Two jobs, nine interviews, no offer, why?

[Anonymous]

I've interviewed for two mid-level management jobs, one at a small co., one at a large university. All went well, we seemed to see eye to eye, clicked with everyone, no missteps that I was aware of, I'm completely qualified. Went through a total of nine interviews over more than two months. Am now waiting, waiting, waiting. Sent polite emails, emphasizing that I'm quite interested, asking when decision would be announced. I received one reply that a decision had been sent to h.r., and now nothing. It's been weeks.

The only negative I can think of is that I'd be taking a step down in salary because of the nature of the jobs, even though I'm very interested in both jobs, and don't mind taking a pay cut because the jobs are just what I'm looking for.

Both places have requested references (mine are stellar), but neither has checked my references.

What do I do? Sit tight? Call them? I have not looked for a job in more than 12 years, so I'm not sure how the recession has changed the employment process. In the past I would have been absolutely certain I would be offered both jobs. Now, I am puzzled.

Any insights? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Well, I always try to get from a prospecitve employer what the intended time frame is to fill the position. A large university can be no different than a federal agency bureaucracy-wise, so I'd keep my fingers crossed on that one.

[Anonymous]

I've asked the university several times for a time frame, but it's never accurate. that's the job in the hands of h.r., apparently, but the time frame they gave me has run out. they have not said no, but this wait is making me crazy!

why on earth does it take so long?

and does it mean something that they have NOT checked my references? in the past no one ever checked my references before hiring me, although they always ask for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've asked the university several times for a time frame, but it's never accurate. that's the job in the hands of h.r., apparently, but the time frame they gave me has run out. they have not said no, but this wait is making me crazy!

why on earth does it take so long?

and does it mean something that they have NOT checked my references? in the past no one ever checked my references before hiring me, although they always ask for them.

Well, you've answered your own question on the reference issue. It can take so long for any number of reasons, priorities, distractions, etc. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry for your situation.
Unfortunately, this attitude on the part of prospective employers seems pervasive these days.

My DH (biomedical research) has been looking for over a year.
His interviews go well, the research centers (NIH contractors, hospitals, universities etc) take their time, fail to respond, and answer vaguely when he contacts them.

We know for a fact that nearly every position he has applied to over the past year HAS NOT BEEN FILLED.
???

DH thinks that due to the lengthy recession, research funds are tight, applicants numerous, therefore employers take their time to pick a candidate.

It's emotionally draining, to say nothing of financial fallout, lack of health insurance, etc.

Wishing you the best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry for your situation.
Unfortunately, this attitude on the part of prospective employers seems pervasive these days.

My DH (biomedical research) has been looking for over a year.
His interviews go well, the research centers (NIH contractors, hospitals, universities etc) take their time, fail to respond, and answer vaguely when he contacts them.

We know for a fact that nearly every position he has applied to over the past year HAS NOT BEEN FILLED.
???

DH thinks that due to the lengthy recession, research funds are tight, applicants numerous, therefore employers take their time to pick a candidate.

It's emotionally draining, to say nothing of financial fallout, lack of health insurance, etc.

Wishing you the best of luck.

Thank you for posting this PP. I am wondering if these two employers are waiting until this financial cliff thing is over?? Or maybe for the start of the new year? I know the recession has everyone jittery and tentative. I'm sure they will fill these jobs, and I'm pretty sure they have not filled them yet (they would have rejected me, right?). I am so over my job and so want one of these jobs that it is a huge strain, so thanks for the empathy!

I was supposed to hear "definitely" by today, and not a word! I left a voicemail for the man who promised me this "definite" decision, and have not heard back!!!

What are they waiting for??? I work for a large corporation with an efficient hiring process. When we decide to hire someone, it takes about four to six weeks from the first interview to the decision, never longer than that. It's crazy to wait for months, especially when things went so well.

