Job offer but another interview coming up... what to do?

[DrTrillianAstra]

Hi, my DP has asked me to ask this here before he says anything (he understands the power of MN!)

Job 1: Had interview last week, and has just been offered the job. It's close by and conveneint, but only a 6-month contract (although they say it's possible that it could be extended, but they can't promise anything)

Job 2: He applied for a job with this company a month ago, they called up last week and said 'we're not going to progress your application on this job, but we have a new vacancy just coming up that we would really like you to apply for'. So he's applied for that job, and it seems likely that he will have an interview since they told him to apply. This job is a permanent position unlike the first one although it is further away (he's happy to do the commute) so to cover the petrol it would need to pay more.

Both are good companies who he would like to work for (although of course he knows more about job1 as he has been to see them in person). When he went for interview for job1 they asked if he had any other things in the pipeline, so they know the situation, and have given him some time to think about it.

The question is: what is the best way of asking the people at job2 the following questions and is there any hope of getting answers?

• is he going to get an interview?
• will that interview be soon?
• how much is the post likely to pay? (because if it's less than enough to cover the petrol then there;s no point)

Or is he just being greedy and should he just take the first job and be grateful that he has any offer at all?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[potplant]

Can you stall Job1 until you hear about the interview for Job2?

For Job 2 there's not harm in calling up to check they got his application and what the process is - they may tell you that its 3 weeks will interviews.
You need to be a bit more subtle in your questioning though he hasn't even been shortlisted.

And if he is shortlisted, then there's no harm in going for the interview.

[ZakuroFujiwara]

I'm pretty "dog eat dog" about these things so would accept job 1, let events with job 2 (interview, possible offer, confirmation of salary etc) unfold at their own pace and then make a decision IF it turns out there is a decision to be made.

If he gets offered job 2 AND he thinks it is a better option then, yes, it will be an uncomfortable conversation with job 1 at that time but, at the end of the day, he doesn't owe them anything.....

Yes - it is a selfish option but I don't think there's necessarily anything hugely immoral or wrong with that in this situation.

I wouldn't bother trying to ask your list of questions - as someone who interviews people a lot I am always mildly irritated by candidates who try to pre-empt the process like this. The process is often taking as long as it is for a reason rather than because I know all the answers/potential dates for things and am just holding it back for the sake of it....

Just my opinion on what I would do if it were me.

[DrTrillianAstra]

That's the thing - is there any way of speeding up job2, as job1 won't wait forever? And how would you go about subtly asking the questions?

[DrTrillianAstra]

x-posts

DP says he likes ZF's plan. If job2 take long enough about things then the 6 months of job1 might be partway done and he could try to wrangle a later start for job2, so do one after the other.

[ZakuroFujiwara]

Exactly - in this climate I would take what is on the table now and worry about any other offers/opportunities that arise later if and when that happens!

[DrTrillianAstra]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush...

[flowerybeanbag]

To be honest I don't see any problem at all asking the questions. He has been asked to apply for the job but doesn't know what it's paying? I think knowing that, or at least knowing a range or similar, is perfectly reasonable, that's fairly basic information that people need to at least have a rough idea about.

I think also asking for a rough timescale of when they are looking to go ahead with it is perfectly reasonable - presumably he can ask HR both those questions so no need to be harassing interviewing managers or similar.