Honesty, is it the best policy?

[The real Apache]

I have 3 second interviews coming up, the first this afternoon. If they make an offer should I say that I have 2 others to attend and want to weigh my options up pending offers? or just say I can't start for a couple of weeks?

[T84]

They won't expect you to start straight away, just say you need to work notice?

[DanL]

I wouldn't tell them you've got other interviews coming up - it makes you seem less keen. If they press you to respond quickly, then yes - you'll probably have to give a reason for not being able to, but assuming the other interviews are this week/early next week then odds are you'll have had them by the time an offer letter arrives.

[Grey Ghost]

Do not, repeat do not mention any other interviews even if you are asked about this. Attend all three and then see if you are fortunate enough to get offered more than one of the roles. If you reach this point then you can relax a bit and see who offers what to get you and what suits you best.

Enjoy the position you are in, many people out there can't get a single interview currently.

[Gargamel]

Personally I would say honesty is the best way, ( I work in recruitment)

Say something like, I am looking at a few companies and jobs at the moment, so far I have been really impressed by this opportunity, the people I have met and the business so this is a really good option for me and I am very interested.

This way you've let them know they need to make a decent offer to land you, you have been honest and prepared them that if they do make an offer you might want some time to think about it.

One word of caution though if they ask you which companies and what roles, be sure to only mention things in the same field, if you are looking at an IT role with one firm and a sales role with another it looks confused and unfocussed and makes you seem like you don't really know what you want,

It never bothers me if candidates compare us to other places, and good people will always have choices about where they work.

[Gargamel]

Grey Ghost said:

Do not, repeat do not mention any other interviews even if you are asked about this. Attend all three and then see if you are fortunate enough to get offered more than one of the roles. If you reach this point then you can relax a bit and see who offers what to get you and what suits you best.

Enjoy the position you are in, many people out there can't get a single interview currently.

I don't understand this advice. As long as your demonstrate clear enthusiasm for the job and business you are interviewing for, there should be no problem with gently letting them know you have choices.

[The real Apache]

Oh dear, one is in Rail, one specialises in industrial coatings and one in fluid handling. Today went really well and they said they'd let me know by the end of the week. Second one is on thursday but the one I really think would be best isn't till next week sometime

[AJS-]

Pretty much what Gargamel said. Though I work in recruitment as well...

The advantage of being honest is it allows you to control the pace somewhat so that you will hopefully end up with 3 offers at roughly the same time and be able to choose the best one.

Also be clear that you're not playing the companies off against each other. Be consistent with your target salary etc.

[The real Apache]

Well first one went really well, should know by friday, haven't said anything other than I need to consider my options very carefully as I intend to make this my last job search......20 minutes later the Prod Manager reitterated this by saying they hire people with a view to keeping them till they retire.