I had a number of big name companies do this to me. Interesting, the nicest rejection email I ever got, with a reason why I wasn't the one hired, came from a federal agency with a really bad rap.

It’s only been 3 weeks. So, I don’t think they are totally out of line. But, if you want to know what’s happening, write the hiring manager and say that you’re still really interested and want to know if they’ve reached a decision. I was once deciding between to candidates and the email that I received that said that swayed me to hire that guy.

Lots of things can delay a follow up with a candidate. Be respectful and show your interest and it might work out in your favor.

The same thing has happened to me too, multiple times. In nonprofit associations. I have been brought in for a second-round interview, met several people in different departments, and then I hear....nothing. Ever. I just kept looking at their web site and eventually saw that they have a new staff person filling the job title I had interviewed for.

I think it is bad form. If the employer has interactions with you ( screening phone interviews, face to face interviews), they absolutely should inform you that the position has been filled, even by form e-mail. Better to call, but e-mail acceptable. Fair enough that I wasn't their top choice, but horrible to never let the interviewed candidates know. I think poorly of those organizations now and would be reluctant to seek positions there again.

Happened to me -- really great interviews, and then radio silence.

I think I wound up being the No. 2 and they were stalling me while making sure No. 1 got on board. On my second or third follow-up, HR finally told me they were giving the job to someone else.

Definitely left me with a bad taste in my mouth regarding the company. I feel like if you get to the point of a full-day interview with multiple people, the hiring manager owes you a timely call and explanation.

Anonymous wrote:to the last PP, it sounds like you are not going to get an offer. Usually the hiring manager would reach out to you if you're the first choice, even before HR, but who knows.

You were right, I was not offered the position, despite having a decade of direct experience and research publications on the hiring agency.

I should've seen the signs-they were super slow and hesitant to even get back to me with questions from the start. The interview panel was lukewarm. I nailed the written exam for the job but apparently that wasn't enough.

Anonymous wrote:to the last PP, it sounds like you are not going to get an offer. Usually the hiring manager would reach out to you if you're the first choice, even before HR, but who knows.

I would be inclined to believe this, as well, but throughout the process everything has been choreographed through the HR recruitment officer.

to the last PP, it sounds like you are not going to get an offer. Usually the hiring manager would reach out to you if you're the first choice, even before HR, but who knows.

I am going through this right now with a relatively large federal agency outside DMV.

I initially applied in July, position closed a month later. Another month after that, they coordinated phone interviews.

Nailed the phone interview (I think), then another month before in-person interviews were set up.

They paid my travel for the in-person interview, which lasted 90 minutes+written exam.

My f2f was 3 weeks ago. I emailed the hiring manager to inquire and he said, "I have turned my information in to HR and they should be letting people know soon".

My background, expertise, experience all point to me being a highly qualified candidate for this very specific, technical position. However, I obviously don't know the rest of the applicant pool.

Any thoughts?

Twice, I had a few phone interviews, and then got flown cross-country for a really long day of interviews. Once, they even asked me to come back for more interviews over the weekend. Another time, they had me do more in-person interviews with the East Coast sales team in DC.

Rejections over a month later by form email.

I understand form email rejections for a phone interview, though I still think it tells me nothing good about the organization...but when someone has taken several days off of their current job and invested that much time, it shows the arrogance of an organization that can't be bothered to do a <5 minute phone call.

I had several rounds of interviews with McKinsey...and I always think more highly of them because a Managing Partner ultimately was the one who called me to tell me they weren't extending me an offer and even proffered an explanation for why without my asking.

I interviewed about around 6 weeks ago in another city. First phone interview, then flew down for a full day of interviews, which went fine, but not great. Followed up immediately, I know I was the first candidate but I later followed up with some writing samples, etc, and heard nothing back. Which is fine since the job is not a good fit for me, but I am curious if/when they will reach out to me to let me know. Its a pretty small field.

IBM did this to me. Had two phone interviews and one in-person with a whole panel of interviewers and then nothing. Ever.