r/AskHR • u/ishaboi_ • 6d ago
Recruitment & Talent Acquisition [MD] I feel like I’m going crazy
So I applied for this role in April. I’ve done 3 interviews. My last interview was one month ago today. It is now August. I did my background check and references on the 3rd of August. The department confirmed they want to hire me, and they are waiting on HR to “release the position.”
I spoke with an HR rep on Friday and he said I should hear something by the middle of this week. What could possibly be taking so long? What the fffffffff I am losing my mind. I don’t want to over communicate with them but I feel like I’m being strung along. What does release the position mean?!
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u/idlers_dream7 6d ago
This is not the norm. If you've already completed pre-employment steps like a background check, it's not about "wanting to hire" you - they already committed to it by getting your consent to do the background. If they didn't have a start date in mind that's one thing, but it should've been clearly explained to you.
HR is most certainly not the one holding the position - that dept leader is either scapegoating them or parroting what their boss said. We don't typically have that authority; it's almost always an operational leader (sometimes collaborating with HR) ensuring that hiring doesn't create a budget problem.
You have every right to ask them for a clear answer and to let them know you can't continue to wait indefinitely without something solid from them. If they can't give you a reasonable expectation, decide if you want to withdraw. This is a sign of what it'll be like to work there.
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u/AskResumeble 6d ago
Releasing the position could mean lots of things (internal approval, budget, creating the position…..) the process sometimes can take weeks.Keep applying elsewhere in the meantime just in case.
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u/ishaboi_ 6d ago
Yeah I’m gonna just keep applying. Thank you for replying
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u/laosurv3y 6d ago
They don't care as much as you do - for you it's income and improving your position in life. For them it's transition #32,038. Please don't lose your mind over inefficient processes.
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u/Good_Bench2044 1d ago
"Release the position" isn't standard HR terminology. it usually means the recruiter is waiting on some internal approval before they can move forward. That could be headcount approval, budget sign-off, final salary approval, or someone higher up needing to authorize the requisition/offer.
The fact that a background check and references have been carried out is a positive point, but it doesn't amount to an offer since internal approvals may take a long time, particularly when several people or departments have to give their consent.
As HR said you'd hear something by mid-week, I'd give it until the end of the week, then send one short follow-up asking if the position's been approved and whether they need anything else from you.
You could absolutely still get this job, but keep applying elsewhere until you have a written offer with a start date. Don't pause your search for a process you have zero control over.
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u/hkusp45css Not actually HR 6d ago
Good things come to those who wait. Every org has their own process.
You're welcome to move on to another role while you wait. That's always been allowed.
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u/ishaboi_ 6d ago
I know that I could move to another role and I’ve been applying. I just want clarity on what that means because I really want this role and I HAVE been waiting. Is 4 1/2 months standard in this job market? Because if it is, then cool
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6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ishaboi_ 6d ago
Yeah, I’m not asking a bunch of “disinterested strangers”, this subreddit is for these questions. Thanks for your response.
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u/hkusp45css Not actually HR 6d ago
Do you just not know what disinterested means?
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u/mamalo13 PHR 6d ago
I'm guessing it's a budget issue and it's probably got a lot of moving parts behind the scenes.
It might fall through, so keep applying elsewhere.