How long do you have to wait after your first telephone interview?

Following up after a job interview?

• I had a job interview with a well known company. The first interview, which was telephonic, took place more than three weeks ago. The next day I got a call from the recruitment specialist asking me to have a face to face interview. As she mentioned that they would like to take it to the next step. I had the second interview, when they informed me that they would need a week to decide since they were interviewing other candidates. I waited for a week and I was expecting their call but nobody contacted me. I called to follow it up and I received an email from the recruitment specialist saying that I had been shortlisted but they hadn't reached to the final decision yet. The next day, I received a call from the recruitment specialist asking me if I would mind going to the last interview and they would let me know their decision the next day so I wouldn't wait longer. I said sure.. I went to the last interview as scheduled and it was with another manager this time, not the one I met first who was the director of the department where they needed to fill the position. The interview went well. I thought I wouldn't have to wait longer since they would inform me about the decision the day after the interview. I waited the whole day for their call or email but same thing was happening again. It was a Thursday and I knew if I wouldn't follow it up, I had to wait the weekend without knowing their decision. I called on Thursday, 15 minutes before they finished work for that day. The RS ( Recruitment Specialist) was nice and asked me about the interview that I had on the previous day. I told her it was interesting and asked her if they had reached to their final decision. She told me that she had taken the day off and the two managers, who interviewed me, would decide today and let her know on Sunday. Once she was back to work. She told me that she would let me know on Sunday. I had another long weekend waiting till Sunday to receive that phone call but guess what!! There was neither a phone call nor an email to inform me about what was going on. I waited till Monday and I called the RS at work, she didn't answer. I also called her on her cell phone, she didn't answer. Today is Wednesday, it has been a week since I had my last interview. I have called the RS on her direct number at work and her cell phone but I cannot get any answer. I don’t have the contact details for the managers I met there, because she is the contact person. I think I will be having another long weekend without knowing anything. I would really appreciate some professional advice regarding this situation. Thank you for your advice!

• Answer:

  I couldn't wade through the novella you wrote but, in general, always assume that you did *not* get the job. Continue on with your job search. There is no reason to do anything else. If they want to hire you, they'll be in touch. If they select another for likely arbitrary reasons, they've no reason to tell you. Go on about your life and job search.