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Do I let it go?
2

Do I let it go?

Do I let it go?

(OP)
So here's the story in short.

I have been looking for a new job for a few months now.  Luckily I am still employed but everyday I come to work with fingers crossed that I will not see the HR manager come into my office.  

I understand with the way the economy is companies are being a bit pickier about who they bring on board.  I just have noticed that in doing so, they are being very unprofessional about it.  

The one interview went like this, I contacted the engineering manager after being referred to him by one of their suppliers.  We set up an interview for 2:00 one day.  I was supposed to meet with four people and when I got there I talked to the guy I had been in contact with for a few minutes, he showed me around, and when we got back he went to get the others.  He comes back and says, "well they have a meeting here at 2:30 so we wont be able to do this today. We will get back to you in a week to reschedule."  Now this interview was over 2 hours away and I had to take a day off my job to go.  And he knew all of that and didn't apologize or anything.

Now the other one that has me angered went as follows.  I interviewed and it went great.  I got along great with the two I met with and I got asked for a second interview.  That one went just as good.  He said they would get back to me within a week with a decision.  Two weeks go by with nothing.  So I call and leave a voicemail and he calls back a few days later and said they got caught up with stuff and will be making the decision within a week.  So I let another week and a half go by with nothing so I call again, leave voicemail, and a week later have heard nothing.  I emailed him 8 days after calling and asked if they have made a decision and if he could get back to me.  That was two weeks ago and have still heard nothing.

Like I said I understand companies are taking time to make sure they have the right person to hire but I feel this is just outright rude to ignore me after having two interviews.  Should I send a "Thanks for not getting back to me" email or just let it go?  Is this how most companies are? Just ignoring people when they try to follow up?  

Sorry for the novel but I am a bit frustrated by this and needed to vent and ask if this is how it's going to be and just accept it or what.

 

RE: Do I let it go?

That is pretty typical in my recent experience, but I think it probably has more to do with positions getting put on hold then not making a decision.  I agree it is unprofessional not to get back to you and let you know the reason for the delay.  I would let it go, there is a company I wanted to blast recently, but they could be a customer in the future, so I decided to do the right thing and bite my lip.

If you really want the job, then follow up with them every week or two.  If they still do not get back to you, then you should look elsewhere, it could be an indication of what it will be like to work for them.

RE: Do I let it go?

This is very common.
The more technology is available to communicate with others (email, IM, cell), the less people are eager to communicate. People have become lazier.
If you really want the job, call them...every other day.
If you don't, forget them.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08; CATIA V5
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

RE: Do I let it go?

With company #2, I would change my message.  Stop asking if they made a decision.  Obviously, you would hear from them if they did.  Instead, contact them periodically to simply remind them that you are still interested.

RE: Do I let it go?

(OP)
With the second company the phone messages I have been leaving were, "I am just wanting to follow up with you regarding our meeting" sort of thing.  The first company I have given up on since I definitely do not want to work with someone who would have no problem doing something like that.  I was just giving an example and asking if that sort of thing it common these days.  

Fortunately the company I am most interested in has been very prompt about getting back to me and letting me know the status no matter what it is.  Yes it has been a looooong process since the first time we were in contact was early November but the guy is very nice and since they are awaiting a huge government contract I can understand the delay.  He will even periodically email me out of the blue to let me know I am a top candidate and he is just waiting to finalize the contract still.

I just feel that contacting people every week when they won't answer calls or emails seems desperate and annoying.  It just angers me that people can be so unprofessional.  Especially after having two face to face interviews with the guy.

RE: Do I let it go?

My current job, it took HR 9 months to get the paperwork in order before I started. I sent an email to the HR director. That lit a fire under someone's a**. And they offered more $$.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08; CATIA V5
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

RE: Do I let it go?

similar thing ahppened to me me with a job interview. spent a few hours travelling to find the guy I was meeting was at a parent teacher thing that he forgot about. His deputy talked to me and basically showed me a couple of projects that they were working on and asked if i was still intersted (he obviously had no say though). Anyway they called me for another interview and assessment session where i was interviewed by a few senior management. I nearly told them where to go after the first farce but went anyway, got the job and they turned out to be a very good company. Although i didnt stay long due to personnel geographical reasons with hindsight, for a few years i wished I had stayed. All i'm saying is dont judge completly a company on the that first meeting, although its hard not to form a negative opinion when messed about initially.

RE: Do I let it go?

(OP)
The worst part is the guy never even got back to me to reschedule it.  He didn't ask me one single question while I was there so it's not like I messed up and they changed their mind already.  

RE: Do I let it go?

He may have already decided on a different candidate for the job. Or the funding for the position fell through and he was just going through the motions.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services

RE: Do I let it go?

There is a certain company in my area that is really bad for "near-hires experiences".  They open positions, interview, and then fade away.  Positions are often closed or frozen without any notice to candidates.

RE: Do I let it go?

We used to have lots of positions that were already slated for H-1B candidates, and the job postings were pro-forma and not intended to find the best candidate for the slot.

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Do I let it go?

Some companies are just fishing, trying to hook the super-engineer, without having an actual position available.

If they catch a big one they will make room (possibly by showing someone else the door in a few months time).

You can't entirely blame companies for wanting to improve their staff, it's similar to us employees looking to improve their employment conditions/pay.

