Three Interviews, Reference Check, Close to Offer? (applying, interview, application)

[olicity360]

Hi all,

So I've been on three interviews for a position at a university (all before it was officially posted), and I know the hiring manager very well (having worked with and studied under him in the past). This past week, he told me he was waiting for a reference to email him back, which he then received two days later. All my references (two of whom he had worked with in the past) were really strong, and I feel like I've done well in the interviews. Does this mean I should hopefully get an offer soon? I'd hoped that having previously worked with him, the process wouldn't take as long (it's been about a month), but I understand that universities can have strict hiring policies that require them to look at other applications and interview other candidates. I'm just worried that this length of time indicates he may have found a better candidate...

Thanks in advance for any of your thoughts!

[Reveille1984]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. There could be 100 different reasons for the delay, especially for an organization as bureaucratic as a university. I've had interviews where I was sure I bombed and ended up getting an offer, as well as extended interviews with multiple bigwigs that I thought went flawlessly and never heard a peep.

You've done all you can, try and stay active and keep your mind off it.

[joe from dayton]

It can take weeks for paperwork to wind its way through the hiring process, especially if a key player is tied up, out of town, or has more important things to worry about.

[Hemlock140]

When it comes to jobs, the only thing that is for sure is that nothing is for sure. You have to keep looking and applying, and never slow down the chase until you have accepted an offer. Even in a case like yours, which seems very hopeful, something can happen. As you mentioned, someone they consider better can come along, one of your references can say the wrong thing, they could decide to promote someone already there, or the position could go unfilled due to budget issues.
Placing too much hope on a positive experience such as yours can make it far more difficult if you get the rejection call/letter. When I was looking, I always moved forward with the next possibility and preferred to be pleasantly surprised, rather than devastated if it went the wrong way. Good luck, hopefully this will work out well for you.