Dream job versus almost-dream job
November 1, 2014 12:18 PM   Subscribe

Dream position X at my current job won't post for a few months. In the meantime, really good position Y has posted, also at my current job, and I've applied. I'm a favorite for both positions. Help me not shoot myself in the foot at the interview for Y.

I've worked my way up the ladder at my job, getting the (positive) attention of the right people, to the point that the two managers who hire for positions X and Y have encouraged me to apply for them. They can't tell me outright, but they've pretty much indicated that they want me in one of the two positions, and I'm considerably more qualified than anyone else in my organization for either position. X and Y pay the same, and they're both positions around which I could happily build the remainder of my career.

X is exactly what I'd love to do at my job. I've assisted the person who used to do X (he was promoted) on numerous projects, and it just fits my background, abilities, and personality perfectly (and he and everybody else have said so). Y is a great position too, also draws upon my background and abilities, and I'd be glad to have it-- it's about 50% the job of my dreams, and 50% still pretty good. Everybody says I'd do great at Y too. So really, the best win-win situation I could hope for.

But. The timing for the postings of the two positions is such that Y has posted, and it will be a few months before X does (some decisions about how a recent department merger will affect X have to be made before it posts). The hiring managers for X and Y know that I want X more than Y, but they also can't control the fact that it's not posted yet. In our organization's particular circumstances and workplace culture, it would reflect poorly on me to not apply for Y (I'm qualified, it's a promotion, and it's the people who stand out as "go-getters" who get promoted here).

For more practical "bird in the hand" reasons, it's also a bit of a risk to sit out on the hiring for Y, on the off chance that something goes wrong with X posting (there's a small chance that X will be reclassified or changed substantially enough that it would be less attractive, or eliminated altogether). So I've applied for Y, and the interview's scheduled. As best as I can read the situation, the hiring managers are in the position of knowing I want X, happy to give me Y if I want it, but not being able to (and not wanting to, in the interest of fairness and objectivity) promise me X if I turn down Y. So I'm worried about how to answer questions they might ask me in the interview along these lines, and what they might read into my responses. Questions like:

"We know you want X more than Y. Why did you decide to apply for Y?"
(Honest answer: the reasons I cite above)

"So you take Y if we offer it to you. What will you do when X posts?"
(Honest answer: I'd want to apply for X, but probably wouldn't, because sticking with Y is still great, and more desirable than being seen as job-hopping, flakey, or ungrateful)

"Let's say you don't get this position. Will you apply for X when it posts?"
(Honest answer: Hell yes!)

Honestly, I'd be thrilled to have either position, so this is isn't a matter of angling for X. I feel damn lucky to be in the position of "Dream job, or almost-dream job?" My question is, what's the best, most professional way to answer those questions if they come up? I'd hate to jeopardize my chances at either position by unwittingly committing some interview faux pas.
posted by Rykey to Work & Money (2 answers total)
 
Well, you have already applied to Y. That ship has sailed and you are in a position where you can't try to not get the job because a crappy interview process would probably impact other promotion opportunities there. And from what you said, you can't really turn it down either. So you just have to try your best to get the Y job and cross the X bridge when and if it pops up.

As for the interview portion, I kind of doubt they will ask these questions. But why do you think you have to be completely honest? We've already established, I think, that you have to try your best to get Y. So don't be honest if being honest means hinting you would be willing to abandon Y and try to jump ship for X. Worry about X when you get there and worry right now on nailing this interview. Circumstances could change, X could post a full year from now... just focus on Y in the interview as much as you can, in my humble estimation.

Q: "We know you want X more than Y. Why did you decide to apply for Y?"
A: Well X interests me a lot, but so does Y. I think Y is a great fit for me because..." Don't be "honest" that Y is half of the stuff you want to do. Just talk about the reasons why Y would be great for you and why having you in Y would be great for the company. That question isn't about X, it's about why you want Y. Only talk about how great Y is.

Q: "So you take Y if we offer it to you. What will you do when X posts?"
A: "If I take the Y job, I will be committed to the Y job. I don't know what the future will hold, but I have no plans to leave the Y job shortly after taking it. As I said, both positions interest me a lot and I would be thrilled to move into Y role. If I am fortunate enough to get Y position, I look forward to seeing through Y projects and being able to make an impact from that role."

Q:"Let's say you don't get this position. Will you apply for X when it posts?"
A: "Definitely, if I am still in my current position when X posts, I would love to be considered for it. It would be disappointing to not get Y, but I feel I have a lot of value I can bring to Z projects that I would love to be more involved in and I hope to continue to grow within this organization."

If they ask any other variations of these questions, pivot to why you want Y. Let's say they ask why you feel X is a better fit for you than Y. Say something like, "Well X is a chance to do A and B, which I enjoy a lot. But Y is an extremely exciting role as well because of C and D." And then just highlight how you have the skills and experience to excel in Y's C and D.

I mean, that's what I would do personally. I always go for the sure thing. Good luck either way because it sounds like you may be getting a promotion soon, which is awesome!
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:46 PM on November 1, 2014 [3 favorites]


If you end up getting Y, and the person who was promoted from X to a higher level gets promoted again a while after that, can you apply for his/her job?

Anything else, just as AppleTurnover said.
posted by LoonyLovegood at 3:19 PM on November 1, 2014


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