Waiting for a Callback After an Interview: Should I Reach Out or Wait Longer?

Hello All, This is Saba Khan from Mumbai. I have done an MBA in HR and graduated in 2010 (fresher). Recently, I appeared for an interview at one of the multinational companies. It was just a normal interview round. My interview went pretty well, and I am quite confident that I will pass this round. I had the interview on Saturday morning. The interviewer mentioned that if I were shortlisted, I would receive a call either on Saturday evening or on Monday. However, I did not receive any call today. Should I call the interviewer tomorrow and ask for feedback? Kindly suggest.

Thanks & Regards

Saba Khan Mumbai

It's a good idea to request feedback after attending an interview. Please understand that recruiters may have other priorities as well. Make your communication graceful; thank them for considering you for the interview and share what you learned during that interaction. If any escalation or concern areas were discussed with you, share how you intend to troubleshoot them and any further knowledge upgrades you are considering to make yourself the right fit for the role.

The moral of the story is not just to ask for feedback but to offer your learning and expertise in your email.

Please ensure that you establish a professional relationship with the organization and its recruitment team, regardless of whether they offer you the role. Recruiters always remember candidates who misbehave or irritate them.

You may wish to read the attached discussion: https://www.citehr.com/296874-ask-th...#axzz165Sc6u2X.

Regards,
Cite Contribution

Thank you for your suggestions. As per your guidelines, I called the interviewer. Before I could make my point, he informed me that they have a meeting on this and he will provide me with feedback in an hour or so. However, he did not follow up. Does this mean I was not selected? Or should I call him again? Please guide.

Thanks & Regards,
Saba Khan

When an interviewer says, "I'll call you later," or "you may get a call from us," etc., it's a polite way of saying that you're not shortlisted. Don't waste your time following up; instead, apply to other slots.

Best,
Akshat

We are thankful to Kaustubh and appreciate his effort in connecting Saba to her new employer. We congratulate Saba on this achievement.

Regards,
(Cite Contribution)

Responding to Candidates Professionally

In my experience in recruitment over 4 years as a recruiter in top branded companies, we were advised by the companies I worked for not to react but to respond to the candidates.

For the candidate not to feel disheartened or shattered when called for an interview and not being shortlisted, the jargon used for the candidates not shortlisted includes:

1. "We shall get back to you."
2. "We are in the process of interviewing some more folks; we will let you know the results in due course."
3. "Management has to make a decision."

I may be wrong too; at times, the resource is critical or the requirement needs to be closed soon, so the company will get back in a few days after keeping the candidate on hold. However, the candidate is not supposed to show negative signs at any given point, even when not being shortlisted. This shows true professionalism. Maybe the organization is too small, and those they did not want to meet initially will be met, so play it safe.

Therefore, learn the art of giving the best interview and selling yourself the best. Do not worry; the experience of attending more and more interviews will bring out the best in you.

Regards,
HN Pratap
Bangalore

Subject: Re: Calling After an Interview

In my experience as a recruiter for over four years in top-branded companies, we were advised to respond to candidates rather than react to them.

To prevent candidates from feeling disheartened or shattered when called for an interview and not shortlisted, the jargon used for candidates not shortlisted includes:

- "We shall get back to you."
- "We are in the process of interviewing some more folks; we will let you know the results in due course."
- "Management has to make a decision."

I might be wrong; at times, the resource is critical, or the requirement needs to be closed soon, and the company will get back in a few days after keeping the candidate on hold. However, the candidate should not show negative signs at any point, even when not shortlisted. Perhaps the organization is too small, and those who were not initially wanted to be met will be met, so it's best to play it safe.

Therefore, learn the art of giving the best interview and selling yourself well. Do not worry, as the experience of attending more and more interviews will bring out the best in you.

Regards,
HN Pratap
Bangalore