8 days after a 3-hour interview with no response — rejection or still under consideration?
Looking for opinions from recruiters/hiring managers.
I interviewed in person in Bengaluru on Thursday, August 6 for a Senior Graphic Designer & Video Editor role. The interview lasted around 3 hours, with the Creative Lead and Senior Director involved.
The role covers graphic/brand design, UI/UX, landing pages, marketing creatives, video/motion, and AI workflows. I have 10+ years of experience across different companies, giving me experience across essentially all of these areas. HR already knew my expected salary was ₹14–16 LPA.
Before the interview, HR was very proactive and told me management was extremely impressed with my portfolio. During the interview, they discussed whether I'd need 1–2 assistant designers for a new division and asked how soon I could join. I said I was available on short notice.
At the end, they said they were evaluating other candidates. I asked for a timeline and was told "probably Tuesday."
Tuesday, August 11 passed with no update.
I then sent a thank-you email on Friday, August 7, and a follow-up email on Wednesday, August 12, copying HR and the Creative Lead.
Today is Friday, August 14 — 8 days after the interview — and there has been complete silence. I haven't received any response to either email.
How would you interpret this?
- Still genuinely under consideration?
- Finalist but being compared with someone else?
- Preferred candidate already selected and I'm being kept as backup?
- Or likely rejection but they haven't communicated it?
Would appreciate perspectives from both the hiring side and candidates who have experienced something similar.