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Hey Reader,

You made it through the third round. Maybe the fourth. You’re starting to lose count.

You’ve met the hiring manager, the team, someone’s boss, and maybe a guy who seemed like he just wandered into the Zoom room by accident. You’ve answered the same questions in slightly different ways. You’ve researched the company inside and out. You even figured out how to ask “What’s your favorite part of working here?” without sounding like a robot.

You hit send on the thank-you notes.

And then… nothing.

Days pass. Then a week. Then another.

Maybe you get a “Still finalizing” email. Maybe you get pure silence. Either way, your gut says something’s off - but no one’s saying anything directly.

Let’s talk about what to do when the interview process drags on forever. Because I’ve seen this play out dozens of times - and it’s never about you being “not good enough.”

1. Why it happens (and why it’s not your fault)

First, know this: a delayed process is usually a red flag for something happening internally.

Budget gets frozen. A reorg’s in motion. A senior leader leaves. They’re not totally aligned on what they want. Or worse - they are, but no one wants to own the final call. So you, the candidate, get caught in the middle of a decision vacuum.

The frustrating part? You don’t get to see that side. You only feel the effects.

You go from feeling excited and seen to feeling ghosted, confused, and second-guessing everything you said.

But here’s what I want you to remember: You still have power.

Let’s talk about how to use it.

2. Set a personal timeline

When a process drags out, what makes it so exhausting isn’t just the waiting - it’s the open-endedness of it.

So the first thing I tell my clients is: decide your own deadline.

It could be one week from today. It could be two Fridays from now. Doesn’t matter - what matters is you pick the date. The one where, if you haven’t heard a real update by then, you mentally move on.

Write it on a sticky note. Block it on your calendar. It’s your way of saying: “I’m not putting my life on hold indefinitely.”

This isn’t about being dramatic. It’s about protecting your energy.

3. Check in like a pro

You know that awkward “just checking in” email?

Let’s retire that.

When you’re following up, you want to sound confident, not desperate. You want to remind them that you’re active in your search - and you’re not sitting around waiting to be chosen.

Here’s a template I recommend:

It’s professional, composed, and communicates that you’re engaged, but not waiting passively.

4. Interpret the delay - without spinning out

This part is hard.

When a company’s slow to respond, it’s easy to go into overanalysis mode:

• “Maybe I said something wrong in the last interview.”
• “Maybe they found someone better.”
• “Maybe I didn’t show enough excitement.”

Nope. Nope. And probably nope.

The truth? You don’t have enough data.

So instead of filling the silence with stories, try this: assume the delay is about them - not you.

And ask yourself:

• “If this is how they handle decision-making, am I okay with that?”
• “If communication feels unclear now, do I trust it will improve after I join?”
• “If I had another great option on the table, would I wait around for this one?”

Let the answers guide you.

5. Keep your pipeline moving

This one’s critical.

A lot of people hit pause on everything else once they get deep into an interview process. Totally understandable, especially if it’s a dream role.

But that’s when momentum stalls. And job searching with no backup leads? That’s when panic sets in.

So while you wait, keep taking action:

• Reach out to 3 new people this week.
• Follow up on other open roles.
• Revisit companies that ghosted you two months ago (yes, really).
• Update your materials in case a surprise lead comes through.

Momentum is a mindset and you’re the one who creates it.

6. Don’t confuse slow with special

Here’s a sneaky mindset trap I see a lot:

The more time a company takes, the more we start to invest in it emotionally. And the more we invest, the more we convince ourselves that this role must be perfect. Like, “maybe this delay is a test of my patience and dedication” level of magical thinking.

But often… it’s just a slow, messy process.

Waiting doesn’t mean they’re vetting you more deeply. Or that they’re tailoring the offer to your unique brilliance. Or that they’re playing hard to get. It usually means their internal stuff is messy.

So don’t assign more meaning to the delay than what’s really there.

7. Reframe the power dynamic

This one is subtle, but powerful.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of “I hope they pick me.” But the truth? You’re evaluating them just as much as they’re evaluating you.

And a company that can’t communicate clearly, can’t commit to a timeline, or leaves great candidates hanging for weeks? That’s data.

You deserve better.

Your next role shouldn’t just want you, it should act like it. From day one.

8. Check your story

Finally, if this kind of delay keeps happening across multiple processes, it’s worth stepping back.

Are you overexplaining your experience in interviews?
Are you waiting too long to bring up your own timeline?
Is your resume or LinkedIn profile underselling your value?

Sometimes, it’s not the company dragging things out - it’s a disconnect in the way you’re telling your story.

That’s the part you can refine.

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can support you:

My Career Transformation​
This signature one-on-one coaching program will help you get clear on what’s next for your career, plus upgrade your story, sales documents (resume, cover letter & LinkedIn profile) and strategy to confidently transition into a career that fuels your life, making Mondays the best day of the week.
👉 Apply Here.​

Career Power Hour​
Receive coaching and feedback from me on any element of your career growth or job search in this high impact 60-minute session.
👉 Reserve Now.​

Follow me on LinkedIn​
For daily advice on navigating career transitions, job search tips and how to design a career you love.
👉 Follow me here.​

Until next week,
​Beckie