I really want to work for you, but if that's not going to happen then I really want to go to Europe.
August 10, 2009 3:19 PM Subscribe
Following up on a second job interview: they said the selection process would be "very quick." It's now been two weeks without hearing back from them. Do I follow up? I'd be happy to be patient, but there's a twist.
First off, let me say that I know I'm very lucky to have such problems, given the state of the economy these days. Also, I've read a couple of previous questions about following up on job interviews, but I didn't see anything that addressed this particular twist on the situation.
I am employed in an industry that is currently being hit very hard by the economy; I also applied for, and made it to the short list of candidates, for another job in my city. I am genuinely excited about the new opportunity and would love to take the job, but I'm also fine with staying with my current employer if I'm not offered the job.
When I had my second interview (almost two weeks ago), I was told that they wanted to make the decision "very quickly" and that they would get back to the finalists "as close to immediately as possible." (I wish I had asked for a specific date by which they were planning to make the decision, but I didn't think of it till later.) I haven't heard anything, which--given that I already have a job--would typically be fine with me...
...except for the fact that I have just been invited to fly overseas in two months for a special event that I'd love to attend, and there's currently a fare deal running for the location I'd be flying. If I stay at my present job, it's no problem; I have enough vacation time and can afford to be away from the office that week. However, if I am going to be starting a new job anytime soon, then obviously I wouldn't make plans to take the trip. The fare deal is only on for a few more days.
What to do?
First off, let me say that I know I'm very lucky to have such problems, given the state of the economy these days. Also, I've read a couple of previous questions about following up on job interviews, but I didn't see anything that addressed this particular twist on the situation.
I am employed in an industry that is currently being hit very hard by the economy; I also applied for, and made it to the short list of candidates, for another job in my city. I am genuinely excited about the new opportunity and would love to take the job, but I'm also fine with staying with my current employer if I'm not offered the job.
When I had my second interview (almost two weeks ago), I was told that they wanted to make the decision "very quickly" and that they would get back to the finalists "as close to immediately as possible." (I wish I had asked for a specific date by which they were planning to make the decision, but I didn't think of it till later.) I haven't heard anything, which--given that I already have a job--would typically be fine with me...
...except for the fact that I have just been invited to fly overseas in two months for a special event that I'd love to attend, and there's currently a fare deal running for the location I'd be flying. If I stay at my present job, it's no problem; I have enough vacation time and can afford to be away from the office that week. However, if I am going to be starting a new job anytime soon, then obviously I wouldn't make plans to take the trip. The fare deal is only on for a few more days.
What to do?
You haven't heard anything in two weeks?
Call them.
posted by rhapsodie at 3:31 PM on August 10, 2009
Call them.
posted by rhapsodie at 3:31 PM on August 10, 2009
If/when you get the job, tell them you've made longstanding plans for the time you're planning on being overseas, ones that can't be cancelled. Chances are, they'll let you borrow against future vacation time for those plans.
This kind of thing happens all the time, and I'm sure HR managers are used to it.
posted by downing street memo at 3:31 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
This kind of thing happens all the time, and I'm sure HR managers are used to it.
posted by downing street memo at 3:31 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
I think it's totally fine to call and check in after two weeks. Hiring managers always say they're going to move quickly and then they rarely do. Don't volunteer the info about the other opportunity upfront. Just say you want to check in. If they have a solid date/answer, awesome. If not, then you can say Admiral Haddock's thing.
Anyway, downing street memo is also right. If you do get offered the job, just make going on this trip part of your negotiation over the salary/benefits package.
posted by lunasol at 4:30 PM on August 10, 2009
Anyway, downing street memo is also right. If you do get offered the job, just make going on this trip part of your negotiation over the salary/benefits package.
posted by lunasol at 4:30 PM on August 10, 2009
You should contact them to follow up. It's been 2 weeks. As an anecdote, my boyfriend had a job interview where they told him they would let him know "immediately," and he didn't hear back until like 10 days later that he got the job.
posted by ishotjr at 6:49 PM on August 10, 2009
posted by ishotjr at 6:49 PM on August 10, 2009
I had a similar situation where I already planned an international trip, and then got a job offer. If you tell them about your trip before you get an offer, then it will be just another excuse for them not to hire you. However if you get an offer, it is highly likely that you will be able to negotiate a later start date or leave of absence, since they already have invested their efforts to choose you.
How I did it:
First I accepted the offer, but then informed them that I already had vacation plans and a paid ticket. I asked the manager if there was anything they could do to help me out, such as compensating me for my tickets or delaying my start date. Right when you accept the job offer you are at a very strong position for negotiation, because the manager will want to "prove" that he/she has the power to get your requests fulfilled. Sure enough, the manager said "I'll see what I can do" and called me the next day to say I could delay my start so I could go on my trip.
If they are a good company to work for, they will give you your request--If they don't provide any flexibility on this, just imagine what it will be like when you're actually working there.
Of course the above is only if you get a job offer--like others said, you need to call them to follow up, although I wouldn't give away too much information. Get the tickets now anyways.
posted by ajackson at 8:23 PM on August 10, 2009
How I did it:
First I accepted the offer, but then informed them that I already had vacation plans and a paid ticket. I asked the manager if there was anything they could do to help me out, such as compensating me for my tickets or delaying my start date. Right when you accept the job offer you are at a very strong position for negotiation, because the manager will want to "prove" that he/she has the power to get your requests fulfilled. Sure enough, the manager said "I'll see what I can do" and called me the next day to say I could delay my start so I could go on my trip.
If they are a good company to work for, they will give you your request--If they don't provide any flexibility on this, just imagine what it will be like when you're actually working there.
Of course the above is only if you get a job offer--like others said, you need to call them to follow up, although I wouldn't give away too much information. Get the tickets now anyways.
posted by ajackson at 8:23 PM on August 10, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Wo/man up here. Sure, you may get dissed on the phone when they tell you that they're no longer interested, but, then again, you're off to far-flung places to have an incredible experience.
Good luck either way.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 3:25 PM on August 10, 2009 [4 favorites]