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Panel availability often delays post-interview decisions
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Long shortlists extend feedback timelines for candidates
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Recruitment consultants can expedite post-interview feedback
Two hands, one giving the thumbs up, the other thumbs down

So, you got through to the interview stage and the interview went well. You feel confident you will hear back soon with good news. The days quickly turn into weeks, and before you know it, a month has gone by. Justifiably, you’re feeling anxious about the delays in post-interview contact.

Candidates waiting for prolonged periods for feedback following an interview is far from an ideal scenario. Unfortunately, also a fairly common one. While some organisations, as standard practice, send out rejection emails or letters, others take much longer to inform applicants of an interview outcome.

Candidate waiting patiently for the phone to ring for post-interview contact
The agonising wait for post-interview contact.

1.- One Crucial Member of the Panel is Absent

It is common for interviews panels to involve several key members of a company. They do this so that they can collate the thoughts and opinions of several leading members of staff.

Companies believe this helps them employ the most suitable candidate. Of course, it’s true that two heads are better than one. However, gathering those thoughts together after the interview has taken place can be difficult. Not to mention, time-consuming.

In this situation, there can be delays in contacting candidates after an interview. This situation could be further exacerbated if one of the interviewers is absent. Particularly, if the decision has to wait until his or her return to work.

A panel of three interviewers greet their interviewee
Where several interviewers are on the panel, all their thoughts must be taken into consideration.

2.- Their Shortlist Was Long and Interviews are Still Taking Place

When an employer posts a job vacancy they then have the task of sifting through applications. This process of shortlisting the most suitable applicants. How many candidates they interview typically depends on how many applicants they deem suitable for the role. This can range hugely in numbers, anything from one or two candidates to 20, 30 or even more.

As TTP, the charity recruiter highlights, interviewing a lot of candidates takes a huge amount of time.

When you attend an interview you may be one of the first to be interviewed or one of the last. Employers often have a substantial number of candidates on their shortlist. If yours is one of the first interviews to take place, it could be a long time before you hear any feedback.

Interviewees waiting in line to be interviewed
Waiting in line to be interviewed can be nerve-wracking but a longer wait for feedback can be excruciating!

3.- The Position is Put on Hold

Business is a constantly evolving entity and companies, no matter how big or small, regularly encounter unforeseeable circumstances. Elements such as budget cuts and policy reforms can influence the internal employment landscape of a company.

If you have not yet heard back about an interview, you should not be too disheartened. The job you applied for may simply be on hold for the time being.

4.- The Fear of Rejection Beckons

No matter how well an interview goes, there are always other candidates equally eager to secure a job offer. Failing to hear back about an interview doesn’t always mean bad news. Besides, even if it is, the reason for rejection may not be personal so it’s important not to be too downhearted if it is.

Two hands, one giving the thumbs up, the other thumbs down
It’s hard not to get too disheartened when applying for jobs but it’s important to remember to stay positive!

Some companies make it routine to send out rejection letters, emails or phone calls. Others simply don’t have the time or technology to do so. Particularly if there has been a large number of candidates going for the position.

Recruitment Consultants Can Help you in case of Delayed Post-Interview Contact

Recruitment consultants aim to make the job application process run as smoothly and as anxiety-free as possible for both job-seekers and employers. One of the ways they relieve stress on both sides is by requesting post-interview contact immediately after the meeting takes place. This way, the details are fresh in everyone’s minds and the candidate is more likely to gain honest and constructive feedback.

It’s worth keeping this last point in mind before you apply for a job. The reason we say this is that a recruitment consultant can only help you obtain feedback from an employer if you applied for the job through them in the first place.

Do you know someone who might find this blog post useful? If so, please share it with them on social media. They will be sure to thank you for it!

Adria Solutions

Adria Solutions

Adria Solutions is one of the UK’s leading IT, Digital and Marketing recruitment consultancy with a friendly, forward-thinking approach | Celebrating 20 years of success in 2024 | Featured on UK Recruiter, Tech Target, Computer World LinkedIn News UK, Tech Round, Recruiter and more industry publications.

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