Ten Reasons the Interview Process is Taking so Darn Long!

Melty Clock 2

You interviewed for that job WEEKS ago. Why is time just melting away? You haven't gotten a yes, a no, or an anything in terms of an definitive answer as to whether you're getting the job.

Ah, welcome to the world of corporate bureaucracy. Here are some reasons the interview process is taking so damn long!

1. They are interviewing more candidates. Company protocols dictate that they interview at least five candidates for every position.
2. The team is expecting a particular highly-qualified internal candidate to apply - of course, nobody's spoken to that internal candidate. The corporate culture values telepathy.
3. The hiring manager thought she knew what she wanted. Then they started interviewing, a new project came up, and now they're rethinking the job specifications.
4. Decisions move slowly at the company. The CEO also drives a Ford Pinto, describing it to his friends as "state of the art".
5. Your hiring manager contracted mononucleosis just after your interview. He's convalescing at home, watching reruns of the Golden Girls. Oh, that Blanche!
6. While all the candidates they've met have had the technical skills for the role, they're "just not feeling it" with the people they've interviewed thus far. Can't quantify it, though.
7. The CEO has decided to take a "special interest" in the role.
8. The interview team is split - half of them loved you, the other half wish you the mumps. The hiring manager is trying to build consensus.
9. Squirrel!
10. They can't make up their f*%#ing mind to save their lives. You've accepted another job.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.