I’m looking for honest feedback because I feel stuck and can’t tell if this is just the job market or something I’m doing wrong.
I’ve been job searching for about 6 months for senior marketing / lifecycle / member engagement roles (healthcare-focused). I have 10+ years of experience and a strong background. I consistently get interviews and make it to final rounds.
Here’s the pattern I’m seeing:
I regularly make it through multiple interview rounds
I’ve done several panel interviews and presentations
I get strong feedback (“you did great,” “this is exactly what we need,” etc.)
I’ve been told I’m a top candidate or finalist more than once
Most recent example:
Went through 7 interviews + 2 presentations with one company
After presenting to the team, the hiring manager called me and said I was the final candidate and they were working on drafting an offer
She even asked what start date I wanted
Then I had to do another interview & presentation with the SVP
Got positive feedback again
Now it’s been over 2 weeks since that call, and I still don’t have a written offer or clear update. The communication has slowed down a lot.
At the same time:
I just got rejected from another role where I made it to final rounds
I’m being pulled into a potential contract opportunity, but it’s not guaranteed
Other pipelines are slow or unclear
So I feel like I keep getting very close, but without an offer, I’m still stuck in the same place financially and emotionally.
What I’m trying to understand:
Is this just how the market is right now, or is there something about my final-round performance that might be holding me back?
Have others experienced being told they’re the “final candidate” or that an offer is coming, and then things stall like this? What ended up happening?
At this stage, is it appropriate to push harder for clarity, or just wait it out?
Should I be treating contract roles more seriously as a bridge, even if my goal is full-time?
Context:
Single parent, so there is real financial pressure
I’ve exhausted most of my savings
Trying to stay strategic, but the repeated “almost” outcomes are getting to me
Any honest feedback or perspective would be really helpful.