5 Reasons to Keep Your Hopes up After a Job Interview
Jobseekers have it extra tough this year. As if job hunting were not challenging enough, they must now do so in a job market that has been rocked by the pandemic. And while the Malaysian economy is showing signs of recovery, organisations all over the country are dealing with disruptions that are causing delays in their business operations.
These disruptions have likely affected the recruitment process of most companies as well. Under normal circumstances, the wait for that employment confirmation letter can be painfully long. In the time of COVID-19, it can be downright excruciating.
It helps to take a step back and see things from the perspective of the employer. Here are some common scenarios that could explain why it is taking companies a while to get back to you, compounded by new realities brought about by the pandemic.
Force majeure can force sudden changes in direction.
A global health crisis is the epitome of unforeseen circumstances. Even the biggest, most established businesses are still finding their bearings in our new normal. Recruitment hinges on factors such as the company’s financial health and management structure, and these are taking hits from the pandemic.
If the recruitment process seemed lengthy under normal circumstances, expect it to take longer now, as employers pivot and to deal with challenges coming at them from all sides.
Indecision is real.
The recruitment and selection of new talent are never taken lightly by employers, which explains the usual long interim between a job interview and the release of an employment contract. But it is no surprise that bosses can be wracked by mild bouts of indecision nowadays.
Recruiting the right talent is crucial for companies to stay competitive in this pandemic-challenged business landscape. No one wants to make hasty decisions, especially in uncertain times.
Too many parties are involved.
Remember the saying “too many cooks spoil the broth”? The same can hold for companies both large and small. While multiple perspectives add value to the decision-making process, having too many may cause complications when those perspectives conflict with each other. Plus, the current pandemic will no doubt weigh heavily on these perspectives, possibly causing the group to take an unusually long time to reach a consensus.
The recruiter has decided to expand the talent search.
Hiring top-tier talent is crucial to companies looking to meet the changing needs and behaviours of consumers today. Employers will possibly get more involved and be more thorough in the recruitment process. It is not unthinkable, then, for HR managers to cast a wider recruitment net to attract a larger talent pool. This is not always an indication that you and your fellow applicants failed to impress at your job interview. It may simply be a case of hirers wanting to expand their options to cover all bases and make the best choice possible.
They are still interviewing candidates.
The simplest explanation is often the right one. With 1 in 3 Malaysians retrenched because of COVID-19, it can be as simple as a backlog of applicants that HR managers have to interview.
Add to that the special technological challenges that online job interviews present, and the time it takes employers to go through the whole hiring process multiplies exponentially.
As you can see from the common scenarios above, long wait times do not always mean you are facing certain rejection. Just like you, businesses are navigating new territory, and current realities will impact the way they operate--recruitment process included. So take heart; that employment confirmation letter may still be in the cards.
If you were given a specific date to expect an answer, be patient and wait. If the HR manager did not give you a timeline, send an initial follow-up via email five to ten business days after your interview.
Beyond that, your best recourse is to stay positive and productive. Here are a few other things you can do in the meantime:
- Keep working on those in-demand skills.
- Check if you can do even better in your next online interview.
- Take advantage of this timeout to practice self-care.
Cautiously embrace the new normal, get yourself out there, and make things happen for your career.
Stop worrying while waiting. Keep your eye on the prize and continue pursuing #JobsThatMatter to you. Update your JobStreet profile today and add #WorkNow to your profile. Visit our website to find jobs that match your professional goals and bring you a greater sense of fulfilment. For more practical advice, expert insights, and industry news, visit our Career Resources Hub.
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