I could use a little moral support.

[mac56]

Had a job interview a month ago for my dream job. One of the best interviews I've ever had. Got asked back for a second interview two weeks ago today - the field had been narrowed from 20 applicants to three finalists, of which I was one.

I haven't heard a thing since.

I've phoned and e-mailed the decision-maker, but haven't gotten anything back. Fighting the urge to call some more, because I don't want to come off as desperate.

What's the deal here? What happened to common courtesy? Even if I didn't get the gig (which I've resigned myself to accepting), don't I deserve the dignity of a phone call or e-mail? Or is it such a "buyer's market" for jobs right now that employers don't feel like they owe anything to the applicants?

Damn.

Looking for a reason to believe.

[commander bunnypants]

1. HaNG in there

and here is some Karma for you

DDQM

[slinkerwink]

2. calm down.....

well.....wait another week, and then make the call.

[Richardo]

3. You should at least get a courtesy call...

One thing I did when I was in the running for my current job was to send innocuous e-mails to the principles when I thought things were bogging down. Not directly related to the search, but business-oriented things I thought of relating to any news I saw about them, etc.

That seemed to work. I almost always got a response back via e-mail, and I know it reminded them to keep me apprised on the search as well.

FWIW. :shrug:

[grannylib]

4. Sorry to hear you are being treated that way....

Hang in there! I think you are probably right about the market...and I think also that "common" courtesies are far from common anymore.
Just a question, and I bet I know the answer...did you send thank-you notes for the interviews?? I know that can make a HUGE difference...I once got a job where that was the tie-breaker between me and several other pretty evenly=qualified people - I was the only one who had taken the time to send thank you notes.
Wishing you all the best...

[mac56]

7. You bet I did.

I never fail to send thank-you notes, to everyone participating in all interviews. That simple act has actually gotten me hired over other people for other jobs. Courtesy is a big deal for me. Thanks for the wishes!

[grannylib]

13. Good going...had a good feeling that you had done so...

:hug:
What field of work are you in, if I may ask?

[mac56]

14. Tech writer.

thanks for the :hug:

[Tyler Durden]

19. Fellow Technical Writer!

The only thing our field is good for is abusing our position to compose Political Discourse.

After ghostwriting six Quality Systems (QS-9000), two Environmental Systems (ISO-14001), and combining the whole mess under TS-16949 with a self-designed file based paperless document control system, all I can say is:

FUCK THEM. None of them deserve us. They should have to compose all of this shit themselves.

Oh, and you have my sympathies. I am waiting on similar Head Hunter type action for a big job in Canada. But I won't get it. I never do.

[mac56]

21. Don't give up, TD!

Sending white light your way. We're both gonna get what we're after.

One thing about tech writers...we sure know how to break it down!

:evilgrin:

[Tyler Durden]

22. I hope you're not in Automotive...

That's the place for us TRUE masochists.

I keep at least one pharmaceutical company in business making new migraine remedies. If there were any justice in the world, the current pounding in my head would translate into a trip hammer pounding my spineless, idoitic, 86 IQ boss into the ground like tent stake at a Boy Scout Jamboree.

My big shot was a coordination and training design position over five plants, three in Canada (which is where my office would be, if they hired me, the short-sighted FUCKS.)

That feels a LITTLE better. Still have the migraine, though. Best of luck with yours, and call tomorrow at about 8:30 to 9:00 am. That gives those HR types enough time to get bored gossiping about who is taking what anti-depressant this week.

[mac56]

25. Not automotive, no -

but I did work in the pharmaceutical field for awhile! What are the odds?....

[Jivenwail]

5. I am so sorry you are going through this.

As a Corporate Recruiting Manager, I can tell you that you deserve better and whomever has told you that you were a finalist owed you the time frame in which a decision was to be made. If this person did not give that to you, then you have every right to call back or email, asking for the that time frame and where you stand. As it has been over 2 weeks, there should be some kind of a decision made - one way or another.

I would encourage you to go ahead and make that courtesy call or email, and ask for your status. As one of the 3 finalists, they do, indeed, owe you the courtesy of letting you know where you stand. Either by letter, phone call or email. I would only ask that you do so professionally and don't burn any bridges with this company. But you do have the right to inquire. Not fair to leave you in limbo.

Good luck to you and I sincerely hope you get this job.

[blueraven95]

6. Keep Calling...

The most persistant people are the ones with the job...I know, I hire.

[flamingyouth]

8. Here's some moral support

So sorry you're going through this. My best friend is currently enduring the exact same thing right now. I own my own small business and I always make sure people get a call immediately after a decision is made. It's possible that they haven't decided yet - some companies take forever, especially if it's a larger corporation.

I think if you don't hear by the end of the week, you should contact them again. It's been way too long, and they certainly do owe you the courtesy of a response, one way or the other.

I'm sending you good job search karma. :hi:

[alwynsw]

9. Don't be afarid to call

Even a couple of times a week is not out of line. It's not desperation but determination. How do I know this. I'm a recently retired CEO of a public corporation who worked my way up in every imaginable way that was moral and ethical.

