Hi Everyone!

So, I received a call last Friday about a job I applied for. I originally missed the call and they left me a message. The message said "Hi Jake, this is Sarah, you applied for our opening and we are definitely interested in your resume, etc"

I immediately called back and spoke with Sarah. During our conversation, she repeated what she said in her phone message "we are definitely interested in your resume, etc" She said that they wanted to interview me the next week and asked when I was available. I told her my schedule is flexible. Sarah asked if Tuesday were OK and I said yes, of course. She was very enthusiastic and was telling me that this is the first round of interviews and the second would be the finalist (something of that sort she said). I didn't solicit that information from her.

I don't want to read too much into this, although I've never experienced this before, my question is do they normally give that kind of information and rush you in for an interview like that? Also, what does this indicate that they are strongly considering me and just want to get a feel of me? Thanks!

Jake

First, when did you apply for the job? I don't think they are rushing you in for an interview. I wouldn't put too much thinking into how strongly they are interested. The fact that they called you shows an interest. The key would be whether they call you in for a secondary interview.

P.S. and please don't post multiple copies of the same question.

First, when did you apply for the job? I don't think they are rushing you in for an interview. I wouldn't put too much thinking into how strongly they are interested. The fact that they called you shows an interest. The key would be whether they call you in for a secondary interview.

P.S. and please don't post multiple copies of the same question.

I applied on the 10th and they called on the 17th.

Still not a rush. Companies get lots of resumes these days though and it does take time to go through them. So it's a good sign.

Still not a rush. Companies get lots of resumes these days though and it does take time to go through them. So its a good sign.

I interviewed yesterday and it went pretty good. The interview was a little over an over hour but it was more of a conversation that an interview. They keep saying how much they liked my background and skill sets and really didn't ask much about it. They also asked it it would be a problem for me that I would be doing some of the same duties as I am at my current job and they talked a lot about the position and gave details about. Before they asked the question (what you know about theorg?), they said we already know you did your homework, etc.

The most notable part for me was when they casually mentioned an issue they were having and I offered a solution. They really liked the idea. We had good chemistry, etc. Like I said, it more like friends talking about fun stuff than an interview. At the end they told me that there are other candidates and not to worry if I don't hear back this week from them. He said that they will contact me mid next week if I make it to the second round, etc.

The most notable part for me was when they casually mentioned an issue they were having and I offered a solution. They really liked the idea. .

That is a great opportunity in an interview. In interviews I have been on, I will always ask the question; "what will I be doing on a normal day". Then I take that and show examples of how I've done similar thing in my career. If the interviewer talks about specific problems or challenges they have faced, I will try to offer a solution or examples of how I've dealt with it in the past.

Good luck.

Like I said, it more like friends talking about fun stuff than an interview.
Best wishes! My best interview was with Catholic Charities. The head counselor was also from New York State and also near Lake Ontario, so we spent almost the entire interview discussing regional foods, fun things to do in the state, and small town life. By the way, I got the job (an internship).

Best wishes! My best interview was with Catholic Charities. The head counselor was also from New York State and also near Lake Ontario, so we spent almost the entire interview discussing regional foods, fun things to do in the state, and small town life. By the way, I got the job (an internship).

Thanks! I just noticed that they took the job posting down... dont know what that means...

Thanks! I just noticed that they took the job posting down...dont know what that means....
It probably means they have interviewed all of the applicants they wanted to, those in the first round. Now comes the second round.

It means that they feel that one or more of the candidates they have already interviewed will be a viable candidate ans they don't want to see anymore.

It means that they feel that one or more of the candidates they have already interviewed will be a viable candidate ans they don't want to see anymore.


I thought this message from them was strange. It's a reply to my thank you note. It was from one of the interviewers who currently holds the position I'm applying for but here it is below (he copied the senior HR person as well):



I'm somewhat embarrassed that it took me three days to respond to your kind note, Jake. Things get crazy sometimes when you have a small staff :-)

It was a pleasure meeting you as well. While I don't know what you'll be hearing from Will and Kim in the days to come, I certainly enjoyed talking with you, and I'll hope to see you again soon!

Regards,
Mike

Doesn't look strange to me. He's acknowledging your follow-up e-mail and letting you know that any further decision is not his.

Doesn't look strange to me. He's acknowledging your follow-up e-mail and letting you know that any further decision is not his.


