Longest job interview process ever?!

Sloganjerry

I saw and applied for a job back in Feb and didn't hear anything for awhile so thought I hadn't got it.

Then I got a phone call end of March saying could I come for interview and they were sorry they hadn't got back to me sooner but had had a huge response and had taken longer to get through the applications than they thought. Fair enough I thought. The interview was a few weeks away mid April.

The interview was an Assessment Day and very hard going as I hadn't done anything like it before, but felt I did my best. I was told I would definitely hear, if successful or not, within the next 2 weeks.

2 weeks came and went and I then contacted them to ask for some feedback assuming I hadn't been successful. I was told they were still considering all applications and would be in touch the following week. I didn't hear!?

I contacted them again and was told the process is still ongoing and I should hear very soon but you guessed it I've heard nothing since and its now mid May, so almost a month since the interview????

Is this normal procedure these days? Has anyone else had this experience?

It's so frustrating and I know you're gonna say forget this job and carry on applying for others, but this was a great job, a well paid one too, so really wanted to get it and can't seem to give up hope on it:(

coinxoperated

Ah I had a similar experience! Applied - someone got back to me 2 months later!! Assessment day happened start of April, interview last week, SECOND interviews expected first week of JUNE for job to start in AUGUST!! it's insane!

andrewjf

Sloganjerry wrote: »

Is this normal procedure these days? Has anyone else had this experience?

Longest I had to wait was 7 days, only because they were trying to decide between me and another candidate. I'd given up hope, but turned out they offered us both jobs in the end.

It's so frustrating and I know you're gonna say forget this job and carry on applying for others, but this was a great job, a well paid one too, so really wanted to get it and can't seem to give up hope on it:(

I doubt whether you've got it after this length of time, and as you say, move on. I suppose if you were really keen you could pursue them for reasons why you weren't offered. You never know they might have other positions there in future.

Savvy_Sue

Just wondering who it's with?

I applied for a job in the Civil Service, had to do an assessment day, got through that, went to interview a while later, I think I was eventually sent a medical questionnaire which showed I'd got through the interview, but I'd decided by then I didn't want to work for them. Some time later they got in touch to see if I was still interested ...

mardycow

My neice had interview for Tax office in February. she was successful and got a letter confirming this, She is still waiting for a start date and her 2 character referees have still not been contacted to date (May17th) I think this has to be the most inefficient HR department so far. Anyone have knowledge of why they appear so inept?

DKLS

Longest recruitment process for me has been 5 months from being contacted directly on Linkedin to being in role.
That was for a fairly senior role for a big corporate and the length of time was due to planned holidays and the availability of everyone involved and included 2 telephone and 3 in person interviews.

Sloganjerry

Well another week is over and still no news on the job. It's actually with the civil service.

Thanks guys for all your contributions. It has helped to hear others have been through the same thing. Have a good weekend everyone!

ScribbleNInk

Worth contacting them once more just to check? Seems like anything could happen with this interview process!

gazzak_2

It'll be a railway job, probably a drivers position. They can drag on for literally years.

Sloganjerry

gazzak could be right!!!!

I contacted them again today and it seems that I did in fact pass the Assessment day :T (so great to know I couldn't have done anymore personally to get this job) .......but have been put on a waiting list until May 2014!!!!!! So could be offered a position anytime between now and then?!

Have never experienced anything like this before.....but am still hoping (maybe foolishly) that I will eventually get a post with them.

I guess I will have to keep looking for something to get me through in the meantime and keep juggling the finances. Cheers guys! :beer:

Sloganjerry

Well you will never believe it!

After almost forgetting all about this job I applied for last February, and interviewing in April, and being told then that I'd been put on a waiting list till 2014!........they only rang me this morning to tell me they are taking me off the waiting list.......................................
....AND OFFERING ME THE JOB!!!!! :T

Yes! After six months from application to now, I've actually finally got the job!

Just thought I would post an update just in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar long interview process and to let them know to keep the faith!

I'm so excited!!!!!:j