Waiting on a company to notify you of their decision.

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Permalink Reply by Keith Schaub on August 2, 2008 at 5:09pm

The trick to getting what you want is keeping your own options open and having other alternatives to turn to. Continue to interview with other potential employers even if they are 2nd or 3rd choice. You never know, 2nd or 3rd choice often turns out to be the best choice.

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Permalink Reply by laura allen on August 2, 2008 at 5:19pm

Hello, Linda:

I can understand the anxiety that you mention here, because I've felt it myself and I've tried to help many of my clients deal with it too. This may sound like some pretty strange advice, however, it has worked for my clients like a charm. Here goes.

Think about your Plan B. Take some time right now to start planning who you will call on Monday and what you'll do if you don't hear back from this company.

What I've noticed is that many companies out there today just don't get back to people in a timely manner. I've had clients tell me that they went on 5 or 6 interviews--with the same company--and felt that it was a sure thing, only to never hear from that company again. The bottom line is that no one wants to be the person to call you and tell you that they've decided to hire someone else. So sometimes you will only hear from the company if they are definitely going forward with you. I think this is extremely hard for most job seekers and when I was looking, I thought it was just WRONG. I would think, "why can't they just let me know that they've decided to go with someone else. I'm a professional, I can handle it, I just want to cross that job off the list and get on with the next one."

Well, I've had the chance to learn some things from H.R. people and hiring managers. They've told me that it's just not worth the risk of saying the wrong thing to a potential job candidate who is no longer being considered. And who has time to call all of the people who aren't getting the job? And, they don't like to explain WHY you didn't get chosen.

So, start thinking about your next move. That way, you won't be spending your time waiting by the phone. Also, this will help you tremendously if they DO call you!! You won't say yes to any offer they put on the table just because you've been worried that they wouldn't make one.

And who knows, maybe this Plan B will turn out to be a BETTER opportunity than Plan A. That's happened more times than I can count in my own life!

:)

laura

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Permalink Reply by Janet White on August 2, 2008 at 5:24pm

The Master Teacher Jesus said, "When ye pray, ask believing ye shall receive it, and ye shall have it." Your anxiety is a clear indication you don't believe this job is yours and instead of having faith, you have doubt, concern, fear and worry.

Why not release those negative emotions? They're not doing you any good and won't bring you any closer to what you want. In fact, the more you hang onto those bad feelings, the less likely it is you will get that job or any job you want.

This is what I suggest: Create a mental video of you now being in your dream job. Forget specific companies; just see yourself in your ideal work situation. See all the details clearly and really feel yourself there:

* What are you doing?
* What are you wearing?
* Who else is there or are you working alone?
* Where are you physically?
* At least how much are you making?
* Is this job fun or what?

Make sure you replay that vision at least three times a day, and especially before you go to sleep so it seeps into your subconscious mind.

Then start living your life as if you already had that job by doing the things a person who has that job would do:

* Have a business card made up specifying the kind of work you see yourself doing.
* Attend trade functions and mingle with your peers in your industry.
* Take classes and seminars and read trade magazines.

Keep your mind filled with thoughts of how great it is to do the work you love. Use affirmations and visualizations to intentionally reprogram your mind to accept you now have your dream job.

Embrace knowing what you want and embody the being-ness of having it and you'll be intuitively guided to take the most appropriate actions towards your goal.

This is where the "magic" occurs -- you'll just "happen" to be in the right place at the right time with exactly what they want or "accidentally" run into someone who has been looking for you.

When you follow your intuition, you won't have to do very much of anything, and what you do will be exceptionally productive. You'll find that as you move towards your goal, it will rush towards you in ways you can't begin to imagine.

Your intuition will always take you where you want to go, and when you listen to it, you will be astonished at the results.

Releasing and letting go of the need to "make it happen" may be one of the hardest things you will ever do, but it is the secret to manifestation. This means never doubting that it will happen, never questioning how it will happen, and never trying to force it to happen.

Focus only on having what you want; not on getting it. The Universe knows how to bring you whatever you desire in ways you can't begin to imagine, but you must first believe it to see it.

"Ask and it is given" is infallible, so focus only on what you want, not on what you don't want. Either way, it's already on its way to you. And so it is.

