I often receive questions or comments about how frustrated individuals are with the interview process. Whether it’s the length, the number of interactions, or the radio silence, the duration of the process tests even the best in their resolve, resilience, and confidence.
My response is always grounded in compassion.
No matter who you are, waiting sucks when you are eager for an outcome. But look at what’s in your control and the inherent benefits of having time on your side. For instance, you can consider additional opportunities, address possible alternatives at your current employment, and confirm this is what you desire.
The hiring process reflects your behavior, wants, and needs.
You cannot change a recruiter or hiring manager’s approach. But you can learn what’s important to you, such as responsiveness and transparency. You also get the chance to witness the company in action and realize your preferences. For example, do you respect the thorough review or favor a place that makes decisions quickly.
Put yourself in the hiring manager’s position and consider the following:
- They are probably overwhelmed. Although I’m sure it’s a top priority to get that job filled, they are distracted by immediate deadlines, hence why the position is available in the first place.
- It takes a while to review and filter submissions. Your resume and cover letter landed in someone’s email or online system along with several other applicants. Even at large companies with recruiters sifting through many entries, the hiring manager must choose from the list provided.
- They need to coordinate internally. Many hiring managers want others to weigh in on candidates, and your interview may be organized as a panel or back-to-back meetings on the same day. If you’ve ever tried scheduling multiple people like this, you can appreciate how arduous this task is and understand why your interview is scheduled last minute or weeks out.
- It’s expensive to hire and train someone. Hiring managers may intentionally extend their number of discussions with you to assess how consistent you are in how you show up and what you say to make sure you’ll be a good fit.
Here are some tactics to lift your spirits while you wait:
- Read what others are saying. What you’re experiencing may not be unique to you. To get a sense of how the company operates and determine if it’s a systemic issue, check out their reviews on a site like Glassdoor. From there, you can decide if the company is right for you.
- Practice patience. Even in a good job market, securing a new role can take six to twelve months. How you respond to the wait influences people’s perceptions. To help guide you, here are seven ways to shift your mindset.
- Strengthen your resolve. Continue to do your due diligence by researching what’s been said about the company in the latest news, networking with others, and considering alternatives. Check-in with yourself to limit overthinking and remain centered.
- Prepare for further conversations. Check out my recent blog post, “Interview Prep to Harness Your YOU-ness and Radiate Confidence,” conduct a SWOT to focus on your strengths, and recognize what triggers you to make sure the opportunity you’re waiting on is worth it.
Find purpose in the process.
You activate your best when you’re self-led. You’ll feel more confident and comfortable. When you’re in a healthy state of mind, you’ll be able to connect and engage more positively and be open to more possibilities. Change your perspective and assess how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, and how you want to act.
You don’t need to go it alone.
Schedule a free call with me. I can answer questions regarding your career search and interviews and offer you suggestions to move forward. No obligation, no strings attached. Also, if you’re still uncertain about your path, I offer several programs, that can help you pinpoint your preferences and apply that knowledge to manage your career and improve your communication.