How long before replying to a job offer?
Discussion
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.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.
I've had dealings with Job 1 before and they are as good as their word. They always notify unsuccessful candidates.
would you feel bad accepting job 2 anyway then after 2 weeks if you get job 1 leaving? Personally I would do this, take job 2 and if offered job 1 speak to my new employer and try and negotiate a better deal or work a full notice period so they could find someone else. It's a personal thing.
This happened to me, got a job offer I was happy with so accepted but hadn't heard back from the other. 2 weeks before starting the job I accepted, the second one offered me the job.
I withdrew from the first and accepted the second, was the better decision, only difficulty was I ended up at the first company as a customer instead of an employee, had a few interesting conversations on that one..
I withdrew from the first and accepted the second, was the better decision, only difficulty was I ended up at the first company as a customer instead of an employee, had a few interesting conversations on that one..
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.
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 said:
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.
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?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.
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 said:
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.
What's the problem with taking job 2, then staying with them? And politely informing employers of job 1 that they took too long and you've taken another job.
I think taking job 2, with the full intention of jacking if you get job 1 is a s trick.
It messes around employer of job 2, the department, their HR, other people who applied for the job etc etc
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