Why Executives Endure a Longer Wait to Get Hired

Why Executives Endure a Longer Wait to Get Hired You went on an interview and all went according to plan.As an executive, you know you have a greater responsibility to a company and this interview was important.You took a week off from your current job. They flew you to their headquarters for an out-of-town interview. They put you up in a nice hotel and rented you a car.Most importantly, the interview went incredibly well.But now, more than 3 weeks have passed. You have not heard back from anyone about the interview.Read both the positive and negative reasons why, as an executive, you will endure a longer hiring process.Why Does It Take so Long to Get Hired!?From start to finish of the job search, not including interviews, an executive can expect it to last 4 months, at the very least.Depending on your position, the higher you go in a company the longer you wait. Vice Presidents and Directors wait at least 76 days.The average hiring time for a C-level position is 71 days.The average for other positions across all industries is 43 d ays, almost a full month by comparison.If you expected to be hired quickly, you are out of luck. Why?Why Does Technology Complicate the Job Search More Than Help?Think about what technology offers. Companies want to choose wisely before handing over control of such important positions to just anyone with a great resume.They can investigate you with background checks, personality type, online footprint, checking your references and more.But this process is not always about you. More can be happening than you realize.Here Are Reasons Why They Have Not Called You BackHiring the best executive is not a one-person task. It takes a team of people to decide.If a key person is out for extended sick leave, away on business, maternity leave, the process can be delayed until that key person returns.They Have to Hire Other People Before YouIt seems quite backward to hire executives who will then have to wait until their boss is hired.Why interview executives then? It saves the company time.It w ould be easier to show a new leader a handful of prescreened choices.It Seems Like Getting Feedback From an Interview Takes ForeverTo put the best executives in leadership roles, sometimes the company has to be prepared.For example, if a new position is being created for Senior Director, all Directors underneath must go through some form of position restructuring to decide who is leading what and why.You may have interviewed with everyone and it went great. But it does not mean the company is ready for you to assume a leadership role.They Are Finishing up Interviews Previously ScheduledCompanies made the plans to interview certain executive job seekers. It is only fair to everyone they follow through with the plans.Still Waiting for Other Decisions From ExecutivesChoosing a new executive hire is not an “extreme decision”. It is “an ongoing debate that ends with a compromise.”You are good. But someone else may be just as good.No one likes to hire an impatient executive the te am no one will like who cannot endure a pressure situation like waiting to get hired.Not Getting Hired Can Seem Unfair at TimesThis is the worst reason for waiting, by far.The company had all these plans for hiring the best executives.Suddenly, a PR issue pops up that impacts company profit, an acquisition falls through, and every reason they wanted to hire you disappears.What to Do While Waiting for Interview FeedbackNever pause your job search for anyone.Rely more on LinkedIn networking than online job boards.Prepare your case for why other companies should hire you and the value you bring.Get used to job searching and networking again.Above all, do not be defeated by the length of a job search. As an executive, your job search will be longer than others.It’s the price of being important.