An Interview Dilemma

A couple months ago, I received an email from a client following an interview coaching appointment. It went something like this:

"So I have a new wrinkle in my job search.  I learned yesterday that the company I work for has gone out of business. Tomorrow is my last day.

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I had one phone interview about a week ago, with a potential employer beyond the screening call.  I think the call went great.  Good chemistry between the hiring manager and myself.  He said I had made it to the next step, and he would contact me the beginning of November and fly me to their headquarters for a second interview. 

He asked me my time frame to leave my employer and I said all I need is two weeks or so to clean things up. The manager replied, that fits in well with his time frame, and he could bring me on board at the new year. 

I received great signs from this manager including him offering me his cell number. My question is, should I contact this manager and let him know my change in status and that I am available immediately, or does this sound too desperate?" 

Here was my response:

After reading about your situation, if it were me, I probably would just wait and not tell him the status changed.  From what I read in your email, it appears that the company has a set timetable:  They want to bring somebody on board the beginning of the new year, and the next step in their timetable is to bring candidates to the headquarters for in-person interviews. 

In addition, by contacting them, you would be interrupting their set timetable, and as you mentioned, may appear desperate.

Finally, if I was in your position and had not heard from them by the first week in November, I would reach out to them. I would mention that it was my understanding that the next step would be to bring people in for interviews the beginning of November, and ask if this timetable had changed or ask where they were at in the selection process."

About the author: As a certified interview coach, Connie Hauer coaches clients on interview preparation, provides strategies on how to stand out from the competition, and helps clients polish their interviewing skills so they feel more confident. Learn more:  http://mncareerpro.com/services/interview_coaching