RE: Do I let it go?

"We used to have lots of positions that were already slated for H-1B candidates, and the job postings were pro-forma and not intended to find the best candidate for the slot. "

Grrr.  That is so...grr.  H-1B visas are intended for hiring persons where you've tried and not been able to locate a US candidate... grr.

Sorry.  I bet you can't tell that I've been caught by those little traps before.  I suppose it's legal...since it's hard to prove intent to defraud.   

RE: Do I let it go?

Is that where they have the "must have a cat named Fluffy" requirements to bring in the specific candidate?

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Do I let it go?

Sure, we used to do that with sole source justifications for buying test equipment.  

"The scope shall have a dial with 11 positions for controlling vertical scale."

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Do I let it go?

Good ecomony or bad ecomony, I've had the same experiences with company interviews.

Remember - Not only is the company interviewing you, you are interviewing the company. These two companies have just indirectly provided you with information about how they operate - probably not well!

If you interviewed a potential candidate, and they couldn't meet you on schedule, would you hire them? Now, think of how it would be at working at a company that couldn't organize a interview - how would it be for the projects you would be working on?

RE: Do I let it go?

There are some critical differences.  You can't separate an interviewee's brain from his spleen.  But in an organization that's got more than 1 person, individual performance many vary.


I've seen a CMMI 5 certified organization with individuals who refused to follow company policies and procedures.  Another CMMI 5 organization can't seem to specify their way out of a wet paper bag.

The list is endless, even within my own organization.

TTFN

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RE: Do I let it go?

If you are a good candidate, employers will not tell you NO.
They will keep you as a back up of sort, just in case that "bright guy" they banked their money on is asking too much.
Then, you'd be the fall back guy.

Runner ups are always hanged up in the air, and you may be one.
The answer to your question from this angle: Let it go.

RE: Do I let it go?

Sounds like THE ex-girlfriend.  I was always "Plan B," in case the current, exciting, hunk crashed and burned, which was often the case, but she would keep trying that route, instead of me.

But, I got the last laugh; the last time we spoke, she called and asked if we could get together, and I replied that I would have to coordinate with my fiancee.  Sweet!!!

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Do I let it go?

Sadly this kind of thing isn't that unusual.  I got my share of it when I was last looking for jobs.

My current position took weeks to get the paperwork in order, if something else had come up I'd have taken it.

In fact my first job out of uni, I took the first position that 'got their poop in a group' about actually giving me a definite job offer even though I had a few other, arguably more tempting positions, that were dragging it out.

Mistakes etc, do happen such as teh scheduling issue, so you can't 100% say they'd be a bad employer, however it's not a good start.

KENAT,

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RE: Do I let it go?

Star for IRStuff for comparing the employers to the ex-girlfriend.  Perfect Analogy.  Great Stuff.   

RE: Do I let it go?

Agree with others, it is not uncommon no matter what economy we are in. So I would suggest you let it go and move on. Please also understand the guys you have been contacting with may also feel frustrated because obviously they are decision maker and they can get other's attention on your request. For example, I work with our global suppliers and also our own company's locations but in different countries or areas. I got requests from them all the time. Often times, I can't help them or answer them by myself (if I can, I will just do it within seconds because I like to be treated the same way), so I have discuss their requests with managers or other engineers which often time can take forever. Yes, even for pretty urgent bussiness within our own company, over here, it is like if you acted a bit, a tiny bit, active, the things or problems will become your babies to take care of and then you have beg everyone else to get their time or opinion. So coming back to my example, often times, I can't answer on a timely manner and even sometime stay silent which means I don't have anything for you, I can't help you and you have to go up management ladder to find help, etc, etc. I know this is no good, but admiting that I can't get it for you from other people, my manager or other groups manger doesn't look good also.

RE: Do I let it go?

let it go.  no point in getting butt hurt because someone didn't pick you.  it'll happen many times in your career.

just like the rest of us.   

RE: Do I let it go?

I'm going through something very similar right now.

I had an interview on 4/8.  I got a great vibe from them.  I have all the job requirements.  They said I could expect to hear from them in a couple of weeks or maybe sooner.  They seemed excited about me.  The last thing they asked me on my way out the door was my salary requirements.  Things were going so well that I decided to shoot a bit high with my number.  That might have been a bad idea.  When I gave them my pay range, I could see a total 180 in their demeanor towards me.  I've been in contact with them since then and I can't get a reply to save my life.  It's 4/27 today.  So it's been over 2 and a half weeks.  I think I blew it.  I'm bummed.  Still, if they had eliminated me as a candidate due to my high price tag (or some other reason), I would appreciate some feedback about it.  I've been running to the mail slot everyday to see if I got anything from them and I'm driving myself crazy waiting to hear good news about the job.  I'm getting tired of thinking about it.  I just want a "yes/no" answer already so I can move on with my life.  I just might be one of those guys they are going to put on the shelf in case they can't find someone who is qualified to do the job and willing to do it for less than me.  I don't know.

At any rate, to make a long story short, I feel your pain.

RE: Do I let it go?

bradpa77 - just thinking about it is that not roughly how you would expect things to go if you are overqualified (in a real world sense) for the job?

 

Cheers

Greg Locock

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