How do you guys deal with this interviewing and job acceptance situation?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I haven’t really had many job interviews in my life, but every time I start my job hunting I come across a familiar problem that, to this day, I’m not sure I handle right.

The first time it happened was several years ago, when I sent in my resume to several stores. I got a call from a shoe store, did an interview, and got hired. A day after, I got a call from a bookstore that I really, really wanted to work at. They asked me to come for an interview, and I just said no, explaining that I just got hired someplace else. After my one year at the shoe store, I have resubmitted my resume to the bookstore about four other times, never receiving another call from them.

This was the right thing to do, right? I would’ve felt terrible leaving the shoe store had I gotten the bookstore job and I hate feeling guilty, so I did what I did there.

A couple weeks ago, I applied for several jobs on campus and I got responses for three Communications Assistant positions. I interviewed with the first one and I did well enough that it kind of sounded that I would be hired. I told the second interview offer that, sorry, but I think I got another job on campus (I know, stupid!). Turns out, I didn’t get hired for the first job, but they directed me to a professor that needed to hire someone and never got around to making a job posting.

So I’ve exchanged a couple emails with this law professor and he tells me he’s still preparing the position and that he’d get back to me so we can talk and see if I can help him out. He has yet to post a job posting.

I got a phone call from someone today who was looking for several Communications Assistants for the Masters program. I said yes to the interview, which I will have tomorrow.

If I get hired, what do I say to the law professor? I know I’d have to say no, but is there a nice, professional way of doing this? Should I call him to tell him, or will I only feel worse?

As for my shoe store/ bookstore situation, would it have been “okay” to do another interview so soon after I already got a job at another place? Or did I do what was right?

2

I used to feel the same way you did, accepting a job, and then when a better one came along, I reluctantly turned it down because I had already accepted the first job. Now that I’ve had a couple of jobs since then, I have come to the realisation that (and this is important, so pay attention):

You are going to be the one working for them, so you must be happy about your decision.

If you were happy at the shoe store, your manager treated you nicely, you enjoyed your work, and there were no issues, then great. But, if you think you would be much happier elsewhere, like at the bookstore, it would not have been too terrible of you to approach the manager of the shoe store and say “I have been offered a opportunity that could be so valuable to me. Sorry for the time you have spent training me. I expect to start my other position in ____ days.”

Of course, that’s just relating to your past situation, which doesn’t help NOW.

But still, same thing for your current situation, only it’s easier this time. It’s not like the law professor offered you the job already. He’s still “preparing” it, whatever thatmeans. If the job as a Communications Assistant pulls through, just tell the law professor “I’ve been offered a position elsewhere and I have accepted. Thank you for your consideration for your wonderful opportunity.”

Don’t feel bad about it, happens all the time in the workforce. I don’t know any boss/manager/owner who is surprised by such situations.

3

I’ve always wondered what the proper response is when you’re interviewing for jobs. Say you interview for several jobs and get offered one that you’d be happy doing… do you accept without having heard a final answer on the others? Or tell them you’ve got two others you’re waiting on before you make a final decision and ask them to give you a week to decide? It sounds stupid in print but seems like the right thing to do.

4

I think this is a great response for the law professor. I would definitely take the initiative and notify him as soon as you accept another offer. The “yet to do a job posting” is not a good sign – he might have great intentions but it’s going to add a lot of time to your job search. If he’s pouty about it, it’s a sign that he wouldn’t have been too great to work for in the first place.

If it’s any consolation, I hire a lot of student employees in my department, and it’s part of the culture that students looking for work on campus often need to jockey around a little bit to best meet their scheduling, career, and financial needs. So its really no big deal if a student I’ve interviewed comes back and says he found a better match in another office. Happens all the time, no hard feelings.

5

I think you did fine on the shoe store / bookstore. This is what I would have done.

With the law prof, go to the other interview. if they offer, and you like it take it. The law prof may never get off his ass. If he does and questions you, tell him snooze you loose. Too bad, so sad, I got bills to pay.

6

Repeat after me:

“the trial period works both ways”.

I’ve had situations where I received a contact shortly after accepting a job I was happy with and told the contact “thanks but I just started a job I’m happy with, so not interested; I’ll keep your contact information in case I hear of anybody who may be interested”. Two of those just this week. I think the way you handled it was perfectly fine.

But I’ve also had situations where I got a contact re. something that made me drool and I was perfectly happy to jump over. Like I said before, the trial period works both ways: they can fire me without warning and no justification of cause, I can decide I like another offer better. If you ever find yourself in this case, don’t be afraid to jump. It’s not your family or your country, you don’t owe them loyalty!

7

I once “nobly” turned down an interview offer because I had just been hired at a job. After two days I was fired because a candidate with more experience had belatedly answered the help-wanted ad. You can easily guess my response to the OP.

8

Just MHO: Tell the first one you need to think about it and will get back to them in one or two days. If they have any ethics at all they will consider themselves having made an offer to you and wouldn’t rescind it in the meantime. During that day or two, make a call to the others and let them know you have another offer and get a read on how close they are to a decision and if it will be you. If they really can’t decide go for the sure thing.

9

I was kind of in that position this week - two jobs contacted me, asked me to do their pre-hire medical exams without even giving me any further details on the offers (which I think is incredibly odd) and then called me back. Well,one did, the other hasn’t and I can’t seem to reach them. So I accepted the first job (great company, good pay, I’m looking forward to it) and the longer it takes to get in touch with job #2 (they told me they’d call me back last Monday) the more I’m convinced it’s not the place for me. So when they finally call me, I’ll just tell them “Sorry, but I’ve accepted another offer I received this week. Thank you for your confidence in me, and for the opportunity, good luck finding a candidate that will suit your needs”.

Two years ago I was offered a position (contract) about a week after I’d already started a full-time job. I stuck with the full time one (benefits!) but in hindsight, I totally should have gone to work at the other place. The place I didn’t go to is doing quite well, and the company I just left is on the verge of being sold, or at least undergoing a MAJOR restructuring. I had the luxury of watching them go down the drain, and I got out at the right time, I think (although my motivations were actually more in line with wanting to move out of the province, I’m still glad I don’t have to go through the stress those employees are going through now!)

So, yeah, I start my new job on Monday. One thing I like about it, is contrary to my old place, most of the staff are close to my age. It’s a large group, all very friendly, and the supervisor and I got along so well during the interview, it’s going to be awesome working for her. And my husband starts his new job Monday too! We need to get a second car, actually! From no income, and serious budgeting, to 2-car DINKS (Double Income, No Kids)! Yay!

10

It’s perfectly OK to change your mind, if you haven’t already started. If you get a second offer, just go back to offer one, and tell them (without mentioning the name of the company of the second offer- sometimes they sabotage you) what happened, and say that the 2nd offer is better. Thank them and apologize profusely.

11

I would talk to the law professor and explain your position ONCE you have a firm offer from someone else. It is also reasonable to touch base with the professor to see where the process is headed and to explain that you’re financial situation requires multiple job searches.

12

I used to have a great boss who told us, specifically, “If you get a better job, take it.” So, one guy decided that since he became a supervisor, he’d skip out on an opportunity to make $15 an hour (supers’ wage was $9). That’s when the boss gave the greatest line ever: “What are you, retarded? Take the damn job! I should fire you for not leaving!”

Good times.