The Order of Interviewer Calls in the Job Search Process

When it comes to job interviews and notifications of offers, a common question arises: do interviewers typically call successful candidates first or notify those who are about to be rejected? This practice can vary widely depending on the company and the specific hiring process. While some organizations prefer to send offers of employment to successful candidates immediately, others may not contact unsuccessful candidates until the conclusion of the hiring process. Here, we explore these practices in detail, with insights from experienced HR professionals and recruiters.

Typical Practices in External Hiring

For many external recruiters, the process often begins with rejecting unsuitable candidates as quickly as possible. This approach allows recruiters to provide closure and manage their time efficiently. Typically, a recruiter might contact successful candidates with an offer if the position is a high-priority role that needs to be filled immediately. In such cases, an offer might be made right after the initial round of interviews to avoid wasting time on subsequent candidates.

However, if there are a few candidates who need to be seen or evaluated further, the process might take a bit longer. This is particularly true in competitive fields where multiple strong candidates may be vying for the job. For example, in my previous role, I often made offers of employment to the preferred candidate as soon as possible, or within a couple of days, while preparing to notify the second or third-choice candidates if the first choice decided to accept. If the top candidate did not accept right away, it was essential to keep backup candidates on standby in case they were needed.

Internal Recruiting: A Different Approach

Internal recruiting can be a bit more complex, as evidenced by my experience at my last place of work. Although the vacancy was approved, an additional stage was required before making an offer. This extra step could result in a recruitment freeze, requiring all candidates to be contacted simultaneously, which could lead to awkward situations. Additionally, since people discuss their hiring processes, an unexpected recruitment freeze might cause confusion among employees if delays were not communicated properly.

Variations and Unconventional Practices

In some organizations, there are no strict protocols for contacting unsuccessful candidates. In fact, some companies might not even follow up with them at all, or they might do it very late in the process. If multiple strong candidates are vying for the position, the employer may need to gather input from staff members on the best candidate to proceed with. Communication and decision-making in such scenarios can be challenging and vary widely from company to company and from department to department.

The Importance of Persistence in Job Hunting

What's crucial to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to how employers handle the notification of candidates. Every company, department, and manager has their own unique processes and reasons for their actions. As a job seeker, it's essential not to read too much into the behavior of employers regarding the success or failure of an application. Other factors and behind-the-scenes processes may influence these decisions, and it is often impossible to know what is going on. Therefore, it is advisable to continue applying for jobs and awaiting offer letters until you have been formally accepted for a position.

Real-world Examples

For a successful candidate, the first call is usually the one to extend the job offer. However, this may not always be the case, as sometimes the top choice candidate might accept another offer. In such situations, the employer would then go through the next candidate in line. On the flip side, unsuccessful job applicants are often left in the dark and may not even receive a call back. In some cases, employers might ghost candidates entirely, which can be disheartening for those waiting for a response.

Understanding the nuances of the job search process and being prepared for variations in the hiring process is crucial for any job seeker. Staying persistent and continuing to apply for positions will increase your chances of landing that dream job.