Job offer filter
October 13, 2011 8:05 PM Subscribe
Job opportunity filter:
I've been offered a position at another company and need to make a decision soon. This job is essentially a promotion and a pay increase, however, I currently have a job and I'm happy with my salary. I'm also in the interview process with another company in a different field.
My choices are 1)stay in my current position, 2)accept the offer at Company A and 3)decline the offer at Company A and complete the interview process at Company B.
I've talked it over with my boss, not as a "time to make a counter offer"- type thing, because honestly, that's not what I'm going for, but just for advice from someone who's been around the block. My current boss has told me that I'm a valued employee, that this was unexpected, that he would like me to stay and that he will work with with me on a development plan that will be more fulfilling.
I feel terrible for putting Company A off while I decide, but I think its in everyone's best interest that I end up in what is the best match. The people that I interviewed with were very kind, and I think there is a unique opportunity for me, as this situation is a definite challenge, but could be a great way for me to make a real contribution to the company. I don't know why, but for some reason, I have a strange instinct that this is not the right fit. I can think of almost no real evidence to support that though.
Company B is a well respected company in the area, and although the job as a career change could be very fun and the people I talked to seemed friendly, as a strange coincidence, I met someone yesterday who worked in the group that I applied to and that person did not have a lot of positive things to say. There is also absolutely no assurance that I would be offered a job, however, I have made it through two phone interviews.
To be honest, I feel like I'm in a bit of a rut in my current employment situation, but I don't know that anything is different here than anywhere else as the grass is always greener, etc. I have a lot of friends in my current role that I would miss if I left, and I think that liking the people you work with is 80% of what makes a job good. I feel like the reality of this is that I'll have burned at least one bridge by the end of this, so I'd just like to get some group insight on making the best of these opportunities.
I'm really middle of the road on everything, and need something to tip the scales. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
My choices are 1)stay in my current position, 2)accept the offer at Company A and 3)decline the offer at Company A and complete the interview process at Company B.
I've talked it over with my boss, not as a "time to make a counter offer"- type thing, because honestly, that's not what I'm going for, but just for advice from someone who's been around the block. My current boss has told me that I'm a valued employee, that this was unexpected, that he would like me to stay and that he will work with with me on a development plan that will be more fulfilling.
I feel terrible for putting Company A off while I decide, but I think its in everyone's best interest that I end up in what is the best match. The people that I interviewed with were very kind, and I think there is a unique opportunity for me, as this situation is a definite challenge, but could be a great way for me to make a real contribution to the company. I don't know why, but for some reason, I have a strange instinct that this is not the right fit. I can think of almost no real evidence to support that though.
Company B is a well respected company in the area, and although the job as a career change could be very fun and the people I talked to seemed friendly, as a strange coincidence, I met someone yesterday who worked in the group that I applied to and that person did not have a lot of positive things to say. There is also absolutely no assurance that I would be offered a job, however, I have made it through two phone interviews.
To be honest, I feel like I'm in a bit of a rut in my current employment situation, but I don't know that anything is different here than anywhere else as the grass is always greener, etc. I have a lot of friends in my current role that I would miss if I left, and I think that liking the people you work with is 80% of what makes a job good. I feel like the reality of this is that I'll have burned at least one bridge by the end of this, so I'd just like to get some group insight on making the best of these opportunities.
I'm really middle of the road on everything, and need something to tip the scales. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Response by poster: Thanks looli. I have filled Company B in on the situation and have been given a firm decision date from Company A due to their necessity.
posted by Dr. ShadowMask at 8:42 PM on October 13, 2011
posted by Dr. ShadowMask at 8:42 PM on October 13, 2011
It sounds like you are basically happy with your current job; plus, they have told you how valuable you are and how they are willing to work with you on the areas where you feel unfulfilled. That is worth it's weight in gold! Since you have misgivings about Company A (listen to those, seriously) and you have been warned that Company B may look like a shiny gold nugget on the outside, but not so much on the inside, I think you have all the info you need to make this choice. If I were you, I would stay, and, if you're bored, maybe start looking into interesting activities, hobbies, or freelance opportunities that you can explore in your downtime.
posted by melangell at 3:32 PM on October 14, 2011
posted by melangell at 3:32 PM on October 14, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
1) Tell Company A you need more time to make a decision, and don't feel bad about it--if they really want you (and they wouldn't offer you the job if they didn't) they will be patient; ask them any specific questions you still have and see if you can flesh out your weird feeling about the place;
2) Finish the interview process at Company B and see if they make you an offer (you could also call them now and mention that you have an offer elsewhere but would like to finish the process with them if they think they want you);
3) Ask your boss to work with you right now on a development plan so you can see what the future holds where you are.
Hopefully, gathering more info will help tip the scales.
Whatever you decide, if you are courteous and professional, you won't burn any bridges. If you like, you can give specific reasons for why you are turning down a job, or leaving the one you have now. They may make you a counter-offer, they may let you go on your way. It's not altogether out of the ordinary for the selected candidate to turn down an offer. Sometimes you find out things in the interview process that makes it clear the job is a not right for you.
I've turned down three jobs in my (small) field and still have good relationships with all three places. I feel like if there were openings there now and I wanted to apply, they wouldn't hold my turning them down in the past against me.
posted by looli at 8:34 PM on October 13, 2011