Forum, I'd like to solicit your opinions regarding my recent job interview follow-up concern.
On 10 December, I had a great interview with a company in Basel. I think it went exceedingly well. It was a panel interview of all concerned individuals. I didn't like the fact that I was the first candidate interviewed, but that is merely my opinion. I prefer to be in the middle or towards the end of candidates.
When the interview ended, the hiring manger invited me into his office and handed me his business card (good sign, I believe!). He told me that a decision should be made by the middle of January. Well, it's been a week past that, now. I believe most companies are optimistic about decision dates, so I'm not about to hold them to that.
As soon as I got home I send the hiring manager a thank you note. No reply, and that's understandable. On 12 Jan, I sent an email stating I am still enthusiastic about the job and that I had studied the company more and was deeply interested in working for this firm. Again, no reply.
Do you think I should follow-up again, or leave this alone? I was considering calling him (he did give me his card) and just enquiring about the status - nothing overly pushy.
Judging, by similar threads here, prospective Swiss employers are notorious for leaving hopeful candidates hanging on, unanswered.
Personally, I wouldn't lie low ..... if you can't promote yourself, no one else will.
If appropriate, bluff it out, by saying that it would be helpful to know the outcome ASAP, as you have other options under consideration ..... but obviously, you appreciate that theirs is your preferred one, blah, blah, blah ....
What's the worse that can happen? You haven't got the job? Well ringing them won't cause that to happen - you've either already got it or not (or a third option - they haven't decided in which case ringing to remind them of you is also not a bad thing).
I'm all for positivity and showing initiative, but in balance if I had already followed-up twice after an interview I would leave the ball in their court.
There is a real risk that by contacting them again you could potentially be perceived as being too pushy or needy. Worst-case scenario is you could negatively influence the decision - for very little potential gain considering you have already reaped the benefits of following-up (remaining on their radar, showing you're interested, etc).
The process could simply be going slow due to an innocuous reason unrelated to your own application. I certainly wouldn't take a sentence like "decision should be made by the middle of January" as gospel, particularly as I have discovered when it relates to Swiss recruitment processes.
I agree with Scottich one. Speaking from a former recruiter's perspective: reassuring once or twice that you are interested in the job is appreciated, maybe even works a bit in your advantage. But sending more and more e-mails will not help. Processes in Switzerland are generally not the fastest and if this is a big corporation, it's even worse as there's too many people involved in the decision-making and (possibly) offer process. "mid-January" for me does not equal January 15 and not one day sooner or later - if it's +/- one or two weeks, I definitely wouldn't give this much thought in either the positive or the negative direction yet. Also, a "should be" is not exactly a "will be". I would wait another week, maybe even two, and if you have no feedback by then I think it's OK to call or write again.
And if they tell you, you should go ahead and consider these other offers.... which is likely if it is a Swiss firm as they would not like to hinder your future, your next move would be what exactly?
Bearing in mind, the dates and timescales in the OP - plus, many employers don't bother promptly notifying unsuccessful candidates, it probably wont make any difference, other than give them a cop out - but at least the outcome will be known.
In my experience, the pushy prosper more often, than the timid.
The employer could be fishing to see who is pro-active and willing to take control, compared to those who are only willing to wait in the lap of the gods.
...... but yes - the bluff is a gamble ....... but I reckon the decision's already made - if not wholly, at least partly - and a push could tip the balance (one way or the other).
We're a long time dead - I leave being meek and timid to others.
I am sorry to say but my husband went through the same process and for some reasons the Swiss will not dare to decline your candidacy even after a great interview.
Even if you call or send notes, Swiss HR managers will not follow up with you unless they want to hire you.
Usually an email or a follow up telephone from the employer two weeks after the job interview will suffice for a second interview.
karuna, that is very good to know, indeed; however the interview was with all concerned parties and there are no follow-on interviews, due to that, which is relieving in itself. While the firm is in Basel, the hiring manager is German, his supervisors who were in attendance were English, the other two panel interviewers were Greek and French. No Swiss. But, again, this is all very good information to know and I appreciate your input. We'll see what happens over the next week or so.
My swiss employer promised to get back within 2 weeks, I chased after 3.5. They were apologising profusely but still failed to keep the dates.
In the end I got the offer and the job, it just seemed to be a case of holidays/skinesses etc contributing to failing signing the recruitment off within the business. Or so I've been told.
In general I would follow up after giving them a fair amount of time on top of their promised deadline.