Looking for a job

[Katkats7777]

I had a virtual job interview today, I think I did OK, towards the end of the interview, the hiring manager said that he is still interviewing other people like 5 and will make his decision in 2 weeks. After that was over, I had a 30 minute interview with a different the compliance manager and I asked her how many ppl she is also interviewing and she told me the same thing the hiring manager told me, interviewing 5 ppl and making a decision in like 2 weeks.

Does it seem like I didn't get the job? I mean, I know they have to interview "other" people, but I think I've had that line used on me before-the "interviewing other people" because of the manager really wanted to hire someone, they wouldn't WANT to interview other people, they would make the interviewee feel like they got the job? 

Edited March 13, 2021 by a LoveShack.org Moderator
change title to reflect merged threads

[basil67]

The hiring manager may well like you a lot, but they have committed to interviewing all the chosen applicants.   At the end of the process, they will compare the pros and cons of each applicant and make a decision.

Good luck!

[Katkats7777]

A few years ago, I interviewed at a place and towards the end of the interview, I was offered the job, no question. Even if they still had interviews "lined" up they immediately made their decision and decided to hire me, they didn't tell me 'oh, we are still interviewing, we make our decision in a few days." They made their decision THAT day and at that moment, they didn't want to risk the chance of losing a good candidate. Catch my drift?   

Edited February 8, 2021 by Katkats7777

[Ruby Slippers]

Some organizations are required to interview a certain number of people for any open position. I started a new job last April, and that's the case where I work. The whole process took months. I interviewed with a panel, and at the end they told me they had a number of additional candidates to interview in the first round. Then I advanced to an interview with the VP, now my supervisor, and he told me he had 2 more candidates to interview before making a decision. Some weeks later, I got the offer. 

If you want to set yourself apart, I suggest sending a handwritten thank you card to every person who interviewed you, expressing your excitement about the organization and the position. Almost nobody does this, but it makes a terrific impression and I always do it.

[basil67]

40 minutes ago, Katkats7777 said:

A few years ago, I interviewed at a place and towards the end of the interview, I was offered the job, no question. Even if they still had interviews "lined" up they immediately made their decision and decided to hire me, they didn't tell me 'oh, we are still interviewing, we make our decision in a few days." They made their decision THAT day and at that moment, they didn't want to risk the chance of losing a good candidate. Catch my drift?   

Yes, I too have been offered jobs on the spot.   And I've also been offered jobs which had a number of candidates.  

Remember that your resume got to the top of the pile along with a handful of others.   But they don't know if the next candidate will be even better than you without meeting them.   You did well to get to the top of the pile, so fingers crossed that they offer you the job.   

 

 

[Eternal Sunshine]

Depends on the job and on the company size. More senior and high salary jobs take longer. Typically they want to make sure they have hired the right person. All of my recent jobs had 3-4 interview rounds and quite a few had take home technical/coding challenge and giving a presentation to what would be my future team. They were also doing this with a handful of other applicants. So first interview to job offer took on average 6 weeks.

When I was younger and working in entry level casual jobs, I was typically hired on the spot after a brief interview.

Edited February 9, 2021 by Eternal Sunshine

[Katkats7777]

51 minutes ago, Eternal Sunshine said:

Depends on the job and on the company size. More senior and high salary jobs take longer. Typically they want to make sure they have hired the right person. All of my recent jobs had 3-4 interview rounds and quite a few had take home technical/coding challenge and giving a presentation to what would be my future team. They were also doing this with a handful of other applicants. So first interview to job offer took on average 6 weeks.

When I was younger and working in entry level casual jobs, I was typically hired on the spot after a brief interview.

The company that I've applied for is somewhat of a big company, although the position itself, I would consider "entry-level." 

[spiritedaway2003]

The fact that they're still interviewing doesn't mean you're out of the running.  They just want to give you a timeframe.

When I was a hiring manager, I'd go through the resumes and pick out a few for a phone screening.  Once I commit to those candidates, I'd go through all of them.  If there is one candidate that I like most, I would reach out to invite that person in for a in-person interview (pre-pandemic times) as soon as that process is over.  That process can take up to a 1 or 2 weeks easily, depending on what I had on my plate and scheduling with the candidates.  

It sounds like they are still in the early stages. Don't read too much into it right now.

Advice:  I would still continue to interview until you get a job offer in hand. Good luck!

[basil67]

2 hours ago, Katkats7777 said:

The company that I've applied for is somewhat of a big company, although the position itself, I would consider "entry-level." 

There you go.  If it's a big company, they are more likely to have protocols around hiring.   The ones where I've been offered on the spot were generally very small businesses and entry level.

[Wiseman2]

8 hours ago, Katkats7777 said:

A few years ago, I interviewed at a place and towards the end of the interview, I was offered the job, no question. 

And that place didn't work out? Sounds like they were deparate for people.

Really want to work like that? Or a more desirable job that others are applying to?

Even fast food places may not hire on the spot these days.

[Katkats7777]

Not always true, I interviewed at an amusement park when I was a teen and I knew I blew that interview and the guy that was interviewing me used the same line, "we'll still interviewing others and see what positions are open." Which was clearly bs, because it was one of those hiring events and I clearly saw ppl that passed the 1st interview and were hired on the spot-which meant they were hired. I knew I blew that interview and I knew that was a lie and I knew I wasn't going to get a call back. 

 

 

[Marc878]

It’s hard to say. I interviewed with Whirlpool years  ago with 5 different interviewers. On the wrap up with the controller he said you’re the one we want.

I got a call a week later from the headhunter telling me they’d hired local to avoid the relocation costs.

