The end of the interview

Some CEOs can be very hands-on. Beware - you don't want to work for a micromanager.

Just discuss your computer literacy, proficiency with scheduling software and ability to pick-up unfamiliar software if your unfamiliarity with their software comes up. Of course you can learn - but, unfortunately, employers these days don't want to train. They want people who can sit down and work without any orientation. Having said that, you made it past the first gatekeeper, so assume the company is interested in you.

Once again, good luck with your interview and keep me updated.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Some CEOs can be very hands-on. Beware - you don't want to work for a micromanager.

Just discuss your computer literacy, proficiency with scheduling software and ability to pick-up unfamiliar software if your unfamiliarity with their software comes up. Of course you can learn - but, unfortunately, employers these days don't want to train. They want people who can sit down and work without any orientation. Having said that, you made it past the first gatekeeper, so assume the company is interested in you.

Once again, good luck with your interview and keep me updated.

Thanks again, it's nice to get a shot in the arm sometimes when things look bleak. I did hear a doctor talking about how he needed a file clerk (2.00 less an hour than the job I'm interviewing for) but I might call him if this interview isn't going to lead to a job. I have tuition to pay (kid in college) and I'm laid off from my full time job in a week. I have a part time one for a day or two, but not enough. I want a good, solid job, but sometimes you just have to survive, day to day. Thanks again, where are you working now?

I am not working currently.

Okay, I didn't know if that was still the case. I hope if you are looking, you find something soon. You have given great advice here and accurate (re interviews etc.) Sometimes people have an experience and think that is the norm and it isn't. Some of it is luck and some of it fate and some "who you know" ; )

Thanks!

Employers, employment and times have certainly changed since I started working, and not for the better. I hope to be around when these smug young punks grow older and are in the same boat in which older workers now find themselves. They have it coming.

Once more, update me on your interview.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Thanks!

Employers, employment and times have certainly changed since I started working, and not for the better. I hope to be around when these smug young punks grow older and are in the same boat in which older workers now find themselves. They have it coming.

Once more, update me on your interview.

It went pretty well, not perfect but better than I thought. The CEO was around my age, maybe 10 years younger the most, but nice, not stuffy. I started to talk when he did twice, but he seemed to think of it as enthusiasm and wanted to answer my questions.(I hope)We mentioned maturity in a good light and he commented on how some workers gossip too much and get off task when I mentioned I tend to stay out of office politics as much as possible. They called me later for a background check, needed to fax me papers. He said they usually let you know quickly, so hopefully by Friday. We will see. Thanks for the support.

Sounds like it went well. You responded well to the gossip comment.

Did he hit on the areas I mentioned above, such as the scheduling program, etc.? What questions did you ask, if I may ask?

Hope you get an offer and it's the job you want.

He mentioned the scheduling program, how they have 2 which is a pain, but hopefully in the new year, it will be one page. (one is for billing now)I told him honestly, I hadn't used it, but could learn quickly. He asked about my favorite job, what I'm like in general, my best trait (no worst one this time) I said I go beyond the "status quo" and mentioned (when I could)I will stay later or come in early. (He noted how I was early for the interview by 15 minutes)He asked why I left the hospital which was 15 years ago (but a good job) I mentioned having twins and a toddler and not being able to work full time, he mentioned having twins too....he also asked why I went into home care then...I mentioned the flexible schedule while I pictured his wife working full time with 4 kids or something. : ) Well, those were my values and choices at the time. He explained a lot of how the corporation works and how being flexible helps, when they need help at another office. Maybe more, but that was about it. I felt good leaving, but of course as the hours went on, the reality of other interviews and competiton clouded it a bit.

Your answers all sound like good ones. I think it was good that he noted you arrived for the interview fifteen minutes early. I think by doing so you showed consideration for his time.

It could boil down to your inexperience with their software. Then again, he said they're planning on changing it.

Well, once again, keep me updated.

