My first interview at this particular company was the first week of September.

Anonymous

November 3,2021 at 2:32AM UTC

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My first interview at this particular company was the first week of September. I was called in for a second and third interview three weeks later. I was then told by the hiring manager they were interested in continuing the process and asked for my references. I furnished them. It's been two weeks and I haven't heard anything since. I don't want to read too much into the timeframe but I'm curious to know if anyone else is experiencing longer time lags than usual in their job searches these days or if I should just move on. What do you guys think.

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AnonymousNovember 3,2021 at 3:21AM UTC
It’s hard to pinpoint this. It could be a number of or a combination of things. Return to work planning. Being short-handed. Personnel changes. A delay in the background check process. How many people have to sign off on the offer? Is there a possibility that the info from references gave them pause? It’s difficult to be patient but give it a bit longer. Keep in mind, however, that you are still a free agent.
AnonymousNovember 3,2021 at 3:25AM UTC
In my experience, either they want you or they don't. My current role: I was called within 15 minutes of applying, interview that day, references, etc and hired a day later.
Immediately promoted.
Keep at it. Finding my job took MANY failed attempts elsewhere and having it is NOT taken for granted.
I'd say a week MAX. Anything more and they don't know and you are 2nd place. Remember, you don't need the FIRST place that finds you either!!
LauraNovember 3,2021 at 5:06AM UTC
My hiring process has taken longer in some instances. We're short staffed, so everything is just a little bit slower. HR needs an extra day to get a posting done, or finding enough folks for an interview panel pushes things back a little. I've noticed that response times from references are a little longer, with apologies for the delay because...they are short staffed too. Background checks have been slower too. It's death by a thousand cuts.
Melissa HolmesNovember 4,2021 at 12:36PM UTC
I've noticed the process does take a lot longer. Recently, my office interviewed someone and then took 3 weeks to make an offer. By the time HR made the offer, the interviewee had already landed a new job. It's a crazy process.
NataliaNovember 5,2021 at 2:36AM UTC
Only 1 company has the process been almost 3 months given that the owners were traveling etc. Also, given it's a newly created role & their a food company & probably dealing with shortages etc. But other interviews where I went thru all rounds usually they got back to me within 2 weeks letting me know I didn't make the cut. I would follow up with them next Monday or Tuesday.
Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)November 5,2021 at 1:18PM UTC
As a former HR Director, I can tell you that references can often be incredibly difficult to get in touch with. I've already spent 2+ weeks trying to get responses from references I contacted. Ideally, the recruiter or hiring manager would provide an update, but HR folks are so busy they don't always extend that courtesy. It would be fine for you to follow up with the employer to ask for an update.
AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 2:08PM UTC
I would email or call and follow up. In this day and age, I don’t know why calling references is even still a thing.
LaurenNovember 18,2021 at 2:26PM UTC
You could ping your references to see if they have been contacted. I always recommend letting refs know that you listed them and they may get contacted. If they have been contacted & did the ref, I’d certainly follow-up with the company to see what the hold up is. Did they even extend you a verbal offer before you submitted refs?