Dealing with multiple interviews/job offers
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Yesterday I morning interviewed for a position at a local company. I was told that there would be a second round and I would hear back shortly. I got a call yesterday afternoon inviting me to a final interview with the MD (it's a small company) on Monday.
I really liked what I've seen of the place and what they do, and would be very very happy working there.
However, I've got an interview arranged next Wednesday at another small local company (although not competitors in any way) and will be seen by two of their directors. This is for a better role and more money (£5-8k+) and I'd really like to see what the second place is like before I make a decision.
How do I approach the situation in the interviews? Obviously I don't want to irk off the MD on Monday and lose the opportunity.
It's not a case of if I get offered the role on Wednesday I'll necessarily take it over the other - as I said the first company seems like a brilliant place to work and the wage wont be the only factor in my decision.
I've never really been in such a situation before (I've only just graduated).
Is it best to just be honest with all involved? (The first job is through a recruitment agent so I'm sure he won't be too thrilled to hear about the situation)
Yesterday I morning interviewed for a position at a local company. I was told that there would be a second round and I would hear back shortly. I got a call yesterday afternoon inviting me to a final interview with the MD (it's a small company) on Monday.
I really liked what I've seen of the place and what they do, and would be very very happy working there.
However, I've got an interview arranged next Wednesday at another small local company (although not competitors in any way) and will be seen by two of their directors. This is for a better role and more money (£5-8k+) and I'd really like to see what the second place is like before I make a decision.
How do I approach the situation in the interviews? Obviously I don't want to irk off the MD on Monday and lose the opportunity.
It's not a case of if I get offered the role on Wednesday I'll necessarily take it over the other - as I said the first company seems like a brilliant place to work and the wage wont be the only factor in my decision.
I've never really been in such a situation before (I've only just graduated).
Is it best to just be honest with all involved? (The first job is through a recruitment agent so I'm sure he won't be too thrilled to hear about the situation)
It is a tricky situation, especially if you get offered the first job before the interview for the second, obviously.
I was in a similar situation earlier this year - got offered one job on the Monday, and had an interview for a different job, at a better salary (8k more) on the Wednesday. Second company took their time getting back to me, and didnt do so until the following Monday, by which time the first company had got fed up of me basically pissing them around.
Didnt get the second job either, but did get offered a third job the next day, so it all worked out in the end!
I was in a similar situation earlier this year - got offered one job on the Monday, and had an interview for a different job, at a better salary (8k more) on the Wednesday. Second company took their time getting back to me, and didnt do so until the following Monday, by which time the first company had got fed up of me basically pissing them around.
Didnt get the second job either, but did get offered a third job the next day, so it all worked out in the end!
Try not to take the first job, only to leave a week later because the second job has come back with an offer. We've had this happen a couple of times at work and aside from it being deeply unprofessional it wastes time and money for the first company (who will be on your P45 and possibly giving references if future emploees require it).
I would be honest if I was you. You want to make the best decision based on what is available, nothing wrong with that. If he wants to make an offer to you there and then, or if he asks where else you are interviewing, say to him that you have another interview on Wednesday and you will be able to make a decision after that. Waiting 2 days is no great hardship, especially if they need to do references etc.
Also tell the recruitment consultant as he should be able to play for a couple of days time if needs be. Though to be honest if he was on the ball he would have asked you about other offers/interviews every time he spoke to you.
The difficult part will be if you go for the interview on Wednesday and they want another interview next week. Again I would be honest here - tell the second company that you have completed the interview process with another company and you might be getting an offer this week. If they are keen then they should be able to hurry things up, and hopefully you will end the week with two offers in your hand, and you can choose the best one.
Good luck
Also tell the recruitment consultant as he should be able to play for a couple of days time if needs be. Though to be honest if he was on the ball he would have asked you about other offers/interviews every time he spoke to you.
The difficult part will be if you go for the interview on Wednesday and they want another interview next week. Again I would be honest here - tell the second company that you have completed the interview process with another company and you might be getting an offer this week. If they are keen then they should be able to hurry things up, and hopefully you will end the week with two offers in your hand, and you can choose the best one.
Good luck
Edited by AJS- on Monday 6th September 03:03
Don't tell either about the other. It will look like you are playing them off against each other.
However, don't accept the first offer immediately, thank them and ask for time to consider the offer and ask for it in writing. Don't accept anything without a firm offer with the details written down! That should at least delay them.
Once you accept either role, tell the other company (if they have also made an offer).
However, don't accept the first offer immediately, thank them and ask for time to consider the offer and ask for it in writing. Don't accept anything without a firm offer with the details written down! That should at least delay them.
Once you accept either role, tell the other company (if they have also made an offer).
I disagree, if MD 1 asks you directly if you are considering any other jobs, then tell the truth. Say you have another second round interview lined up, but that his job is currently your preferred choice because you like the people and the business.
If he asks you directly in the interview to accept a job offer, then say you are very tempted to accept but would like to see a contract of employment before making a decision.
Update:
Well today went really well. Not long after I got home from the interview I received a call from the recruitment agent asking how the interview went and then saying that they're offering me the job.
In the interview I was asked what my response would be if I was offered the job there and then, and I said I'd be very very keen but have an interview on Wednesday. His response was that he can't offer me the job now, have to discuss further, blah blah, see 100 CVs, etc.
Just seems very strange for them to turn it around speedily like that?
When the agent called up I told him about the second interview, he responded by telling me "on the hush" that the company don't like waiting around. He said he'll speak to them tomorrow, and I'm assuming he'll call me tomorrow too. Is it just the agent playing games to get his fee? I guess so?
What should I do? I'm very intent on going to the interview on Wednesday, but at the same time I would honestly really like to work at the company and it's not the case of me just stringing them along. How can I convey this to them? Even though the other role is more ££, it would still be a tough decision for me to make should I get offered both!
