Post job interview etiquette

[merilenda]

I could definitely use some advice (and some dust!) because I'm not sure what to do on this one.

FI and I graduated with masters (me) and doctoral (him) degrees in May. We've had a terrible time finding jobs so far, and it looks like he won't find a position in his field for this year. I've done...what seems like a lot of interviews. The one we're waiting on right now is the most promising one yet. It's in an area that I would really enjoy working in, and I really want to get an offer.

About 2-3 weeks ago, my supervisor for my internship called and gave me a heads up that this company (that he works with peripherally) called him and asked about me, since I had submitted an application. He gave me a great review, and literally about an hour later, they called and did an on-the-spot phone interview with me. After that, they wanted me to come in for an actual interview. I went in, the interview went pretty well, and they said they'd contact me in 3 or 4 days about whether they wanted to do a second interview.

The following day, I got a call back to come in for the second interview. That was last Tuesday (a week ago tomorrow). I interviewed with the actual supervisor I would be working with, and I thought it went very well. She let me know that they were doing one other second interview later in the week (so it's between me and one other person). This company also opened a new program last week, and one of their HR people is on vacation or something. So she told me that they're running slower than usual. She said they would let me know in about a week (hopefully sooner, but it could be a little longer).

As I mentioned, a week is up tomorrow. I haven't called yet, since she did give me a timeline, and it hasn't passed yet. However, FI and I are in a position where we really need to know ASAP. Our lease for our apartment was up on the 31st, and we didn't want to get a new place until we knew where I'd be working. Our stuff is in storage, and we're staying with some friends for the moment. Although our friends are being very generous (and we're excellent house guests - we're quiet, clean, and buy groceries) it's obviously less than ideal.

Should I give them a call tomorrow if I haven't heard anything? Any other advice? I guess I've never been in a situation quite like this before.

 

[zoebartlett]

First, good luck on the possible offer! That's exciting! I'd probably wait a few days to call and check in. The week is up tomorrow, so they still could call then. Maybe if you don't hear from them by Friday, you can call to see where they are in the process and reiterate that you'd love the opportunity to work for the company.

 

[tyty333]

I agree with Zoe...and here is a little ****job dust****!!!

 

[Haven]

I agree with the previous posters, I'd give it a couple days before I called in.

DUST DUST DUST!!!!

 

[merilenda]

Thanks for the replies and dust! She did say that they were shooting for a week, but it could be a little more. So I wanted to give them the full timeframe that she'd mentioned. But we're just getting so antsy about the whole situation.

I'm trying to keep putting in applications in case this one doesn't come through, and I had one guy call literally 30 minutes after I sent my resume. So I might call back about that tomorrow and see and about an interview so that we have some back-ups lined up.

Arg, I'm so ready for the job search to just be over!

So do you ladies think that if I haven't heard back by the end of the week, I should call and just say that I'm just checking in to see if they'd made a decision?

 

[megumic]

Did you send an email or handwritten note post-interview? I'd send a note thanking them for their time and reaffirming my interest in the position.

 

[yssie]

So do you ladies think that if I haven't heard back by the end of the week, I should call and just say that I'm just checking in to see if they'd made a decision?

I would do exactly that.

Good luck merilenda!!

 

[Haven]

So do you ladies think that if I haven't heard back by the end of the week, I should call and just say that I'm just checking in to see if they'd made a decision?

I would do exactly that.

Good luck merilenda!!

Me, too. This sounds best.

They often wait until the very end of the time frame they give out. I got "the call" for my job exactly two weeks after my interview, which was the very last date they said they'd call. DH and I were literally sitting in the living having a discussion about how I probably didn't get it when the phone rang. So don't despair!

 

[merilenda]

I did, megumic.

Haven, I agree. And several people have told me the same thing - about places waiting until the end of their time frame. I guess it makes sense that it takes a while to do references, etc. But you'd think if they were really interested in someone, they wouldn't want them to accept a position elsewhere in the meantime. I guess I don't really know anything about HR though.