Janet White, Author
Secrets of the Hidden Job Market: Change Your Thinking to Get the Job of Your Dreams
www.jobmarketsecrets.com
jobmarketsecrets@aol.com or janet@jobmarketsecrets.com
Also available on Amazon
Sign up for Quite the Contrary, a very different kind of job advice newsletter

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Permalink Reply by Nancyjobirn on August 2, 2008 at 9:28pm

Hi Linda, I have seen a short movie named "Secret" which told the secret about how people to overcome difficulties and thrive for success. What I have learned from the movie is : Focus on what you want, rather than on what you don't. Men becomes what he thinks about. Go forth.
If you think you can, you can. Tell youself, you are brave.
What I belive is : You Are Brave!

Nancy :-)

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Permalink Reply by Job Magician on August 2, 2008 at 9:47pm

Remember these rules:

1) Just because they said the answer would be today doesn't mean that it will actually be made today, or even any time soon. Any number of things could happen in the interim that move this from their top priority to a lower priority. There are no end of fires to be put out in a business. This is the most important thing in your life, but it isn't the most important thing in their life. Especially in summer, with all the vacations.

2) Don't depend on one possible opportunity, especially when they tell you there are three other candidates. Do everything you can to develop other possibilities. The best rule is to proceed as if this lead and all others you have will go away, and go get new ones. I don't mean this in a negative sense - you should feel positive about this interview and your chances. But waiting for one possibility is a bad thing to do in any job search, or in business in general, for that matter. It's kind of like a sales rep making one sales call, and then going home and waiting three weeks to see if they order.

3) Jump in a lake. It's August. Take some weekends off, have some fun every day, and continue to keep working your job search sensibly in between, bearing in mind that this is an awfully tough time to make anything happen in the business world. If you think you're getting nowhere because it's August, do some planning for a blitz that you start after Labor Day.

4) Assuming that you mailed thank you notes just after the interview, call the hiring manager a week from now to check in (perhaps as early as next Wednesday). Calling too soon can make you a pest. Calling too late can make you seem disinterested.

Check out this section on surviving unemployment on my web site:

http://www.jobmagician.com/surviving_unemployment.shtml

Best of luck,

Job Magician

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Permalink Reply by Darlene McDaniel on August 3, 2008 at 7:05am

There a multiple ways for you to handle your anxiety. The best way is to focus on other things. Find things you enjoy doing and fill your time with that stuff. The other way, which may be somewhat unconventional, and even counter intuitive, but here goes: Don't put all of your hopes on one job opportunity. While you are in the hiring process as a job seeker, you become much more valuable when you have multiple job offers and it comes down to YOU making the decision about where you want to work rather than being at the mercy of the organization (s) you want to work for. That is the psychology of the job hunt. Most people feel like they are at the mercy of the organization (s). If I can coach my clients to understand that they have much more power than the organization, by virtue of becoming the best candidate for the job (s) they pursue, and when job seekers learn how to effectively interview organizations to determine if the place is actually where they want to invest their life, than it is no longer just about waiting for the organization (s), it becomes the job seekers pleasure to CHOOSE where they work. Most job seekers are "hoping" that the hiring manager likes them and therefore, offer them a job. It is not about that, it is about who is the best fit for the organization and good hiring managers make decisions on that premise, rather than on who they like - though being likable is a critical component to successful interviewing. That is my long answer to your anxiety question, but if you chew on some of what I have shared, it will refocus your thinking and move you forward in your job search so that you are at peace no matter what decision is made. If you have more questions, please feel free to send a note. I am traveling out of the country today for about 14 days. I will be back the week of August 17th. I will respond while I am gone if I can get to email/internet. Happy job hunting!