2 things

There are other people.

There are other jobs.

 

[Katkats7777]

Idk, at the end of the interview, the hiring manager told me "good luck." Um, why would he wish me good luck? That's like implying, "yeah, we're not going to hire you, but good luck in whatever you do." 

Who saids good luck to someone they are interviewing with?

[Katkats7777]

Yeah, I was right! I decided to check my application status and it said, "DECLINED NOT UNDER CONSIDERATON." The whole, "We're still interviewing other candidates, we'll let you know in 2 weeks..." 

 

[LivingWaterPlease]

10 minutes ago, Katkats7777 said:

Yeah, I was right! I decided to check my application status and it said, "DECLINED NOT UNDER CONSIDERATON." The whole, "We're still interviewing other candidates, we'll let you know in 2 weeks..." 

 

I'm sorry, Katkats7777. I know how it feels to not get something you want. There is something better out there for you! Something where you'll be happier, I know it! I always pray about disappointments. In fact, I just had a disappointment about an hour ago, too!. I'm going to go pray about it now and I'll pray about your job situation, also! You might not be spiritual or you might be, I don't know. But, I am and I know God cares about your life and your work. I'm going to pray for miracles for you, dear Katkats!

[Katkats7777]

I don't even know what "went wrong." Seriously I would like some feedback, they were sooo eager to interview me and the hiring manager kind of hinted because of my experience they were looking for someone like me..along those lines. I knew my gut feeling when he told me, "we are still interviewing other ppl and let you know in 2 weeks, GOOD LUCK!" I wasn't going to get hired. If that was the case, why did they even hand me off to interview with the compliance manager for her to ask me 20 set of behavior questions? Geez. I should have stop her right before she began asking me questions that I knew I wasn't going to get hired. The bull line of waiting for " 2 weeks" um yeah, more like they made their decision immediately after the interview was over. Its a good think I remembered to go check my application status on the website, they KNOW in their minds when they are interviewing who they want, and not to let a good candidate go. I don't understand why the majority of ppl on here got it wrong and I was right all along? 

Did they not like me personally? Or not like the way that I looked? 

Edited February 12, 2021 by Katkats7777

[LivingWaterPlease]

It could be any number of reasons, Katkat. It could even be that there is something better for you out there that you didn't get the job. What kind of job are you looking for?

 

[Katkats7777]

What reasons are there? I just wanna know if my interview skills aren't up to standards.

[Katkats7777]

Hello? Were my interview skills not up to par? Where are all the outspoken people at?

Edited February 16, 2021 by Katkats7777

[basil67]

@Katkats7777 have you considered contacting them and asking if they would give some constructive feedback so that you can learn from this?

Alternately, did you get the interview via an agency?  If so, the agency may know something about the choice made.

Edited February 16, 2021 by basil67

[Katkats7777]

14 hours ago, basil67 said:

@Katkats7777 have you considered contacting them and asking if they would give some constructive feedback so that you can learn from this?

Alternately, did you get the interview via an agency?  If so, the agency may know something about the choice made.

nope, not an agency.

contacting HR recruiter??? I've never heard of that happening

[Wiseman2]

2 hours ago, Katkats7777 said:

nope, not an agency.

contacting HR recruiter??? I've never heard of that happening

They would never tell you why you weren't hired. Besides, who cares? . Just move forward.

[basil67]

4 hours ago, Katkats7777 said:

contacting HR recruiter??? I've never heard of that happening

My husband hires staff to work in his team.  I just asked him "if someone emailed you and politely asked for the reason they didn't get the job, would you tell them?"

He replied "Absolutely.  They aren't going to get any better if I don't tell them what's wrong"

You've got nothing to lose by asking.  But make sure to keep the email humble.

Edited February 16, 2021 by basil67

[Katkats7777]

I filled out a job application the other day and it required 2 references, I put one reference at a former job and then I was trying to skip adding another one because I don't have a 2nd reference at all, so I just put the name of a former supervisor where I worked at like 12 years ago and I believe he doesn't even work there anymore. Would it be a red flag if I don't have more than 1 reference? Also, on the application it asked if they can contact my current job, I put no, because I don't want my current supervisors to know that I'm applying elsewhere. 

And what the heck do they even ask if they do call?  Shouldn't they call HR instead of me listing a personal phone number? Is there such a thing as a current supervisor bad mouthing an employee such as not being a fast quick employee at least in their opinion? 

[d0nnivain]

Some potential employers do check references.  Others just make sure you wrote something down & perhaps look that person up on the internet / Linked In. 

You absolutely should not list somebody who you haven't had contact with in 12 years especially if you don't have their current contact info.  If the employer tries to contact the person & can't, the employer will probably not hire you because you will have already proven you are not good with details or follow up.  Don't sabotage yourself like this.  Pick a friend with a good job who can speak to your character if you have nobody else.  

Most good HR departments have policies about what they will and won't say when asked for a reference.  Usually they will only verify dates of employment & salary.  Individuals are not usually as rigid in their response.  Occasionally, a person will let negative things slip.  My rule of thumb when asked about former employees is that if I can give a glowing review, I do.  If I have nothing nice to say because I either fired the person (which I don't understand why I'd be a reference) or celebrated their departure, I stick to the facts:  dates & salary.    On one occasion a new job was really pressing me for any negative comments; finally I relented & shared that I thought the employee had horrible penmanship (she did) so I made her type or email me all my messages because I couldn't read her handwriting.  That is not the type of negative thing that would prevent somebody from getting hired.   If you suspect that a former supervisor will bad mouth you do not list that person as a reference.