Interview advice

[dozer]

I'm in the enviable position of having the very good possibility of three job offers. One has said its just a matter of settling on money, another hinted strongly that a job offer would be coming, and the third I have an interview pending, but I know the manager, and basically if they get a contract then I have the job.

Let's say best case scenario I get three offers, but they could be spread two or three weeks apart. Do employers usually mind if you put them on hold awhile? Any suggestions on how to best handle this. I've been waiting too long for this opportunity and I don't want to blow it, so I'm probably being a bit paranoid.

Thanks

 

[lewtam]

Play it straight.

They consider multiple candidates when trying to fill a vacancy, why can't you consider more than one company when you are looking for a job? As long as you're up front about it and don't make any promises that you can't keep, I see no problem.

 

[sauba]

What is a reasonable amount of time to ask for to consider an offer?

 

[PhilBW]

Whether or not they will allow you to put them on hold depends on what kind of impression you made with them and how badly they want to hire you. If there is someone who is a close second as their choice, they may not be as receptive to delaying.

It sounds like you are familiar with all three companies and have a pretty good idea what your job there would be. I am guessing you are waiting to compare compensation. If you get an offer for a job you think you would really like and the salary is reasonable, I would go for it. It is better to have a job you like at a little less pay than a job you don't like at a huge salary.

Sometimes it also works to call the companies who have not yet made offers and tell them you already have an offer you need to respond to and see if they are in a position to make a decision any sooner.

 

[Heckler]

Dozer,

What I've experienced when fielding multiple offers is do not expect a company to hold the offer for more than five business days. I also second, Lewtam's advice it is a two way street.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush - The things we already have are more valuable than the things we only hope to get. I wouldn't put to much value into that third offer especially if it holds up making a decision on the other two. Contracts come and go along with engineers as the needs of companies chance with work load.

 

[Beggar]

My experience reflects Heckler's -- 5 days. Even that has been pushing it but if they want you, they'll usually wait.

Another cautionary note to go along with the others: Give some thought before responding to an offer with anything besides a "yes." I had an offer. In response to my request that they consider a higher salary (along with justifications), they pulled the offer all together and I was stuck for another year at a job I hated.

If it sounds good, go for it.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

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[ELEcontrol3e]

Congrats!

Becareful what you wish for, look at the full package:
The company's finances, where you have potential to grow and learn, which one fits you as a person, etc.

 

[CarolinaPE]

I agree with doing research about the companies performance and stability. Nothing worse than working for a company with annual layoffs or rumors of such. I have had companies withold information during the interview such as they were being bought out and the like (and I did not do the research!). Also, do some research as to what you should expect to be paid. If company A offers too low, then the choice is simple to ask for more $ or look elsewhere. I would recommend not taking a "low ball" offer as that typically is a sign of what to expect when it comes time for a raise. You will constantly be behind the curve and may regret accepting the offer down the road. Also be skeptical of a company that offers low and (after you reject that and state your case) comes back with a higher offer still below the market average you stated that you expect. It sounds like you already know a manager of company, is that the engineering manager? Knowing who you will work for and what they are like goes a long way in making your decision.

 

[ischgl99]

I second (or third) the 5 business day advise. If you push it back any longer then that, then I consider you not that interested in the job or can't make a decision, either is a deal killer in my mind. If the salary is too small, then ask how negotiable the salary is, never ask for more money after you have already stated your salary requirements in the interview.

 

[GeoSmith]

Most of above already gave you valuable advice. In summary, I think you should have one company in your mind that you want to work for. If you find no interest in one of the companies, reject them quickly and leave the chance to other candidates.

I have an unethical way to delay the offer, but it is strongly unrecommended. Usually they give you 3-5 days to think and before the dead line, you can say "yes" in the phone and wait for their offer letter, which usually need 2-3 days. If you really want to reject in that period, you just don't reply and say "sorry" to them by phone. Of course, they won't employ you any longer later.

