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So, this past Friday, May 3rd I had an interview at a community college for a position I am really, really wanting to get. I believe that I did really well on the interview and I feel like I am likely to be their chosen candidate for the job. As I was escorted out I would be told that they'd have a decision made in the next week.
A week went by and I never heard anything from them, however one of my references told me she received a call from the director of that department asking them all the typical questions you get asked as a reference. This past Monday the college called me telling me they couldn't reach my 4th reference, so I gave them an alternative reference whom they promptly called that afternoon which would make my reference check complete. This wednesday is almost nearing the end of the business day and I'm just really anxious about the job and I still haven't heard anything. I really want to get it because it would be an amazing path for my career to go towards. I don't have any qualms about my current job, in fact it is great, but I just don't feel like I'm being challenged mentally.
I understand that as an institution of higher learning they probably conduct more thorough background checks than a typical business office. However I just feel like they could at least tell me "Yes, we'd like to extend you an offer but it cannot be officially done until your bg check is clear." My background is clean so that is why I sort of wish they would do it. I'd have no problems waiting if they would just tell me I was chosen. The way it works there(at least I'm fairly certain) is that the interviewing panel is comprised of experts from various departments but none of them are actually in HR. They are people I would be working closely with. Then those people all tally up the scores and the director makes the decision and passes the decision onto HR for final processing and what not.
I have already sent the director who interviewed me a thank you email for the opportunity last Friday. Yesterday I sent a follow up email to the actual HR Generalist asking if I was allowed to be informed of any ongoing developments of the position but I haven't heard anything back. I'm sure they are busy.
Anyway, the reason I'm asking if I should call and inquire about the status is because all my life I have gotten mixed signals from peers and adults. It was encouraged to call to show you're initiated and genuinely interested. But now people say that it makes you look desperate or that it can be annoying. How can people get annoyed when a genuine applicant wants to know what's going on? I am not desperate just anxious to start a new job in an already saturated field.
If it lends any perspective to this situation the position opened FIVE months ago and I only just got interviewed for it, lol. I actually did previously call about the job about a month ago, asking if interviews were taking place, and the HR woman returned my call saying that everything was super busy at the time and that they hadn't conducted interviews yet. About 2 weeks after that call I was phoned in for an interview. I know it might seem like I'm sort of answering my own question with that information but it doesn't lessen the fact any that I would like to know what's going on and I'm interested in knowing if I have a justified stance on the matter. At this point I am just trying to decide if I should just wait it out.
I know that was long winded but your opinions are appreciated!
No. Do not call. Do not send anymore emails either.
You cannot influence their decision by calling.
They have your number.
If you call to inquire when the time is clearly THEIR MOVE, it will only lessen your standing.
Hiring managers do not like these follow up calls. They find them to be pushy and impatient. They tend to make the caller look desperate and needy. Seriously, making follow up calls after an interview can cause the caller to lose out on the opportunity.
Your guess as to how the process works is pretty good. Community colleges are government entities and have to follow specific rules. Until all of the steps are complete, nobody is allowed to talk to you.
what everyone else said. calling will change nothing except it might possibly make their perception of you worse. these things take as long as they take, and they can sometimes take a long time.
remember that time moves differently for the people on the other end of the process. if someone's out, or someone is busy, or if there's some bureaucratic holdup, it's just another day to them while for you it's one more day of anxiously waiting. things are not going to move faster if you hassle them, so resist the temptation.
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How can people get annoyed when a genuine applicant wants to know what's going on?
imagine driving a car full of kids saying "are we there yet?". you can't make the car go any faster (ok the analogy fails there a little but you get what i mean!), you will get there when you get there. wouldn't you get annoyed? you might like the kids, you might really want to get them to their destination, but being constantly asked is irritating. now imagine that happening while you are trying to get your work done at your job.
Remember that hiring is always done on the company's (or in your case, the community college's) timelines and terms. We all wish they were done on our terms and timelines, but it rarely works that way.
I would say, at this stage, that you are one of their top candidates and they are "vetting you out".
Stay calm, things will happen when you least expect them to.
Well since you already followed up with a email it's no need anything else right now. Just focus on other opportunities right now and try not to look too desperate with this job.
Everything here makes sense. Thanks for all of your feedback!
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