The long job interview process....

[Spear]

Now I know this might be common to some people but it's been a new experience for me.

I recently graduated from University and have been actively looking for my first permanent job. Although I've been selective in where I've applied to, I've been fortunate enough to have a few leads and was able to snag some interviews.

There is one position in particular that is at the top of my list. It's basically an entry level position in an industry that I have more experience in than the average recent grad.

I submitted an online application just over a month ago and heard back the very next day from a recruiter. From there I went through a handful of phone interviews with the recruiter and successfully passed an online personality test.

Each week we've continued to progress and I was able to receive an in person interview with the manager that I'd be working under. I was also able to have a closed door discussion/interview with existing employees about the position and the manager. I thought the in person interview went well and I was able to job shadow a little bit that day, overall the interview and shadow lasted approximately three hours.

I was invited back the following week for another job shadow but this time the manager was away on vacation. My job shadow lasted six hours and they even had me making calls and working away on the computer. Again, I thought it went well and the employees there had told me that one other candidate was interviewed since I had my interview and word was that I was more qualified. The whole office gave off a good vibe.

I followed up with both the manager and the recruiter on the next steps and re-confirmed my strong interest in the position. The recruiter said I may not receive a final decision on what will happen until today since the manager was away, etc. The manager also assured me in the interview that I'd hear back either way.

Finally heard back from the manager today saying that there was still a number of candidates to be considered and I'll be informed when a final decision is made. Of course this discouraged me slightly because I'm anxiously waiting for a decision and excited to know what my future could possibly hold. It also left me wondering about what that one employee said about the other candidate who he saw interviewed. I know they have interviewed me this long for a reason but I feel like if I'm right for the position then I would be informed rather quickly.

But from here, where do I go? Do I continue to wait it out and hope for the best? When would be an appropriate time to follow up? Is this a common hiring practice?

I'm still pursuing other options but I feel like every other position would be a let down from this one. What has been over a month long interview process has taken me on a rollercoaster of emotions.

[Zer0xray]

Re: The long job interview process....

been there before, but you seem to be alot better position than I was after I graduated.

Is the recruiter an outside recruiter or is he working for the company you're interviewing with?
That plays alot into the equation.

My opinion is that yes it does take this long to get a job...the one I'm working at now, it took me about a month to know that I got it (after interview, background screenings, drug test, etc). I know about the emotions you're going through...it's basically in their hands. The only thing you can do is wait and give a quick call every few days to let them know you're motivated to start. It's important you keep on looking and not waiting because there might be more opportunities out there.

let us know how it goes

[Spear]

Re: The long job interview process....

been there before, but you seem to be alot better position than I was after I graduated.

Is the recruiter an outside recruiter or is he working for the company you're interviewing with?
That plays alot into the equation.

It's the company's recruiter. She's at the head office and I've been interviewing at a regional office.

The only thing you can do is wait and give a quick call every few days to let them know you're motivated to start. It's important you keep on looking and not waiting because there might be more opportunities out there.

let us know how it goes

Every few days? I already feel I've been pretty persistent and I definitely don't want to harass them. I was going to wait a week and then maybe contact, the last thing I want to do is piss them off.

The emotions are tough especially when my lease is up at the end of the month and this job would require me to relocate. I could always move back in with my parents if nothing works out but again I'd have to move all my stuff there and then back out again to a new place.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: The long job interview process....

Call them back every week. I mean seriously, they going to hire you or not. If they do, they do, if they don't then hey at least you can always know you did everything you could to get that job.

But you can't focus all your time playing the waiting game on ONE job. Got to stick and move. Now if you live with your parents then yeah you can wait on one job. But when you got rent, lease, mortgage, etc due, you need to stick and move.

[Speedy]

Re: The long job interview process....

Call them back every week. I mean seriously, they going to hire you or not.

Would this not turn them off?

[fistofrage]

Re: The long job interview process....

Would this not turn them off?

Yes. Let them know once at 2 weeks that you are still interested in the position and look forward to hearing from them soon.

When I interviewed for my present position, the first interview was the last week in March and I started in the middle of June. 4 interviews and some tests.

[mjb2124]

Re: The long job interview process....

Yes. Let them know once at 2 weeks that you are still interested in the position and look forward to hearing from them soon.

Exactly. Don't call too often or they'll be turned off.

My current employer went through 3 months worth of interviews before they hired me. I had 4 separate interviews...each lasting 3-4 hours. I also had to do "homework" for this company (9 page document/plan on the steps I'd take to upgrade their Active Directory domain). I already had a job so I spent a lot of time after work on that document and was going to be pissed if I didn't get the job.

With that said, I called or emailed the hiring manager every 3-4 weeks during the process. I found that when I didn't call him, he would call me just to make sure I was still interested. I found later that the reason it took so long was that my required salary was higher than other candidates and they had to do a minor restructure in the department to fit me in - so that's why he was calling me (his hands were tied until the restructure was approved).

[TimmeH]

Re: The long job interview process....

Be persistant.

I submitted an application and never would have even had an interview if I didn't follow up. A week after submitting my application, I sent an email asking about it's status. Within an hour, he had emailed me back and set up a time for a phone interview.

From there I had three more interviews. If at some point they left my hanging for more than a week, I was calling them. Despite not having a degree, I ended up getting the job ahead of someone with much more experience than myself.

IMO, after a certain point, it can't hurt to send a message(whether it be phone or email) asking your status in the process. Some employers may find it annoying, but those are likely employers who had skipped you because they weren't interested. Others actually like to see someone interested enough to take the initiative to send an email/phone call, and will give an interview based on that. It definitely can't hurt.

[Scottdau]

Re: The long job interview process....

Exactly. Don't call too often or they'll be turned off.

My current employer went through 3 months worth of interviews before they hired me. I had 4 separate interviews...each lasting 3-4 hours. I also had to do "homework" for this company (9 page document/plan on the steps I'd take to upgrade their Active Directory domain). I already had a job so I spent a lot of time after work on that document and was going to be pissed if I didn't get the job.

With that said, I called or emailed the hiring manager every 3-4 weeks during the process. I found that when I didn't call him, he would call me just to make sure I was still interested. I found later that the reason it took so long was that my required salary was higher than other candidates and they had to do a minor restructure in the department to fit me in - so that's why he was calling me (his hands were tied until the restructure was approved).

Yep, that is how it works. This is good advice spear, listen to Mike.

[12]

Re: The long job interview process....

Would this not turn them off?

I was going to ask the same thing. I know showing continued interest is a good thing, but every week seems like overkill. I took a job skills class in college and it was advised that you not bug them after interviewing. A call or e-mail once every two weeks was considered passable, but anything more was called into question.

I think calling frequently is not the best idea. JMO though.

[Spear]

Re: The long job interview process....

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I definitely agree that I don't want to bug them. The thank you email I originally sent to the manager after the interview/job shadow showed a lot of enthusiasm, which at this point I'm regretting because it's been a suspenseful wait and I'm over-analyzing everything.

I was going to get back in touch with them next week but this thread has reassured me that I should wait an additional week before I let them know I'm still interested. This will give me two weeks since I last spoke to them.

With no more interview rounds left there isn't much else I can do. At least the interview experience has been valuable and this whole lengthy process has been my first taste of the real working world.