Job hunt ethics question

Finrod Felagund

Alright, so I'm graduating with an MA in English in May and I need a job. Right now, I have an application in with the Coast Guard's Officer Candidate School. I'll hear back from them some time in June. I have a strong packet, the interview went well, and I'm confident, but at the same time there's a significant chance I won't make it.

Regardless of what happens, my plan is to stay with my parents for the summer and work whatever job I can find while either preparing for OCS or putting in a new application. In the meantime, though, I need some backup plan for the fall. My best bet, given my background, is to apply for any college teaching position for which I qualify, most of which will be adjunct and other non-tenured positions.

Here's the dilemma: Do I tell the places I'm applying to that I'm also applying to the Coast Guard, and will absolutely leave them hanging if I get accepted there? That seems like the honest course of action, but if I were in their shoes and I saw that I'd reject the application out of hand. Too, suppose I get accepted for a job in late May, and find out in June that I've been accepted at OCS. Can I still back out at that point? Can I back out if I've signed something? I suppose that would depend on the specific contract, but what does the situation look like in general?

I've gotten some mixed advice so far. When I went for my interview, the Education Service Officer at the CG station told me to move ahead as if I'd already been rejected for OCS, and that employers would understand if I turned them down to go to the Coast Guard. My advisors at school both said I didn't need to disclose that I had the other application in, and my mom just said that clearly she'd raised me to be too honest.

So what do you think? Do I put a little disclaimer on every letter I send out, or do I keep my Coast Guard application quiet until I know for sure?

Esh

You're not going to leave them hanging. They'll have other applicants.

Usagi

If you tell prospective employers that you're maybe not going to be available because of X, your resume is going to the bottom of the pile

Keep it to yourself and mentally draft a "thank you but I'm going to OCS" conversation in case you get in

Robman

You can't feed yourself on the warm feeling you'd get from letting someone else get a good job.

Be selfish. The companies you're negotiating with are.

Sentry

There is nothing at all unethical about pursing multiple opportunities at the same time. In fact, not doing so could be the stupidest thing ever. And no, you don't tell each opportunity about the other, it's generally understood that most applicants are not just applying to one job at a time.

urahonky

Yeah what everyone's said. Don't worry about it, really. My friend said it best (because I had the same problem): "They'd fire you if it's in their best interest. So you have to stay with your best interest."

I know what you mean about being too honest.

Finrod Felagund

Well, that's a pretty overwhelming answer. I'll probably still feel guilty, but that does seem to be the most sensible course of action. Thanks, everyone!

CooterTKE

If I had someone I wanted to work for me say they potentially may go someplace else but you just have not heard back. I would say next and look at someone else.