 

[Pressed]

It will be extra work on your part and may change how they percieve you but, you could ask for a second interview. That could give you an extra week and a chance to talk with more people there. Again it could be taken wrong by them, depends on how they operate.

Of anything I can say to you: "trust and ponder on your first impression"!


_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........

http://www.tailofthedragon.com

 

[MedicineEng]

If I were you, I would only rely in the first two offers; the third one is dependent on a factor that is not controlable by either party (the awarding of a contract).
What I would do is in the day that I receive the offer from one of the companies, I would call the other one and ask how was the recruitment process going and when would they expect to give you an answer. If it is 1 week, maybe you can hold, if it is 4 weeks then you have to let it go.

I can tell you my experience that was a little bit different:
I applied for a job and went to the interview. One or two days after I sent an email to clarify some doubts regarding the position and conditions. Then around 3 weeks (with some public holidays in the middle) have passed and no answer. I had already give up the idea, when in a last try I called the HR manager and asked why I didn't receive any answer for my questions. He then told me that they had send the answers after two days of my email and since I didn't answer back they assumed that I was not interested any more. I said that I was and here I am after almost 4 years in the company. So if I never had the initiative to make the call, for sure I wouldn't be where I am today.

 

[CarolinaPE]

PS-I would be hesitant to work for a company that based their decision to hire me on getting a contract. I would at least want to know the terms of the contract such as how long the contract was for, etc. There are plenty of companies out there that hire when they land that big project and cut people loose when it is finished.

 

[mshimko]

A few years ago my company would typicall allow 2 weeks for response to an offer.

Our current practice, though is the following:
1. The hiring manager makes the offer & negotiates verbally.
2. No written offer is tendered by HR until we get a verbal acceptance from the candidate.
3. The written acceptance is due back within 2 weeks.

I guess from all this, my company allows a bit more latitude than what was indicated in previous replies.

I think a lot has to do with how you "play it" - be honest, but don't put all your cards on the table (the company sure won't).

 

[casseopeia]

No real advice here, but you might find this article from this weeks San Francisco Weekly amuzing.

http://sfweekly.com/Issues/2005-10-26/news/infiltrator.html

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[epoisses]

Try to accelerate the other 2 rather than putting the first one on hold. Playing it straight is a beautiful thing but if the first company is intelligent they will bluff and tell you to make up your mind before the next offer, just in order to avoid losing you to another company. But if you play straight with the other two, they would certainly be willing to advance the offers for the very same reason.

Apart from that, if you have a preference for one of the 3, try to avoid putting pressure on that one and SHOW them you have a preference for them. That might not be good ingoing position for salary negotiations (never show the antique dealer what your favourite object is), but they might decide not to hire you if they have somebody else who is much more enthusiastic to work for them.

 

[davidinindy]

Casseopeia...
That was funny. Especially if actually true.
I've tried all the honest ways to get a job... Maybe I need to commit murder and spend some time in jail before I can get another job.

David

 

[casseopeia]

davidinindy,

These guys that do this column are pretty notorious around here. I remember one stunt where they walked around naked, or got other people to walk around naked in the very busy Financial District. I have no doubt they actually did the interviews.

I especially liked the line about switching majors from Chemistry to Intepretive Dance. In a way, I can relate. I've been interviewing lately, so it was especially timely for me. I now have to tell prospective employers that I need to be at dance rehearsal at 4:30pm on Tuesdays, so generally I have to leave work early. I've also been telling them that I perform about every other week either at a public event or a paying gig, which may or may not affect my ability to travel for work. So far it hasn't seemed to hurt during the interview.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[Pressed]

Holy cr*p Casseopeia, I about bust my gut reading that article, good find.

_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........

http://www.tailofthedragon.com

 

[dozer]

Thanks for all the advice (even though it seemed to get off subject toward the end there ). The basic message I was getting was not to keep a good offer waiting and that's what I followed. It was made easier because the job I accepted was the only one of the three that didn't involve a commute.