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OT: Job search question...

marianna

Veteran

I'm still waiting to hear back from the job I interviewed for last month. I've been in contact with them, let them know I'm still very interested, and they told me that they haven't been given the go-ahead from corporate to start hiring. I believe it...

Today I decided to email one of the other girls who worked part-time with me and I asked her if she has heard anything (I know she was trying to get a full-time job too). She responded and said she just got a call and has an interview for MY POSITION tomorrow... (She doesn't know that I already interviewed for the position, I've kept it a secret.)

I don't know if there is more than one entry-level position open, but I am sort of frantic and crushed right now. I just emailed a few people in the office and asked if they could put in a good word for me, so hopefully that happens.

What should I do next? I don't want to be a pest, but I want the management to know how motivated I am and how much I want this job. Any suggestions? I already emailed them recently so I don't think I should do that again...

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from yublocka

Queen Mum

Veteran

argh! so frustrating Marianna. But, just because they are interviewing this gal doesn't mean they have crossed you of the list. Hang in there....

Louise

Veteran

Marianna i haven't got any real advice just to try and stay poitive and to sent you a big (((hug))) x

taylor

Veteran

Ohhh Booo:( Well you have the whole YLF gang pulling for you...all that positive energy can only help:)

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh Marianna, I hope your instincts are right and they are being open and truthful with you. My only advice would be to continue to look for work until you have that contract in your hand. I'm sending a big hug your way.

marianna

Veteran

I feel like I need to do something to show them how motivated I am, but I don't know what.

Ele

(website)

Marianna, from what you've said about this job, the company and your relationship with the people there, I'll bet that they KNOW how motivated you are. You've kept in touch and stayed positive about the role; there's nothing more you can do right now. I know it sucks to hear that because you're probably feeling a little panicked and powerless right now, but hang in there. Go for a walk, get your mind off this. It's out of your hands but you've done your best, and it's by no means over! Maybe one person at the show wanted to bring this girl in for the interview, but everyone else there is rooting for you! There's no way to tell right now, so don't drive yourself crazy.

I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for you! xo

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Oh hugs, Marianna!
I have to echo what Ele said in terms of taking concrete action. The people there all know you well and your enthusiasm has probably been evident throughout the interview process, not to mention your time as an employee. I really don't think there's much you can do at the moment.
But I wouldn't be too discouraged about the fact that this other girl is getting an interview. At my company, any internal applicant (either full or part time) must be granted an interview if they apply for a long-term posting. If the show has a similar policy in place, then managers are obligated to sit down with this girl and give her a shot. The fact that they interviewed you about a month ago suggests to me that you're a lot higher up on the priority list.
Don't lose heart; you're almost definitely still on the radar. I know being patient is tough, but you can definitely do it. Look for other jobs to pass the time, sure, but stay positive that this will work out. I'm certainly no less optimistic about your chances than I was the day you wowed them with your stylin' suit!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, Marianna!!! (((HUGS))). We need recruiter Kristen's input. I hope she'll chime in.

Unfortunately a job is never yours until you've signed the dotted line, so as Julie suggested, the job search should continue while you stay positive about the one you really want. I too hope that your instincts are right. Holding both thumbs.

Isabel

Veteran

Hi Marianna ,

I am sorry that you are feeling a bit panicked. Corporations are funny and one never knows what to read into it.

The company that I used to work for kept interviewing even after they found someone they liked and BEFORE corporate approval. It sounds crazy, but they liked stacking the deck in their favor. They assume that people are shopping around so that if they offer you a job and you try to negotiate or turn them down, they have a backup and don't have to start from scratch. Our company also did this in case the hire did not work out after 6 mos. Sometimes they keep interviewing even after a hire has been made or they are negotiating benefits !

Also, remember that March is the end of the quarter...so many places are waiting to see how the quarter shaped up in order to free up money for new hires on April 1. Whatever they are not paying out in salary, goes right to the bottom line at this time of year !

Try to do what Ele suggested and try not to think about it.

Beside e.mail, it is always nice to send a note thanking people for their time - otherwise, letting the original person who called you know that you are willing to come back for a 2 or 3 interview to ensure that they have every opportunity to fully vet you. Then you just have to leave it.

GOOD LUCK !!!!

Kristine

Veteran

Marianna, keep the faith! I think you've done all you could and I'm sure you have a good chance. Just because she's being interviewed doesn't mean anything, they could be required to interview a certain number of people.

I just hired for a position and, although I appreciated the enthusiasm, I didn't like it when people followed up more than once. If you haven't sent a thank-you card you could do that though. And if you don't get it, you could ask for constructive comments on how you could improve your resume or experience.

Good luck!!

marianna

Veteran

Thanks for all the kind words. I went shopping and scrubbed the floors... none of that helped to make me feel better, but your kind and encouraging words have helped a lot.

Ele, thank you. I do feel completely powerless and that is the worst feeling ever.

Michelle... I really hope you're right that this is just formality. I know she applied for the job. She answered one of the internet ads they placed. Maybe they had to give her a fair chance...

Isabel, thanks for your great insight. Makes a lot of sense.

I did send a thank-you note right after my interview. It's been a month now and I've spoken to them through email and reiterated my interest. Do you think it would be overkill to send them an email stating that I'd be willing to come in for a second interview? I feel like I need to be proactive here but I really don't want to be a pest about it.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to be stressed out until I hear something next month. This isn't going to be fun...

