Highest was 30% below what the lowest I said I would take. They were thinking if I was desperate enough I would take that job anyway. Apparently.

8. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterJanuary 31,2023 at 9:55PM UTC

   I always say if you haven't heard by the date your point of contact has given you - follow up - text, call, email or direct message (whatever you usually do).

   A simple, "Hey there, just checking in on my application status, let me know if there's anything else you need from me to make a decision to move forward or release my candidacy." is best

   Also we (recruiters) try to keep up with the statuses in portals but we forget sometimes.

9. AnonymousFebruary 4,2023 at 4:17PM UTC

   Except please don't use "hey there"

10. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterFebruary 5,2023 at 4:49PM UTC

    Why?
    i say use whatever way you usually talk - I'm fine with hey there, hello, dear, or simply Peggie - as long as you're not rude or unkind - talk like you...again, each person may get different mileage out of advice here - but i've found being transparent and 100% the best version of you is a help versus a hindrance in all cases.

11. AnonymousFebruary 5,2023 at 7:01PM UTC

    I am completely turned off by Hey There, for some reason is seems condescending to me.

12. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterFebruary 27,2023 at 10:27PM UTC

    Fair enough - :)

13. Brittany Wilson, Transformational Career CoachFebruary 4,2023 at 2:36PM UTC

    I echo those below, definitely reach out again.

    One way you could stand out is to give a little extra to an answer you were asked in one of your previous interviews. For example, if they asked a question and you left the interview thinking, "I should have answered like xyz instead." Then this is a great opportunity to better your answer and say you've been thinking about this position a lot.

    To prepare for the worst cast scenario, keep applying elsewhere. If you need any help, feel free to reach out. :) Best of luck!

14. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterFebruary 6,2023 at 6:00PM UTC

    There are lots of ways to do the +1, and not all of them involve someone else advocating for you. If you want it bad enough, go the extra step. After all, if they don't select you out of the sea of candidates, you won't have the opportunity to show them how well you fit.