Long time passed from my third interview. Should i call again?

[vasileios_pappa]

Hi there, Pls help

I had a first interview with HRM specialist and store manager last August (2009) for a managerial position in a new large retail store to be built this year (2010 - construction has just started). Then i had second interview on September with the head of the department i will fit in and store manager. Then i waited for response and they called me on end of December to arrange third interview with head of HRM and area stores manager. Third interview was made in mid January 2010 in company headquarters (they paid me flight tickets to go there), and they said there were other two candidates. I think i did well. We also discussed about position in third interview and also first time told me about what they offer (salary+bonus). They said they will reply to me until end of January anyway (even if i don't get the job). After two days i sent email to Head of HRM thanking him for the interview and re-expressing my interest in the job. I got no answer from them until end of January. I called on early February the Head of HRM (he gave me his card in third interview), and he told me that he didn't manage to see other two candidates yet, because one was ill and the other was abroad. But he said he also wants to finish this in next 5-10 days. Now its 24th Feb and i still have no answer. I would think that since they called me in late December to arrange third interview they had also called this day the other two candidates. Is it possible to not have managed to see them so long time (presuming they are also interested to get the job)? Should i call again and ask what is happening or just wait for them to call? PLS help me, waiting time is killing me!!!

[buildersmate]

Having worked in HR over a number of years so been on the other end of this situation, I think you should call them.
It wouldn't be unreasonable of you, and a decent organisation would expect to appreciate that recruitment is a two-way thing - even in these times of economic uncertainty for the candidates.
They are clearly interested in you from the amount of time and money they have invested themselves in this process.
You could say that you do really need to understand their timescales for the decision because you are continuing to pursue other opportunities (they would expect you to be doing this) - and one of those now seems to be coming to a conclusion - so you would like a decision, please.
This really isn't good practice on their part in that many a good candidate is lost forever by doing this. I can only imagine that, being a large corporation, the decision process is dependent on a number of people inside the organisation.

[Mr Veritas]

I can only say I agree with BM 100%.
They really should have had the courtesy to keep you "in the loop",but as they haven't it would do no harm to give them a (gentle) shove!
Good Luck,
Alec.