I will, thanks again for the support. You never know with these things,I remember my husband so many times thought he did well, and then nothing. Employers are sometimes so rude now and don't even email a second of third interviewee to say no, but thank you for applying.
I will send a thank you tommorow, they seem to like email. I still (old fashioned of me maybe) to think it is nice.

Deb: "Employers are sometimes so rude now and don't even email a second of third interviewee to say no, but thank you for applying. "

I apologize in advance if others have already read this story, but it bears repeating. Employers can be very rude. Nine months ago I interviewed for a professional legal position in a so-called prestigious law firm. The interviewer had called me and conducted a brief phone interview. I don't think my answers satisfied her entirely, but she still brought me in for an office interview.

During the interview she asked me questions about my Microsoft Office proficiency. She said MS Office ability was important in that firm. I told her I had been using Outlook for years and during my downtime had learned Word and Excel. I told her I felt I had learned Word well enough to do the same things I could do on WordPerfect. At the end of the interview, she asked for my e-mail address. She said she would e-mail a MS Office online exam. She said they do that with all candidates to assess their skills and determine if they need more training. She said she would call me by the end of the next week.

Well, guess what? She never sent me the online MS Office test. She never called - and - she never sent a rejection letter. Once again, I attended an office interview for a professional legal position with a supposedly prestigious law firm. This interview was not for a job flipping burgers at Mickey D's. I expected better from this firm.

I did send the interviewer a thank-you letter but did not follow-up. I feel that followups demean you in their eyes. They'll spare no effort to call you if they want you.

The story gets better....

Continued...

Continued....

Six months later, against my better judgment, I answered a blind Craigslist ad. It turned out the ad was by a headhunter who was recruiting for the same job at this law firm! I explained to the headhunter I had applied at that firm and never heard anything. This moronic headhunter suggested that I call that firm to follow-up! SIX MONTHS after I had first interviewed! The headhunter kept pushing me to come in to interview, but I wasn't interested.

"I will send a thank you tommorow, they seem to like email. I still (old fashioned of me maybe) to think it is nice."

Absolutely. But, if I may suggest, type up (word process) your letter and snail-mail it. I'm old school. Even if they like it, e-mail is still impersonal. Only my two cents, but a nicely word-processed letter on nice paper, signed by you and mailed in a nice envelope just looks better.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Continued....

Six months later, against my better judgment, I answered a blind Craigslist ad. It turned out the ad was by a headhunter who was recruiting for the same job at this law firm! I explained to the headhunter I had applied at that firm and never heard anything. This moronic headhunter suggested that I call that firm to follow-up! SIX MONTHS after I had first interviewed! The headhunter kept pushing me to come in to interview, but I wasn't interested.

"I will send a thank you tommorow, they seem to like email. I still (old fashioned of me maybe) to think it is nice."

Absolutely. But, if I may suggest, type up (word process) your letter and snail-mail it. I'm old school. Even if they like it, e-mail is still impersonal. Only my two cents, but a nicely word-processed letter on nice paper, signed by you and mailed in a nice envelope just looks better.

Oh, I was thinking of snail mail, but my handwriting is AWFUL. I wasn't thinking of typing it, that's the best of both. Some sites say handwritten but that's for the few with nice penmanship!

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Continued....

Six months later, against my better judgment, I answered a blind Craigslist ad. It turned out the ad was by a headhunter who was recruiting for the same job at this law firm! I explained to the headhunter I had applied at that firm and never heard anything. This moronic headhunter suggested that I call that firm to follow-up! SIX MONTHS after I had first interviewed! The headhunter kept pushing me to come in to interview, but I wasn't interested.

"I will send a thank you tommorow, they seem to like email. I still (old fashioned of me maybe) to think it is nice."

Absolutely. But, if I may suggest, type up (word process) your letter and snail-mail it. I'm old school. Even if they like it, e-mail is still impersonal. Only my two cents, but a nicely word-processed letter on nice paper, signed by you and mailed in a nice envelope just looks better.