Yeah, I suppose it is hard to know until they say you have it or not

He replied (positive), was chatty (positive), copied to others (positive), and sounded honestly glad to have met/interviewed you (positive).

Let us know if you go for a second interview and/or get the job.

Here's how I'm seeing this small company:
They need someone soon. The thank you note person who is leaving or being promoted will probably train someone for a while.
They got a LOT of resumes. They barely had time to go over them and make a short list. Then interviews take a lot of time. Now it's a holiday weekend.
You have been very fortunate to get a response. Not fortunate to be liked as a candidate - that's all from your skill.
From having been in both positions, I know that usually there is precious little time to spend on applicants during the decision period.
BUT they don't want to find out that the person they choose has gone elsewhere! So they are eager to keep in touch...
Nothing weird about any of it.
Good luck. Don't panic.

Here's how I'm seeing this small company:
They need someone soon. The thank you note person who is leaving or being promoted will probably train someone for a while.
They got a LOT of resumes. They barely had time to go over them and make a short list. Then interviews take a lot of time. Now it's a holiday weekend.
You have been very fortunate to get a response. Not fortunate to be liked as a candidate - that's all from your skill.
From having been in both positions, I know that usually there is precious little time to spend on applicants during the decision period.
BUT they don't want to find out that the person they choose has gone elsewhere! So they are eager to keep in touch...
Nothing weird about any of it.
Good luck. Don't panic.

Thank you. You make an interesting point. I'm not sure if you are implying that I may eventually get the position but you are right in terms of them telling me that he would train me and that they had a few more candidates to interview but not to panic if I didn't hear from them last week because it's the holidays, etc and that they will call me mid next week if I make it to the second and final round.

He replied (positive), was chatty (positive), copied to others (positive), and sounded honestly glad to have met/interviewed you (positive).

Let us know if you go for a second interview and/or get the job.

Yes, while he isn't the hiring authority it's still a positive sign like you said and I will certainly let you know how everything turns out.

I was called in for a 2nd and final interview

Now I'm REALLY curious what the job is (but don't want to jinx you)!

We've got our fingers crossed for you.

Thanks guys! They said that I did really well and they wanted to meet for the 2nd and final time. I will meet with other staffers including the head of the organization.

Fingers and toes are crossed!

The second interview went well. I met with the policy team and then the president separately. The policy team asked about my background and they were very impressed with all of my answers. They seemed friendly and engaged. Although it was a bit stiff at first but that quickly changed. The complimented me etc. They were more appreciative of my last question which was about their expectations for the new person and what advice they would give me to be successful in that position, if hired. They said they were pleased to meet me etc and thanked me for coming in. My last interview was with the president. The interview with her was more of a conversation than an interview. She had a few questions but it went well. After the interview, she told me that there were a lot of candidates in the start and they narrowed it down to a slect few and said it was a tough market and said that the staff was impressed with me etc. She also noted that the staff told her that I did extensive homework on the organization. Later, the president took me to the HR person and asked her if she had all of my materials etc and the HR person escorted me out and said I was the 1st to interview this week and that they want to end the process quickly. She said that they make a decision early next week.

Thanks for reporting back to us. It sounds positive. My fingers and toes are still crossed.

Here is an update from them since the 2nd interview.

Hi Jake,

I want to update you on the position. We, are currently contacting your references, which is taking a little longer than we anticipated. This, along with our usual operations, has slightly delayed the decision process. However we are still hoping to wrap things up as soon as possible.

Feel free to contact me with any questions at all, and thank you for your patience.

Best,
Alex

Good grief! I hope I live long enough to see the end of this!

LOL mee too

But it's a VERY good sign. One, that they are checking your references. I would check with the people you gave them to see if there is any hold up. Two, that they are informing you of the delay. They would not do that if they weren't highly interested in you and wanted you to know they were still interested in case you were looking at other opportunities.

Yeah, what ScottGem said. My crossed fingers and toes are aching but still crossed.

So, based on that do you think I'm likely to get the position?

I broke open a fortune cookie and it says "The outlook is very positive" ;)

I was offered the job today!!

I was offered the job today!!!!
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy! Are you going take it?

I was offered the job today!!!!

Congratulations and hallelujah

I think we deserve to know what it IS.