Kristine

Veteran

I think I'd leave it Marianna. Another email won't affect their decision, you've already shown you're gracious and interested, and it could irritate them. So I'd just let it go and stay positive!!

Kristine

Veteran

Ooh, this sounds a little crazy but what about sending the office a cheesecake or bagels or something? Enclose a note saying how much you enjoyed meeting everyone and really appreciated the chance to interview. There's pesky, then there's just straight out bribery.

marianna

Veteran

Kristine, I also thought about that... sending some kind of basket or platter... but again I don't want to be a pest! What do you think?

Queen Mum

Veteran

I'm with Kristine- leave it for a couple of weeks.

marianna

Veteran

One of my work friends just responded to my email and told me he doesn't think I have anything to worry about. He doesn't know anything for sure but he heard that the people who interviewed me really liked me and I have a good chance. He also said he believes there are 3 or 4 openings...

I feel a bit better.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Another vote for leaving it alone... especially in light of your friend's response!

Mellllls

Veteran

Glad to hear you are feeling more positive. A lot of companies have a policy that they must interview a certain number of applicants for any open position...it covers them against any discrimination claims after the fact. The fact that you interviewed a month earlier certainly shows they are probably more interested in you! But I don't think you should discontinue your job search. If you do get an offer from another company, you can always use it as leverage, for more pay or for them to make you a quicker offer.

I would advise against sending any platter or basket...it just screams bribery to me. I've never been involved in hiring but I think I would be really taken aback if an applicant sent something like that to me.

Back when I was interviewing, our career office taught us to send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview and, if you haven't heard anything to follow-up either 2 weeks or 1 month after the interview (sorry, I can't remember which). It sounds like you've done that which is great. Since you know so many people at the company, you could ask for some informational interviews. That would continue to show your interest and keep you in their mind.

JennyK (NC)

I"m sorry this is causing you stress! I don't work IN our HR department, but I work right next to it and I've picked up on some things. As other have mentioned, I think it's really common for big companies to have a policy of interviewing internal candidates and also qualified applicants, even if they know who they want. Part of it is to help avoid discrimination lawsuits.

We're hiring in our building and I always feel so bad for the interviewees! They are so nervous and sometimes they literally look like they're about to gak. I do my best to make them feel comfortable and help them relax. My impression is that internal candidates are almost always the first choice in our company if they're qualified for the job. That should give you a leg up over external competition for sure and I do think it's a good sign that they interviewed you before the other gal you talked to.

I'm sending good vibes your way!

Lena

Hang in there, Marianna! Good luck, I'm thinking about you.

Isabel

Veteran

Marianna, great news about the feedback you are getting.

I agree with the other ladies, don't do anything right now. If you send something now, it will seem contrite. When you get the job, the day you start, take in some bagels with a thank you note.

Try not to email your friends any more on their work computers. Their computers might be monitored and they could get in trouble for letting you know what is going on - you just never know when something may come back to haunt you or them. ( At the company I worked for that was a termination offense . )

Unfortunately, all you can do is wait at this point....

Please keep us posted !!!!!!!

Isabel

Veteran

Marianna, I forgot to answer your question - sorry. At this point I would not contact everyone that you interviewed with, but if you want to let the HR person know that you are still available and willing to come in for a 2nd interview, I think that would be ok.

But you need to be very subtle about it. Maybe a phone call to say, " I know it has been a month and I am looking into various possibilities. I just want to touch base and let you know that I will happily make it a priority to either come in or answer questions over the phone if anyone needs clarification on my fit with the company/office...... )

If you get the voice mail, leave a message. Then come scrub my floors !! : )

Kristine

Veteran

Any news Marianna?

Sihaya

Veteran

Marianna - just seeing this for the first time. I echo what others have said: "do nothing". As soemone who's interviewed over 1000 people, it would be a turn off and make me suspicious if a candidate followed up too much. There could be so many things going on. At this point, they have all the data they need from you. Your telling them again that you're motivated or sending a platter is not likely to change their mind. And it might make you appear desperate which might arouse their suspicions. Not that there's anything to be suspicious about. Hang tight. And you may not hear back from them. Ever. It sounds unlikely in this case but that has happened to many people. Just make sure you keep looking. If you reach a point where you have to know, you can force their hand a bit more by saying (and it should probably be true and/or you should be willing to hear a 'no' when waiting longer might yield a 'yes'): I have another job offer and need to decide in X days. I would love to prioritize your job/company over this other offer and I don't want to let this one go in case you choose not to hire me. I respect that you might be in the midst of a number of decisons and have your own timeline. I will wait until date X and, unless I hear from you otherwise, will then get back to the other company to accept their offer.

marianna

Veteran

Thanks for checking in, Kristine. No news on the full time job yet. Yesterday I got a call asking if I wanted to work on another show once a week, and I agreed. Both shows tape in the same building and it's the same office/same executive producers. This will bring my part time hours up from 2 days/week to 3 days/week, which is better already. I'm still waiting to hear about the full time... I should hear something in April.

Sihaya, thanks! I have kept quiet and done nothing more!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Marianna that's great news. Means that your name is still being passed around by people "up there". Patience grasshopper!!