Oh, I was thinking of snail mail, but my handwriting is AWFUL. I wasn't thinking of typing it, that's the best of both. Some sites say handwritten but that's for the few with nice penmanship!

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Continued....

Six months later, against my better judgment, I answered a blind Craigslist ad. It turned out the ad was by a headhunter who was recruiting for the same job at this law firm! I explained to the headhunter I had applied at that firm and never heard anything. This moronic headhunter suggested that I call that firm to follow-up! SIX MONTHS after I had first interviewed! The headhunter kept pushing me to come in to interview, but I wasn't interested.

"I will send a thank you tommorow, they seem to like email. I still (old fashioned of me maybe) to think it is nice."

Absolutely. But, if I may suggest, type up (word process) your letter and snail-mail it. I'm old school. Even if they like it, e-mail is still impersonal. Only my two cents, but a nicely word-processed letter on nice paper, signed by you and mailed in a nice envelope just looks better.

Have you considered sending 2 versions? 1 by e-mail and 1 by mail that mentions the e-mail.

I actually snail mailed a great Thank You for the interview letter to a Manager. In the mean time a recruiter told me that the Manager thought I wasn't the one simply because I'd not e-mailed a Thank You the same day! It's a catch-22 based on the person receiving the note.

Positive Energy to You in Frisco, Texas said: Have you considered sending 2 versions? 1 by e-mail and 1 by mail that mentions the e-mail.

I actually snail mailed a great Thank You for the interview letter to a Manager. In the mean time a recruiter told me that the Manager thought I wasn't the one simply because I'd not e-mailed a Thank You the same day! It's a catch-22 based on the person receiving the note.

Yes, that's true, everyone is different. I will do both. It will be interesting how this plays out. One thing I noticed is that in every office, hardly anyone is friendly, or just cordial. I always try to be nice and make eye contact with interviewees when I worked, felt sorry for them, but I think I'm too sensitive. I guess if they don't sneer or whisper, you should be grateful! ; )

Deb: "I was thinking of snail mail, but my handwriting is AWFUL. I wasn't thinking of typing it, that's the best of both. Some sites say handwritten but that's for the few with nice penmanship!"

I don't agree with those sites. Typing is better. A perfect, word-processed documents always looks professional.No matter how good your handwriting may be, typing is far easier to read. Further, HR, hiring managers, etc. are used to reading print in their regular work. Handwriting will throw them. Finally, a typewritten (word processed) letter gives the impression you took time and thought to produce a quality document and you would do the same at work.

Once again, only my two cents' worth.

Deb: "I was thinking of snail mail, but my handwriting is AWFUL. I wasn't thinking of typing it, that's the best of both. Some sites say handwritten but that's for the few with nice penmanship!"

I don't agree with those sites. Typing is better. A perfect, word-processed document [correction] always looks professional.No matter how good your handwriting may be, typing is far easier to read. Further, HR, hiring managers, etc. are used to reading print in their regular work. Handwriting will throw them. Finally, a typewritten (word processed) letter gives the impression you took time and thought to produce a quality document and you would do the same at work.

It's also easier to pick up typos and errors with print. See above.

Once again, only my two cents' worth.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Deb: "I was thinking of snail mail, but my handwriting is AWFUL. I wasn't thinking of typing it, that's the best of both. Some sites say handwritten but that's for the few with nice penmanship!"

I don't agree with those sites. Typing is better. A perfect, word-processed document [correction] always looks professional.No matter how good your handwriting may be, typing is far easier to read. Further, HR, hiring managers, etc. are used to reading print in their regular work. Handwriting will throw them. Finally, a typewritten (word processed) letter gives the impression you took time and thought to produce a quality document and you would do the same at work.

It's also easier to pick up typos and errors with print. See above.

Once again, only my two cents' worth.

