The sitch: I desperately need a job. I mean it’s getting ridiculous.
1 - I fired off a resume (actually a shitload of resumes) and got a response from a promotions firm. The position would be basically that of an office lackey. The response was essentially this: “Call me at your eariest convenience. I want to interview you ASAP.” So I call. This woman told me flat out that I would be a perfect fit for the position.
2 - Another response I got, from a different employer (Advertising firm - administrative, but for more money, I think) was not as gushing, but semi-encouraging none the less. This position would carry a little more responsibility, and sounds more interesting.
3 - Just now I spotted an opening at the local ISP for a support position. This would work out well, as I could do the job and probably get free DSL out of the deal.
So … I’m going to an interview for situation 1 tomorrow.
I’ve traded emails detailing availability and salary stuff with situation 2
I’m in the middle of putting together a resume for situation 3.
What the hell do I do next? Do accept the job tomorrow if it’s offered, knowing I’d rather do something else? If I do accept the job and one of the other deals comes through, do I up and quit? Do I just say fuck it all and deal weed out of my sister’s garage?
Having to choose from several job opportunities is not exactly a problem; I’ll wager many Dopers would envy you your dilemma. That said, I have to ask how desperate you are–are you scrounging in garbage cans? Did you have to move in with your parents? If you need cash, take Door Number One. If one of the other situations pans out, then you can give two weeks’ notice and take the new job.
Remember that a company will screw you in a millisecond if it serves their interests, so you should have no compunction about selling your services to the highest bidder. Certainly, you should behave ethically, but never get conned into thinking you owe a company anything but a day’s work for a day’s pay. I learned the hard way that loyalty is a one-way street.
I say that you decide beforehand which ones that you want the most. Rank them against each other. If #1 comes up as the one you want the most and they offer you the job, take it. If it’s #2 that you decide you want the most and they offer you the job, it’s really not uncommon to tell them that you would like to think it over for a couple of days. They likely won’t interview and hire another person while you are thinking it over.
Anyway, I’ve never known many companies to flat out offer you a position at an interview. Most I’ve ever dealt with have waited about a week, maybe contacted one or two of your references and then called to offer.
Thanks for the advice.
I think I misrepresented a few things though. Not that what has been said is invalid because of it, but I hate to be inaccurate.
Situations 1 and 2 are coming to me via temp or placement agencies, so it’s not like I was heavily recruited. I get the feeling that if I say “no”, they’d just look behind me for the next poor schmuck who needs a job.
To answer gobear’s slightly embarrassing question, I’m not scrounging for garbage, but yes I have moved in with a relative (not my parents, thank Buddha), but I really want to move out.
I think the reason that I have even two and maybe three options isn’t a matter of fortune, but a matter of statistics, and the law of averages. If you send out ten resumes a day, sooner or later, something will stick.
So … I am off later this afternoon to that first interview, and I will carry with me all this valuable advice. And then … I’ll wing it, I guess.
I was in the enviable position three months ago of having two very good job offers - OFFERS - at once, after four months of unemployment. With the first, I was told for two weeks solid that the job was essentially mine, I just had to pass the drug test and the criminal check…but it dragged on, and in the meantime, I had a recruiter another company interview me, and offer me the job in two days - so they, in truth, beat out the other company.
I guess what I’m saying is, sometimes the timing can work out in your favor, so you have to examine all options. And I agree with the other posters who say that you can accept a job offer but still look. It might not be pleasant to quit after only two weeks, but you have to keep what’s best for you foremost in your mind.
Well, I took the advise offered, and went in for an interview and skills test.
The placement agent is looking to get me in at the promotions firm as the office lackey (Operations Assistant, if you will). But, based on my skills test (I blew it away on the strokes per minute dealio) she said she could get me in at a bank doing data entry, starting on Tuesday, for not a lot of money (and business casual – damn, I wish I could wear jeans).
Fuck it, I took it. It’s a paycheck. It’s also temporary with a capital T. If something decent comes along, all I have to do is call the temp agency and cancel the contract. No two weeks baloney.
It’s weird. I haven’t reported to a job in almost five months. I think I forget what it’s like.
