Back in late February / early March I was progressing through a lengthy but very sincere interview process with a dream firm. There were so many things that attracted me to this firm, and I am humbled they even paid travel fees for the interview at the time. Then, all the stars I was attempting to align at the beginning of the year just went haywire within a week or two after due to COVID...and shortly thereafter we all were (are) barely leaving our houses let alone states for jobs. In the conversations that followed I was told they would were putting a hiring freeze (very understandable), and that they would reach out if that changes.
Originally I planned to reach out 3 months ago, but their city and state experienced an astronomical COVID resurgence at that month due to rushed reopening. Additionally, this is a larger firm...and many larger firms are making significant cuts at this time. I don't want to be tactless for not reading the room, but I also don't want to fade into obscurity.
My question is, for those of you on the other side of the interview table at this time, how would you like prospective employees to reach out / stay in touch during this very uncertain time?
Sincerely,
The one that got away
midlander
Aug 28, 20 1:33 am
if you got the personal contacts of your interviewers just reach out (email) to them and ask how things are going, mention you're really sorry about the current circumstances but much enjoyed meeting and hope to keep in touch regardless of their current hiring needs. if you didn't get their contact info, ask hr to connect you and explain you enjoyed the interview and want to keep connected.
mightyaa
Aug 28, 20 10:53 am
^this... Basically, you want your name to be recognized when they start hiring again so they'll reach out to you.
Jay1122
Aug 28, 20 8:36 am
LOL, the only thing you can do is contact them and have them put you on the backup pile of resume to interview when the hiring resumes, which could be next year. Tell them you are eager to work for them even if it is a much later date. It is all about luck and their impression of you.
thisisnotmyname
Aug 28, 20 11:52 am
You should reach out. It is very helpful to the firm to know that you are still interested and the effort they expended to bring you in isn't lost. When hiring resumes, it will benefit them to begin with candidates that they have already begun the process with, versus starting from scratch. Also, do not assume they are not hiring. COVID related disruptions are not affecting architecture firms in a uniform way, in other words, some firms are doing fine, and others are not.
Everyday Architect
Aug 28, 20 12:12 pm
Definitely don't assume they are not hiring or that their hiring freeze isn't over or about to be over. We just made a new hire for a pretty significant new role. I don't know how long this was in the works, but probably happened mostly post-COVID shutdown. I had one firm reach out to me 6 months after I sent them my application for an open and advertised position wondering if I was still looking and wanted to come in for an interview. Sometimes things move slowly in architecture, sometimes they don't. Always best to keep in touch and keep options open.
robhaw
Aug 29, 20 7:40 am
I can confirm what EA said above. Last summer I applied to a large A&E firm and they got back to me in February asking to interview. Sometimes, projects delay so recruitment goes on hold and some interviews can be speculative. It is definitely advisable to reach out to the senior people you interview with, follow/comment on their feed on LinkedIn, update them on your progress and indicate your interest in their company.
thisisnotmyname
Aug 29, 20 10:13 am
Agree, I have seen mega-size international firms take several months to hire people.
Jay1122
Aug 28, 20 11:58 am
I wonder which firm is considered dream firm to you
x-jla
Aug 28, 20 7:51 pm
I think it’s probably incredibly important rn to demonstrate that you are self motivated being that many are working remotely
Hello Archinect,
Back in late February / early March I was progressing through a lengthy
but very sincere interview process with a dream firm. There were so many things that attracted me to this firm, and I am humbled they even paid travel fees for the interview at the time. Then, all the stars I was
attempting to align at the beginning of the year just went haywire within a week or two after due to COVID...and shortly thereafter we all were (are) barely leaving our houses let alone states for jobs. In the conversations that followed I was told they would were putting a hiring freeze (very understandable), and that they would reach out if that changes.
Originally I planned to reach out 3 months ago, but their city and state experienced an astronomical COVID resurgence at that month due to rushed reopening. Additionally, this is a larger firm...and many larger firms are making significant cuts at this time. I don't want to be tactless for not reading the room, but I also don't want to fade into obscurity.
My question is, for those of you on the other side of the interview
table at this time, how would you like prospective employees to reach
out / stay in touch during this very uncertain time?
Sincerely,
The one that got away
if you got the personal contacts of your interviewers just reach out (email) to them and ask how things are going, mention you're really sorry about the current circumstances but much enjoyed meeting and hope to keep in touch regardless of their current hiring needs. if you didn't get their contact info, ask hr to connect you and explain you enjoyed the interview and want to keep connected.
^this... Basically, you want your name to be recognized when they start hiring again so they'll reach out to you.
LOL, the only thing you can do is contact them and have them put you on the backup pile of resume to interview when the hiring resumes, which could be next year. Tell them you are eager to work for them even if it is a much later date. It is all about luck and their impression of you.
You should reach out. It is very helpful to the firm to know that you are still interested and the effort they expended to bring you in isn't lost. When hiring resumes, it will benefit them to begin with candidates that they have already begun the process with, versus starting from scratch. Also, do not assume they are not hiring. COVID related disruptions are not affecting architecture firms in a uniform way, in other words, some firms are doing fine, and others are not.
Definitely don't assume they are not hiring or that their hiring freeze isn't over or about to be over. We just made a new hire for a pretty significant new role. I don't know how long this was in the works, but probably happened mostly post-COVID shutdown. I had one firm reach out to me 6 months after I sent them my application for an open and advertised position wondering if I was still looking and wanted to come in for an interview. Sometimes things move slowly in architecture, sometimes they don't. Always best to keep in touch and keep options open.
I can confirm what EA said above. Last summer I applied to a large A&E firm and they got back to me in February asking to interview. Sometimes, projects delay so recruitment goes on hold and some interviews can be speculative. It is definitely advisable to reach out to the senior people you interview with, follow/comment on their feed on LinkedIn, update them on your progress and indicate your interest in their company.
Agree, I have seen mega-size international firms take several months to hire people.
I wonder which firm is considered dream firm to you
I think it’s probably incredibly important rn to demonstrate that you are self motivated being that many are working remotely