Three weeks is plenty of time where a request for an update would not appear desperate.

I think it would show you are interested in the position, if it isn't already filled and may help you gain their attention again in that case.

Andrew H.
www.mototribology.com

I agree that 3 weeks is a reasonable amount of time to further inquire. Did you have the 2nd interview? Nonetheless, if they have already filled the position, I feel they should have contacted you out of courtesy. You need to know one way or the other.

Absolutely. Shows interest.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA, HI)

Agree with above...do it.

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Thank you all for your feedback. I sent an email to the hiring manager and heard back from him. He said they are still evaluating candidates and need more time to make decision. Thank you!

I'd be interested to know if the group thinks an email or a phone call is better for this.

Phone call first. Always ask if they have a few minutes to talk.
Leave your name, number, and follow-up with an email if the call goes to voicemail.
Email is fine, but you won't get an immediate answer.
I think it is okay to value YOUR time as much as they value THEIRS. In that respect, it's better to get a NO a be able to move on with other job opportunities than to keep playing the waiting game.

...but I can't recall if I have ever solved that problem yet.

In most cases hearing nothing simply means that there is nothing real to hear. As you found in this case.

The hiring process is slow at most companies.

Never hurts to make it very clear you are interested in "THAT" job and not just "A" job. Should help you stand out a bit from other applicants, and let them know it won't be a waste of time if they do make you an offer.

definitely. but only once. many times they don't see the first mail

Anything you can do to sound interested and set yourself apart is critical. If you're like everyone else, why should they hire you?
Even better than an email? A handwritten thank you card. People just don't do that anymore, but when it happens, it's noticed.
Phone calls are also rare, so would be a good way to go.
If you do email, feel free to recap specific things you appreciated or learned in the interview. It will show that you listened.

Good luck!

Jeff Perry
morethan-engineering.com

Thank you all for providing your suggestions. I sent a follow up email 3 weeks ago (3 weeks after interview)and they said they will let me know soon. Now, I am thinking to send a 2nd follow up email to see what they say. You may say don’t overthink and move forward with your job searches but I want to keep my chances alive. Do you recommend sending a 2nd follow up email?

Did they remove the job listing before starting interviews? If not, is it still up? That could give you some insight into where they are. I wouldn't send a second follow up email - I'd call.

In your last follow up, did you ask them for a timeline? That will help you gain perspective. Don't be afraid to ask questions and stand up for yourself and your interests in the process. If you were a low level production employee at a factory, join the union and let the teamsters speak for you. But you're not - you're a professional and should (tactfully) demand that you be respected as such. Looks like you've been around on the forum for about 5 years, so you probably bring something to the table that they want and need to make a profit - they need to earn that, too. (Just don't overplay your hand!)

For my first job, the decision came down to two people - me and a good friend I had encouraged to apply (though I didn't know it at the time). I called and them and told them I had another offer, was on my way to the cruise terminal to leave on my honeymoon, and while I really wanted to work for them I needed to be sure I had a job when I got back home. I had an offer letter in my email before I boarded the ship. A unique situation, I'm sure, but an example that a little pressure can help.

PhamEng:
Thanks for your answer. I have not followed up the second time. Now, I am questioning if I should pursue career with a company where people can’t make a decision in six months to hire someone. I am sure other processes are also slow at this company. And yes, the position is still open on their career website. So, yes I have basically lost hope.

Some companies simply can't be bothered with informing prospective employees that they should go ahead and lose hope, unfortunately.

The converse is that there are companies that can indeed make decisions in a day; my son went to a plant interview on a Friday and was informed of the pending offer on Monday.

I think the matter of informing you is more of a rudeness than indecision. They didn't see what they wanted, moved on, but didn't do you the courtesy of telling you to your face. THAT is a bigger issue than possible indecision.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
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It also comes down to priorities. I recently changed jobs, and the whole process from application to starting work took about 9 months. They put out the job listing, accepted resumes, and then sat on them for a long time. I was content where I was so I didn't fret it, and had resigned myself to not getting the job by the time they finally called me in for the interview. Turns out, they were busy with other things. They knew they wanted and needed somebody in my position, but they had more pressing issues to deal with before moving the hiring process forward. Not an uncommon situation in large companies with low staffing numbers.

You may be right, though. They may be indecisive. Or they could have been hiring to support a big project that fell through at the last minute. Be careful about firms that staff up for big projects - they typically have to reduce that staff when the big project is over.

At the end of the day, the only way to know for sure is to ask.

Dear All,
Thanks to everyone who replied to this post.

So I did hear back from the company. It is a little unusual situation so I wanted to share it with you all and see what you all think.

They want me to apply for a purchaser position that is also opened in the company (other than this Enginer position that I applied for). They will see how I perform and they will give me small engineering assignments. If I did good, in 6 to 12 months, they will offer me this Engineer position that I applied for (if the position was open) with no guarantee.

The reason is because the previous Engineer in this position performed poorly despite having the relevant experience and PE mechanical. They are very hesitant and careful in hiring an Engineer this time.

I see this as an unfortunate (and even shameful) situation because I, as an Enginer, am not able to demonstrate my experience, skills and capabilities to company. And they are not able to tell if I am a good fit for this position.

I think you should say, "Thanks for all the fish," and move on.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

No right or wrong answer here - totally depends on your circumstances.

If you think there are plenty of other engineering jobs that should be available, politely decline and apply elsewhere. Maybe you'll call their bluff and they might take you on in the role you want? Could you try and agree taking the engineer role but agreeing on a short notice period (a week?) in case your experience level is not what they are looking for? Make sure you have an option to extend the notice period after say 6 months of 'good' work to something more standard.

If you think you will be struggling to find any other positions to apply for, take it and see where it leads. They may be 100% honest about the reason and have you doing engineering work in no time if you can demonstrate capability. Worst case you hate it and leave. If I did take the purchaser job I'd want to make sure I agreed a very favourable notice period (a week?) in case their Purchaser position turns out to be 'full time' so I could get out of there pronto.

It does seem a little odd. If they need an engineer, they need an engineer. Whether they have to fire you from an engineering position or a purchaser position shouldn't make a difference. I could be missing something, though.

Not sure what your job market is like, but where I am engineers have plenty of mobility. Hopefully you haven't been sitting on your hands all this time and have more irons in the fire. If any of them are getting hot, see what they have to offer. If this is the only show in town, take it and do your best - hopefully it works out.

If it is a place you really would like to work at, then why not give it a go. You can always keep your feelers out there looking for something else.