Recruiting doesn’t have a deadline

When do recruiters call back?

When do recruiters call back? I received the following email from a reader. In addition,  I asked if I could post their question on this blog. I thought it was relevant to this frustration with HR/recruiters coming up quite a bit.  With their permission, I am re-posting below.

HRNasty,

I was so relieved to find your blog online.

For about a month now, I’ve been down to the finish line at Company X, a conglomerate food/hospitality business doing what I do best–online course development.

They called

THEY called ME. I wasn’t actively looking but was on a long-term contract at a place that was okay, if not thrilling. This job represents the next best thing for me in almost every way. I had been doing professional development, hoping to MAKE something like this happen. The company, the people, the industry, the work… it’s all so ME.

The bottom line is that they made me want it, and now, these final hours are about to drive me insane.

Week 1: I sailed through 2 interviews and supplied a well-rounded portfolio on a USB drive.

Week 2: I took a nasty intelligence test and personality test. Passed. I had yet another phone interview with a matrix-ed manager who might occasionally work with me.

Week 3: They asked for three manager references, which they checked. I duly warned all references; from what I’ve heard from my refs, they did an excellent job. This takes us into Week 4.

(Weirdly enough, it was the hiring VP doing the calling, not the recruiter. Okay, I guess he’s taking ownership because he will live with the outcome. Makes sense.)

I did all the requisite follow-ups with the thank yous, etc. Last Friday, I emailed and said, “Let me know if you need anything more. Thank you again.” My gut feeling tells me to sit on my hands. Any more mailing, calling, or whatever will diminish my elusive je ne sais quoi. You know. It’s like the boy who calls the girl two times too soon. Too eager, perhaps desperate?  When do recruiters call back?

Still, I’m sitting by the phone/checking my email every 10 minutes. With it so close, I’m starting to go a little bonkers. Every sign and signal says I’ve got it. SO WHEN WILL THEY TELL ME THE OUTCOME??? WHAT IS GOING ON?

Sincerely,

Animated Suspension

Animated Suspension,

CONGRATS!!!!!  You made it through the interview loop gauntlet.  In all seriousness, any company this large probably interviewed a lot of folks initially and narrowed it down to just you and maybe one other.  I wouldn’t worry about it too much (easier said than done) because it sounds like you did everything correctly.  Now, the trick is to hang back and wait.  You sent your thank-yous and prepped your references.  In all seriousness, now is when you need to sit on your hands and not mess up all your hard work and patience.  You would be surprised how often candidates blow it this close to the finish line.  Who wants to hire someone impatient in the workplace?

I have seen candidates blow it after seven interviews by saying something in the parking lot like “When are these dumbasses going to make up their minds? I have interviewed 7 times already”. Yeah, the wrong person working in the HR department overheard the comment. Game over.  See you, wouldn’t want to be you.  So close, and yet so far. . .  The key is to remain professional.  This isn’t the TV series Survivor “One World”; this is Survivor “Corporate America.” It isn’t always the most skilled person who gets the job.  Sometimes it is the person who doesn’t mess up and outlasts the other candidates that wins the game.  Patience grasshopper!

What is happening

Here is what may be going on.  Recruiters call back when they have something to report.  Recruiters call back when they have time.  If they have worked your position 99% of the way to the finish line with one or two final candidates, then the pressure is off the recruiter.  They are probably filling eight other positions and have five other managers breathing down their necks.  It is not uncommon for an internal recruiter to have 20 open positions.  They must also solve employee issues, run monthly reports, attend meetings, etc.  These latter projects are deadline or pressure-driven.  If they are down to 1 or 2 candidates, they are comfortable making an offer to, there is no rush on their end.

Recruiters are not always in control

Recruiters are at the mercy of the hiring manager. Hiring managers also have meetings, deadlines, and projects.  Hiring managers are then at the mercy of their VP or department head.  All the stars and the moons need to line up for the miracle of a meeting.  It isn’t you, it is the process, and in a larger company, there are a lot of layers.  Perfectly normal, nothing to worry about. Recruiters call back when they can.  Recruiters call back when they have a real update.

Hang in there.  See a couple of movies where you don’t have to talk with anyone, and you don’t have to think.  See a movie that will provide an escape.

HRNasty

A few days later, I received this from Animated Suspension (check the “you were soooo right” comment below.  Mom would be proud, and Dad would say, “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut.”

HRNasty,

Post Script

Guess what? THE RECRUITER CALLED BACK!!! YOU WERE SOOOO RIGHT!!!

• I am the only candidate they are considering.
• All my references raved about me.
• They may have one last call with one of the matrix managers next week.
• I should “know where things” are the following week. I think that’s code for “we will make you an offer,” don’t you?

Like you said, all I have to do now is sit back and not screw things up.

Animated Suspension

Remember, no news is NOT a “no”.  If you haven’t heard from them after a couple of interviews, don’t think the worst, and remember, they haven’t declined you.

See you at the after party,

HRNasty

PS.  Animated Suspense sent me an update and let me know she got the offer, excellent benefit,s and the salary she was looking for.  She also confirmed that the hiring manager and the recruiter were not always in communication with each other.  A 5-week process, 35 in dog weeks.  Yes, she accepted the position at 5:06 and had a martini at 5:45.  Congrats, Animated Suspense!

You got this,

HRNasty

nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky, and manipulative but with a result that can’t help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone good at something. “He has a nasty forkball”.

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Ringo Nishioka writes about how managers actually make career decisions inside organizations.