The best way to speed up an interview process

We've all been there before - the traffic jam on Monday morning when you're already late for work or an important meeting.  There are cars behind you, cars ahead of you, cars trying to merge into the already chaotic scene, and my personal favorite, the cars that are trying to continually switch lanes to gain an advantage in the race suited more for the tortoise than the hare.

We also all know the answer to the question, "What can I possibly do to make the traffic go faster?"  It is NOTHING!  Whether it be an accident ahead, busier than normal traffic for the day, or sometimes even weather-related delays, there is nothing you can do as a driver to make the traffic jam go away or even get just a tiny bit better.  It either will or it won't.  All you can control is how you react to the situation.  Make a few phone calls, listen to the radio, or maybe for once just enjoy some quiet time.  While doubtful you will enjoy the traffic jam, at least you can choose to not let it ruin your day.

For today let's run with the same argument as it relates to the interview process.  Let's cut right to the chase and give you the valuable wisdom and insight you were hoping for when you clicked on my blog today - there is NOTHING you can do to speed up the interview process.  Seem a little harsh?  Thinking right now of all of the ways you could disprove that theory?  I would be too.  But hear me out.  The more you accept this reality the better off you will be.

Just like not losing your cool in a fit of road rage with the aforementioned traffic jam, taking a deep breath when a deadline is missed in an interview process could be your best weapon.  Instead of worrying so much about what you can do to influence the process, just letting the process be the process could work in your favor.  That won't make it any less frustrating if the hiring manager doesn't get back to you by the weekend as promised.  That won't make your spouse feel any better if you have to go unemployed for another two or three weeks while waiting on interview feedback.  But sometimes the process just needs to play out, as imperfect as it may seem at any point in time.

Think back to that traffic jam.  If you spent fifteen minutes grumbling about how this messed up your day only to find out there was a terrible accident that totaled several cars, then your day all of a sudden doesn't seem that bad.  In an interview process there are many things that occur to slow down the process.  And most times the employer dislikes it as much as the prospective candidate.  It doesn't mean you can't get frustrated occasionally.  Or seek answers along the way.  But the more you can let go and just focus on what you can control, the better you will find your attitude is during the final stretch of that interview process.

My final thought is to re-assure you that as a third party recruiter I want the process to go quickly just as much as you do, if not more.  Over time I have simply realized I can't control everything.  It is a sobering thought for a control freak like myself, but has certainly helped me to retain my sanity after eleven years in the business........here's to hoping it helps you as well!