Q: I interviewed for an editing position with a publication recently. I spent a whole day interviewing with the editor and her staff, including a round-table interview. I felt things went well. Also, I spent time taking tests on the interview day and spent considerable time on a take-home test after the interview. At the time, the editor said she would get back to me within a week or two. It’s been nearly seven weeks and I haven’t heard anything. I have attempted to contact her several times by phone and e-mail and she has never returned my messages. About three weeks ago I did reach her and she said I was still considered one of the top candidates, but she would get back to me. The job is still listed as open on their Web site. Still, I can’t help feeling like if they were really interested, they would have called me by now. What do you make of this situation?
Scott
A: This is a weird way to treat someone you’re considering for a job.
It is hard for us, on the outside, to know what is going on, on the inside.
One reasonable guess is that they like your work and feel you’re qualified to do the job, but they’re trying to get someone more suitable and want to keep you interested while they look. If they didn’t have any interest in hiring you, they likely would have said so weeks ago.
Possibly, there is an internal delay, such as keeping the position vacant for a while to keep payroll costs down, that they are reluctant to talk about.
You’re not in a position to make them make a decision, but you are certainly entitled to tell them — by e-mail, regular mail or whatever way you think may reach them, that you remain interested, but can’t help feeling that they are not very interested in you and you would like to know whether you should take this delay as a clue and start pursuing other leads.