How long before replying to a job offer?

[BruceV8]

I was interviewed for a role last week. It all went OK, but they said they will still be seeing candidates for a few weeks, so wouldn't be able to let any candidates know until they had finished the whole process.

There is another job that I've applied for and I'm confident I'll get to the interview. The thing is, the interview date for this 2nd job is before the notification date of the 1st. Job 2 is pretty good but Job 1 is considerably better. However, I would happily go to Job 2 if I didn't get Job 1.

If I was successful at Job 2, would it be unreasonable to hold off accepting for almost 2 weeks until I heard from Job 1? I realise I could always accept Job 2 and then withdraw if I was offered Job 1, but that seems a bit tttish.

[BruceV8]

anothernameitist said:

If you are offered job2 why not call up job 1 to see if you are still in the running?

Because Job 1 won't have seen all of the candidates and won't know who has been successful or not. I know I'm in the running right up until they make their decision.

[BruceV8]

davek_964 said:

Is it really going to be as long as 2 weeks though? Even if the interview for job 2 is before the decision date of job 1, surely they're not going to offer you the job at the interview? And even if they did - it's likely to be at least a few days before the paperwork turned up, and most companies wouldn't expect you to accept by return of post.

Also, unless they somehow guaranteed you're still in the running for job 1, it could still be worth checking if you do get in this situation. These days, many companies will tell the successful candidate that they did get the job, but not bother with the others - no news is bad news kind of thing.

You're riht in that it probably will be less than two weeks. I'm just thinking of the worst case.

I've had dealings with Job 1 before and they are as good as their word. They always notify unsuccessful candidates.

[BruceV8]

anothernameitist said:

got to admire your confidence Bruce V8 good luck!!

It may all be hoplessly misplaced!

[BruceV8]

Time for an update:

I was indeed offered job 2. We had some negotiations over pay etc and this has lengthened the process which, for me, was good. However we came to an agreement and they are sending me a contract next week.

Job 1 have been a bit slower in coming to a decision but they have just phoned me to say that I have been moved on to the next stage. This stage may take a bit more time and there is always the risk that I may not be successful. So now it looks like I have two options:

Withdraw from Job 2 to confidently await getting Job 1, but with the risk that I might end up with neither.

Accept Job 2, possibly start work there, and if I am offered Job 1 resign and take that. This is the safer but also the more y option.

Hmmmmm.

[BruceV8]

Flooble said:

Job 1 sound like a bunch of time wasters to me. Would you even be happy working somewhere that takes so long to make a decision and every action goes through multiple long-winded stages?

Its a large public sector organisation and this length of selection more or less goes with the territory, unfortunately. It is, however, a cracking job and if I was successful would be worth the wait.

[BruceV8]

I want to leave my current job as soon as possible. I guess all of this quandary boils down to not wanting to do the dirty on Job 2, who I know are good people, but knowing that I'll probably have to.

[BruceV8]

TheLordJohn said:

What's the problem with taking job 2, then staying with them?

Job 1 pays nearly twice as much and doesn't involve a relocation.