How long after interview before being contacted ??

Hi all.....I am aware that this question has been asked before but I am going crazy here and need some advice. Please! I had two interviews last week (Wed & Thurs) and haven't heard from either of them yet. One of them said 'I really like what I am hearing, let me meet with such-and-such (another manager presumably) and I will speak with you soon.' The other one, I asked directly when I could expect to hear back from them and she said, next week. I said, please will you contact me either way and she said yes, definitely. But....nothing! And both hospitals lead me to believe they were quite anxious to fill the position and had been advertising the post for some time without much interest from applicants so presumably they are not interviewing tons of other people which would explain a long wait....unless that's just something recruiters say to 'keep you hanging on' when in fact they have no intention of contacting you for several weeks after your interview? I feel like I am going mad checking my e-mails every chance I get, what is the appropriate time to contact them and request feedback or is that a total no-go? I know people have different experiences and some believe 'what will be will be' but perhaps there is a recruiter out there who can enlighten us as to what the proper etiquette is in this situation. After a week is it deemed overly aggressive to contact HR to ask when to expect a response? Or does it show a pro-active attitude? I wish they would be honest and not say they would get back soon but then fail to get back "soon" after all; it's kind of cruel and I have pretty much convinced myself they are not interested even though the interviews seemed to go really well. What should I do? Please help, I am getting really down about this. :down: thanks x

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Aug 25, 2013

Sometimes after interviews you will hear nothing and assume that you did not get the job. This has happened to everyone I know even when they say they will contact one way or another. In my opinion it is rude, but it happens to everyone. But if you made a good impression and they do not give you this position they will keep you on file and keep you in mind for the next position.

From my experience as an instructor, if an employer contacts your references they are

going to be making an offer, usually when HR contacts references a job offer is going to be made within a day or two.

Contacting HR in a week and saying is there any thing I can do to assist you with my application is appropriate.

So I would ask your references to let you know when they call for your information and Good Luck.

schnookimz · Aug 25, 2013

I would call them on Wednesday and just ask if a decision has been made yet.

BennyBear · Aug 26, 2013

Thanks.....I got an email on Friday from one hospital saying they are still interested in me and are 'looking into things' with a view to making an offer. Talk about suspense!!! At least they're still interested though so I'm keeping everything crossed!! I emailed the other one and asked for a application status update....not heard back from them yet.....I will just have to be patient won't I.

HeatherGurl84 · Aug 27, 2013

I have waited over a month for an offer before. If you do not hear anything within 2 weeks or so I would call HR and ask for any information on your application. I had an interview Friday and am now awaiting word. They told me it would take 1-2 weeks. The wait is excruciating!!

Hang in there

BennyBear · Aug 28, 2013

Thanks. It is TOTALLY excruciating. I still haven't heard anything I will call em on Friday if there's still no word. Good luck with your job.x

CaringGerinurse525 · Aug 28, 2013

Did you follow up with a thank you note after the interviews? Believe it or not that really makes a big difference. Also after I send the thank you note, I wait a week and follow up with a phone call. I've gotten a lot of jobs by being proactive and following up. It really shows you are still interested in the job. My current job takes forever to hire people. I interviewed in November and kept following up until January when they finally made a decision and hired me. The other girl that I interviewed with didn't get in until April because she just sat back and never called. I had to put her name in their ear. Good luck!

elkpark · Aug 28, 2013

In my experience, the bigger the organization, the slower the hiring process moves. Face it, they just don't have the same sense of urgency about the situation that you do. :) Also, other organizations are sometimes very slow about responding to reference requests, etc. (they have even less of a sense of urgency, haha), which can further delay the process.

I've had situations over the years where I was contacted weeks or even months later, long after I had given up and "moved on."

BennyBear · Aug 28, 2013

Wow....months later? I will have pulled out every hair in my head by then haha. Thanks so much for your advice it really helps. I am going to wait until either tomorrow evening or Friday morning and call them both if I still haven't heard anything. The interviews were 2 weeks ago. I am relieved to hear that it isn't considered too aggressive or inappropriate to contact them. :shy: