interviewed for Fed job - two weeks later and haven't heard - assume I didn't get it? follow up?

[Anonymous]

I interviewed for a Federal position two weeks ago. They said at the time that I was the first interview, but that they had lots that week and were planning to make a decision quickly. I still haven't heard either way and there is no update on USA Jobs. I'm driving myself crazy Should I assume I didn't get it at this point or is it typical to take this long? Also, suggestions about whether to follow up or not?

[Anonymous]

Fed is notoriously slow in hiring process. I applied for a job in January and didn't get an offer until November.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fed is notoriously slow in hiring process. I applied for a job in January and didn't get an offer until November.

Ugh seriously? How did you know to wait? I'd be surprised if they ever hired anyone if they took that long. I am a current Fed, but I was hired years ago, so I know things have changed.

[Anonymous]

give it up.

[Anonymous]

Did you follow up with the hiring official or the HR contact?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you follow up with the hiring official or the HR contact?

I did after the interview to say thank you, but haven't since. Would it be appropriate to do that again now?

[Anonymous]

I had to wait over a year to get my job. I think it's fine to touch base with the HR contact, but 2 weeks really isn't very long, so I might give it another week.

[Anonymous]

"Quickly" is relative in the government. At my last agency, I applied in April, went through several rounds of interviews in May and June, and got an offer in August, and started in September. For my current job, I interviewed in the spring but did not start until late July because the agency took so long to give me a "formal" written offer. I would contact the HR representative but would not give up hope.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PPs! I appreciate the perspective.

[Anonymous]

Two weeks in the federal government is, I'm sorry to say, just no time at all. You should expect to hear in late June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fed is notoriously slow in hiring process. I applied for a job in January and didn't get an offer until November.

Ugh seriously? How did you know to wait? I'd be surprised if they ever hired anyone if they took that long. I am a current Fed, but I was hired years ago, so I know things have changed.

I didn't. I was offered another job (private) and took that. When Fed called to offer the position, it wasn't as good as my private gig so graciously declined the offer.

[Anonymous]

I once interviewed for a federal job in March and got the offer in July.

[Anonymous]

Did you call them? I interview people for jobs...if they don't call me to check the status I don't hire them. They must not want the position.

[Anonymous]

They're notoriously slow. You can follow up if you want to, because your HR contact might have a superiority complex like PP.

Sometimes they interview for positions for which they do not have funding at the time, or aren't even open yet, so that may affect the speed with which they want to hire someone.

[Anonymous]

For some fed jobs, they will let you know when the position is filled (i.e. that you didn't get it).

I wouldn't assume you didn't get if, especially if it hasn't been filled.

If I were you, I would do a follow-up email to the person you interviewed with (thank you for meeting with me, et cetera, et cetera) and then leave it at that for a few weeks.

In a month, call and see if it has been filled.