How do you manage things when more than one application in?

[GoldZip]

I've got 3 job applications in atm.

Job 1 interview 28 Mar
Job 2 2nd interview 30 Mar
Job 3 applications don't close until 9 April

Job 3 is by far my preferred option. Job 1 is probably the least preferred, but I'd still take it.

What do I do if I'm offered Job 1 before I know about the others, especially Job 3?

Take the first job you're offered.

I'm currently in your situation.

Offered job 1, accepted it, whilst waiting for a start date attended interview for job 2 and was unsuccessful. Started job 1 and have interview for job 3 tomorrow.

All jobs are local council where I already work.

I think you might manage to delay giving them an answer on job 1 until you've heard about job 2. Job 3 looks trickier though, unless you work in the sort of industry where it's common to interview applicants before that closing deadline and make an offer early to a good one.

Avoid agreeing to a job, if you'd drop it like a hot potato if you are offered another - it's really poor behaviour - you wouldn't like it if an employer did it to you - so don't do it to them. You can delay though and that way they won't reject the other candidates and you won't completely derail their recruitment. Delay by taking time to think and request a conversation on the phone about T&Cs and more time to think.

Tell them you need some time to consider. If they up the offer, you might reconsider.

It's really a good position to be in.

Just tell them you are considering a few options at the moment and waiting on other interviews, and will need X days/ weeks to consider.

If they can't wait that long, they will tell you.