Positive feedback from interview.... but....

Wyndham

I'm currently looking for work, and had an interview on Thursday for a job which sounds really interesting. They are a small company (I've previously only worked for big ones), and the area of work is new for them, so I'm bringing expertise and knowledge to fill a gap they've realised that they have.

I felt the interview went well, and during the course of it, I found out that I was the only person they were interviewing. I'm working through an agent on this one, and had a call from them yesterday saying that while the feedback was all positive, they've decided that they want to do at least one other interview 'for comparison'. So they are now asking me to wait, probably for a week or two. The agent is confident that I will get an offer (though I know they would say that!) but I'm left unsure about how to proceed.

I'm partly tempted to tell them if they can't make an immediate decision, then I'm withdrawing anyway, and I will admit this has made me less positive about working for them! But I don't want to do anything hasty or stupid, so I'm just taking some time to think about it.

Has anyone else had a similar experience, and if so, how did it pan out in the end?

elsien

Me. Sort of. Interview went well so they sent out a sample contract and salary without actually making a formal offer. There were a couple of things I queried, (not the salary) at which point they advised they were now interviewing other people and would get back to me.
It was a family business and I interpreted this to mean that I'd do if no one better came along, but they ideally wanted someone who was a better "fit" for them and who accepted the contract without question. They ended up offering the job to someone else.
In retrospect, I probably shot myself in the foot with the questions I raised, however the job would have been ok but not my ideal one and the next one that came along was more my thing.

Alice_Walker

Withdrawing your application would be hasty and stupid. Just as you should take time to consider any job offer and the alternatives available, so should they. They want to be sure you're the right person for the job and they can't do that without a comparator.

I'd be impressed that they are being honest about the reason for delay, and putting genuine thought into getting the right fit for the role.

sangie595

I agree with Alice. I'd be more worried about an employer, venturing into a new area of work, employing the first person they see without any comparison. I'm pretty surprised at the agency for sending just one candidate to be honest.

If you now get an offer, then it will tell you that you were the best person for the job and they know that because you had competition, so they could have picked someone else. If they don't look at others, it would always be at the back of your mind and theirs that you were only picked because you were the first/only person they saw. I'm sure you are positive you are the best person for the job. Wouldn't you prefer that they, and you, know that?

Wyndham

Thanks all, it's useful.

Seemingly they have seen several CVs, and I think did a telephone interview or two (this was also the first stage for me), but I'm the only person they have so far met face to face.

shortcrust

It's hard to do, but try to depersonalise it. You're looking for work, not looking for love.:) You're essentially a product that you're selling to potential buyers and it's understandable that they're going to shop around before they buy. There's nothing to be gained from withdrawing. It's a bit like taking your ball home because people aren't playing the game correctly.

theoretica

You say this is a small company - I wonder if this happened because the recruitment is being handled by someone who is not expert at it.

CCFC_80

I don't like being messed about with recruiters. Many of them think they are God. I would be inclined to say I have another offer on the table to see if it might give them a kick up the backside to recruit you. Could work either way. You might not get the job anyway if they want to interview someone else.

Wyndham

There are pros and cons for the job - it could be good as a job, but the location is a bit pants to get to from where I am, so it will involve a long commute.... Any job has pros and cons, but the delay has gone firmly into my con column

[Deleted User]

I don't think it's sounding so good sorry. They seem very disorganised if not confused.

Other posters have defended it but I'm afraid you could have either a pushy agent or why did they not decide on a clear strategy before now.

Little actions shout loud and you've been lucky enough to rubble them - I once accepted a job from someone that took 3 weeks to make his mind up on suitability and was just fortunate I was still available when he no doubt ending up doing the desperate ring around when other candidates were no longer available - never again. I ended up with a different job where so much time had passed and he had just forgotten what was said.

Not in the same league but very recently I declined offer that came though by text message asking me to call to hear that I had been successful!!! nearer 5pm on the day agreed to hear back mind boggles what had happened during rest of day - I think the company must have quite relieved when I turned them down. It didn't surprise me couple of days later an entirely different tweeked job posting appeared :cool: it doesn't half make you think. I escaped a possible you'll do and who wants to feel like that. Little actions speaks volumes.