Post-Interview Etiquette: Executive Search Edition

May 16, 2024 4:37 PM

A month ago, I had a first-round interview with an executive search firm, during which I was told "the hiring manager will interview candidates in the first week of May, then schedule onsites in late May/early June". I waited until this Tueday, a week after the first week of May ended, to reach out and ask if there is an updated timeline. No response. Is there any value in reaching out a second time, or to the other staffperson listed for the search? More details below.

A couple of months ago, I applied for a dream job (per aspera, as described in this angsty Ask about cover letters). The search is for a major US foundation, and is being conducted by a small, friendly-seeming executive search firm. After an initial screener call and then a first-round interview with one of the two recruiters working on the search, I haven't heard anything.

Because this is a dream job, I have held off on other applications in the meantime - I know that this is my choice, and that I am feeling discomfort because *I* have chosen to make this application a barrier to other applications. Just going ahead and applying to other jobs is an option that I know I have, and I've spent today checking in on a couple of job ads for exactly that purpose. I also know that the lion's share of my discomfort is my low professional self-esteem telling me bitterly that I am not worth even a one-line email letting me know I'm not in the running anymore. This is my shit, and I am working on it in therapy.

There is a further wrinkle in that I freaked out bigtime after the first-round interview, sure that I'd spoken too long in response to each question, and let my anxiety keep me from writing a thank-you note for a full week. Now my anxious brain is telling me that I'm not hearing back from them because I waited too long to send the thank-you note, which is deeply unproductive.

Even with all this taken into account, I do feel confused as to why I haven't received *any* response from the recruiter. I know how long it can take to hire people, and do not begrudge the team delays or hitches in the process. But somehow I expected that an executive search firm for a Big Client would send courtesy emails to people who've been eliminated from consideration, and certainly that they would respond to a direct email. Would it be reasonable to send a second check-in next week to the person I spoke with, or to reach out to the other staffperson assigned to the search?

posted by rrrrrrrrrt to Work & Money (7 answers total)

You have my sympathy, interviewing sucks and anxiety sucks more. It's really good that you're applying for other positions, keep doing that even if you interview with this company again (or another dream job). It will give your confidence a boost to feel like you have more than one possibility.

The fact that they aren't following up with you DEFINITELY isn't related to you sending a delayed thank you note. It's unfortunately fairly common even for companies that seem to have it together. I personally would not bother following up again, if they're interested they will follow up regardless. If you really want to follow up in another week, I don't think it's a terrible faux pas or anything. Maybe go with the other person you spoke to if you decide to do that.
posted by Eyelash at 5:18 PM on May 16 [6 favorites]

Unless they desperately need to hire, and based on the timeline it doesn’t seem like they need to, you’re basically the bottom of the to-do list. That’s not to make you feel bad or unimportant, just a reality that what seems like the biggest thing happening in your life, are far down the list in their perspective.
posted by raccoon409 at 6:39 PM on May 16

Ask a Manager answers questions like this all the time, and her answers are always: No, don't follow up again. They know you are interested. And always, under all circumstances, keep applying to multiple jobs. Keep doing this until you have a firm, concrete offer. Relatedly, she always cautions that hiring processes always take longer than everybody expects.

I'm sorry you're going through this; it's hard and it sucks.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:52 PM on May 16 [6 favorites]

Hiring takes forever, so it could be that. Also, many companies wait until they’ve made a final hiring decision before they notify other candidates they are not being offered the position. Waiting sucks, you have my sympathies.
posted by cakelite at 8:08 PM on May 16 [1 favorite]

You’ve only spoken to the external recruiters, right? There could be so many reasons for not hearing back that have nothing to do with you. In fact I’d say it’s unlikely to have anything to do with you at all.

The best thing is to keep searching.
posted by warriorqueen at 8:45 PM on May 16

As many respondents mentioned in your cover letter question: you can't focus on 1 job to the detriment of your application process. There are a million reasons that wonderfully qualified people like yourself don't get specific jobs, and job hunting is not about finding one job you think you'd like and getting hired at it. Apply widely, consistently, and you'll find your place.

Let me be frank: 75% chance the hiring firm is well past your resume because they have other candidates or the foundation hired internally. 15% chance the foundation has suspended their search or is behind in the process. 10% chance the search firm gets back to you; its not yet late May/early June.

You reaching out will have no effect on any of these percentages. They liked you well enough to interview you. Restart your application process by consistently applying to multiple jobs.
posted by RajahKing at 7:37 AM on May 17 [1 favorite]

I would say there's a good chance it's nothing to do with you, and whatever is going on with them internally will not be improved by you emailing again so soon after your last contact. I would say this is a situation where if you follow up at all, it should be once a month at the very most, and in the meanwhile you should move on with your job search.

It's such a stressful process! I'm sorry, and I hope something excellent falls into your lap soon whether it's this or another exciting option.
posted by Stacey at 7:52 AM on May 17