Would you give up on this job?

[Weary1]

I applied for and was interviewed for a job back in May. I was told I would hear something in about a week. I did & was tentatively offered the job pending background/drug test/reference check. I went in 2 days after the phone/verbal offer, signed the paperwork to have all this done. Drug test, references all came back fine as I was notified by the place I took the drug test results were delivered and 2 of the references I placed let me know they had been contacted/spoke to the HR. However, the background is STILL not back - 2 weeks later. I am NOT worried at all about it. I contacted HR and the person I initially interviewed with last week...basically said they would let me know when they heard something but did not give me a time frame or say anything to the effect they would contact the company to see what the hold up is etc. As of today, still nothing. I do not want to contact them again but at the same time if they have changed their minds or have decided to hold off on hiring me then I would like to know. It seems like a long time for a criminal background check to get done. I'm thinking I should just give up on this job & just continue looking for something else. I work PRN in a hospital & really, really wanted to get out of that setting.

[Emergent, RN]

I would feel free to take anything better that comes along. Continue to look, in other words. But if they finally come through and you still want it, then take it. Keep your options open. A tentative job offer does not legally bind you, especially since they aren't following through on their promised timeline.

It never hurts to place a follow-up phone call. For all you know half the HR department died in a terrible accident, which is why they are falling behind on their work.

[mirandaaa]

It never hurts to place a follow-up phone call. For all you know half the HR department died in a terrible accident, which is why they are falling behind on their work.

Is it wrong I lol'd at that last bit? The death of someone isn't a laughing matter, but that just wasn't what I was expecting to read at the end of that post!

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

HR is just horrifying. Truly. Do they accomplish anything at a speedy pace at any place of employement?!

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

At one job, it took almost 2 months from verbal offer to signed contract, for no reason that I (or my supervisor) could determine. HR was just... really busy, I guess?

I wouldn't hesitate to make a follow up phone call seeing as how it has been a week since you last checked in. And there's no harm in continuing to look for jobs while you wait.

[middleagednurse]

Background checks can take a long time. Sometimes employers dilly dally about providing references, especially small facilities.

[Weary1]

I was able to confirm with HR that the only hold up is my background check..which, according to HR, they have contacted the company that does the checks "several times with no response" I've decided to take the advice on here, continue to look elsewhere & if this comes through great, if not, then something else hopefully will that is not hospital based.

Thanks everyone.

[caliotter3]

Once a new employer took more than four months to complete the hiring process with me. I later found that it had nothing to do with the background check turnaround and plenty to do with their arrogant attitude. I would certainly focus efforts in finding work elsewhere if I were you. The faster you get your first day of work, the faster you will get a paycheck, and that benefits you. Good luck.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Seems like HR is doing their part. The company that supplies the background check, is slowing the process. The hiring process can seem to take forever, but honestly "back in May" was not that long ago.

Hang tight.. it's almost over.

[Weary1]

I was offered the position...final offer: low salary (40K), but benefits and mileage..lots of driving (between 13 - 60 miles one way depending on client location) - more than initially indicated in interview...trying to decide if its worth it or if I should stick PRN at hospital until something with higher wage/less driving comes around. I knew the salary would be low, driving a lot of the time but didn't think the offer would be that low...anyway..took them some time but the offer was finally made.