How do I manage this job conundrum?
April 13, 2011 8:05 AM Subscribe
I have an interview for a job coming up very soon. I have another interviewed scheduled with a firm that I really want to work for, but not until at least another week. If I get an offer from the first firm before I get an offer from the second firm, how do I manage this?
I might be counting my eggs before they hatch, but I want to be prepared for this. My interview with Company B is on Monday. Company A+, the one I really want to work for, has not scheduled for me to interview due to the VP being out of town. I'm expecting them to schedule it late next week or possibly the week after that.
What if Company B extends me an offer and I'm a couple days away from interviewing with Company A+? Do I tell them I'm enthusiastic, but that I will let them know by the end of the week if I accept? What's a normal time frame for this?
If I have an offer in hand with Company B, a competitor to Company A+, do I mention it in the interview? Is that too aggressive? I found Company A+ through a recruiter and Company B on my own. Would be appropriate to tell my recruiter that I have an offer with Company B, leaving the name out, so they can lean on Company A+?
Any other advice would be great. This is new to me, as I've never had to interview before to get a job.
I might be counting my eggs before they hatch, but I want to be prepared for this. My interview with Company B is on Monday. Company A+, the one I really want to work for, has not scheduled for me to interview due to the VP being out of town. I'm expecting them to schedule it late next week or possibly the week after that.
What if Company B extends me an offer and I'm a couple days away from interviewing with Company A+? Do I tell them I'm enthusiastic, but that I will let them know by the end of the week if I accept? What's a normal time frame for this?
If I have an offer in hand with Company B, a competitor to Company A+, do I mention it in the interview? Is that too aggressive? I found Company A+ through a recruiter and Company B on my own. Would be appropriate to tell my recruiter that I have an offer with Company B, leaving the name out, so they can lean on Company A+?
Any other advice would be great. This is new to me, as I've never had to interview before to get a job.
On dealing with recruiters, I'd not share details with them about the other company. You can leave it at "I'm interviewing places on my own, as well." If they ask you where, and say because they don't want to submit you to other companies you already are talking with, just say that if something comes up, they should talk to you before putting your name in.
Some recruiters will be a bit underhanded so they don't lose a fee.
But, on to your immediate issue - as the above notes say, it is doubtful you'll need to give an immediate response. You should always say "thank you, I'll have to think about it and talk it over with the better half (if you have one)."
If you get pressed, you can say you are considering two competing offers, you are really interested in working for (insert company you are talking to at the moment) but need to give the other company the proper consideration.
posted by rich at 10:44 AM on April 13, 2011
Some recruiters will be a bit underhanded so they don't lose a fee.
But, on to your immediate issue - as the above notes say, it is doubtful you'll need to give an immediate response. You should always say "thank you, I'll have to think about it and talk it over with the better half (if you have one)."
If you get pressed, you can say you are considering two competing offers, you are really interested in working for (insert company you are talking to at the moment) but need to give the other company the proper consideration.
posted by rich at 10:44 AM on April 13, 2011
Companies will understand you're going through multiple interviewse. This may or may not lead to salary negotiations though these days, most will stick to their initial offer. Unless your offer at Company B is higher than Company A+ and A+ is aware of their status along with your qualifications, it's unlikely they will offer you more. Budgets are pretty strict in this economy. However, it doesn't hurt to try and most companies find it acceptable to give you a week to consider. If you're talking to a HR recruiter, feel free to be more aggressive. The worst that can happen is they say no. If you're talking to the hiring manager, be more diplomatic and make sure he or she knows you're highly desirable. This is only coming from my experience interviewing out of college so YMMV.
posted by vilandra at 2:27 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by vilandra at 2:27 PM on April 13, 2011
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But what you can do: No good company will expect an immediate response. You will always have a few days or, really, they should give you at least a week to think it over. Asking to sit on it for two or three weeks while you wait to hear from another company may not work, though.
When you interview with 'company A+', or when you schedule your interview, if you do have an offer from Company B let them know that you have another offer but would really prefer to work for them, and want to know what their timeline is and whether it's possible to get at least some indication of your chances. If you ask people individually (not the HR rep but the hiring manager) human decency can often shine through and really help you out.
None of this means that company A will be able to give you their answer before you have to choose on Company B. But you can improve your situation somewhat.
posted by Lady Li at 10:11 AM on April 13, 2011