"The position is on hold"

Another of the great aggravations in my life. Applying for a job that is hiring, and at some point being told by either the company HR person or the temp agency person that the job is "ON HOLD".

I think they are lying to me, and they intend this to be a soft letdown. But it doesn't work that way to me, it only annoys me.

I had a chance for a good junior network admin job this past week, it would have been a good spot for me with a good $23 an hour pay rate. After a week of waiting to get an interview date, the agency called me this morning and said it is "ON HOLD".

There's also another lesser job I could do for a while. More of a desktop support job and data entry as needed. Below my skill level, to be sure, but still a barely acceptable $18 an hour. $18 is better than $0. Had the phone interview 2 Thursdays ago, all went well. Was immediately scheduled for an in person interview the following Monday.

Monday morning, the agency calls and says the company had a mandatory meeting, interview delayed till Tuesday.
Tuesday morning they call and say the HR person is out today, delayed to Wednesday.
Wednesday morning, the interview is "ON HOLD", they had a problem come up at the mandatory meeting and are dealing with it.

I hate this crap. And someone else won my Powerball money again.

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Comments

jacksonr

I will be honest, a good few years ago I went for an Interview and it went well. Got on really well with the guy, had a good chat etc.
Heard back saying they were really interested, like to arrange a second interview....Then called me to say that the role was on hold. He would be in touch should it come up again.

7 months later, I got an email, long story short, I got the job. Just don't lose hope, you never know what the future holds

Iristheangel

I'd say most of the time they're probably being honest. You never know what's going on behind the scenes at the company. It could be budgeting issues or the open spot never got the final approvals (or they're waiting for it). It's better to let them sort out their financial stuff now than it is for you to put in notice at a job, start a new job, and then find out a company needs to cut budget and lay off X amount of people/contractors. Never stop searching for a job until you have the official offer letter with a start date.

scaredoftests

Ah, been through this a lot. Keep on sending resumes.

Mike7

They may be honest and this tends to happen a lot in big companies. Various reasons: manpower budget pending approval, director in charge overseas, admin person overwhelmed with work to process the job. The typical reason being hiring manager manpower budget yet to be approved.
Conversely, openings are more readily available just before a company close the books; the hiring manager must hire or lose manpower budget.

--chris--

There is a big University near me that has had a few network positions I have applied to. Every time, 2 months go by without hearing anything than I get an email that effectively says thanks but, "the hiring for this position has been canceled". Maybe its their default response sent to those who don't make the first round cut?

ThomasITguy

I would say take it with a grain of salt... they could be telling the truth, or they could be lying. I have been in that boat before when a company told me the job was "on hold" and then I never heard from them again, I have also heard the job was "on hold" and then a week later had a interview.
Either way never stop applying for jobs unless you have a offer letter.

Danielm7

--chris-- wrote: »

There is a big University near me that has had a few network positions I have applied to. Every time, 2 months go by without hearing anything than I get an email that effectively says thanks but, "the hiring for this position has been canceled". Maybe its their default response sent to those who don't make the first round cut?

I've heard a few people say that lots of university positions are filled by personal referrals, but they have to advertise the position anyway.

As for the on hold part, I've absolutely seen this from the business side. Typically it's an HR or finance thing, if you don't make the next step it would seem pointless to keep you in a waiting loop with an on hold status.

kiki162

I wouldn't worry about it. You have to change your mindset when it comes to finding a new job. You should aim for the jobs you want, but don't sit around and wait for these ppl to come around, because they may never. Take this experience with a grain of salt and move on. Keep apply and DON'T apply through temp agencies only direct contact. Remember your time IS valuable, and the right job is out there for you!

ThomasITguy

kiki162 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about it. You have to change your mindset when it comes to finding a new job. You should aim for the jobs you want, but don't sit around and wait for these ppl to come around, because they may never. Take this experience with a grain of salt and move on. Keep apply and DON'T apply through temp agencies only direct contact. Remember your time IS valuable, and the right job is out there for you!

^^^^^^^^^^ This is real.

Never wait on people to come around, and never settle for something you don't want as a temp fix till you get the job you want.

Short story:
I was trying to get a IT job and I had parents, friends, and even people that knew me.... telling me to get any job and just settle for any retail job. I applied for retail jobs but I got out of retail to do IT and I was not going back. I stayed the course and got help with expenses.... and I found a new IT job. Never ever settle.... because the next job is right around the corner....

Getting a job is like fishing. You have to keep casting your line (sending your resume out) until you get a bite.... then you reel them in.

jeremywatts2005

Always keep a job in your back pocket is what my dad used to tell me. He was President of a Nursing Home Corp. I always am interviewing making connections and keeping job possibilities open. This way when an employer tells me we are laid off, downsizing or some other crap I can say no worries and quickly link up on the next job. I have done it for years and I have never been without work in the field. That is from 1998 till now employed working and even today I have jobs on speed dial just in case. I make sure I write down all my internal recruiting contacts, VA recruiters for companies and so on. On a moments notice I could dial up some folks and get a job in a month or less if I want it. It is all about your network and knowing how companies in your area are hiring

tpatt100

Stuff like this does happen, I remember I got accepted a job offer but then there was a hiring freeze. Since I was currently on a contract position with an end date I figured there was no harm in waiting while I still worked and looked for other opportunities.

Then 6 weeks later they called and asked if I was still interested. I said I was and they even increased the offer by 10 percent due to putting me on hold from starting.

Somebody mentioned something about universities wanting somebody internal but having to interview externally also. Ran into that before, my wife works for a university and said it's kind of common.

Mishra

It comes with experience, but you are going to have to get used to this.

It should ease your mind if you put yourself in another person's position. Such as...

You are the VP of Federal Business and you just won a contract for 60 positions. You need to start hiring and start putting out feelers. The process is taking place and interviews are being had. But suddenly someone contests your contract. The board tells you that this will delay the project 6 months.

You have a decision to make. Hire 60 people and spend 1.4 million dollars while people sit at home. Or put interviews on hold.

Moral of the story is that logical things happen in business and it's not only perfectly normal, but it's the RIGHT thing to do.

ITSpectre

Had that happen recently. Im going to wait, but im not going to put all my eggs in one basket.