Job interview - but I’m not sure if I still want the job

[IsleOfPenguinBollards]

I applied for a job at one of our partner organisations nearly a month ago. I assumed I hadn’t been shortlisted and was kind of relieved, to be honest. But today they phoned up and offered me an interview, which I accepted.

It isn’t my dream job, but I think the work would suit me better than my current role. I’d certainly find it more interesting. But the cons are, the work conditions probably wouldn’t be as good. I might be working in the office 4-5 days per week instead of 1-2 days and it would be hot-desking, which I find an utter PITA. The organisation is much smaller than my current one, so there would be less scope to move around. The pay is about the same.

AIBU to go to the interview when I’m not sure if I want the job? I don’t want to burn any bridges with the partner organisation as if I stay in my current role, I’ll still be working with these members of staff occasionally. But I still have unanswered questions about the job, so I honestly don’t know if I’d accept it if they made me an offer.

Go for the interview. You might find out something about the job while you were there that confirms it’s is right or wrong decisions for you. You don’t need to worry about an offer until it’s on paper and at the salary / package level you deserve. It’s always good to practice interviews, will help you nail it for a role you really do want.

That’s kind of what I thought. But if I were offered the job and turned it down, would they be pissed off with me for wasting their time?

An interview is a two way process, you're deciding about them as much as they are deciding about you. Any recruiter who doesn't understand that shouldn't be doing the job - it's wholly reasonable that something in the interview might confirm this isn't the job for you, which you won't know unless you do the interview. In the same way something might come up in the interview that means you're not right for them. It's a two way process.

Go to the interview and ask your questions too! You are in a good position if you already have a job you are reasonably happy with - you don't need them to give you an offer so it doesn't matter if they don't like you asking a question e.g. about how flexible they are able to be.

I once went for an interview (school) that, on paper, looked really interesting. I was really keen to have the opportunity to develop a new role. It became apparent fairly soon, that their ethos wasn’t mine and it would have been a mistake.

After some other stuff, the formal interview took place and I said that I didn’t think that our philosophies for the role aligned. They asked if there was anything they could change about it, but I knew I wouldn’t have been able to work effectively and said so.

It was useful experience from several viewpoints though.

For those who like an ending to their stories, I needn’t have worried about this dilemma, as I went to the interview but didn’t get the job! And when they phoned to tell me, I was both disappointed and relieved. 😆

It wasn’t really a wasted effort, as my CV is now up to date and I got some much-needed interview practice (I was pretty rusty). Thanks for the advice, people!