Hi,

I am a recent graduate and was interviewed for a position of Analyst at a small firm (50 employees, but planning to double its workforce). Four candidates were interviewed on the same day, and two of us happened to be from the same graduating class of the same university.

We were informed that the decision on our interview would be communicated to us within two weeks. However, the other candidate was offered a position on the very next day of the interview, whereas a decision on my candidacy has not yet been communicated to me.

Does such an incident indicate a negative work ethic of the company? Or is it that they are seriously reviewing my candidacy in terms of background check and will communicate once they have the relevant information?

The only thing I cannot understand is the delay in communicating a decision on my candidacy given the fact that the other candidate's decision has already been made. I still have a week's time with me according to the time frame given by the company to expect a decision on my candidacy.

Thanks for all your help

Hello there! And welcome to the Cove!

How do you know the other candidate was offered the position? Are you sure this is accurate? It is possible that the candidate offered the job was the "ideal" candidate, and they were for sure wanting to hire them. That does not at all mean you are not smart or valuable; just that they saw something they think is more valuable that the other candidates may not have.

If I were in your shoes, I would most definitely be in a dilemma. However, just because I am a "live by the rules" kind of guy, I would wait until the two weeks were up. That's an opinion thing; some others may offer you better (and wiser) advise.

I would most definitely be interviewing with other firms. If this company has less-than-professional recruiting/interviewing/hiring practices, there may be better companies to work for.

The other candidate also happens to be a good friend of mine, as we happen to be from the same graduating class of the same university. He told me about the decision of the company to hire him.

I hope this don't hurt your feelings.. but would you say your friend is significantly more qualified than you are, or are you both pretty close? Does your friend have previous work experience in the industry? Does your friend's dad have a friend that works there ? :notme:

I know it's so tough getting out of school and starting your career, so I do empathize.

Please, by all means, go to the career corner here on the Cove and read the threads on interviewing, following up, job search, etc. They are pretty authoritative, with lots of different perspectives on them.

Choosing a potential employee is like choosing a wife. The best is usually not chosen but the most suitable does.

Then there is this thing call 'Chemistry' - which explains why some beautiful girls end up with a geek/nerd (in others view). And yes, looking for a job can be stressful but it is lesson 1 for most graduates stepping into the world of reality.

I don't think your potential employer had bad ethics. They have a right to make a decision as soon as they come across one suitable candidate. You could be the second choice - and if the first turn down the offer, then it goes to you. You also mentioned that they may double their work force. They could be expecting a decision soon and since you are the second choice, they will inform you later or as soon as the picture becomes clear.

As Brad mentioned, our career corner has some pretty good stuff. If you are in luck, someone here may not mind serving as your adviser/mentor!
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=9325
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=10169

Cheer up!

The only thing I cannot understand is the delay in communicating a decision on my candidacy given the fact that the other candidate's decision has already been made. I still have a week's time with me according to the time frame given by the company to expect a decision on my candidacy. Thanks for all your help

Apocalypse,

I echo the thoughts mentioned by my cove members. Selecting and then giving a "Letter of Offer" to the employee is done after consideration of many things. In your case, may be, they are reviewing some other candidates from another source like head hunters, second set of interviews (since you mentioned that 4 candidates were interviewed on the same day) etc.

Have patience :)

A bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush.

I'd be looking at other things because as of now you are not the 1st choice. If they want you they want you and the 2 weeks is nothing more than a method of prolonging agony and showing that "they studied you very carefully" Baloney.

Welcome to the world of reality as opposed to academia.

Good luck

You didn't mention a few pertinent facts.

Were you and classmate up for same job or same department?
How many total jobs are open?
How many of those were you being considered for?
How many was the classmate being considered for?
How many different decision makers about jobs at the company?
Same decision makers for you and classmate?One of the things we talk about frequently in the quality profession is "individual variation." Individual variation certainly holds true for human beings on both sides of the employer/employee equation. I don't presume to know the differences between you and classmate to account for him getting an "instant" answer, but, obviously, the differences meant something to a decision maker at the company where you interviewed.

Now for the advice:
Do not refer to your classmate in any way when you contact the company again.

If you haven't done so already, write or call the person or persons who interviewed you and thank him/her/them again for the time and courtesy shown you. Then ask if there is anything more they need to know to help them make a hiring decision. This is a good time to tell them how much you were impressed by . . . Close by reaffirming your interest in the job[s] under consideration and your hope you will get a favorable answer soon.

I guess there were multiple job openings, but we were being interviewed for the same position in the same department, as that department happens to be the bread and butter of the company and they are looking forward to expand it. We had the same decision makers as the interview panel was the same for all of us, its just that they interviewed us at different times in the smae day.

I had already sent them thank-you letters within 24 hrs of my interview, so am just waiting for their decision.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Thank you for following up and sending us the note. Please do, drop a note back to us and let us know how your job search is going. Good luck!!

I guess there were multiple job openings, but we were being interviewed for the same position in the same department, as that department happens to be the bread and butter of the company and they are looking forward to expand it. We had the same decision makers as the interview panel was the same for all of us, its just that they interviewed us at different times in the smae day.

I had already sent them thank-you letters within 24 hrs of my interview, so am just waiting for their decision.

Thanks everyone for your replies.
This pretty much explains EVERYTHING.
Your classmate is first choice, but he has not gone through formal acceptance and vetting (salary and benefits agreement, criminal history, drug drop, etc.)