I agree!!! Correcting mistakes in word is much easier than handwritten letters. I remember many years ago, going through a box of stationery trying to get a special letter just right. On a slightly different note, some say writing a man is different than a woman, probably true, but busy is busy. I believe say what you want, but keep it short and succinct. Men usually like less words, but I don't think that's etched in stone. I know in this case, the woman wrote a paragraph to me, the male a sentence. : )

Three comments:

(1) Women expect to be treated the same as men in the workplace, don't they? Don't differentiate in style. Write your letter in a professional, businesslike style. You can still be friendly and, in a thank-you letter, exhibit enthusiasm for the job. I agree 100 percent to be brief, no matter who the recipient may be. To that end,

(2) Put yourself in the reader's shoes. Write the letter, read it and ask yourself how you would feel if you received it. You may find yourself editing the letter, rewriting some of it or all of it.

(3) I disagree strenuously with sending e-mailed *and* snail-mailed thank-you letters. Two thank-you letters are (a) overkill and (b) could imply that you're insecure. One brief, well-written thank-you letter is ample.

Send one or the other - and, preferably, the snail-mailed one. Notwithstanding the reasons I gave, above, for not using e-mail, e-mail servers go down at the most inopportune times (it has happened to me) or *your* e-mailed thank-you could be filtered as spam and deleted.

Excellent discussion. One of the best I've participated in on this board.

yes, I hope to have more. Can't wait to update more in the future. I did get a call today saying they forgot to have me sign my background check paper, but they faxed it and I sent it back.
Again, I thank you for your continued advice. You sound like a very nice person. Too many times these sites are just for griping (which can help) but real info for job seekers,especially with other issues like age or career changes helps a lot.

Thank you. Make no mistake about it, though, I gripe plenty! It's nice to have a generally sympathetic audience, however.

I wish you well. Have you ever read the bood "The Secret" which I originally saw on Oprah?

Actually I like the DVD version. It's uplifting to me. Interesting message. I watched the DVD then read the book. I got a different insight from each. I watch the DVD when I need to keep my mind in the right forward moving place.
It gives me hope.

Any bookstore should carry it. You should also be able to get it by mail w/ online ordering. Well worth it for me. It seems to me that it might have a good message for your to think about and raise your hopes.

You know that no matter how we feel we must fake it huge in front of hiring people & employees. This does actually help me go to bed on a good note. Not bad pre-interview with breakfast either.

I posted on another forum the Plaza Reseaarch info. If you live in a major city you can get paid 2 times per yr to participate in a 2 hour discussion. They seem to pay between $75 and $175. Three of us have done this in Texas & Tampa from my world. They will overbook. Arrive barely on time. When they are overbooked you won't even need to stay for the discussions (with regular people) they will just say thank you for coming & hand you a check.

Look them up on Google and register.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Deb: "I was thinking of snail mail, but my handwriting is AWFUL. I wasn't thinking of typing it, that's the best of both. Some sites say handwritten but that's for the few with nice penmanship!"

I don't agree with those sites. Typing is better. A perfect, word-processed document [correction] always looks professional.No matter how good your handwriting may be, typing is far easier to read. Further, HR, hiring managers, etc. are used to reading print in their regular work. Handwriting will throw them. Finally, a typewritten (word processed) letter gives the impression you took time and thought to produce a quality document and you would do the same at work.

It's also easier to pick up typos and errors with print. See above.

Once again, only my two cents' worth.

I'm pretty certain that Denver has the Plaza Research company. You can make a bit of get by cash. I posted the details in another message.

Deb said: It is frustrating when they dangle the job in front of you and you didn't get it. Maybe they are not really skilled in that area (I would hate it) and still don't know how to tell someone effectively they aren't in the running. Maybe they are afraid of anger or someone being controversial.
I went to a nursing home and they told me I'd have to go through 3 interviews for a secretarial job and then meet with the director and his secretary when if got down to 2 people ("if" I was one of them)Geez... They "hinted" at 45, I was a bit "old", asked my childrens ages (another no-no) and said, how "young" their children were. I wouldn't consider myself a beauty queen, but not ugly, and I was a bit taken back when a younger interviewer said, "you realize you will be the first fact someone sees when they come through the door...we have to be careful"...Okay, let's go get a face lift! : ) (only kidding)

Pitiful.
When I was 27 and in my 30's I was ask directly and round-about about my pregnancy plans. Now, in my 40's, when I actually have a young child, they just make age comments or blah... attitudes. I don't think there is one solution. I have found in the last 6 years after lot of downsizings in my area that men who are my age or older... particularly 5 + years older (50+) are more likely to hire me.
Young ones never call again.

