Why do firms always wait about a week before rejecting you when they already know

[jingramm]

Let's say you know the interviewers already met to discuss your interview and everyone knows the answer. The HR was also made aware. But instead of sending you the bad news quickly, they always wait at least a few days or even a week before delivering the news. Is this some corporate policy? Do they want to appear as if they deliberated your candidacy in depth (which is untrue)?

 

[maddogchen]

Maybe they batch the rejections? Send them out all at once?

 

[SeductivePig]

Sometimes you may be the second best candidate for the job, and they want to wait until their main candidate has accepted before pushing you away.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Let's say you know the interviewers already met to discuss your interview and everyone knows the answer. The HR was also made aware. But instead of sending you the bad news quickly, they always wait at least a few days or even a week before delivering the news. Is this some corporate policy? Do they want to appear as if they deliberated your candidacy in depth (which is untrue)?

A majority of firms don't even send out rejection letters.

 

[Subyman]

I'd say they like to hedge. Keep the names for a few days in case some people drop out or take other jobs, then they have a back up pool to pick through. Otherwise it may just be office lag. If they are interviewing 200 people then it could take the receptionist a while to go through the list.

 

[Ns1]

Sometimes you may be the second best candidate for the job, and they want to wait until their main candidate has accepted before pushing you away.

I'd say they like to hedge. Keep the names for a few days in case some people drop out or take other jobs, then they have a back up pool to pick through. Otherwise it may just be office lag. If they are interviewing 200 people then it could take the receptionist a while to go through the list.

seems reasonable.

 

[BoberFett]

Sometimes you may be the second best candidate for the job, and they want to wait until their main candidate has accepted before pushing you away.

This. I never send rejections for final round candidates until I have acceptance from the first choice.

 

[TXHokie]

Sometimes you may be the second best candidate for the job, and they want to wait until their main candidate has accepted before pushing you away.

I was second candidate, but they didn't send me a rejection and kept saying they were still considering whenever I asked. Later found out both primary and secondary got hired, it just took forever to get the second req and approval. Took me three months from time of interview to hire date, but it was a good company.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

This. I never send rejections for final round candidates until I have acceptance from the first choice.

Usually this happens after they have their candidate. So in tight markets it can take months. I just got a rejection letter from Kansas State even though everyone hires at about the same time and I accepted a position somewhere else four months ago.