The only other thing I can think of is that there are so many great people out of work that the companies/universities don't have to worry they will lose someone extra special because there are always a few extra special people lined up just behind that one (me, maybe?)

grrrrrr

[Anonymous]

Find out which individual is the decision maker. Call that person directly and hold a light conversation. That's how DH's friend got his job, to be exact, he also landed DH a position. They are both Pharmacists in a federal government agent.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me with University of Maryland several years ago. Three interviews, talking with a total about 8 people. Same good vibe as you. Then nothing. I waited and waited. Then I called and was told the job had been put on hold, but they would be contacting me in a month or so. I never heard back. My next phone call was not returned. About three months later, I Googled the position and found they had hired someone else for it. But no rejection letter. Nothing. Makes me crazy thinking about it even now.

[Anonymous]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, but in a situation like yours I would suspect that either they are not going to fill the position (the funding did not come through, there are other budgetary priorities, leadership changes happened) or they offered the position to another candidate but want to keep you on the back burner in case negotiations with that candidate don't work out.

A large university can operate very very slowly, but it would probably be smart to keep applying to jobs and getting new ones in the pipeline.

In my experience they usually do check refs before extending an offer.

[Anonymous]

UPDATE: I was not offered either job. My sense is they thought I was overqualified. I think the people interviewing me knew I was qualified for THEIR jobs. Both asked how I would feel about moving from a large company to a non-profit university or a smaller company. I told them the opportunity excited me. The real truth is that I'm bored with my job and want to move on to something completely different, and both of these jobs DID excite me. I most likely would not have stayed at either job very long, but I would have enjoyed either one for a year or two. I'm wondering if that came through, even though I felt genuine enthusiasm for each of the jobs, and I felt a rapport with the people I interviewed with, I liked and respected them, and felt both jobs were a good "fit" for me.

So now I'm extremely disappointed and wondering what to do next. It took me a while to find these jobs (both through people I know), and a long time to go through the interview process.

I did manage to talk to one of the people making the hiring decision, and this person said they hired someone who is currently doing exactly the same job.

I guess this job market is so tight that you can write a job description and find someone with the exact experience you seek, since there are now so many applicants for each job. This is certainly an eye opener for me.

Wow. A bummer of a week for me.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, OP. It's so hard when you know you could do a good job and have a really good fit. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for better luck in 2013 for you.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm sorry and I do hope you find something in 2013.

As an aside, I will say that yes, it did come through. In my field this happens a lot because it's a niche field; people are seriously overqualified but just looking for a way in or a career change, so they apply. I understand why they do it, that they could absolutely do the job, and many of them I really like. But I also know after 6 months they are going to be asking for more responsibility because they are capable (and that's not an option because that's not what I need) and that after a year or so, they will move on. I did take a chance once and it worked out (but again, 2.5 years at best), but they did an EXCELLENT job of anticipating and addressing those concerns.

[Anonymous]

16:42.

Same here, DH is technically overqualified for everything (atypical academic career) he applies to. We suspect that's why many reject him.

On the other hand, he was refused at a big director type position because he lacked managerial experience.

If you can't offer the perfect package...

[Anonymous]

OP Again. This is a depressing thread! I was so hopeful about both jobs, and now I'm feeling that what 13:57 said must be the case, try as I did to explain my interest in slightly lower-paying jobs. Even so, I don't understand why these places wouldn't want someone who would do a great job?? I offered a number of suggestions and ideas in the interviews that everyone said were innovative, and my guess is they will tell the new person to use my ideas, even though they didn't hire me.

If you are a hiring authority, why would you hire someone with less experience, who will have a much steeper learning curve (and thus be more costly in the long run), when you can hire someone with great experience and credentials who can hit the ground running from Day 1?

I really expected I'd get one of these jobs, and want to learn from this experience. Shall I dumb down my resume? Dumb down myself in interviews? What will it take to convince someone I'd be a great hire, despite my over-qualifications?

Would you feel odd about hiring someone who is making more money? I really don't want to go any further at my company, am not interested in the jobs or the field. I've turned down promotions because I want to move into another slightly different fielin my mind everything I said in the multiple interviews I had for both these jobs, I'm starting to wonder if they were thinking "Why does she want this job?" and because they had that question, did not accept my explanation, and assumed something negative about me, despite the fact that all the interviews went well.

I'm really flummoxed and frustrated by this. I've never had a failure like this before, and I'm still surprised by it.

[Anonymous]

oops, something got deleted.

In the second-to-last paragraph, I meant to say "I want to move into another slightly different field. I've gone over in my mind everything I said...."