top of page

Where am I in the interview process?

One of the most stressful parts of a job search is waiting and wondering.  

  • Are you the preferred candidate or a stalking horse?

  • Are they just busy or slow-playing you?

  • Should you send another check-in email?


Signals to Guide You

“At some point in the process, when you become the preferred candidate, the nature of the conversation with the hiring manager/recruiting team switches from transactional to a candid conversation. This is where the hiring manager will be available to speak with you on a frequent basis.” Matthew Parker

From working with many top executives, we’ve learned the signals to watch for


You know you are a top choice candidate if the company/recruiter is they:

  • Proactively reach out to you

  • Ask where you are in other processes

  • Talk to you about start date

  • Discuss the next interview 

  • Shift the conversation to casual / culture topics

  • Discuss benefits and perks

  • Ask you to provide references

  • Introduce you to others while you are in office

  • Inquire about your career goals

  • Talk like you are already on the team

  • Reply to your thank you email;)


You know you aren’t a priority candidate if they:

  • Don’t share a clear next action

  • Reschedule your interviews consistently

  • Have delays in responding to you


Despite all these signs, It is stressful knowing where you are in a process.  

  • Even when people on the hiring team give off overt and subtle signs that they want to you to join, you are not guaranteed to receive an offer.

  • Companies may have other internal alignment /scheduling issues that slow their response, giving on a negative message when you are a top candidate

What signals is a company sending about your candidacy

How Whispered helps executives collaborate



In some cases, multiple Whispered executives can be in the running for a role.  We find candidates collaborate and can learn a lot from each other about the process.  This allows them to:

  • Calibrate the signals they are receiving

  • Know if they are preferred candidate

  • Adjust how they position their level of interest in a role

“That is one of the biggest beauties of Whispered, to know of and speak with other candidates who are interviewing for the same role. No more black boxes!” Whispered Member

51 views

Related Posts

See All

Commentaires


bottom of page