We all know the interviewing process can be arduous. There is a lot of time and effort that candidates must willingly invest during this critical process. Career seekers must be sure they’re in it to ‘win it’ or the time and waiting involved can cause one a whole lot of unneeded restlessness.

Companies also have to invest valuable time and effort. Hiring a candidate is a pretty serious endeavor and any company would want to make sure that the person they hire is the right one; even if that decision involves waiting longer than anticipated for the right fit to come along.

Your timely journey in the interviewing process may begin with a phone screen and an interview with an agency recruiter. Waiting to hear back as to whether or not the potential employer is interested in meeting with you  may take a few days or up to a week.

If all goes well, you’ll move on to the next level of the interviewing phase; an interview with the company's Human Resources Recruiter. Learning of their feedback may take a few days.

If the company's HR Recruiter agrees you are a strong candidate for the position; you’ll than be scheduled to meet with the hiring manager (in most cases the person you would actually be reporting to). If the hiring manager thinks you’re awesome; you’ll learn of this feedback until you’ve waited for about a day or so.

You’ve now just learned the hiring manager is very fond of you but would like for you to also meet with their boss. The interview with the boss took a couple of hours and seemingly went very well. You'll learn of the interview feedback in a few days.

Almost there! Your wait is almost over BUT you were just told by your agency recruiter that “Joey”, the HR Recruiter, went to the Bahamas for much needed R & R and he’s the only one that would be able to extend the job offer (that is if they decide this is the direction they would like to take). He should be back in the next couple of weeks before you will receive the final outcome.

YIKES! All of this waiting!! What in the world is a candidate to do?!

Well, if you change the way you think about this process believe it or not it may help you through it. Think of this entire process as a test you must pass.  Ask yourself these questions:

How will I choose to react or behave during this wait time? How badly do I want this position? Can I hold off long enough to find out if the company will extend that job offer or will I need to respectfully decline before an offer is made?

Waiting is not always easy to do. You may either choose to wait patiently and calmly for the final word or you may simply tell your recruiter politely and respectfully that you have decided to move on.

If you do choose to wait and are experiencing the Restless Candidate Syndrome; here are a few tips that may result in a more pleasant experience for everyone involved:

TIPS

1. Don’t keep pressuring the agency recruiter. No need to follow up daily with him/her. If the recruiter tells you they will follow up with you once they’ve learned of an outcome, trust they will. There is only so much relaying of information we can do on the candidates behalf until we start to appear pushy.

2. If you truly need to know if the company is going to make you an offer within a certain time frame because you have other offers on the table; you must logically decide what is best for you. If you can hold off a little bit longer on your final decision of which offer you’re most interested in accepting, do so. If the continued waiting means it will cause you to lose out on other job offers; move on. YOU must decide what’s best for YOU. Once you’re aware of your decision immediately follow up with your recruiter. Always keep your recruiter informed.

3. Don’t start bad mouthing the hiring company to your recruiter because they’re taking longer than expected to make a decision and don’t ever complain to your recruiter on how long the process is taking. Don’t even complain about how much personal time you’ve used away from your current job to be able to interview with everyone. Listen, YOU are the one seeking employment. The company is not obligated to you or what it actually took for you to arrange for interviews to take place. Complaints can be relayed back to the potential employer and it can cause you that final job offer. Be wise and keep a good attitude!

4. Finally, be humble and respectful during this gruesome process. Don’t arrogantly think you’re the ONLY candidate they have their eye on. During this waiting period allow your true character to shine through. Make sure it’s a positive one!

Remember, waiting is the nature of the interviewing process. Everyone involved must wait to learn of the final decision. The candidate and the agency recruiter. You’re not alone. Be patient and be calm. If this job was meant for you, it will all work out in the end. Always keep positive thoughts. Positive thoughts breed positive actions!

Good luck!