After the interview - waiting........

emertoff

Had an interview this week for a fairly decent admin position. Interview (slightly under 2 hours) went as well as I could have hoped, they seemed to like me and gave me a tour of the office afterwards. I was part of a group selected for interview on the basis of an aptitude test the week before. Position is a 6-month contract, but a college pal of mine already working there has told me there would be every possibility of it being made permanent. My old boss called me this week and told me they have been on to him for a reference and he did the business for me. Really can't say whether I'll get it or not but I have a more than decent chance I think.

Have another interview next week. Job would not suit me as much as the other one.
Already had a telephone interview with them and I have the experience they are looking for. Job would be permanent and salary would be higher but for various reasons which I won't go into, I feel the other job would be more in line with my ambition and talents, even if it is temporary and with a lower salary.

So, if I was offered both jobs (and I know that is a huge assumption), I would definately take the one I described first. But they have told me that I will need to wait three weeks until they conclude their selection process. The thing is I have been out of work for a while after a lay-off and need to be in work, I have bills to pay like everyone else. I would be fairly confident of getting the "second" job because there are a number of positions available and they are likely to make a quick decision.

What would your advice be if I am offered the second job (the one I want less)??
What I am thinking in this scenario is that I would ask for 48 hours to think it over and then call the other crowd to know where I stand and tell them that I'm doing this because I would prefer to work with them.

What are your thoughts?? 3 weeks is a fair bit to wait after a long interview? Will they just think I am being arrogant if I ask them to make a quicker decision???

Quatre Mains

- the most obvious delaying play is to schedule your interview w/ the 2nd place as long as you can without it damaging your prospects.

- If you are offered the 2nd job before the 1st, ask for a day or two's grace like you said yourself. Say you want to discuss it with your girlfriend/boyfriend etc. If that time expires and you ahve to give an answer, accept the position and try to delay your start date by a week (you have a sister getting married in London on the Wednesday). A lot of people going for the post will be already in jobs, and will request a week or two before starting as they work off their notice. So don't feel you have to automatically say you'll start next week. If you get the other job in the meantime tell them you've changed your mind.

- that won't get you 3 weeks but it should help. I know this is a bit obvious, but its's not meant to be patronising - Whatever you do don't pass over the interview for the 2nd company, or there's a chance you'll end up with nothing (only said it cos that's what I'd probably do :rolleyes: )

- I haven't changed jobs in many a year so I don't know if 3 weeks is too long to wait, sorry.

Best of luck
Neil

Lafortezza

The 3 weeks that you might be not working for before the first job comes through shouldn't be a problem. There's lots of recruitment agencys offering temp admin roles around Dublin or wherever you are.
Spend a couple of hours ringing around recruitment agencies, talking to their secretarial recruiters and just say that you're available to start immediately, for the next 3 weeks. Better to phone as email takes too long.
gl