Question about 1st/2nd round job interviews

[Schfifty Five]

Ok here's the situation.

About 3 weeks ago I had a phone interview with a big engineering company. It went really well and 2 days later I was invited for an onsite interview.

The onsite interview happened 2 weeks ago and I met with about 4 managers/engineers.

Everything went really well and HR said they would have a decision a few days later. Well, they never called when they said they would so I called them. HR said they were still making final decisions and that I would be contacted in the next few days.

Well, I finally got a call back from them and HR said that everything went well in the past interview, but they want me to come in and talk with 2 more managers from groups outside the one I'm interviewing for.

My question is that I don't know if this is a good thing or bad thing. After the onsite interview, I asked HR if this would be the last interview and she said "yes, no more after this, and we'll make our final decision". That makes me think they are having trouble deciding between me and someone else.

I should also mention that HR said the person I'm going to be interviewed by was not there last time, so that's why she's bringing me in again.

So what do you guys think...right now I'm leaning towards that they can't decide between me and whoever else. I honestly don't know who else they have been interviewing.

 

[hypn0tik]

Just do really well on the interview and you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Edit: Good luck!

 

[NoMoMoney]

Sounds they offered that specific job to someone but you sparked interest from someone else. Manager A who interviewed you liked you and went to Manager B (didn't interview you) and said "This guy would be a good fit for your group". So take it as a good sign!

 

[QED]

Second round interviews are very common.

If you get one, that is a Good Thing. Businesses tend to not like to waste their time bringing in candidates they have no intentions of hiring.

It's also not all that uncommon after a first interview for the recruiter/HR person to realize thre were some other people who wanted feedback or a say in the hiring process-- hence the second interview.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: NoMoMoney
Sounds they offered that specific job to someone but you sparked interest from someone else. Manager A who interviewed you liked you and went to Manager B (didn't interview you) and said "This guy would be a good fit for your group". So take it as a good sign!

Hmm...well the thing is last time I interviewed, I was interviewed by many managers from different groups, including the group I was going for. They like to have managers from diff. groups come and interview candidates. So I don't think it has anything to do with being put in another group. But it's possible I guess.

 

[Thraxen]

I agree, it sounds like they are trying to decide between 2 or more "finalists". As to if this is a good or bad thing... I'd say it's a good thing. This is definitely better than if they had decided "no" already.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: MathMan
Second round interviews are very common.

If you get one, that is a Good Thing. Businesses tend to not like to waste their time bringing in candidates they have no intentions of hiring.

It's also not all that uncommon after a first interview for the recruiter/HR person to realize thre were some other people who wanted feedback or a say in the hiring process-- hence the second interview.

I see, thanks for the input.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five

Originally posted by: NoMoMoney
Sounds they offered that specific job to someone but you sparked interest from someone else. Manager A who interviewed you liked you and went to Manager B (didn't interview you) and said "This guy would be a good fit for your group". So take it as a good sign!

Hmm...well the thing is last time I interviewed, I was interviewed by many managers from different groups, including the group I was going for. They like to have managers from diff. groups come and interview candidates. So I don't think it has anything to do with being put in another group. But it's possible I guess.

Does the position entail a lot of cross collaborating with other groups?

 

[puffff]

I sit right next to my manager and overheard some hiring discussions recently, so here's my take on it.

You probably did okay, and most of the managers want you on board. However, not everyone was convinced, and they cant come to a decision. They're hoping that they can break the deadlock with a couple more opinions. The positive is that someone thinks well enough of you to push for your hire, the negative is that someone is objecting.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five

Originally posted by: NoMoMoney
Sounds they offered that specific job to someone but you sparked interest from someone else. Manager A who interviewed you liked you and went to Manager B (didn't interview you) and said "This guy would be a good fit for your group". So take it as a good sign!

Hmm...well the thing is last time I interviewed, I was interviewed by many managers from different groups, including the group I was going for. They like to have managers from diff. groups come and interview candidates. So I don't think it has anything to do with being put in another group. But it's possible I guess.

Does the position entail a lot of cross collaborating with other groups?

Yes it does, this is a big manufacturing company, so yeah all these groups work on their specific areas, but also work together as a whole.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: puffff
I sit right next to my manager and overheard some hiring discussions recently, so here's my take on it.

You probably did okay, and most of the managers want you on board. However, not everyone was convinced, and they cant come to a decision. They're hoping that they can break the deadlock with a couple more opinions. The positive is that someone thinks well enough of you to push for your hire, the negative is that someone is objecting.

Hmm...never thought of it that way, very good point.