What do they mean when the employer says they are not ready to hire?

I have been in for 2 interviews, talked and met with 10 people, informed that I am their top canidate, and if I found another job that they would try their best to "speed-up" their process. Also, outside of the interviews, I have noticed that the ad for the position has been removed. Its been 3 weeks and nothing yet... what should I do? What do they REALLY mean?
Additional Details
The position is for a small international firm... I know they are out frequently and travel - I have followed up with them and they still tell me the same thing- they are interested... but that its a "slow time" of year for the office... I talked to each person for over an hour on one day and then they called me back to meet with someone else for another hour...

tigglys

Like someone else said - it could mean that they found out they don't have budget for a new person right now.

Or, it could be that there are internal changes going on and they aren't sure what the responsibilities of the position will be when it's settled out.

Sometimes it means that they are trying nicely to let you know they aren't interested, but that doesn't sound like the case.

Sorry, I can't know exactly in this instance, but I know it means you should look somewhere else ....

sylvester m

It means that they're no longer considering any further candidates for the position at this time-which works in your advantage. It's
also a strong indication that the applicants are in the final stages of the hiring process.

The very fact that you are their top candidate should pretty much close the deal for you, as far as employment is concerned.
But as an equal opportunity employer they are required by law to give every applicant
adequate consideration for the position being applied for and this process may very well take a considerably long time.

But, you're almost there...keep your pants on (stop being too anxious). They will contact you when you least expect it.

Good luck-I am pulling for you. Love, peace and happiness.

Ariel

Maybe they are still considering you. Sometimes it can be a long process.

jellybean

In many cases, things change internally. They might have a company reorganization or their budget might be getting cut. I'd keep looking and follow up with them weekly or bi-weekly.

it simply says that they're not hiring anymore. if they say you're their top candidate, they might have interviewed another person that's more qualified for the job or they may not need to fill the position you applied for afterall. if a company is really interested in hiring you, they'll do so right after the major interview with the boss. move on and go look for another job. (same thing happened to my fiance. they told him the job was practically his but ended up hiring a different person after they passed him on and on to different ppl for interviews, who by the way was always conveniently unavailable. serious employers hire right away.)

Mel

It means, "they aren't ready to hire." They could have a lot of reasons - the decision-maker hasn't interviewed you yet, or everyone likes you except for the decision-maker, or the budget for the position hasn't been approved, or the person who writes the offer letters has been out on vacation, or the HR person isn't too swift, or.....perhaps you should ask them what's really going on.

Simply indicate that you have a deadline to accept another opportunity and you hope that you'll be able to reach an agreement soon because this company is really your first choice. They may decide to marry you more quickly if they think there's a chance that you have another beau. Good luck.

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