Deciding Between two jobs 1

[Calif]

I have interviewed with two companies and one wants to hire me today. I am not sure of taking this job because it was not what I thought it would be in terms of design and the commute will be horrible going to and from work. The other is where I want to go yet I am waiting for a response from them since I will have to do a second interview with them. In addition it is located in the same city in which I am going to school to get my graduate degree in addition, I will not have to drive to work since I can take a train to work. I want the job within the same city as my school but I have to make a desicion on how to deal with the other company that wants to hire me. I dont really want the job that is further away but I am unemployed so choice is not a luxury for me really. Should I tell the guy that I do not want to work at his company, wait, maybe or maybe not get the other job and just keep looking or should I just take the job since it is being offered? If you were in my position, what is the proffesional and ethical thing to do?

The resisant virtues of the structure that we seek depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable, not because of an awkward accumulation of material. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this: to resist through form. Eladio Dieste

 

[Eleceng01]

First - congrats on the job offer. I have had this happen a couple of times and I have handled this by telling company#1 that I needed a few days to decide. Then I contacted company#2 and informed the HR/manager I interviewed with that I had another job offer so his/her quick action would be appreciated. Just be open with them -you really would prefer company#2, but they must decide soon or you will take the offer from company#1. Nothing beats honesty sometimes - even in the hiring process.

If company#1 will not allow you a couple of days to decide, it isn't anywhere you want to work anyway.

 

[TheTick]

Option 3: carry on like you did the day before.

How hard is it to pass up a job you don't want?

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Tick, when you need money coming in and pronto, that lax of an attitude will be a surefire way into losing your domicile.

As Elec suggested, tell #1 you'd like some time to think it over. It's a big decision and any good company will not try to force you into a position by giving you the salesman-style "Better hurry, great offer going fast!" line. Tell #2 you have already received an offer but are interested in them more, could they make an exception and speed up the process a bit.

If worse comes to worse and you have to make a decision, take job #1. If #2 comes back with a better offer and you don't believe you'll be burning bridges, give your two week notice with #1. If #2 doesn't come back, you'll still have a paycheck coming in.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[TheTick]

OP doesn't say whether he is currently employed (option #3).

 

[GTstartup]

Nope, but he does say that he is unemployed.

Eight lines down in the OP.

That being the case, I might be tempted to take the job offered and quit if a better job offer comes in. Not very nice, but if they lost a big contract the day after you started, they wouldn't think twice about letting you go. Business is Business.

 

[MintJulep]

Do you have second interview scheduled with the "desirable" company, or are you hoping that they will invite you back for a second?

In either case, there is no reason not to call the desired company and tell them "I have an offer in-hand from another company. I'd prefer to work for you. If you're interested, is there anything that can be done to speed the process up? If you're not interested, please tell me now."

Likewise, there is no reason to not tell the company that made the offer that you need some time to make a decision. You could even tell them the reason.

 

[TheTick]

Auugh! I'm losing it. I read twice and missed it.

 

[dik]

TheTick...

the second thing to go is the memory!

Dik

 

[Calif]

MintJulep and Eleceng1:

What you are saying makes perfect sense. The thing that bothers me is that there are not many engineering firms in my state that does buildings and are looking for Entry to Junior level structural engineers. I have applied to almost all of them and I think I am down to the last one's. If I decide not to go with the one far away, I may be losing an oppurtunity to have a pay check versus the one that I one I want to go to yet they are still interviewing canadates for jobs. Really, I dont want to the first job offer and want the second one. I guess that is what I am really feeling at the moment of writing this yet, I need to have a pay check. Still deciding on the best course of action. I dont want to take a job and leave after two weeks because this is the one I want, assuming I get the job at the time. It's crappy to do that to someone and though this is only business, still, I am not that type of person who leans on person knowing that I am using them for a short time only to leave after a while. I rather get the job I want and stay and not go through the hassle of explaining why I am leaving.

The resisant virtues of the structure that we seek depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable, not because of an awkward accumulation of material. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this: to resist through form. Eladio Dieste

 

[MintJulep]

It's not exactly clear from your posts exactly where you stand with the company that you want to work for.

It seems that you have had one interview with them.

After that interview did they say:

"We want to bring you back for a second interview."

or did they say

"We have some more candidates to interview and will select some to call for a second interview.?