This is basically my first job since leaving University, both roles are in very different sectors and I imagine this will shape the future of my career, as I'm sure will the atmosphere of the company I end up working for.
Or should I just stop being spoilt and accept job 1, after all we are in a recession?
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Well today went really well. Not long after I got home from the interview I received a call from the recruitment agent asking how the interview went and then saying that they're offering me the job.
In the interview I was asked what my response would be if I was offered the job there and then, and I said I'd be very very keen but have an interview on Wednesday. His response was that he can't offer me the job now, have to discuss further, blah blah, see 100 CVs, etc.
Just seems very strange for them to turn it around speedily like that?
When the agent called up I told him about the second interview, he responded by telling me "on the hush" that the company don't like waiting around. He said he'll speak to them tomorrow, and I'm assuming he'll call me tomorrow too. Is it just the agent playing games to get his fee? I guess so?
What should I do? I'm very intent on going to the interview on Wednesday, but at the same time I would honestly really like to work at the company and it's not the case of me just stringing them along. How can I convey this to them? Even though the other role is more ££, it would still be a tough decision for me to make should I get offered both!
This is basically my first job since leaving University, both roles are in very different sectors and I imagine this will shape the future of my career, as I'm sure will the atmosphere of the company I end up working for.
Or should I just stop being spoilt and accept job 1, after all we are in a recession?
Any advice would be much appreciated!
22 years in recruitment and I can assure you that you are being fed a line, the consultant will want to get a placement on thier figures for september as the summer months are very often pretty lean times, you could verbally accept subject to seeing terms and conditions of contract, that would buy you a few days and then pull out if the wednesday job is better, dont worry about the agency they are only in it for one reason.
Lardydah said:
Not long after I got home from the interview I received a call from the recruitment agent asking how the interview went and then saying that they're offering me the job...
When the agent called up I told him about the second interview, he responded by telling me "on the hush" that the company don't like waiting around. He said he'll speak to them tomorrow, and I'm assuming he'll call me tomorrow too. Is it just the agent playing games to get his fee? I guess so?
I'd say you were guessing right. Assuming the agent is getting 20-30% of your salary as fee, he'll tell you anything it takes to get you to commit to his deal. I mean, he'll tell you anything anyway, just trying to point out where the salary differential between the two jobs might be going When the agent called up I told him about the second interview, he responded by telling me "on the hush" that the company don't like waiting around. He said he'll speak to them tomorrow, and I'm assuming he'll call me tomorrow too. Is it just the agent playing games to get his fee? I guess so?
I think you should be proud of yourself in any event, seeing as (it sounds like) you've got a job lined up and potentially an iron in the fire. Only you can decide really which job is for you... but I think you already know!
I'm currently in a job that I made the EMEA VP wait a week for my agreement to join. I told him during the interview where he offered me the job that I had other irons in fire and was totally straight up.
Didn't seem to make matters worse - in fact I get the feeling there is some sneaky admiration that I didn't bite his hand off.
Didn't seem to make matters worse - in fact I get the feeling there is some sneaky admiration that I didn't bite his hand off.
Simon Brooks said:
22 years in recruitment and I can assure you that you are being fed a line, the consultant will want to get a placement on thier figures for september as the summer months are very often pretty lean times, you could verbally accept subject to seeing terms and conditions of contract, that would buy you a few days and then pull out if the wednesday job is better, dont worry about the agency they are only in it for one reason.
Absolutely. You can always reject based on some contractual term. It may piss people off though, especially if it's a small industry, so don't make a habit of it. Naturally the consultant wants to close the deal tomorrow.
Of course the hiring manager, may be quite happy to wait for you to make an informed choice.
Just be careful about how the recruiter is represent your position to the client, thats the worry here. If you suspect the game is afoot, don't be afraid to call the hiring manager directly
Of course the hiring manager, may be quite happy to wait for you to make an informed choice.
Just be careful about how the recruiter is represent your position to the client, thats the worry here. If you suspect the game is afoot, don't be afraid to call the hiring manager directly
Petrolhead_Rich said:
if he offers you the job, either tell him you need a couple of days to think about it, or say yes ok, i can start a week on monday.
Worst case is you ring him on wednesday and say you have had another offer and your very sorry.
goto the other job interview, then decide.
This. 10,000%Worst case is you ring him on wednesday and say you have had another offer and your very sorry.
goto the other job interview, then decide.
Look after YOURSELF, not the agency.
Just to add my tuppence worth.
I've been contracting for 20 years, dealing with agencies for every contract. I read the agency response a few posts up and by the second paragraph my spider senses weren't just tingling but screaming "Bulls
t".
Look after your own interests, have the interview (today?) and if you like the sound of the job do everything you can to delay having to respond to the other until you know whether you get this one or not.
If you don't hear anything from this crowd for a few days then the chances are you haven't got it, so accept the first one. You can always turn it down again if you want.
Not ideal thing to do, but this is YOUR career and happiness and long term future to consider, and if it means pissing off a prospecive employer and an agent... then so what.
One of the few times in life to be totally selfish.
I've been contracting for 20 years, dealing with agencies for every contract. I read the agency response a few posts up and by the second paragraph my spider senses weren't just tingling but screaming "Bulls
t".Look after your own interests, have the interview (today?) and if you like the sound of the job do everything you can to delay having to respond to the other until you know whether you get this one or not.
If you don't hear anything from this crowd for a few days then the chances are you haven't got it, so accept the first one. You can always turn it down again if you want.
Not ideal thing to do, but this is YOUR career and happiness and long term future to consider, and if it means pissing off a prospecive employer and an agent... then so what.
One of the few times in life to be totally selfish.
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