If he refuses the offer or fails the final vetting, your candidacy is still alive. If not, you get a "Dear John" letter wishing you good luck in the future.

My colleagues are correct - you will get a lot of useful information by reading through these threads:
Thinking about a New Job for New Year? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=19619)
Resume and cover letter - How good are yours? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=10169)
Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=9325)
The Job Hunt - Care and feeding of references (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=19094)

Good responses from my fellow Covers.

If your friend has not been hired yet there may be something amiss with his process. It could also be that the HR person is busy. At an Unemployed Professionals meeting an HR speaker told us not to give up; that their silence didn't mean they are not interested, it means they have not gotten back to you. Let's face the fact that the job hunting etiquette is not equal. HR people sometimes never send letters. It's frustrating but a job seeker must not allow him/herself to become unnerved by it.

I didn't catch how long ago your interview was. In as little time as one week following your last thank-you letter it is not too soon to send another.

Like I've read, make no mention of the other candidates. Instead thank them again for their consideration and reiterate why, in terms specific to the company's mission or other initiatives you have learned about through an Internet search, you'd find the position such a good fit and so appealing.

In addition to the thank you letter, I have found that a call to the interviewer within 2-3 days can be informative and boost the chance of employment. Also, while it is good to call, if you are directed to leave a message, leave only one message. Multiple messages can really put out some people.

Al...

I had this interview on Wednesday. So do you suggest me giving an inquiry call maybe on Tuesday or Wednesday? They had told me to wait until the next weekend.

Wait until the time they indicated. Until then it is premature to act or assume otherwise.

The job hunting and selection process is rather like a courtship. Sometimes it's hard to fathom why we are not chosen. The fact is, the decision to hire one or the other rests purely with them. If the other person was hired, maybe it was the right thing for them for reasons we don't understand. We often never find out, but we must keep on until we find our place.

I have found it's important to be circumspect about such things. Projecting a winning attitude is important, even when it seems we have not won at first. After all, once the moment has passed another might arise. It worked that way for me.

So, if you get a rejection letter then promptly reply with thanks for their time and your hope for consideration for future positions. The fact is, you got an interview and you have a name and address to contact for further interest if you should learn of something new. That's significant enough to keep your finger on their pulse. Keep your good cheer. Good positions can take time to win and things have a way of working out as they are meant to.

I had this interview on Wednesday. So do you suggest me giving an inquiry call maybe on Tuesday or Wednesday? They had told me to wait until the next weekend.

You have made me very inquisitive. :)

Pl let us know once you hear from them ;)

The company is planning to double its workforce. How many people interviewed you and your friend? He may have been picked for one position and your resume may be forwarded for review in another department. 18 years ago I walked across the street from a machine shop to apply for a job at a company that just moved into a new building across the street. At the interview another applicant had applied for the job a week before and I thought I was out of luck. They called me back a week later and offered me another position with the promise that an opening for the original position would be available in 6 months. I took the job, got my CQA and when the opening came available 6 months later I was promoted to the original position. Fast forward to today - my company grew from 200 to over 5,000 employees worldwide. We were acquired last week by a Fortune 100 Company - Keep the faith, you're just starting out, there's lots of opportunities out there. :cfingers:

The company is planning to double its workforce. How many people interviewed you and your friend? He may have been picked for one position and your resume may be forwarded for review in another department. 18 years ago I walked across the street from a machine shop to apply for a job at a company that just moved into a new building across the street. At the interview another applicant had applied for the job a week before and I thought I was out of luck. They called me back a week later and offered me another position with the promise that an opening for the original position would be available in 6 months. I took the job, got my CQA and when the opening came available 6 months later I was promoted to the original position. Fast forward to today - my company grew from 200 to over 5,000 employees worldwide. We were acquired last week by a Fortune 100 Company - Keep the faith, you're just starting out, there's lots of opportunities out there. :cfingers:There's a lot of symbolism in that story.;)

I guess there were multiple job openings, but we were being interviewed for the same position in the same department, as that department happens to be the bread and butter of the company and they are looking forward to expand it. We had the same decision makers as the interview panel was the same for all of us, its just that they interviewed us at different times in the smae day.

I had already sent them thank-you letters within 24 hrs of my interview, so am just waiting for their decision.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Many times when hiring people say they'll inform candidates of their decisions, they actually mean they'll inform the people they want to hire, and have every intention of leaving everyone else hanging. Now is the time to follow Wes's advice and follow up. It doesn't matter that you already sent a thank-you letter. Do it again.

A bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush.

I'd be looking at other things because as of now you are not the 1st choice. If they want you they want you and the 2 weeks is nothing more than a method of prolonging agony and showing that "they studied you very carefully" Baloney.

Welcome to the world of reality as opposed to academia.

Good luck

I agree, I found that more often than not when you're told we'll let you know something in a couple of weeks it really means you need to start looking elsewhere.

Keep your head up!

al40

Its also possible (and more and more companies are getting very savvy to this) that the company might have been concerned with 'fall-off', thats when a candidate of interest decides NOT to take the offer.
The candidate might have verbalized that there were other offers pending, perhaps the candidate couldn't of wouldn't give a firm commitment, so the company thinks to keep the other candidate (you) on ice for the while.
Happens all the time!