In simple terms, do you have an appointment for the second interview, or are you hoping for a call?

In either case, the advice in my earlier post stands.

 

[Calif]

They said, they have more candidates to interview and looking to fit in 3 to 4 more people and it will take 3 to 4 weeks. What they said is they usually call for a second interview if they are interested and will keep me posted.


The resisant virtues of the structure that we seek depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable, not because of an awkward accumulation of material. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this: to resist through form. Eladio Dieste

 

[berkshire]

Calif (Structural)
The old saw "A bird in the hand beats two in the bush."
Still applies today.
Take the job that is offered and move later if the other one ever comes up, it may not.
B.E.

 

[TXiceman]

I'd take the job at hand and see what happens with the other one. It would not hurt to make your contacts at job #2 and let them know that you would like to work for them and are excited about the opportunity. I would not mention job #1 at this point and go ahead and take it.

If the other job does come through, you can always give them 2 weeks notice and leave. Just be honest that you have found something better to your liking and closer to home.

Ken



Ken
KE5DFR

 

[PSE]

If your concerns are holding off one decision in terms of allowing more time for a better proposal to come in, there is nothing wrong with that. How long to hold off the decision is potentially the tricky part. Have you received the first offer in writing? Have you formally responded in writing?

In terms of potentially accepting and then moving on shortly afterward, it has been my experience that most companies start with a "probationary" period of about 90 days or so to see how a new candidate fits in to the work routine and interacts with others. This works both ways as it provides you a taste of the work and people you would interact with regularly. If you receive the second offer during that timeframe, you will have a taste of actual experience with which to compare firms. That's what part of your training involves, comparing/evaluating information and making a decision. How would the type of work compare, did you like or "fit" better with the people you met in one firm vs the other, are the chances of career development equivalent? A lot of factors to consider. You are really the only person with a vested interest in your career.

Good luck.

 

[Calif]

I have not received the first offer in writing but I am planning on writing him an email asking for a couple of days to see make a decision while showing that I may be interested. I am also planning on calling or emailing the second company to see if are considering me for a job or not. You see, the first interview I had gone to is the one I want but they said it may take a couple of weeks like 3 to four and that was during the first week of this month. The second interview with the other company which was last week wants me to consider the offer yet I am more interested in the other. So, it seems to me that I have to find a way to either extend the time so the other can make a decision or try to shorten it by calling them and see what they think taking me on as an employee. I know it just business but I would not want to start a job,stay there for a week a two and then leave. I've had too three jobs within 4 years and I am tired to jumping around. I would like to stay at a place for awhile.

Calif

The resisant virtues of the structure that we seek depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable, not because of an awkward accumulation of material. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this: to resist through form. Eladio Dieste

 

[SomptingGuy]

Can ypu put the screws on company #2 in a nice way? "Have offer, need to work, can't wait, what's you position?". If you are what they want it could focus things. I must admit I've never tried this kind of tactic, but jobs work both ways - they might not want to risk losing you if they want you. Don't threaten, be honest.

- Steve

 

[greenone]

From the point of view of someone who does not make job offers lightly, I would be pretty disappointed in a candidate who accepted my job offer, and two weeks later left for their first choice. Now I've lost the time I ivested in the search, and the several weeks I started training the new hire.
I do not believe it is all about what is best for me-sometimes I think the ethical path is to consider all the ramifications of your decision.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

greenone,

While I would agree with you in a perfect world, the job market is far from perfect. Gone are the days of holding until retirement age a job you started at right out of college. Many (not all) companies these days look at their bottom line and simply say "Cut 30% of the workforce, starting with the highest paid employees." Job security and loyalty are rare finds. I held three jobs in three years simply because the market was poor... the companies didn't want to suffer a bit of red even though they had a lot of black the other years.

It may be the proper thing to tell both sides the entire story, but honesty won't feed my family. Sometimes you have to look out for number one first, then you can be charitable.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[Ashereng]

If you need a job right now, then I would take the one that is making you an offer.

If you want a better job, then I would wait to see if the company with the "right" job makes an offer.

I think it all comes down to how long you can wait, and how much you can risk not getting either job. To answer these two questions, you have to decide, not someone on an on-line posting board.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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