Monday A.M. is not a prime time to call most HR folks. They're putting out weekend fires until about noon.

[soleft]

10. Just remember that you never know what will happen

This may have seemed like your dream job, but you never know how events will unfold. If it turns out you don't get it, something more wonderful may happen that wouldn't have otherwise. The hardest thing is situations where you have to rely on others and you really have no control. I know I'd be climbing the walls. When I've had writing projects on the market and you know one phone call could change your life -- but then, I wouldn't here right now doing what I'm doing now. Which is fine.

My advise is do what ever you can that encourages moving on to the next thought, the next step in the path, and trust that if not this, then something else.

But I'm wishing you hear good news, the news that you want.

[eileen from OH]

11. that sucks

but it may be that they just haven't made a decision yet.

Hey, did ya send 'em a thank you note (MAILED, not emailed) for the interviews and stuff? Gives you an opportunity to state again why you really would be good for their company. And sometimes a simple thing like that will spur some action.

Good luck

eileen from OH

[mac56]

12. Thanks, all

for the support & feedback. I think I'll call them again mid-week if I haven't heard anything back.

You folks are great. Consider this my thank-you note to each of you.

[Rainbowreflect]

15. I think you should continue to call.

Let them know you are interested.
Don't get down if you don't get the job. I had two interviews for what I & everyone I knew thought was my perfect job. I didn't get it and I was sooooo bummed. Then 2 months later they had big problems and just about everyone was fired, including the person who got the job I wanted. In the mean time I had found another great job.

[boilerbabe]

16. I am hoping that you get the job!

It sounds like you are applying for a pretty specialized position, and yes, right now it appears to be an employer's market, they can pick and choose, OR they may want to hire you, but will string you along, so they can get you on their terms? They really may have no-one else they prefer, but maybe there were others that they would settle for on lesser terms. Take an inventory of what your negotiations were, maybe you might want to go in person and ask why they haven't contacted you, but you are right, don't appear to be a stalker.

Sometimes it seems like you are either too young and inexperienced, and next thing you know, you are too old and overqualified, you just can't win....

Maybe you could just contact them and say, look, I have some other options that I am considering, but I would prefer to work with your company. So please give me some particulars as to whether I am in serious consideration or not. If they say, no...ask what caused them to make that decision. It will help you figure out your next move. Sometimes companies will be more than willing to help you since they feel bad for not hiring you.

I know you will find the right place soon...sometimes it takes years....Been there and done that....
XXXOOO

[leftyandproud]

17. don't expect a call..

start looking for something else...They SHOULD have the courtesy to call you back, but they aren't obligated to. I would continue the job search, and if you do happen to get a call, think of it as a nice surprise.

[mac56]

18. Thanks again, all.

Lots of good advice here. I'm going to call them Wednesday AM if I don't hear by then.

:pals:

[idontwantaname]

20. words to being light to the cave...

yeah...
i know how it is.
its tough with all those greedy conservatives and their media monoply.
sometimes i too wonder what and why im fighting for the rights of those who realy dont care about their rights.

a homosexual female coworker who wants arnold for her govenor... and another who liked mc clintock only because he would get rid of the vehicle reg. fee... so what if he is pro-life!

why do i write letters and call my congress person... why do i protest against the nominations of conservative judges?...

why dont i cross the picket line to the market?... they wouldnt think twice if it were me...

why?

...

ps- dont wait around for an employer to call you and tell you the job is filled.

[emily_j]

23. welcome to the club

i searched for a position and interviewed for nearly a year and was appalled at the lack of common courtesy that i encountered.
i think that employers have taken job hunters for granted because they CAN - there are so many of us and so few of them. what do they have to lose by not acknowledging us?
it's starting to work like the college dating scene.
it's also, i think, become a full time job to FIND employees and with companies downsizing their existing staff, it makes it difficult for the decision makers to find TIME to think about the "little things" like following up, rejection letters, etc.

don't you just hate the way things are?

[mac56]

24. I sure do.

A good friend said to me, "When you think about it, this kind of says what they're like. Would you want to work in a place that doesn't treat its applicants well?"

Welcome to DU, by the way.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

26. I've no idea how to counsel you, but

I can send an e-hug :hug:

I hope you find out something soon!

[ohiosmith]

27. This is what you do.

You can play this two ways:

One is to send the Hiring Manager a letter -No email- expressing your continued interest in the position and inquiring about your status as a candidate. You should close the letter by stating that you will call his/her office next week to touch base and see where you stand,

The other approach is to send a letter saying " As I have not heard from you I assume that you have selected another candidate for the position that I interviewed for.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. Should an opening develop in the future that you feel is a good fit for my skills and experience please keep me in mind.

If you have no objection, I will contact you periodically to check on any job openings you may have"

Regardless of the approach you take you will again get in front of the employer and demonstrate your interest and availability as well as set them up for future contacts.

[mac56]

28. Sounds like a sensible, professional approach.

I think I may do that. Leaves things in a positive light.

Thank you, ohiosmith! Welcome to DU.

[ohiosmith]

29. You're welcome.

Let us know what happens.