Why So Long to Hear Back From Interview?

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 9, 2011

It is the economy.. Employers can be so picky and interview for a long time and hold out to see if next applicant might be better for same of less money. Years ago Nurses would be hired on the spot..never even checked references...now there are simply too many nurses.. the tide will change but until it does things will be hard.

April, RN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

It seems like the statement "You'll hear back from us within 2-3 weeks" usually means "if we want you for the job". Don't lose hope, though. Even if they picked someone over you for the job, that person might not accept and they might eventually offer the position to you. Definitely contact them to check your status so you know whether to move on or not.

backatit2 · Mar 9, 2011

i saw someone say they got a job offer after 3.5 weeks, but in MY experience - every job i've actually gotten, i've been hired on the spot or called back the same day or the next day. there was one job where the HR lady called me 3 days later to say she couldn't contact one of my references and she HAD to make contact with them so that took a little longer.

all the people who said "it'll be a week or two and we'll call you either way" i didn't get the job and they either didn't let me know either way or i got a letter in the mail saying i didn't get the job.

noahsmama · Mar 9, 2011

i saw someone say they got a job offer after 3.5 weeks, but in MY experience - every job i've actually gotten, i've been hired on the spot or called back the same day or the next day. there was one job where the HR lady called me 3 days later to say she couldn't contact one of my references and she HAD to make contact with them so that took a little longer.
all the people who said "it'll be a week or two and we'll call you either way" i didn't get the job and they either didn't let me know either way or i got a letter in the mail saying i didn't get the job.

In most of the jobs I've had in my life, the same has been true.

However, for my current job:

-- 3 weeks elapsed between my first interview and the call back to set up a second

-- 3 more weeks elapsed between the second interview and a verbal job offer

-- 8 weeks (yes, 8 weeks!) elapsed between the verbal offer and the actual written one

But then, I work for the government :uhoh3:

MrChicagoRN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

Interview was over two weeks ago and was told it would be two to three weeks til I hear anything. Is that just healthcare?

Managers have so much on their plates, that they sometime drag their feet.

If you haven't already sent a thank you note, phonecall, email, etc do so now.

Thank them for taking the time to see you, that you are still interested, BRIEFLY summarize why you are a good fit, and that you hope you will be hearing from them soon.