Waiting for a job... when should I call back?

Question

I had an interview on May 17th for a job I really want. The interview went well! It was supposed to be 1 hour, but ended up being 1.5 hours and a 30 minute tour of the facilities. I informed them that I would be going out of town the next week, but that I would still check my messages and sent them a thank you card for the interview.

I did not hear anything at all while I was gone. When I came back on June 1st, I called and was informed that I would need to wait an additional two weeks as the HR department was giving them problems and they had to interview internally.

Thursday will mark two weeks since that call. When should I call them? Also, why is there the difficulty with the HR department? Is that normal? What else can I do, besides apply for other jobs?

When I called, she told me that they were still very interested in me, but needed to interview internally. I believe they had already interviewed all other external candidates by that point.

Thanks for the answers so far... I think I'll call back on Thursday...

But I'm still looking forward to all of your answers!

I have applied to a handful of other jobs as well and am still in the job search process.

Answer 1

You are being diligent, that is a great asset. You should call back exactly at two weeks and mention that it has been two weeks since you were told that. It shows that you are prompt but knew how to follow their request to wait.
It is not common but certainly does happen that HR gets in the process and causes delays.
Keep at it, if they had chosen someone else, it is very uncommon for them not to at least tell you that. Good luck

Answer 2

Every company is basically set up the same way as the other with some exceptions. Under some of the rediculous laws that are forced on employers, which from the sounds of your question, you are finding that out. The HR or Human Resources Dept.s MUST by law follow State as well as Federal Laws governing hiring people. There could very well be Unions envolved which make it a tough go for someone coming right off the street asking for emplyment. I would suggest that you continue your search for another job while waiting for the first to answer, but call them every other day and explain that you still want the job but be realistic in so far as letting them know you are continuing your job search. Waiting is fine but a little push now and then helps.

Answer 3

it's great that you are being diligent!
i always appreciated this from candidates when i was in HR.

i don't know what's going on in the HR department....but if things are in disarray there, first, do you still want a job with a unorganized company?? second, they are probably not making this position a priority to fill, so they may need some extra "nudging".

since it's been 2 weeks since you made your last call, then i would call again to check on the status of the position.
if it is a public environment, then stop by!
i never minded if a candidate stopped by to ask about their job. i didn't usually have any info for them, but it kept them on my mind.

so, i would DEFINITELY call. don't give up until they tell you that the position has been filled....by you or someone else.

you should still continue applying and interviewing other places, though! don't put all your eggs in this one basket.
it took me 2 1/2 months to get hired at my last corporate position.

take care and good luck!

Answer 4

I work in HR and as for where I work, we have to post every single job internally as well as externally. If for some reason a job isn't posted internally and isn't posted for a minimum of two weeks before someone is hired and we were to hire an extrernal candidate. The internal person can get that job whether they were qualified or not because they were passed up. It may be that someone internally was not made aware of the position and HR is having to interview internal candidates now. For most candidates if an internal candidate is qualified, they will get it.

Answer 5

Sounds to me like a place that is unsure of their own policies and procedures. That in itself would make me nervous.
If they are trying to hire internally, they should have done that first before they interviewed further. Is it a union shop? Maybe the union got wind that they were interviewing and put a halt to it.
Whatever the reasons are it sounds to me as though they are unable to say that you didn't get the job and they are hoping that you just don't call back. It makes their job easier. Poor Human Resources department if you ask me.
I would continue on as if you were never interviewed.

Answer 6

I think you should give them at least two more days. Then you should call them back. That will make them know that you really want the job! The interview went pretty long so they must have liked you, also for giving you a tour of the place!! Call again!! Hope you get the job!

Answer 7

At this point you've had the interview, you followed up with a thank you note and you made one follow-up call. Drop it. If you haven't heard from them yet, start looking for another job. Worst case scenario, you start working someplace else... but at least you have a job. Best case scenario, you get a job offer somewhere else that you can use to get a counter offer from the first place IF they ever bother to call you back to offer you the job in the first place.

Show them they shouldn't have let such a valuable employee just sit around waiting for someone else to scoop 'em up.

Answer 8

Any position you should call back in a week 2 max. The better thing to do is walk in the establishment personally speak with Human resource or hiring manager. If you make a personal appearance it lets them know you are serious and very interested. Hope this helps

Answer 9

Well at least you are both keeping the lines of communication open. As long as they are interested, be persistent, but not pushy. Definitely keep your options open as you have.

It's very unusual that HR would have to conduct a separate internal interview. I've never heard that before.

Hopefully they will give you some good news soon!

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

Actually you should have done a follow up call, or even send a thank you for you time letter the following day. It shows that you are interested in the job. I wouldn't wait do it now, the longer you wait the faster you are pushed out of their minds as a potential worker.