Reasons Why There is Silence After the Final Interview

You spent a week preparing for a phone interview, and then you passed that gate only to find yourself faced with an in-person interview. After acing that test, you needed one final interview with the higher-ups. Following that face time, you didn't hear anything for three weeks. Does this waiting game sound familiar? Examine five reasons for silence from an employer, even after you did well in every interview.

1. Interviewing Other Candidates

The employer might interview tons of other candidates. The average job posting attracts between 200 and 250 candidates, and it takes a while to vet everyone and find top talent, especially in a highly competitive job market in a good economy. If you were one of the first people to interview, you may have to wait a few weeks before HR goes through every person and makes a decision, despite glowing reactions to your skills during the final interview.

2. Returning to Normal Job Duties

HR staffers and your hiring manager have other day-to-day job duties aside from hiring people. They might deal with various personnel issues such as shopping for the best benefits packages, employee meetings, approving paperwork and assuring a company's compliance with employment law. Although hiring is important, the delay after your final interview could happen due to a return to normal activities for HR.

3. Collecting Feedback

The company wants to make the right decision, so it takes time to collect information from every possible interviewer. Yes, you spoke to three vice presidents, the president and the CEO during your final interview. However, 10 people were in the room for your first face-to-face interview, and then three people were on the conference call for your first question-and-answer session. Remember that everyone gives their impressions of your individual style, and then they have to compare you to other candidates; that process takes time.

4. Making a Decision

Hiring someone isn't easy, especially if a company faces a tough decision between two or more coveted candidates. You followed up with an email, phone call and thank-you card, but another top applicant could have done the same after her final interview. Remember, too, that it takes a lot of staff time and money to hire someone new, so the employer wants to make the absolute right decision the first time.

5. Hiring Someone Else

Of course, another possible reality is that the company hired someone else and you didn't get the job. Although this represents a frustrating proposition because you put your best foot forward, you have plenty of other opportunities thanks to your robust skills, qualifications, experience and networking capabilities. Ask for honest feedback from your interviewers to find out what you can improve upon for next time. Perhaps the employer thought you were fantastic, but someone else was a better fit in the minds of the interviewers. The general rule of thumb is waiting two weeks after HR said you should hear something before moving on to another opportunity.

The reasons for silence after a final interview don't necessarily include negative reactions to your performance. Whatever happens, don't beat yourself up, and be sure to get feedback.

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