Don't ever use a telegram to send a thank you note.

I remember years ago I read a job hunting book and how they talked about sticking our from the crowd. They suggested to send a thank you note via a telegram. And so I did. What a disaster!

I received a copy of the telegram. I had called Western Union place and did it all over the telephone.

My copy was horrible. It contained misspelled words; easy words. I was furious. Then I came to the end of sentences. They spelled out "period" instead of using a period. Double furious. I bet the company had good laugh on me that day. Horrible. Needless to say I was never called.

Positive Energy to You in Frisco, Texas: "You know that no matter how we feel we must fake it huge in front of hiring people & employees...."

You know it! It's ridiculous. I've never excelled at politics, especially at work, and I don't have much tolerance for workplace politicians. I regard myself as straightforward and try as hard as I can to communicate and deal with others directly - as I would hope they would deal with me.

Sometimes it doesn't always happen........Oh, well........

You know all of those "canned" questions that employers ask?

What exactly do they want to hear and see for answers?

For example, if you are asked, "What was the hardest problem you had to do at your last employer, and how did you handle it?"

"What did you like the least at your last employer?"

"What did you like the most at your last employer?"

"If you are cashiering with two people in line, and a third person walks in and starts yelling that you messed up their order, what would you do?"

"Why did you apply for a job here?"

"What was the most difficult thing you had to do and how did you handle it?"

"What are your weaknesses?"

"What are your strengths?"

"What would you do to improve this business?"

I doubt that many of these micromanagers that ask these questions really know what the "correct" answers are, anyway. The questions above were all posed to me during an interview I recently had at a retail store.

I surely don't know what the "correct" answer is in terms of the employer. I sure would like to know. Does anyone have any ideas?

Perhaps they look more for how we react and what body language we display as opposed to the actual content of the answers? Or possibly a combination of both? And what about vague and general questions, were they can be interpreted many ways thereby offering different "correct" answers?

And where do they get these question/answer sets anyway? Is there any way us job applicants can get this information?

Tell them what they want to hear? Isn't that what it really comes down to anyway? Wine and dine them, so to speak. Get them to ooh and ahh over us. Just be sure not to over exaggerate your skills so you can come through on the job for what is expected of you.

And then sometimes I think they ask all these questions so we can actually incriminate ourselves so they can hire a relative or friend instead of us. When in fact, we just might be the best qualified applicant.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Positive Energy to You in Frisco, Texas: "You know that no matter how we feel we must fake it huge in front of hiring people & employees...."

You know it! It's ridiculous. I've never excelled at politics, especially at work, and I don't have much tolerance for workplace politicians. I regard myself as straightforward and try as hard as I can to communicate and deal with others directly - as I would hope they would deal with me.

Sometimes it doesn't always happen........Oh, well........

Yes, I'm the same. I can't stand the non-sense politics. Females are the worst to each other. I actually do not / avoid in office all day type jobs specifically to prevent my involvement in politics. It can be Awful!

Jake, you're not the only one who feels this way. The more craziness I hear, the more I wonder about the people doing the hiring. My idea is to get back to very simple basics, like sanity. You do more than show up for work, you care about performing well, you try to stay current and show an interest in the industry you have experience in. Enthusiasm is part of your makeup. And so is humor. Makes for a nice working atmosphere. Those are good reasons to hire you. Those hypothetical questions you mentioned sound thin at best. These people are at a lack for making true contact with you. Don't get me started. There's something to be said for something feeling right about the place when you walk in the door. You pick up on negativity and phoniness. Just remember, you can put a $300 suit on a monkey, but you can't hide the tail.

