Never heard back from the company

[Anonymous]

I have applied to a job that seemed like a great fit. Have not heard back for 3 weeks, then was contacted asking to submit a lengthy application. Did that, have not heard back for 2 more weeks, then received an email requesting a statement of purpose. Submitted that one, although that was strange - have not done it since grad school. After that received another email asking to give a presentation in 2 weeks. This never happened before during any job interviews I've encountered, and my job, does not require presenting, which is good as my English is quite bad (strong accent). At this point it was too late to stop the process, so I presented to the best of my abilities. I liked the people, thought individual interviews went well, they told me I will be contacted after winter holidays. I have not heard back since then (for a month) and politely inquired on Monday about the next steps. I received no response and feel really sad - I really liked the company and thought well of them, even if I did not get a job, I feel I deserve a polite email. Do you think it is normal not to hear back if you are rejected?

[Anonymous]

An email is not too much to ask. I would have expected further communication from the company after all those hoops. So sorry OP.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if maybe they are trying to make a decision. Because if they decided not to go with you, I would think they would politely say just that. Maybe send one more follow up email on Tuesday? If they answer, good. If not, go on with your life; it's their loss and look for a better job with a better company.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you should personally visit the establishment to inquire about the status of your position. While an email is fine, I think actually showing up will show your prospective employers that you're assertive and really interested.

After going through that lengthy process, I'd keep trying my best to contact them without getting to be "annoying," until I know for sure if I will, or will not, receive the position.

At any rate, it will be entirely unprofessional of them to not inform you of your standing in the application process this far into it.

[Anonymous]

Showing up makes you look desperate and creepy, not assertive. A lot of places just don't follow up, even if they have interviewed you. It's unprofessional IMO, but some companies do it.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, PPs! For some reason I feel humiliated - I don't need a new job, I applied because the other job required quite a unique set of skills that I happen to possess and I got excited to get to use them. Of course, I understand that they may have chosen someone else and it's fine and fair. I, however, invested so much effort into the whole application process that I feel that ignoring me at this point is very rude. Because of these feelings, I don't want to come over and ask as, I said before, I am not desperate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps you should personally visit the establishment to inquire about the status of your position. While an email is fine, I think actually showing up will show your prospective employers that you're assertive and really interested.

DO NOT DO THIS!!!

[Anonymous]

you may be their #2 pick, and they're waiting for #1 to give an answer.

[Anonymous]

I get how you feel OP and I agree that it's rude of them not to respond. I'd send one more follow up in case your email got bounced by a spam filter or slipped through the cracks. If you still don't get an answer - it is really crappy that they made you jump through all those hoops and didn't give you the courtesy of an answer, and I'd question whether you'd want to work at a place like that.

Are you emailing HR or the hiring office? I'd try emailing someone in the hiring office vs HR if you have access.

[Anonymous]

Definitely don't go there to find out. Since you already emailed them I would wait it out a bit longer, then maybe send one more followup email. And, you never know, perhaps they will hire someone else and that person doesn't work out and leaves in, oh, six months - they may offer you the job in the future. Sounds as though it went well for you during the process. As someone else mentioned you may be pick #2 of many candidates. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Update: they never replied to my email, but sent a generic response yesterday (no name, no salutation) that I did not get the job. Maybe I dodged the bullet.