I talked to my old internship supervisor today, and he told me that they called him for a reference today (and he gave me excellent reviews). I'm trying to decide if I should call the other job back by the end of the day. I know there's no harm in doing it, since I can always tell them that I've accepted another position. But I would definitely prefer the first job, and I'm very introverted - I hate the job interview process. I should probably suck it up and just call so that I have a back-up plan though.

 

[rockzilla]

I think you should probably let them know that you are in process with another company, but that they are your first choice. The last thing they want is to decide they want you, give you an offer, and you have to turn it down because you accepted someone else who got to you sooner. There is no harm in reiterating your interest and updating them on your situation. (This is ESPECIALLY true if you've received an offer from another company!!)

Yes, companies have their own timelines, but they want to hire the best people. I went through a TON of interviews this past year, and consistently, the recruiters told me to let them know if I had other outstanding offers that would impact their timeline. If you are the candidate they really want, it may hurry things along a little bit. The HR person may have 15 background checks/references to verify/phonecalls to make that week, but you bet your butt they will process FIRST the one where they might lose a strong candidate over the 14 where they think the person is just waiting around for their call.

 

[Gypsy]

I agree with Rockzilla. Call them and update them now.

 

[merilenda]

That's a good point. I don't have an offer with the other place, and I would just be calling back to set up an interview, I think. My old supervisor kind of suggested that I drag my heels a little on that one, since the first job would be preferable. He didn't see any harm in me giving the first company a call if I don't hear anything today or tomorrow though, since he said that places will rarely fault you for being too aggressive (problem is, I'm naturally not aggressive at all!)

 

[rockzilla]

That's a good point. I don't have an offer with the other place, and I would just be calling back to set up an interview, I think. My old supervisor kind of suggested that I drag my heels a little on that one, since the first job would be preferable. He didn't see any harm in me giving the first company a call if I don't hear anything today or tomorrow though, since he said that places will rarely fault you for being too aggressive (problem is, I'm naturally not aggressive at all!)

You don't have to be aggressive. BUT you SHOULD be persistent and show them that you are truly interested in the position. I am naturally an introvert as well, but have learned that it always pays to be proactive about your career and its progression. You'd be surprised how "aggressive" you can be before anyone starts to notice

 

[merilenda]

I absolutely agree! And I know that it's my issue and not anyone else's. It's kind of one of those things where I know that it's just my fear, and that it's mostly unfounded, but I still have anxiety about it anyway. It's definitely something that I'm working on though! It's funny, because I can be very aggressive when advocating for other people (which I do fairly frequently in my profession) but I am terrible at advocating for myself.

I called the second company this afternoon, and the guy I spoke to was very nice. I'm going over there tomorrow (it's less than a mile from where I'm staying) to do an informal interview. He said that we can get an idea of whether it's a good fit for both of us. If it is, then we'll proceed and I would meet one of their HR people from their headquarters at a later date. If not, no harm done, and we'll just move on - so it's a good situation for me right now.

 

[merilenda]

Update: I was offered the job yesterday! I actually went to an interview with the second company yesterday (before getting the offer) and was told to go home and think about it, and that I was their frontrunner.

I was planning on calling the first company today to let them know that another place was interested, but that they were my first choice. But right before the end of the business day, I got the offer! I have accepted the job and am going in today to do some paperwork and a drug screen. FI and I now have to find a place to live and get all of our stuff from storage to the new place ASAP - I start a week from Monday!

Thanks for the suggestions and dust! I'm thinking now that I should have requested PS dust long ago. I've been struggling since May to find a job, and no one has seemed interested. And then two places are interested in one day!

 

[katamari]

EDITED: Wrong topic!

Congrats, merilenda!

 

[rockzilla]

Congrats! I had a good feeling about this. Now go get 'em in that salary negotiation

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Yay!!! Congratulations!!! This is excellent news!

 

[zoebartlett]

That's so great Merilenda! Congratulations!