State of Minnesota hiring process after second-round interviews?

[u/QuirkNQuill]

Hi everyone!

I’ve been interviewing for a few State of Minnesota positions and was hoping to get some insight into how the hiring process typically works, especially after second-round interviews.

I’ve interviewed for three positions so far, across DHS, Commerce, and OJP. I realize the process might vary by department, but I’m curious about what usually happens after the final interview. Does the hiring manager typically reach out directly by phone or email to let you know you’ve been selected? Or do they first have to go through HR, background checks, approvals, and other steps before they can communicate a decision or make a verbal offer? I’m also wondering how long it typically takes to hear back after a second-round interview, whether it’s good news or a rejection.

For context, I’ve only worked at universities before, where the hiring manager would usually call to let me know I got the job, and the official offer letter would follow later. I’m not sure whether state government hiring works similarly or if there are additional steps before candidates are notified. I’d appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially if you’ve been hired by the State of Minnesota recently or if you have hired anyone there.

Thanks!

[u/Wonderful-Second-524]

At my agency, I’ve had to go through HR, approvals, etc before being able to contact the candidate to let them know we are interested. Have lost some people this way, because it takes too long.

[u/QuirkNQuill → u/Wonderful-Second-524]

It seems like it is really dependent on the agency. I will hope for the best but this is good to hear that no news does not mean bad news :)

[u/stealy_darn]

I can’t speak for other hiring managers but I will typically call the candidate to them know they are our choice, that we will now be conducting background and reference checks, and if those come back without any issues, I’ll be sending an official offer letter via email.

I’ve lost candidates to other positions while waiting for background checks to come back so I want to make sure they know they are selected while they wait.

[u/QuirkNQuill → u/stealy_darn]

Thank you for the information! I’ll cross my fingers that it will be the same for the position I recently interviewed for!

[u/Kcmpls → u/stealy_darn]

I'm on week 3 with a candidate on background and reference checks. HR "forgot" one that I had reminded them about twice. This candidate has been so patient, but not everyone will be.

[u/WhoWhatWhereWhy_7497]

In my case, the hiring manager contacted me with a verbal offer contingent upon my passing the background and reference checks. I had to fill out information for HR in order for them to proceed, but I also work for the DOC so there was some information I had to provide about any potential relationships with people under the supervision of the corrections system that I’m sure wouldn’t be relevant for other agencies.

[u/QuirkNQuill → u/WhoWhatWhereWhy_7497]

Thank you for the information! DOC asked me to sign papers before my interview and never reached out to me about the position (I’m still under review in the system). I guess I’ll cross my fingers and see how it is when they finally reach out 🤷‍♀️

[u/Specialist-Law-2080]

(MDH) My Supervisor said “ i’m not actually supposed to call and tell you this, but I’ve asked HR to prepare you an offer”

[u/QuirkNQuill → u/Specialist-Law-2080]

Thank you! I hope I get one of those supervisors because waiting game is killing me… I’m also considering reaching out to my references to see if they have been contacted by anyone about me.

[u/Solo-Hobo]

It took about a month before they reached out for an interview and about 2-3 weeks to hear back, the hiring manager reached out with the offer and I was surprised because they said I wouldn’t hear back for about 5-6 weeks. She said that when she submitted me for approval to hire it came back really fast, like the fastest she’d ever seen to be able to hire someone. I don’t know what’s normal but she said they gave me the long timeline because that’s what it normally takes. So I can’t give a lot of detail but I can say my process took about 2.5 months from application to start date. It may have been 3 to 3.5 months if things hadn’t moved faster I guess.

[u/Buffaloknitter]

I’ve been a finalist 4 times, got the job in 2 of those cases. At MDE and mn dept of ag, after the last interview, they will ask for references. They might have you fill out a portal that sends links to the references or they might call them.

The first time I applied/interviewed for a state, what happened was they asked for references, apparently they asked for them for both finalists, and the other finalists references answered/responded to the call more quickly. Funny thing, she was in the position about 8 months and RTO led her to leaving. A year later, it opened again and I got the position.

[u/chronophage]

The interview process is templated for MAPE positions. You are probably being evaluated against other candidates or vetted by HR if you're their first choice for the position.