Opinion on Following Up a Face-to-Face

[asphaltgambler]

I finally landed a face-to-face interview with a large county; public school system back on 2nd of Sept. It is for an Electronic Security Technician. To me it presents an incredible opportunity as this is one of the top 10 public school systems in the US and one of THE wealthiest countys.

I know for a fact that the face-to-face was narrowed down to just 4 candidates including me. It was a panel interview and I killed them. So much so that one of the panel members who walked me out gushed that I was the best interview she ever been part of.

They said once the panel selects the best candidate - they send it forward to HR for background checks. That process could be as little as 3 weeks total to 3 months. They also offered up that if I was NOT the person selected that would let me know.

So today it's been 6 weeks - I have heard nada. I think that if I were not "the guy" they would called, emailed, or snail mailed by now. So no news is good news...................maybe.

I am considering a follow up phone call to check the progress, but unsure if that is a professional thing to do, so I need some advice.

Also they had a huge interview/hiring event around that time for many positions ranging from bus drivers to teachers to admin. They plan to open 20 additional schools in the next 2 years so I would imagine they have a LOT of people's papers sent to HR for background checks

[TheMentat]

I can remember that feeling last time I applied for a job. Not sure the best way for you to handle if, but good luck!

[Dueller]

I would think a brief letter to the selecting officiaal and/or whomever conducted the interview with a follow up phone call a week or so later. Perhaps nothing more than thnking them for interview and express your continued interest in the position.

YMMV

Good luck on the job

[vash]

the wheels of government spin slowly.

you dont know anyone on the inside that you can take out for lunch?

i have no real advice..only chimed in to wish you luck!! fingers crossed for you.

[svandamme]

Just ring up whoever you talked to, regularly check in with em.
Make sure they remember you, so when they discuss the candidates, you were not a far away memory.

[asphaltgambler]

Do not know anyone personally, but the intial contacts' name and number...............my struggle is whether 'that' call would make me seem deperate OR unprofessional........

[vash]

growing up, i was not very close to my uncle but i do remember one quote of his.

"there is nothing sexy about desperate"..

i see your dilemma. damn.

[krystar]

i would do a call. but you should spin it not as a "follow up" call, but rather "Can I provide any more information or new updates to my interview portfolio" call. i'd like to add that i had just done XYZ certification (if there's any left for you heh) and I've taken my 2012 ABC codes class

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Dueller

I would think a brief letter to the selecting officiaal and/or whomever conducted the interview with a follow up phone call a week or so later. Perhaps nothing more than thnking them for interview and express your continued interest in the position.

YMMV

Good luck on the job

Also offering to provide any new or updated info that might help the process might not hurt. You do not want to appear needy but "can you please let me know so I can move on with my life" without coming out and saying so!

[krystar]

lol me and joeaska on the same wavelength

[svandamme]

a candidate who just sits on his ass waiting to be called, to me is a candidate who doesn't need a job.
It's not a frigging dating game where you both wait for the other side to call you first.


It ain't about looking desperate, it's about looking "eager" for a job.
I'de rather have em eager then apathetic,lazy, not on top of their own case..

there is nothing wrong with checking in with them, at all.
Now you don't have to call em every day, or even every week.

That's something you have to get a feel for.. You try to stay in touch without annoying them.
And though not calling won't annoy them at all, it won't help you in getting the job either.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by krystar

lol me and joeaska on the same wavelength

You must type faster!

[Evans, Marv]

Hey, good luck. I hope you get it. Maybe you could introduce a bit of BS factor and when you communicate with them, be it phone or written or email or all of those, you could intimate you have had some serious possibilities regarding other positions. Let them know your preference is for the position they have. That way you won't necessarily seem anxious, maybe it will light a little fire under their butts.

[vash]

Originally Posted by svandamme

a candidate who just sits on his ass waiting to be called, to me is a candidate who doesn't need a job.
It's not a frigging dating game where you both wait for the other side to call you first.


It ain't about looking desperate, it's about looking "eager" for a job.
I'de rather have em eager then apathetic,lazy, not on top of their own case..

there is nothing wrong with checking in with them, at all.
Now you don't have to call em every day, or even every week.

That's something you have to get a feel for.. You try to stay in touch without annoying them.
And though not calling won't annoy them at all, it won't help you in getting the job either.

there is a fine line between eager and annoying.

we had one guy in our office. he applied, and made it thru the process. while waiting he essentially stalked us. he would show up..try to meet us at our lunch places..eek. in the end, we had to work with the person, so a guy that gave us the creeps just wouldnt work. we opted for another choice.

the original guy even offered to "intern" for free.

[Rick Lee]

If you want to roll the dice, you can call or write and tell them you have another offer forthcoming with a deadline for an answer and you're going to have to go with the bird in hand. This happened to my wife a few years back. She had an offer in hand for a place that wouldn't sponsor her H1 visa, but was pretty close to an offer for a job she wanted a lot more that would sponsor her H1. The second job wouldn't speed up their process other than to say they would be making her an offer, but couldn't say when. She ended up working the other job for about a month and then quit to take the better one.

[dennis in se pa]

I think calling is completely appropriate. It will also show your sincere interest in the job. Maybe they think you are over qualified. Your call will silence that concern.

[emcon5]

I would expect that a background check would require at a minimum some disclosure forms to be filled out, and possibly fingerprints, particularly for a school.

I would call them. "Hi, this is asphaltgambler, I just wanted to touch base and see if there was anything else you needed."

[asphaltgambler]

Great advice all - definitely leaning towards calling them 1st of next week. I'll do some 'practicing' over the weekend

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Do not know anyone personally, but the intial contacts' name and number...............my struggle is whether 'that' call would make me seem deperate OR unprofessional........

Hell no, it makes you seem interested. Just don't be pushy. If they say they'll get in touch, take it at that.

[dennis in se pa]

"Great advice all - definitely leaning towards calling them 1st of next week. I'll do some 'practicing' over the weekend"

When you call - stand up and talk, don't be sitting down. You will have more control in that position.