Interviews in Frisco, Texas: "I can't stand the non-sense politics. Females are the worst to each other...."

Guys can be pretty bad to each other, too. They can be maneuvering, acerbic, caustic, nasty, rude and just plain abrupt. They can be entirely thoughtless and inconsiderate. I am sure I have just described a significant number of litigation attorneys.

The attorney I worked for in my last job would come across as direct and straightforward. Yes, I wrote, above, I'm that way, too. In his case, he often mixed blunt and abrupt with "direct" and "straightforward." He was a difficult man and difficult for me to figure out. Yet, I worked for him for nearly seven years.

Never again.........I'd go homeless before I'd work for the likes of him again.

I forgot that guys can also be anal - and drive you crazy in the process.

LaurenRyan in Indianapolis, Indiana said: Does it seem to anyone else that usually the last conversation topic covered in a interview is that they have other people to interview? This is annoying. Just say I wanna think about it. I had one guy talk to me on the phone for an hour asking when I was available and such. He even went as far as to tell me that I pretty much had the job, I just had to meet the GM. Then when I went in to meet the GM they suddenly had other interviews. Do they really have other interviews, or do they just wanna beat around the bush?

I agree completely. I have been hearing the same thing. My opion is that they are not being honest and at the same time don't want to dismiss you completely.

I interview for Proter & Gamble in DFW once. The very young lady was pleasant but canned questions made it obvious she was highly inexperienced.

She kept asking me questions that did not get the benefits I can offer her company. Only situation type questions. Pitiful. Every time I tried to actually interject my accomplishments, skills and such she was annoyed. Needless to say it was a pointless experience.

It was definatly not a Professional type interview.

I want to say that your interview went as planned. They "corp" don't want to know what you can do for them but they do want boxed answers. You just have to play the game.

On a side note from my full time job search, I've been looking for part time or seasonal work. Why do stores say they are hiring on the phone or in person, but then they don't call or you call the next day and they say they aren't hiring? I try to speak to managers, but it's frustrating. Even stores like Bon Ton, a clothing store that pushed the application at me in the store, doesn't call or stalls. I'm over qualified, but I only want a few hours or hours others probably wouldn't want. I will NEVER totally figure out hiring systems.

If anyone can help, I just went on an interview today and it only last 30 mins. I was only asked 4-5 questions. It was arranged through a head hunter. I thought there would be more questions however I felt I answered the question with confidence. At the end of the interview I asked questions about the company but the HR lady said there are other interviews that are taking place and I would hear something back fromt he headhunter. I sent and email to the individuals thanking them for the interview and their time however after this process I am not too quite sure that they are interested. They originally offered the position to someone and they declined it however they wanted to meet me right away and got a call that same day after submitting my resume to for an interview.

Any thoughts.

You got the job they are pulling your cord.

rccola in buena park, California said: You got the job they are pulling your cord.

I hope so, this type of job is something I can do in my sleep. I was trying to read body language from all the times I did interviews and got no read on either persons. The HR lady wrote down a lot of comments however the Director was the one asking me questions and neither one of them looked up for eye contact. Needless to say his were only 3 word sentences he wrote down.

itbbabyel in Germantown, Maryland: "I just went on an interview today and it only last 30 mins. I was only asked 4-5 questions. It was arranged through a head hunter. I thought there would be more questions however I felt I answered the question with confidence. At the end of the interview I asked questions about the company but the HR lady said there are other interviews that are taking place and I would hear something back from the headhunter. I sent an email to the individuals thanking them for the interview and their time however after this process I am not too quite sure that they are interested. They originally offered the position to someone and they declined it however they wanted to meet me right away and got a call that same day after submitting my resume to for an interview."

