What do I do if I get offered a job before I know if I am going to get another one that I want more?

[Whatexcellentboiledpotatoes]

I currently have 3 jobs that I have applied for and am waiting to hear back from.

Job 1 I really really want. Closing date isn't until 27th April (today is 19th)
Job 2 I would be happy with, but don't want as much as the first one. Closing date is today. Interviews are going to be this coming week, if I get one.
Job 3 I would like, but have applied for before and been unsuccessful so I don't think I will get an interview. Plus it's not stable and may end in a couple of years. Closing date tomorrow.

Job one and two are different roles for the same employer.

What do I do if I get an interview next week or the week after, and get offered a job, but I still don't know if I've got the one I really really want?

I hate the idea of having to accept and then pull out before I've started and mess them about.

Watching with interest. I have accepted a job and going through dbs checks etc/ references but the day after they offered me the job I saw a job advertised that really is more aligned with what i want. Didn't really expect to get an interview but have which is towards the end of this week. Start date for job I have accepted is two weeks away. I'm not stressing about it because haven't even got the second job and it's likely to be very competitive, so I'll just face the decision if it comes to that. My friends who are managers say it happens all the time, people accept job offers then find something that's a better fit. I think I just hate the thought of letting anyone down.
These jobs are with different branches of the same organisation so just hoping they don't communicate in any way with each other !
I have been in this situation a few years ago in fact had to let two employers down but they were fine with it.

Keep intervuewing for all posizions. If one mskes an offer, ask the one you prefer where you stand. Until you have signed nothing is fixed.

Employers would get rid of you in a heartbeat if they wanted to. They’re not your friends or your family and you have the right to act in your own best interests. It happens all the time and is completely normal. The majority of people being interviewed are pursuing a number of posts and wouldn’t hesitate to withdraw their successful application.

It’s tricky since 2 of the jobs are with the same employer. I think you have to address it and say you love the organisation, could see yourself in either role and since the know the company best what are their thoughts?

Interview for all 3 then make a decision. Which you can ask for time to think about it before you get back to them. Do not though eg at interview accept a job there and then or say you can start asap. Keep them guessing but be keen. Remember it’s you interviewing them as much as the other way around.

Same employer. Do they know you’re interviewing for 2 roles? As pp said you have to play this carefully. You don’t want to piss off either of them but then again you want the right fit for you. I’d probably ask for time to think about if you’re offered the job then you can make decisions, that is if you get both interviews.

It used to be considered bad form to not start at a job you’d been accepted for and accept another offer instead. Maybe things have changed. All I can say is in some industries memories are short.

I would not go for job 3. Forget that one. Not stable enough and ends too soon.

No, the hiring managers of each most likely won't know. It's a county council, so there's thousands of jobs and 100s of departments.
It's not completely outside the realms of possibility though

Just for anyone interested - I don't think I've been offered an interview for job 3 as I haven't heard anything and I was offered one very quickly the last time I applied.

Job 2 has extended its closing date and it now ends on same date as Dream Job 1

So it looks like things have sorted themselves out 🥳

If you've applied through an applicant tracking system they'll know as it will show all the vacancies you've applied for.

Having been in a similar situation re job 1 & 2 for same employer (passed assessment and got interview for job 1. When invited to assessment for job 2, I suddenly got rolled back to unsuccessful at job 1). Some firms like you to only have one application going at any time. I'd ask to talk to someone in recruiting and explain your dilemma as per quoted poster.