Job Dilemma

Tam

I have been tested and interviewed for a telephone survey position (like a telemarketer, but less annoying) and have been told to call back on Monday.

I also have dental lab job prospect by way of a friend's recommendation. This job is vastly preferable to the first, but the timeframe for confirmation makes things a bit difficult.

I have to call back to the survey place on Monday, and my friend said that the lab supervisor would contact me sometime in the next week. I guess my main question here is how to handle the survey place.

Should I take the survey job and just leave if the lab thing goes through? I'd like not to leave a horrible impression on the survey place if at all possible.

Vixx

Couldn't you straight-up tell them that you're waiting to hear back on another job offer and can't give them a confirmed answer until later in the week?

I mean, that's a generally acceptable thing to do, there shouldn't be any hard feelings over it.

Joining then leaving is a bad idea with such a narrow timespan in between the two.

Tam

Vivixenne wrote: »

Couldn't you straight-up tell them that you're waiting to hear back on another job offer and can't give them a confirmed answer until later in the week?

I mean, that's a generally acceptable thing to do, there shouldn't be any hard feelings over it.

Joining then leaving is a bad idea with such a narrow timespan in between the two.

I suppose I could do this, though I've already interviewed for the survey place so they may get pissed off anyway. I don't know the etiquette for this sort of thing, having only worked two other jobs fairly far apart.

I considered taking both jobs since only weekends are mandatory (and I could work holidays) at the survey place, but I doubt I could juggle both.

Vixx

You shouldn't "feel bad" about this stuff, in any case. Every company is used to job-hunters juggling several job apps at once. If they get bitter over how you interviewed with them first and are holding out for other options, that's not a very good company. Etiquette is letting them know what's up in terms of your timing. BAD etiquette is joining and then bailing a little bit later.

Also, since you are calling them back to see if you are even getting the position at the survey place, call them on Monday, hear their answer. If they say "no thanks" then your problem solves itself. If they say "yes we want you" then say "okay well is it okay if I confirm with you guys on this a little later in the week? I need some time to think about it."

If they ask why, just be honest: "There's another job opportunity I'm waiting to hear back about and I want to see what my options are. Is that all right?" (Add the question at the end there to soften things if you feel there is a need.)

Tam

Well, that's pretty clear.

Thanks, Vivixenne. I always admired your wisdom while rolling through Glossolalia (née Social Entropy ++).

Vixx

d'awwwwww it ain't wisdom

it's eloquently disguised bee ess

(thanks)

oh and as an aside, in the future if you are doing in the middle of a massive job hunt AND are answering an ad (i.e., you didn't write to them out of the blue asking for a possible job), it's perfectly acceptable to let them know you are in the middle of a job search... but only if they ask!

in addition, if they ask if you can start immediately and you can, say yes... you are not expected to let them know about your other job opportunities UNLESS they say they want you!