What kind of a position? You weren't given much of an interview if it was for a professional position, even though the headhunter might have covered a lot of ground with you already. They're in a bind because someone declined the job and need to bring in a body. To me, that accounts for their disinterest during your interview. Moreover, a headhunter sent you to the company. Headhunter send megacandidates to clients primarily to prove they're working for them. So, of course they have more interviews scheduled.

I'd want to know why the first person declined the job if I were you. I don't like that. It immediately raised a red flag for me. I'm only speaking for myself, but I take a back seat to no one. I'm not interested if I'm not the first choice. In other words, why am I not good enough to be number one. I think being second choice affects in subtle ways how a company treats you.

Continued....

Continued from above....

I wrote earlier that being told they have scheduled other interviews doesn't mean much in and of itself. I stand by that comment, but after analyzing your story I think you're right. They may not be that interested in you. They just want someone to fill the chair.

Only my two cents. Hope it helped a little. Good luck with your efforts.

itbbabyel in Germantown, Maryland said: I hope so, this type of job is something I can do in my sleep. I was trying to read body language from all the times I did interviews and got no read on either persons. The HR lady wrote down a lot of comments however the Director was the one asking me questions and neither one of them looked up for eye contact. Needless to say his were only 3 word sentences he wrote down.

You aren't getting a read because they don't want you to get a read. But they don't realize that when they give you nothing, they are giving you something: the news that they are bad news.
Plus, where's the credibility? What would they do if you asked them a tough question about their company -- like why did the last person leave? Or, is the office unionized? That should go over big. Better yet, did the company make money last year?
Also, what health plan do you offer? They are not quick to give answers. But meanwhile, it's important to you.

Michele in Mineola, New York: "You aren't getting a read because they don't want you to get a read. But they don't realize that when they give you nothing, they are giving you something: the news that they are bad news."

Seconded. Good post.

Don't forget that although they're interviewing you you are also interviewing them. It is given that you should ask them questions when invited, but you are also gaining valuable information through silence and observation. E.g., how did the interviewer act on the phone when scheduling your interview; was the interviewer on time for your appointment; did the interviewer exhibit interest in your responses; the interviewer's demeanor, is the office organized or chaotic, etc.

I attended an interview for a legal job with a major health insurance company. I really wasn't qualified for the job; I think HR brought me in because the position needed to be filled quickly and HR was bringing in bodies. A case of HR furthering its interests by using candidates as pawns. It happens.

As the interview progressed one of the hiring managers audibly sighed and exhibited impatience. I didn't like that and it told me a lot; did I want to work for such a person? He later said the company had other legal positions. At that point I didn't care; I fired back that if he didn't think I was suited for this job he could pass me on to whoever was hiring for those jobs. I must have taken him by surprise; he responded he wasn't saying I wasn't suited for the job. Tough. That's life.

I sent him, the other hiring manager and HR thank-you letters. I now wish I had only sent a letter to HR. The gal actually was nice, even if she had another agenda.

When an interviewer says, "we get back to people fairly quickly, we'll let you know soon", what is a general time to let it go before you call....a week? I should have asked, "Is quickly a week or two" knowing some people wait even longer. I didn't want, at the time to seem too overly anxious. I also know background checks can take a while depending how much they look at. I also should have asked if they contact everyone or just the person they are hiring, but I didnt' know if that might have ruffled some feathers. My nephew (in accounting) was told that more than once and they didn't anyway.

Actually all those questions to the company was asked. I already knew their benefits and information. I did ask major questions at the end. I did find out the reason why the person offer the job before didn't take it b/c he was offered more money somewhere else.

it was the shortest interview I have ever had, they only had 4-5 questions and it was really on 2 sheets of paper. Strange really.

