Potential Employers - Telling them to wait.

[grande]

So here's the situation I'm in.

I've recently interviewed for two jobs. Both the interviews went well, and there's a good chance they'll both want to hire me (If all goes well). Now, I haven't heard from Company A yet, but Company B has called me for a second interview on Tuesday. Company A will be contacting me on Friday, to have the job start on Monday (if I have the job).

The problem is, I'd rather have the job with Company B. How do I tell Company A that I'll need a few days? Should I tell them that I'm waiting to hear back from another employer, or will I risk losing them?

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Just call me Captain Awesome.

 

[Stella740pl]

Did you tell them that you can start right away?
Don't you need some time for noticing your current employer (2 weeks is the most common term in US)? Or you currently don't work/don't need notice?

Should I tell them that I'm waiting to hear back from another employer...
I wouldn't.
It shows them that you are not that interested in them and keep them as a second-best choice, just in case. They may as well hire their second-best choice that is more interested then you.

I don't know, though, what you can tell them to make them wait a little longer if you've already said you can start on Monday (did you also tell them which Monday you mean?). It's a tough call.

But for the future, keep in mind to always leave yourself a little wiggle room - notice time, some personal business time, etc.

 

[kHz]

How do you know that company A is calling on Friday?

In a previous sentence you said you haven't heard from them?

How do you know the second interview will lead to a job with company B? My current job consisted of 4 different interviews (they hinted at a 5th, at which point I was going to tell them I was no longer interested in the job).

Eight years ago I was offered three job. I wanted the jobs in the order of a,b,c. C wanted me right away, B was waiting to make an offer, still waited to hear from A. I stalled on returning calls to C and was continuing to wait for an offer from B. Finally, when I couldn't stall any longer, company A called to offer the job which I immediately accepted.

So you could stall. If that would work. I was in another city though, so they could only contact me by phone. Or you could be jerk of the year and ruin any chance of future jobs and take the company A job and then resign immediately to take company B. Though both companies will probably think the worst of you.

Nix telling them you are waiting on another company. If you said that they will probably tell you to forget the job with them anyway. I would.

Your best bet, If you know for sure that company B is going to call on Tuesday, and that company A will call on Friday to offer you the job, is to thank them for the offer and tell them you would like a few days to think it over and tell them you will let them know on Tuesday. You cannot put it off for 5 days, and even Tuesday is pushing it because you have all weekend to mull it over.

Otherwise, you will have to decide what you want to do. And remember that you haven't been offered any job at this point in time.

 

[svanels]

First formal job?

Stella and kHz have explained it enough what are the dangers.
Still lots of people think that Human Resources calls the shot when hiring (it easier to blame them, and they are a big fat target anyway)

In your first interviews you will meet with your direct boss, the HR representative is just a witness.

If you are getting the job, you will be a "headache" for your future boss. If they call in the contestants, your future boss is probably already fed-up by the burocracy, he is desperately in need of someone (and he finally got the green light). Tell this guy to wait, because the other company didn't called yet...

In one of my interviews, the HR representative told me that they were not hiring, but they wanted to see me, so I was sent to 3 other guys who explained what they were doing. Actually I interviewed them .
I learned that letting them talk about their business will increase your odds of getting the job.

Steven

 

[LadySlinger]

IF company A does call you on Friday it doesn't mean that you HAVE to start on Monday. If you haven't heard from Company B by then, I would stall and then when/if A calls, tell them you would like the weekend to think it over.
After you hang up with them, then get back on the phone and call Company B to ask the status of the position.
A) it tells them that you are a very interested candidate if the position is still open and B) they may have already hired someone for the position but did not send/or you may not have received a rejection letter yet.

Stella, KHz and svanels all have made excellent points as well!

 

[grande]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all this feedback. Great stuff.

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Just call me Captain Awesome.