No one likes to play the waiting game
➔ One of the most frustrating aspects of a job search is the waiting. Waiting to hear if you’re getting an interview; waiting for the interview itself; and, of course, waiting to hear back after the interview. If the interviewer doesn’t mention it during the interview, it’s acceptable to ask politely what happens next – and when. Typically, they have some sort of timetable that they can share.
For what purpose
Stringing a candidate along is in no one’s best interest which is why most employers don’t do it. Face it. They want someone in that position just as much as you want the job. Leaving that job open benefits no one.
If things do drag on, it’s appropriate to have your recruiter intervene. That’s one of the benefits of working with a recruiter. If you don’t have a recruiter, either a brief or polite phone call or email inquiry is fine – as long as you don’t cross the line and become a pest. Where that line is will vary from company to company, from interviewer to interviewer. How good are your people-reading skills?
The other side of the coin is that, if a company is stringing you along, they’re also sending you a pretty strong message. Maybe they’re just not that interested in you. Also, is this the type of organization where you would feel comfortable working? We didn’t think so either.
As time wears on and the frustration grows, you can’t assume anything one way or the other. If you haven’t heard from the company, don’t waste your time waiting. Keep your job search as active during the waiting period as you would if the opportunity didn’t exist. Going dormant in your job search and then having to kick-start it again is not in your best interest.
Likewise, until you’ve been declined, you’re still a viable candidate. As Yogi Berra said, “It’s never over until it’s over.”