I was interviewing for a manager position. i did send a thank you note to the managers for their time.

i have to say there is a huge age discrimination and ethinic too. u have to b bilingual to get any job and u have to b 20 something. i am bilingual but not in spanish. i am 51 and have a very difficult time finding a job for 2 yrs since i was let go due to budget from my 15 yr job with a private school as a teachers aid. i cant afford to go to college to completet the 69 credits i already have form 23 yrs ago. i have two young adults in college now. my 15 yr work experience means nothing to no one. i even hoe schooled a child for 6 months. i ahve other diverse skills . so to sum it up all my life work experience and maturity is squat. its who u no and how old u r. how sad and very depressing. i have applied to retail for seasonal and nothing its like i said who u know. inside hiring. i luv ot work especially with children. as evident form my years as an aide. so i keep looking. thank God my husband ahs a job but i would luv to help out more financially. so mayb someone is in the same boat a s i. i would luv to hear form anyone else who is 50+ and having trouble findiing good employment.

joykuse in Kampala, Uganda said: I am amazed about how one can receive a call by telephone indicating that she/he has got the job that she/he had been interviewed for, and then that person hurries to handover her/his job.

Do you people believe in acquiring jobs by a telephone call? I wouldn't take the telephone call serious until I have received a written letter from the organization/firm stating that I successfully passed the interview and that I have been offered the job. The letter should also show the expected benefits if I accept the job. Otherwise, on phone, all these details may or may not be provided; you would never successfully sue a caller for having offered you a job and then cancelled the job, compared to one with a document from the organization. Voices on phone change while the documentation will remain the same.

Therefore, I believe that a valid documentation has more evidence than a mere call if it came to sueing the organization on the ground that you lost your earlier job having been assured on phone that you had got the job you had applied for.

I had one experience with getting a so-called job by telephone and ran that experience by a pretty good professional for a high-powered company, and he said that that was not supposed to be done. Circumstances are a little different, however.
A recruiter called me to feel me out about a job that was open in the area that I work in. She wanted to know what I would work for. She pressured me. I caved in. I didn't even have an interview and she called me back to tell me that she got me the job. They liked my resume. They wanted me to work there for a week as a freelancer first, and if everything worked out, I had the job. Well, I stopped another freelance job to try this company out. I worked at a lower rate. No big deal. But what I found out was that it was a true sweatshop. I knew after two days (one day really) that I had to gracefully get myself out of there. No sweatshops for me.

joykuse in Kampala, Uganda: "I am amazed about how one can receive a call by telephone indicating that she/he has got the job that she/he had been interviewed for, and then that person hurries to handover her/his job.

"Do you people believe in acquiring jobs by a telephone call? I wouldn't take the telephone call seriously until I have received a written letter from the organization/firm stating that I successfully passed the interview and that I have been offered the job."

I think it depends on the type of business. In broadcasting, hiring people over the phone used to be very common. You can be in one city and the radio station could be in another city. I was hired for a job in that fashion. I stayed there nearly seven and a half years. I did know the hiring manager (news director) by reputation, so I figured that if he was there the place would be all right. I had no fear about accepting the job. I did fly out for the day the next day to visit the place.

With that said, I would agree that it's better to get the terms in writing before committing. I would go a step further because of all the fraud and internet scams floating aout. Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, state attorney-general, etc., before going forward.

Deb: "When an interviewer says, 'we get back to people fairly quickly, we'll let you know soon,' what is a general time to let it go before you call....a week?"

I wouldn't call them at all. Companies will spare no effort to find you if you they want to hire you. They won't forget about you if they want you. They know you are interested in the job because you (1) applied for the job; (2) attended the interview - in your case, two interviews; and (3) followed-up with thank-you letters. You don't have to keep proving your interest and you don't want to appear to be too eager.

I think that calling the company can affect your candidacy in many ways, with none of them being good. A followup call may simply annoy them and annoying them is the last thing you want to do if you want a job from them. If you impressed them as being competent and professional during your interviews, you could tarnish that impression by calling them. In the same light, you are professional. Act like one. Calling them demeans you.

Give it ten to fifteen business days max. If you haven't heard something by that time, forget it and move on - bearing in mind that you had received a clue about how the company treats people.