Darlene
Interview Guru
www.interviewchatter.com

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Permalink Reply by Gary W Capone on August 3, 2008 at 8:37am

Linda, it's tough to be patient waiting on an opportunity you really want. Getting an answer in a week is actually very fast. It often can take much longer. I've seen companies take several weeks between each step in their process. I've even watched as companies put things on hold, only to come back to a candidate a month or two later. The best solution way to deal with this waiting and anxiety is to be active - work on your job search. Work every day to find additional opportunities similar to the one that you are waiting on. The company is assessing at least 3 other people that it considereds similiar to you - so your chances are only one in four. Find a few other opportunities that are a similar and improve those odds. --Gary

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Permalink Reply by Jodi on August 3, 2008 at 9:58am

I agree with everyone else's advice of keeping a back up plan. I also don't think it would be a bad idea if you don't hear from this job, to give them a quick call. Show initiative and continued interest in the position. They may have gotten delayed on making a decision for one reason or another and that phone call may make the difference. I wish you the best of luck and hope you get the job. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it though, there may a good reason from God that its not meant for you. Good luck and let me know how it works out.
Best of Luck,
~Jodi

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Permalink Reply by Judy Martin on August 3, 2008 at 10:40am

Hi Linda,

Hope I'm not too late on this one. There's a difference between protocol - when or if to follow up for example, and the anxiety of the wait. Since we're talking about the later, without getting too esoteric, I think it has to do with trust. Trust in yourself that you put solid effort into the process, trust in your skills, and trust that if this is the best job for you at this time that it will be handed to you. Much anxiety comes from the attachment to the outcome. Easier said than done.

This might sound a little to light, but ridding oneself from anxiety comes down to a very simple concept - you are the only one who can control the response you have to this episode. When we know we are being judged and examined it makes us feel vulnerable and might even thrust us into a place of unworthiness. They might have all the cards - but you decide in the end if you want to play the game. It's a game of control, and the sooner you stand tall in trusting yourself and the process, the easier the wait will be.

I know the phrase everything happens for a reason is somewhat passe, but it's right on the money in this case.

Another other way of handling the anxiety is to simple push ahead and not put all your eggs in this basket.

Finally, because I'm a huge fan of affirmation and meditation, breaking the mind with the breath can accelerate the process of becoming more detached to the outcome. In calming the mind, somehow anxiety seems to float away. You can find some inspirational passages on my blog at WorkLifeMonitor.com

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth M. Lengyel on August 3, 2008 at 5:41pm

Hi Linda,
Obviously you're very interested in getting this job, I hope your phone rings with good news soon.

Remember that a time lag between your interview and the interviewer's decision can happen for a number of reasons. They still may be uncertain who to hire. They decided to interview a 4th or 5th person for whatever reason. The interviewer got sick. Decision makers could be out of town. A business crisis needed to be dealt with. There are any number of possibilities that can cause a delay.

My suggestion is to keep your name fresh in the interviewer's mind. You still want to demonstrate enthusiasm and remind them of the benefits you bring to their company.

What can you do to keep differentiating yourself and frankly, give them a gentle nudge? A few thoughts:

- Send a hand written note (drop off personally or courier so they receive immediately), reminding them of your enthusiasm and interest - and if possible, with a new idea.

- Send an e-mail to offer a new solution to a problem you discussed with the interviewer.

- Send an article that is relevant to a situation the company is facing.

Use words that exude confidence and the feeling you can already picture yourself in the job.

And of course if the decision doesn't go in your favor - still stay in touch with those people you met during the interview process. Sometimes the person selected doesn't work out. I have seen many candidates turned down - only to be hired months later. All the more reason that it's so important to 'stay in touch'. Send a note. Call. Go for coffee. If nothing else, you have broadened your connections and network.

I hope that's helpful.
Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Marcia Robinson on August 4, 2008 at 7:42am

Hi Linda,

You already have a lot of good advice here from everyone. I just wanted to add that you definitely want to keep your focus on the search and moving forward. I noticed there was about a week between your interview and your question and I am hoping you sent a thank-you letter for the interview. It would not be too late to do it now and it would give you an opportunity to connect again.

Thank-you letters put candidates over the top all the time.

Secondly, once I worked with a client who during the wait, received a congratulatory email from a vendor thanking her for all her help and support in making a difficult deal happen. I suggested she could forward this congratulatory email to her interviewer as she knew they were debating a final decision.

Her email was simple and restated her interest and added that the note from the vendor was indicative of the work she would be able to do for them.

Marcie

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Permalink Reply by Linda Wilson on August 4, 2008 at 12:17pm

Thank you all for all the encouragement and great advice! I called the HR Representative this morning after reading all your emails and was told that the company will definitely be making a decision on Thursday, August 7th. I am still at the top of the list!

Thank you all for replying to me in my desperation!

I will be saving these emails for future reference!

Thanks again!
Linda Wilson

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