Had a 3rd interview... now what?
Ok, I could use some insights on this one... wasn't sure where to post this thread so I guess it's the Lounge. I had a 3rd interview at the Apple Store almost a month ago, and I REALLY want this job. I felt the interviews went well and was told they would be in touch. About a week and a half later, I didn't hear anything, so I emailed my contact person there to follow up. I heard nothing back. Another week later, I called, was put on hold, then told that the managers were busy or in a meeting or something, but would be given the message that I called to inquire about my application status. I heard nothing back. At this point, it's been almost a month since my 3rd interview, for a position that I am over-qualified for. I feel like it would be out of line to try and follow up yet again, but I am getting rather annoyed. I have emailed my career adviser at my college about it yesterday, I'm waiting to hear back from her about what I should do. Is it safe to assume that I didn't get the job and move on? Really disappointing. Thoughts?
How can you see where you're going if you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder? –Naughty Ninja
K
I think you're right about not trying to follow up again. It's very bad 'form' on their part to not let applicants know the results of their selection. They may have hired someone else, or they may have decided to delay hiring for a while. Either way, they should let you know. Shame on them.
I believe I'd keep looking around, applying for other jobs. It won't hurt anything, you may find something better, and you can still talk w/ the Apple folks if they do make an offer.
Thanks, P. I apply for other jobs constantly, I have been ever since finishing school last year. Very rarely do I hear anything back after sending out my resume, and if I do it's only to tell me that the company is not looking to hire, or they have decided to move forward with other candidates. The economy here stinks right now, and my field is incredibly competitive. I stay afloat for the time-being with my freelance work, but it is really frustrating. I had my hopes up with this Apple job, now I don't know. Isn't it generally a good sign if you get a 3rd interview? I was asked to make a "promotional podcast" prior to the interview, to further express my interest in the job. I worked really hard at it... I invested all this time into everything they asked of me, and over-prepared for the interviews, and I hear NOTHING back after almost a month? That's just... really messed up. I don't get it, but I don't want to give up on this job. UGH.... sooooooo frustrating.
How can you see where you're going if you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder? –Naughty Ninja
I'm sorry - they should have let you know if they hired someone else. Just remember though that the people doing the hiring are human and just plain make mistakes sometimes. A 3rd interview suggests that either it was a very close decision, or maybe there was some sort of internal disagreement.
For what its worth, I'm on the other side of this now. I posted a job in my organization and I've gotten a very large number of good resumes. What makes this particularly tough is that several are from personal friends. Now it gets really awkward - When I wrote the req, I suggested that one of my friends apply (they were well qualified for the job). It turns out that someone even better qualified applied (someone I know professionally), now I need to tell my friend that I can't hire her. I hate doing this, I'm going to need to tell 3 friends that I can't hire them - even though they know they could do the job. I wish I could post another job, but I can't.
This is a really tough job market - even very good people are having a difficult time finding jobs. All I can suggest is that you keep looking and don't get discouraged when you are turned down. That is happening to some really good people.
Thanks, rcoreyus. I know it's really tough, I've been struggling since graduating college a year ago, and I know I'm not the only one. NOT a good time to be a college grad in this economy. I guess I'm just really perplexed about this particular job, because Apple doesn't hire just one person, they had several openings and they are constantly hiring. They've been known to hire people with little to no experience, but they've got a lot of drive and personality. The position that I was applying for, I am over-qualified for... I have tons of related experience AND I have personality and a lot of passion. I just don't get it. But, at this point maybe I just need to forget about it and move on. I'm just really disappointed because I had my heart set on this.bummer. I will let you all know if I do end up hearing from them.
How can you see where you're going if you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder? –Naughty Ninja
Sometimes companies don't like to hire overqualified because they are pretty sure they will leave when the job market gets better. It costs a company a lot of money to train someone, and if that person will leave in the not too far future, they don't want to hire them in the first place, rather hiring a lesser qualified person who will stick around. Training someone at my work can easily cost $100,000.
K:
re: third interview - yes, they def should have given you some feedback (hired or not). If nothing else, a letter saying "thanks, but someone else was chosen, etc."
good luck w/ the search. YOu're right, it is a very tough market these days.
Pat
If you got a 3rd interview, that means it had been narrowed down to a manageable number of applicants. If they can't find the time or courtesy to get in touch with you (when they said they would in the first place) or to return your calls....maybe it's best you don't get the job. I've had interviews like that before and then later learned that working there was even more frustrating than the interview process. They way they are handling this is a good indication of how the company is run, so maybe it's good you didn't get it.
That is a really good point - and maybe internal discussions on this are what delayed things so long. The other worry with over-qualified applicants is that they will get bored and not do a good job. I know someone who hired a receptionist who was very over-qualified for the job. She decided that the receptionist type work (answering calls, making copies, etc) was beneath her abilities (which it was ). Unfortunately the company REALLY needed someone to do that work, and when she didn't she got fired.
Originally Posted by jns
Thank you everyone. I honestly don't see Apple as the type of company that wouldn't get back to people, that's why I find it strange that they didn't. I have two acquaintances that work for Apple retail, and they both say that it's a really fun and diverse place to work, with growth opportunities. The things they do and their interactions are never the same on a day-to-day basis, it's always changing and always new opportunities. I own and have used Apple products and services for a long time, I've never had a complaint about them until this particular experience, which is why I'm so perplexed. It could be that the manager at that particular store doesn't have the courtesy to get back to applicants, or it slipped their mind or whatever, but I've never seen Apple as that type of company. IDK... whatever... I'm just letting it go for now. If I hear from them, great. If I don't, whatever, back to the drawing board.
How can you see where you're going if you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder? –Naughty Ninja
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