Interviewing for last 4 months!

Hello Monkeys,

I've been interviewing since last November with this well-known boutique for the entry-level position in the west coast.

I had three rounds (phone, case study, video conference with associates).

The last round was on December 1.

I heard back on the third week of January.

E-mail said "we are interested in pursuing your candidacy. Please inform of any deadline, etc."

I replied, "I am interviewing with other firms but I have no outstanding deadline (no offer from other firm) but I am extremely interested in this opportunity (which is true). I'd appreciate if you keep me updated with the process."

I haven't heard back since. I e-mailed the HR again, still with no reply.

At this point I am not expecting anything from this position.

I think they are
1) interviewing other candidates
2) internal budget crisis?
3) internal political change?

Just wondering if you monkeys have any idea/thoughts about what could be possibly going on behind this prolonged interview process?

 
ST Monkey:
it might be because of the way you replied on that email. some people are sensitive like that.

Good point. However, the process was continually delayed without them informing me about the next step.

I said that I am interviewing with other firms because: a) it is true, and b) I thought that that information might accelerate the process (I admit that it was a bit bold, but they asked for deadline) and c) because I did not wanted to appear like my life is hanging on the thread at their whim.

I thought that the least they could do is send an e-mail, just to tell us that "it's taking longer" without making me wait for months?

I think I phrased my words carefully and also highlighted that "they are my first choice and number one priority."

I really hope that she didn't get offended.. Anyway, thanks for your point.

 

I was in the process with my firm for 6 months before I got hired. Was actually rejected in favor of someone with more experience (it wasn't exactly an entry level role, but I was an entry level candidate). They rejected the offer, I came back in for another interview and got the job.

tonydaboiii:
^ +1. Some firms (or most firms?) do not like hearing the shotgun approach from their candidates.

I hope this isn't the case. I'd be pissed if a company didn't want their candidates interviewing somewhere else. If a candidate said they weren't, I'd think they are stupid for not pursuing every option available. If anybody thinks they can get by only interviewing at one place they are crazy and will likely be unemployed. What I did was say the type of companies that I was interviewing at, and said why I liked their opportunity better than the other ones that I was pursuing. That way they know you aren't an idiot and they'll probably believe you. Just make sure you have good (believable) reasons why you like them the best, even if you are lying about it.

 
BigSwingingDave:
I was in the process with my firm for 6 months before I got hired. Was actually rejected in favor of someone with more experience (it wasn't exactly an entry level role, but I was an entry level candidate). They rejected the offer, I came back in for another interview and got the job.
tonydaboiii:
^ +1. Some firms (or most firms?) do not like hearing the shotgun approach from their candidates.

I hope this isn't the case. I'd be pissed if a company didn't want their candidates interviewing somewhere else. If a candidate said they weren't, I'd think they are stupid for not pursuing every option available. If anybody thinks they can get by only interviewing at one place they are crazy and will likely be unemployed. What I did was say the type of companies that I was interviewing at, and said why I liked their opportunity better than the other ones that I was pursuing. That way they know you aren't an idiot and they'll probably believe you. Just make sure you have good (believable) reasons why you like them the best, even if you are lying about it.

Firms are pretty much like chicks, they want to be the special ones and have all your attentions on them. So instead of being honest and tell them you are interviewing with couple other firms, it is much smarter to just let them know they are the chosen one.
 
BigSwingingDave:
I was in the process with my firm for 6 months before I got hired. Was actually rejected in favor of someone with more experience (it wasn't exactly an entry level role, but I was an entry level candidate). They rejected the offer, I came back in for another interview and got the job.
tonydaboiii:
^ +1. Some firms (or most firms?) do not like hearing the shotgun approach from their candidates.

I hope this isn't the case. I'd be pissed if a company didn't want their candidates interviewing somewhere else. If a candidate said they weren't, I'd think they are stupid for not pursuing every option available. If anybody thinks they can get by only interviewing at one place they are crazy and will likely be unemployed. What I did was say the type of companies that I was interviewing at, and said why I liked their opportunity better than the other ones that I was pursuing. That way they know you aren't an idiot and they'll probably believe you. Just make sure you have good (believable) reasons why you like them the best, even if you are lying about it.

Thank you. I appreciate your point. That was what I was going for when I said that I am also interviewing with other firms (which is also true).

 

4 months and counting here too. but for two firms, it sucks! basically they ran the whole process, i came out on top - obviously, i'm awesome right - ie, verbally said that they want me and both haven't / aren't able to pull the trigger.....

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
Oreos:
4 months and counting here too. but for two firms, it sucks! basically they ran the whole process, i came out on top - obviously, i'm awesome right - ie, verbally said that they want me and both haven't / aren't able to pull the trigger.....

that was me...

 
BTbanker:
Your email was too ambiguous. Follow up with a call, but it might be too late.

I called HR and we had a brief talk... I e-mailed her previously if we could schedule an interview and she didn't replied, so I waited 3-4 days and called her to check if she received my message. She said she's working on it. I seriously have no idea what's going on in this firm (hiring freeze? another candidate? why so slow??)

Hope things work out soon.. thanks

 
np1128:
BTbanker:
Your email was too ambiguous. Follow up with a call, but it might be too late.

I called HR and we had a brief talk... I e-mailed her previously if we could schedule an interview and she didn't replied, so I waited 3-4 days and called her to check if she received my message. She said she's working on it. I seriously have no idea what's going on in this firm (hiring freeze? another candidate? why so slow??)

Hope things work out soon.. thanks

Do you have offers from other firms?
 

I'm actually thinking about using your approach true or not in my next interview. It can either go two way ... they can not like it which is both ridiculously stupid ... but it does sort of come off as a back hand .... or they don't care.

I may end up not taking that approach though because I'm desperate for a position and could use a resume booster to show some finance related experience even if I hate the job.

Good luck ... and wish me some too.

 

interviewed for an investment bank for about 2 months, then heard nothing from them for about 6 months, got a call to do one last interview and got the job. coincidentally i got another job offer that same week, so essentially gave this bank the finger and took the other job offer.

things work out in unexpected ways. good luck to you.

Capitalist
 

Chaps,

For these processes, is it worth a nudge? As noted above, verbal offer Q3 2012, heard nothing in 2013. Or pointless? Getting VERY frustrated with this.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
Oreos:
Chaps,

For these processes, is it worth a nudge? As noted above, verbal offer Q3 2012, heard nothing in 2013. Or pointless? Getting VERY frustrated with this.

I thought the same thing. But then I thought, what do I have to lose by a nudge or an e-mail? I am not sure about your situation... but I hope you hear back soon.

 
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