Help-timeline, interview, new job stuff

[BrentwoodTerrace]

Hi there-my first post and I hope you'll forgive me but I am fairly desperate for some advice dealing with the challenging spot I find myself in.

In July, I applied for a government job outside of the DMV to which I am fully and uniquely (hang on, I"ll get there) qualified. The job was open for a month, and I was contacted by the hiring manager soon three weeks after the job closed to let me know that they were reviewing the applications and would be selecting interview participants "soon". That was on September 11, and I haven't heard anything from anyone since. Should I just move on?

Some background on me:
-doctoral degree, working in a specialized field, have over 15 years relevant experience;
-I have publications focusing on the agency to which I am applying, but have never actually worked for said agency;
-Working at my current job (gov't, specialized field) for 4 years and the place is literally driving me mad; toxic atmosphere, horrible co-workers, the usual stuff;
-eager to leave city with COL concerns and growing family.

Basically, this really is my "dream" job and if I'm not even selected for an interview, I'll be both surprised and probably devastated. I'm so anxious and upset about this that I have considered leaving my field of work if I do not get this job.

I've told multiple friends and family about this job and their response is generally something along the lines of, "who else but you could do that for them?"

I'm literally killing myself with the anxiety...it is destroying my productivity and this job is the first thing I think of every morning. I'm so tired of it.

Thank you for your thoughts!

[Anonymous]

You should move on. It’s been what - 2 weeks? Also, learn to manage your anxiety. When you apply for jobs, it doesn’t matter how qualified you think you are, it depends what the hiring team thinks.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to chill out. You probably didn't get the job, but stop "killing myself with the anxiety". Stop being dramatic about leaving your field if you don't get the job.

People aim for jobs and don't get hired all the time.

[Anonymous]

OP, who knows with hiring what may be going on or why it may be taking so long. I can't say if you should move on or not.

But I can give you some tips on taming your anxiety about it. I went through a very very similar situation about 7 months ago, where the one specific job was all I thought about. It robs you of your life and puts so much weight on something entirely out of your control.

1. If you're sleeping with your phone next to your bed and checking email first thing every morning for a response - stop. Put your phone in a different room in the house and don't look at it until after you've done some set of activities (whether that is taking a shower, doing some exercise, reading a book, journaling, whatever). That is the wrong foot to start off every day and is setting your anxiety up to dominate.

2. Stay busy. Make a list of other things you can be doing in down time. You're spending too much time thinking about this job. The list can literally be as simple as "Wash the dog. Sort through clothes in the closet. Weed the flowerbeds. Go for a walk. Take the kids to XYZ museum. Watch Breaking Bad." Made the list as looooong as you can, so you'll never get through everything. Keep it handy, and when you start ruminating, do something on the list. You may need a work one too, for things to work on when your head starts getting away from you at work.

3. Try meditating 10 minutes a day. Your breathing is probably shallow and I bet if you observed yourself, you're holding your breath quite a bit during the day. That amps up anxiety and stress. I like the app Insight Timer for free guided meditation, but there are tons out there.

4. Find something you are in control of with your career to focus on. Maybe you're planning a talk at a conference. Maybe you need to polish your resume or LinkedIn profile. Maybe your files are a mess and need to be cleaned up. I don't know, but spend time focusing on what's in your Circle of Control, not your Circle of Concern.

[Anonymous]

Did you send a friendly email to the hiring manager asking if they have scheduled interviews yet?

[Anonymous]

3 things.

1) its the government. things move very slowly, for reasons that are not always clear.

2) because its the government, if someone has preferential status (like a vet) they can rank higher than you, even without the qualifications. We had to scramble to get the most qualified people on our short list (and our department required specialized PhDs) sometimes.

3) is it possible there's already someone internal for the job.

so, dont leave your field because of this.

and, fwiw, I went through this w/a job. Could not BELIEVE they didn't at least call me. A year later, (yes, a year) they did and I got an offer. Shoudld not have taken it, the place is toxic and their failure to hire correctly the first 12 months should have been my clue.

[BrentwoodTerrace]

Anonymous wrote:Did you send a friendly email to the hiring manager asking if they have scheduled interviews yet?

Yes, I did on September 11 and was told that they "were reviewing resume and would be in touch soon". They thanked me for my interest and application, but I haven't heard a peep since 9/11.

[Anonymous]

BrentwoodTerrace wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you send a friendly email to the hiring manager asking if they have scheduled interviews yet?

Yes, I did on September 11 and was told that they "were reviewing resume and would be in touch soon". They thanked me for my interest and application, but I haven't heard a peep since 9/11.

Did they reach out to you (your initial post says you were contacted) or respond to you?

[BrentwoodTerrace]

Anonymous wrote:

BrentwoodTerrace wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you send a friendly email to the hiring manager asking if they have scheduled interviews yet?

Yes, I did on September 11 and was told that they "were reviewing resume and would be in touch soon". They thanked me for my interest and application, but I haven't heard a peep since 9/11.

Did they reach out to you (your initial post says you were contacted) or respond to you?

I was contacted by them on September 11 and have not heard back. Should I email the hiring manager again to inquire or just leave it?

[Anonymous]

Update: I broke another rule and emailed the hiring manager this morning to ask status of interivews. His response: "Hi, thanks for the message. You should hear something soon".

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would definitely send an email. It certainly can't hurt. And even if you are no longer a candidate, it will at least give you piece of mind knowing.

[Anonymous]

Agree that an email is harmless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update: I broke another rule and emailed the hiring manager this morning to ask status of interivews. His response: "Hi, thanks for the message. You should hear something soon".

That's not really a good sign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update: I broke another rule and emailed the hiring manager this morning to ask status of interivews. His response: "Hi, thanks for the message. You should hear something soon".

Have you ever had a significant other tell you they needed space, and your response was something like "okay, but can we still talk?" You just told this hiring manager you are 1. Needy and 2. Clingy.

[Anonymous]

Update:
I was selected for a phone interview on October 17.