How long to wait on job decision

steve1ae

Hi all.  Would appreciate some feedback.  I went through the final stage of an interview process 3 weeks ago.  It seemed to have went very well.  The recruiter rang me and said that they had just a few more interviews but they were very impressed with me.  I was obviously delighted but I haven't heard anything since.  

Is it normal to wait 3 weeks for a decision?  It seems quite excessive to me but I've only had a small amount of jobs in my career so I'm not really experienced with today's recruitment process.  

I've been applying elsewhere and have other interviews scheduled but I really wanted this job.  A small part of me wants to call the recruiter and withdraw my application.  Am I being silly or does anyone else feel I've been messed around for whatever reason?  I can't help feel that if there were that impressed they would have been quicker to respond.  Even just to say no.  At least I would know.  

On the other hand, suppose they do eventually offer me a job, should I even accept it?  This screams unprofessionalism and disorganised to me.  
 
Any feedback would be much appreciated.  Thanks all 

TELLIT01

I would call the recruiter.  They said they were impressed but had a few more to interview, so it's not unreasonable for you to ask what the current situation is.  There are many things that can suddenly delay the process - maybe the person who has to make the final decision has been off sick.  Don't burn your bridges, but don't stop looking for other jobs either.

elsien

If you really want the job it would be silly to withdraw your application. 

Three weeks isn’t quick but if they were waiting to interview other people, it’s possible that there was a better candidate they’re waiting on an answer from but they don’t want to decline other candidates who would be a good second choice if the first one says no.

You could contact them to politely ask when you can expect a decision to be made. 

motorguy

steve1ae said:

Hi all.  Would appreciate some feedback.  I went through the final stage of an interview process 3 weeks ago.  It seemed to have went very well.  The recruiter rang me and said that they had just a few more interviews but they were very impressed with me.  I was obviously delighted but I haven't heard anything since.  

Is it normal to wait 3 weeks for a decision?  It seems quite excessive to me but I've only had a small amount of jobs in my career so I'm not really experienced with today's recruitment process.  

I've been applying elsewhere and have other interviews scheduled but I really wanted this job.  A small part of me wants to call the recruiter and withdraw my application.  Am I being silly or does anyone else feel I've been messed around for whatever reason?  I can't help feel that if there were that impressed they would have been quicker to respond.  Even just to say no.  At least I would know.  

On the other hand, suppose they do eventually offer me a job, should I even accept it?  This screams unprofessionalism and disorganised to me.  
 
Any feedback would be much appreciated.  Thanks all 

I think you'd be cutting off your nose to spite your face if you did.

Many organisations have many stages to go through for recruitment to be signed off, perhaps with sign off meetings only every couple of weeks.  Also its holiday season.  Its a possibility that a key decision maker has or is off on leave.

A check in call with the recruiter wouldnt be unreasonable though.

Marcon

steve1ae said:

Hi all.  Would appreciate some feedback.  I went through the final stage of an interview process 3 weeks ago.  It seemed to have went very well.  The recruiter rang me and said that they had just a few more interviews but they were very impressed with me.  I was obviously delighted but I haven't heard anything since.  

Is it normal to wait 3 weeks for a decision?  It seems quite excessive to me but I've only had a small amount of jobs in my career so I'm not really experienced with today's recruitment process.  

I've been applying elsewhere and have other interviews scheduled but I really wanted this job.  A small part of me wants to call the recruiter and withdraw my application.  Am I being silly or does anyone else feel I've been messed around for whatever reason?  I can't help feel that if there were that impressed they would have been quicker to respond.  Even just to say no.  At least I would know.  

On the other hand, suppose they do eventually offer me a job, should I even accept it?  This screams unprofessionalism and disorganised to me.  
 
Any feedback would be much appreciated.  Thanks all 

Three weeks feels like a lifetime when you're waiting to hear if you've got a job you really want, but in reality it is the twinkling of an eye when it comes to recruitment. 

The temptation to throw your toys out of the pram is always huge in this situation, but you aren't being messed around; you just aren't getting the answer you hope for as quickly as you would like. You've been told the company had other interviews and who knows what spanners have been thrown in the works to stop those happening as quickly as the company might wish?

There's nothing unprofessional or disorganised about a company giving encouraging feedback and then taking its time to come to a final decision. If you decide to take umbrage with them (please don't!), that would be rather silly and short-sighted.

[Deleted User]

Is it normal to wait 3 weeks for a decision?  It seems quite excessive to me but I've only had a small amount of jobs in my career so I'm not really experienced with today's recruitment process.  

No. Sorry this is a red flag. I really want to say otherwise but my experience getting a job offer many weeks later and down the line is that it leads to trouble or you were 2nd best who would then do. (unless it is a role with a well-known prolonged hiring process).

Do not give up on other interview opportunities.

theoretica

If they didn't want you they would probably have said - unless key people are down with covid or something.

To me it seems likely that either they liked you but are interviewing/in talks with a slightly preferred candidate and keeping you in reserve - or there is a bit of a hold up with the funding and final approval.  Personally, if I wanted a job I would accept even if knowing I was second choice candidate.

steve1ae

Thank you everyone for your feedback.  I think I've just been impatient so the validation has been much appreciated.  I'll wait it out.  No harm as I continue looking at other opportunities.  Thanks again 

Undervalued

steve1ae said:

Hi all.  Would appreciate some feedback.  I went through the final stage of an interview process 3 weeks ago.  It seemed to have went very well.  The recruiter rang me and said that they had just a few more interviews but they were very impressed with me.  I was obviously delighted but I haven't heard anything since.  

Is it normal to wait 3 weeks for a decision?  It seems quite excessive to me but I've only had a small amount of jobs in my career so I'm not really experienced with today's recruitment process.  

I've been applying elsewhere and have other interviews scheduled but I really wanted this job.  A small part of me wants to call the recruiter and withdraw my application.  Am I being silly or does anyone else feel I've been messed around for whatever reason?  I can't help feel that if there were that impressed they would have been quicker to respond.  Even just to say no.  At least I would know.  

On the other hand, suppose they do eventually offer me a job, should I even accept it?  This screams unprofessionalism and disorganised to me.  
 
Any feedback would be much appreciated.  Thanks all 

No disrespect but that could either mean exactly what he said or it could mean "well, I suppose this bloke will do if we can't find anybody better"! Obviously he is not going to tell you that in so many words!

As others have said, there may be a delay in interviewing a candidate that seems suitable on paper for any number of reasons.

If you still want the job all you can do is wait. It doesn't stop you applying elsewhere in the meantime. You can always withdraw if this one does come through and you still want it.

TELLIT01

Deleted User said:

Is it normal to wait 3 weeks for a decision?  It seems quite excessive to me but I've only had a small amount of jobs in my career so I'm not really experienced with today's recruitment process.  

No. Sorry this is a red flag. I really want to say otherwise but my experience getting a job offer many weeks later and down the line is that it leads to trouble or you were 2nd best who would then do. (unless it is a role with a well-known prolonged hiring process).

Do not give up on other interview opportunities.

Although keepcalm........  would appear to have had many, many more jobs and job interviews than I did, it is wrong to say that a 3 week wait is a red flag.  As I and others have said, there can be may reasons for the delay, and the OP has been contacted by the recruiter. Maybe keepcalm....  has just had lots of quick 'no thank you' letters.  They normally do go out quickly.

Wyndham

It's three weeks that has included a Bank Holiday and school holidays. I do think it's a long time, but at this particular time of year I'd be less worried. If you get through another week without hearing anything then I think that's where I'd hit a red flag in these circumstances.