How to ask for extra time to consider when offered a role

[JobDilemma101]

Hi all,

I'm currently not working after a fixed term contract ended, and I've applied for a lot of roles as I need to work - unfortunately summer is a poor time to job hunt it seems, and Brexit is impacting recruitment. Anyway, I've had more luck recently and have had two really positive interviews for two different companies, with a third final interview to happen in 10 days time (earliest they could do due to annual leave). So 3 companies, 3 different roles. The third one I have yet to do, I am the only candidate they are considering (so if it's not me, it's back to the drawing board for them). I work in a slightly niche market.

I am really confident with the two interviews I've had, feedback has been great, and I have a strong feeling I'll be offered both roles. I hear back with decisions next week. Both roles are great, but they also both have their downsides:

Role A is a little junior for me based on experience, and is offering a salary which is on the low side (circa 25% drop from my last job), and flexibility for home working/adjusted hours is less than ideal.

Role B is a step into a different field, but with similar principles. The hiring manager and I hit it off very well and it would be a great challenge for me, coming in at a senior level to something I've done before as a concept but with an entirely new product line. But, it is a much longer commute, and could take me 1.5-2 hours to get there, though some flexibility to home work and adjust hours. Salary is around 10-15% under my last job).

Role C (not yet had final interview) is a 20 minute commute, money is spot on, flexibility with hours/home work is there and it's a senior role with lots of scope.

My dilemma is, that if I get offered jobs A and B, what do I do about C? I'd likely have about a week/week and a half between getting offers for A/B, and getting an offer for C (fingers crossed). So what would I say to A/B in the mean time?

Obviously C is my ideal, but if I'm not offered that one then I'd likely go for B (amazing opportunity but too much of a commute really when I have a young family). Opinions from friends and family range from being honest and asking for time to consider, to accepting A/B and then backing out, which I'd feel awful about as it would cost them to get checks done. And if I'm honest, that surely shows that I'm not that interested but holding out for something better (which is kind of true but I don't want to start off on the wrong foot if I don't get C).

Long and short of it is - I need a job, I'm potentially in a very lucky position, but how do I manage this and ask for time to get all offers in?

Sorry - that was long. Hopefully it's clear, but any advice is welcome!

Thanks

Morning all,

I was offered job A yesterday. I'll hear from job B next week with outcome, and I have an interview for job C (the holy grail) and get an outcome from them likely next Friday. Apparently I'm the only candidate they're taking through to final interview stage.

As I'm currently not working, I've accepted job A and it should take 2 weeks for references, contract signing etc, so I have some leeway. I just didn't want to leave them hanging as it's my only certain avenue right now.

If I get offered job C, I'm going to take it and back out of job A. Feel bad but I need work and I need to think of what's best for me.

Such a strange dilemma!

Best of luck Job. Keep us updated!

Congrats and good luck

Well done! You’ve done the right thing I think x

Right, been offered jobs A and B, knocked back for C.

Just need to make a choice now!

Essentially the choices are:

Job A - salary mid £40k, no flexibility on wfh, city based - commute circa 1 hour subject to trains. I am overqualified but it’s my comfy place as I know the industry well. Bonus potential up to 24% (discretionary), excellent pension. Management style was good.

Job B - salary mid 50k, one day wfh, 1 hour commute by car. Interesting chance to learn a new line of business within my industry, senior role because of similarities. Bonus potential up to 7% (discretionary), standard pension. Loved the management style and got on amazingly with the direct manager.

I'm leaning towards job B, purely because I'd like a new challenge. Am I mad?

Either way, I'm not committing the rest of my life, and I can move if I don't like either (and we all know that it's easier to get a job when you have a job).

What do I do?!!

What do I do

Which looks better on your CV? Neither sounds optimum because of location (unless all work in your field is an hour commute away).
On the surface the pay drop for job A looks of anything detrimental to your CV. I’d go back and negotiate with them: say you’ve had another offer which is 10k higher and a day a week WFH so although you’d love to work for them unless they can move a bit on one or the other then unfortunately you need to accept the other offer instead, blah blah blah.

If there short term, don’t let the pension sway you.

What, if any, are the restrictions on the bonus for job A? When is it paid? What will it be pro rata? Do you have to be working for a certain period to qualify for it assuming it is paid on the previous year’s work?
Have you calculated
Train fares v petrol and car upkeep?
Time spent travelling door to door?

Woukd job B give you enough opportunity to upskill? How long would you need to work there for the experience to further future interviews? Is there a minimum number of years for it to count?

I’d be inclined to go with the most senior role tbh. It is hard to get back up again otherwise......

Somerville - thank you, you make excellent points. I've spoken to job A and they have no further flexibility on salary or WFH unfortunately. All work in my field would be min 30 mins away, so I suppose the hour won't make a different whether on a train or in my car. This is a back step for me, I agree, and my CV would be worse off for it.

Doyoureallyneedtoask - yes I've worked out costs, and I'd be taking home circa £500 more with job B and transport costs would be a little lower as I'd not have to pay for a season ticket for the train, and my petrol would be less. At the worst, they're on a par. No parking costs at job B either.

Job B would give me sufficient upskilling - effectively the concept is the same as I've been doing, but it's a field I've not worked in before, so I have the general idea but need to understand quirks and product IYSWIM. As far as progression goes, it's all subject to how well it goes, no guarantees.

Re the bonus on Job A - it's dependent on company and personal performance. I doubt I'd qualify for bonus in 2020 as it's assessed Jan - Dec, and also with Brexit looming I have concerns that performance for the company may be affected to an extent, which rules out a high percentage bonus.

I think Job B may be the one!

Definitely job b. Better money, wfh option, more interesting and a 1 hour commute is nothing these days.

Thanks Letter. Just waiting to hear about when they would have me start if I were to accept. Job A is immediate with 2 weeks to allow for refs.

Job B. Congrats on being offered two!

B and use some of the uplift in your salary to make private pension contributions.

Thanks all,

I've accepted job B. Really appreciate everyone's help on this thread, it's made me see things a lot clearer.

Job B sounds the better option.

Wow! Well done, congratulations!

Congratulations OP. The right decision I think. Best of luck with it.