Q&A: When an Interviewer Says They're Still Interviewing

An illustration of a person smiling at their laptop while listening and taking notes during a video call. After a job interview, there's often a waiting period before you find out whether or not you got the job. The interviewer might have ended your interview by saying the company is still interviewing other candidates, which you can interpret in several ways. It’s important to understand the different things the interviewer could mean by this closing statement so that you have perspective about the interview and the job opportunity. In this article, we examine common questions concerning what it could mean when an interviewer mentions they’re still interviewing candidates after you and what you can do in response to this shared information.

When do interviewers say they have other interviews?

When interviewers mention other interviews, it's usually at the end of the interview they're conducting. To some interviewers, it's a common way of saying "bye for now" or "see you later." It's normal that interviewers don't know who to hire until all the interviews are over, and there may have been dozens or even hundreds of interviews scheduled before and after yours. Related: The Steps of the Interview Process

What does it mean when an interviewer says they have other interviews?

When an interviewer says they have other interviews to complete, it is likely that they're being honest with you. It's important to consider what the interviewer is saying about you in particular when they mention other interviews. Here are some interpretations:

They think you're an excellent candidate and will call you once the interviews are complete

If you meet all the qualifications for the job, the remaining interviews may only be formalities, but the interviewer still has to follow through with them. This can take a lot of time. Not only does interviewing take time, but also coordinating the schedules of job candidates to arrange interviews can take weeks or even months. Likely, the mention of other candidates is only a request to be patient, or it's just the interviewer's way of ending the conversation. It's normal to be anxious about your chances after an interview, but try to think about the interview experience itself and the signs that you did well. If the signs were there, then you have good reasons to be optimistic about your chances. Related: 16 Signs Your Job Interview Went Well

They have other candidates in mind, but you're a prospect

Good jobs are likely to attract many excellent candidates, and it is the interviewer's job to determine who is most suitable for the position. So when they mention other interviews, it's possible that you may be the second or third option behind a preferred candidate. In that case, you're among the best-qualified and continue to be a front-runner for the job. Try to keep in mind that even if the interviewer has a top candidate already chosen, there's no guarantee that this candidate will accept the job offer. Related: Q&A: How Long Should You Wait To Hear Back About a Job?

They're unsure whether you're a good fit

Hiring requires deliberation. The interviewer may recognize that you have excellent qualities but cannot immediately determine whether those qualities place you among the top candidates. Maybe they felt that one of your responses in the interview could have been clearer or more in line with their expectations, or they feel the job could present some challenges to you. As a result, they might consider you a "maybe." You remain a contender for the position, so be confident in your candidacy, and remind them of your qualifications in follow-up correspondence. Related: How To Write a Follow-Up Email

They intend to offer the job to another candidate

Sometimes, the interviewer decides that an earlier candidate is their preferred option, and their mention of other interviews is a polite way of saying they aren't interested. In some cases, it may be clear directly after the interview that you should seek employment opportunities elsewhere. This can be a challenging situation, but try to focus on your accomplishments so far. After all, your qualifications were strong enough to get you an interview in the first place, and this could suggest your possible candidacy for future openings with the company. Related: 12 Tips for Managing Job Rejections

What should you do when an interviewer says they have other interviews?

Regardless of what the interviewer means when they mention other interviews, try leave a good impression by sending a follow-up email or note the day after your interview. In this email or note, you can:

Express gratitude for their taking the time to interview you
Affirm your interest in the position
Reiterate your qualifications
Request news about the hiring process as it arises

If you're among the leading candidates, a follow-up can serve as a reminder of your qualifications. Especially if you were one of the early interviewees in a long interview period, keeping yourself fresh in their memory can influence them to consider you actively as they interview others. You may end up waiting a long time for relevant news, so after a few weeks it is appropriate to send an additional, brief follow-up asking again about any updates. Related: The Typical Interview Timeline and What You Can Expect If there are candidates ahead of you in the interviewer's estimation, the post-interview period is the time to show why you should be higher on their list. In addition to the elements above, introduce information about yourself that you didn't get to mention during the interview, such as relevant experience, qualifications and interests. This can be a challenging task, and tone is important. Try to relate these details to matters that you discussed in the interview so that they appear relevant to the job in question. Even if they intend to offer the job to someone else, a follow-up that expresses gratitude for the interview opportunity can help you stand out and establish a good relationship with the company. Thus, should they rehire for the same position in the future or have an opening for a related position, they're more likely to consider you for the job, especially if you were one of the "maybes." In the meantime, direct your focus to other job opportunities, using what you have learned from the recent experience to guide you.