Start new federal job, but received interview for another federal job

March 8, 2020 4:49 AM

I sent out my resume to several organizations months ago on a job search. I finally landed a government job, and resigned from my private sector position and will start next week. However, I got another job interview for a government position which I am more interested in, and will interview in a few days. How do I convey that I am interested in this position when I haven't even started my next job?

I hadn't expected this interview, and I already see it as a disadvantage to explain that I'm starting a new government job next week (and that I currently unemployed or on break) but I am interested in this position. I feel it isn't really my fault that the timing of these happened as such, and I left my previous private sector job which was very stressful for another government job. But having not even started that job and now interviewing for another job seems very to look like I'm not a good employee, or someone that seems to hop job to job or doesn't seem to want to stay anywhere for very long.

Has anyone gone through a similar experience? OR how can I let them know I am about to start a new job position? Thanks for any advice.

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (1 answer total)

Anyone interviewing you is going to be an employee of the government and therefore acutely aware of how long it takes to complete the hiring process. It won’t look like you’re hopping; it will look like you applied a looong time ago and they finally got around to you. Don’t bring it up, but if they ask, tell them “I’ve accepted a position at X, but I’d much rather work here” (if that is the case). They’ll nod, probably tell you a story of how long it took them to get hired once, and move on.
posted by Etrigan at 5:14 AM on March 8, 2020 [4 favorites]