How Accurate is the First Impression?

[Mike555]

I recently had 3 job interviews back-to-back and have subsequently received 3 job offers. I'm now trying to make a decision as to which offer to accept. This proved to be quite difficult, as I haven't switched jobs in some time. Surprisingly I'm considering accepting an offer from the company which offered me the lowest salary of the 3 simply because I felt more comfortable with this company than with the other two. I guaged my comfort level by how easily I felt I could communicate with everyone in the interviewing process, and by the general first impression I received from each company.

To say the least, the other 2 companies simply didn't make me feel like I wanted to run in the door and work for them. They offer a larger salary, but I felt like I wasn't able to communicate with them as effectively. I also found their attitude during the interviews to be generally lackluster. My friends are telling me that I'd be crazy to take a lower salary simply based on this analysis. But I generally apply a great deal of value to the first impression, and as such I felt like I wanted to work for the lower-paying company moreso than the others.

Aside from all that, I wanted to ask: How much value do you place on a first impression during the interviewing process? Has anyone ever accepted a lower paying position simply because of this? Thanks.

 

[EBGreen]

My wife was recently reading a book (I'm sorry that I can't remember the title). She related a story from it to me. There was a professor that wanted to evaluate the accuracy of first impressions. I may have the actual numbers wrong for this part, but the gist is correct. She showed some people video tapes of other professors teaching their classes. She then had them rank hoe well the subjects thought the professors could teach. It turned out that showing the subjects 15 seconds of video with no sound caused them to give ratings to the professors that almost identically matched the ratings given by the students that took the classes.

[red]"... isn't sanity really just a one trick pony anyway?! I mean, all you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you are good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit!" - The Tick[/red]

 

[BJCooperIT]

First of all congratulations. Three out of three is impressive . In response to your question, yes, I have gone with a lower paying contract when I felt I would be a better personality fit there. No one wants to go to work each day to a place they dislike or feel uncomfortable. For me, no amount of money can change that.

Are your first impressions usually accurate? Good luck.

^{Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw}
Consultant Developer/Analyst Oracle, Forms, Reports & PL/SQL (Windows)
Author and Sole Proprietor of: Emu Products Plus

 

[sha76]

I'd go with the one you feel most comfortable with. You could always tell them you've had better offers & see if they'll give you a bit more.

"Your rock is eroding wrong." -Dogbert

 

[Mike555]

Thanks for the replies. It turns out that the 3 out of 3 was a sudden stroke of luck after a long period of no luck!

I find my first impressions are usually accurate. Sometimes they're a bit off but they're never totally inaccurate.

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> I find my first impressions are usually accurate.

Trust your instincts.

Good Luck
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To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Thadeus]

I, very definately, go with my first impressions more often than not. I just seem to be pretty good at it. Could have saved my sister a husband or two if she would have just walked them by me first.

Interestingly, I can't seem to do it with non-humans.

And yes, I have passed on a higher paying position that didn't "feel right" after the interviews...

As others have said, follow your instincts.

~Thadeus

 

[mrdenny]

Follow your gut. While interviewing for my last job I had a hinky feeling during the interview process. I couldn't put my finger on it, so I ignored it (I was also pretty desperate for a job).

It was the worst 9 months of my life working in that place.

The place was stressing me out so much that my wife told me to quit. It was better having me out of work not bringing in any money than to have me working there.

The new place is much much better (and no hinky feelings during the interview).

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

(Not quite so old any more.)

 

[MasterRacker]

I'm with everyone else: trust your gut.

A couple of years ago, afer 16 years in one place and being rusty at interviews, I interviewed with a "job placement" agency. I had a nagging feeling after the interview and asked if anyone here had heard of the place. Thank god I did! I was pointed here.

As a follow up:

http://www.asktheheadhunter.com/teeth20031013.htm.

Bottom line: if you've got a "feeling", your brain is trying to tell you something. Best to listen.

<sub>Jeff
[purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day

I was not born cynical - I earned my cynicism through careful observation of the world around me.</sub>

 

[kHz]

Go with the instinct.

 

[SamBones]

A job interview is not just about them trying to decide about you, but it's also about you trying to decide about them. How you feel about the company and the people is more important to your happiness than how they feel about you.

Money is great (it's why we work, isn't it?), but you have to like where you work or you may just be looking to move again shortly.

I would say trust your instincts, but consider the salary difference. How big of a salary difference is it? If it's huge, it might be worth it to you to tough it out at a place you don't like as much. That's something you and you alone have to weigh.

Hope this helps.

 

[langleymass]

Nowadays, it's pretty easy to do research on a business even before you interview. Find employees and past employees. A good resource is a web site called <linkedin.com>. If you get to know enough people, you will learn what companies to avoid.

Here in Austin, Texas, for example, Dell has made a reputation as a terrible place to work. Whole Foods, on the other hand, has a great reputation. You find out these things by getting out there and talking to people.

 

[JRBeltman]

I would look further than salary.

More important is how much oppurtunity for growth the companies offer (not necessarily in position, but personal growth). Can you learn and expand your knowledge here? Do they support this (i.e. training courses etc). Is the job a challange or will you be bored after a year?

Do they take well care of their people in general? Is the management struture thus that you actually are able to put forward your ideas to help the company grow?

How are your prospective colleagues? Could you work with them?

You could always ask to visit the company for an hour orso to have a look around.

Good luck

JR
IT = Logic (except for a well known OS where it equals luck) -> Back to the Basics!

 

[chiph]

Thank god I did! I was pointed here.

Having to pay a fee up front (one of the reports on that firm you linked to) would be my sure sign of a scam! Headhunters (especially at the executive level) take a percentage or your salary from the hiring company. The hiree never pays anything.

Chip H.


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