Why does this always happen to me?

jmritenour

I had a great interview for a systems administrator a couple weeks ago, and got a call from the technical recruiter last week saying that they had decided to offer me the job, but that the person who had to sign off on the offer was out until 1/3 (today). She said she couldn't discuss any details about it until I had gotten it in writing, and that I'd be receiving it by email this morning.

Cut to 2 o'clock today, and I still haven't heard anything from them. And I got a voicemail from another company that had originally told me they weren't going to be doing interviews until the 2nd or 3rd week of the month, asking me if I could come in tomorrow for an interview - which won't work for me anyway, but I'm sure I could do something later this week.

So, since an offer is (allegedly) coming from the first company, how should I proceed? Should I call the 2nd company back and go ahead and schedule the interview, then cancel if the offer comes through and I accept?

All things being equal, I'm nowhere near as interested in the second company as I am the first.

networker050184

jmritenour wrote: »

So, since an offer is (allegedly) coming from the first company, how should I proceed? Should I call the 2nd company back and go ahead and schedule the interview, then cancel if the offer comes through and I accept?

Thats what I'd do. You never know, you may never hear from the first place again so you have to CYA.

erpadmin

jmritenour wrote: »

So, since an offer is (allegedly) coming from the first company, how should I proceed? Should I call the 2nd company back and go ahead and schedule the interview, then cancel if the offer comes through and I accept?

All things being equal, I'm nowhere near as interested in the second company as I am the first.

I like any and all opportunities to interview, even if I never plan on working there. It's always good to get as much interview practice as you possibly can.

Oh yeah, I would totally interview with the 2nd company just for the experience of interviewing. You just never know when that could be useful.

eansdad

I 3rd that, take the interview. If the 1st job never comes around you still have an option.

MentholMoose

As long as you can take the time to interview, it won't hurt to do so. Also, after you interview you may be more (or possibly even less ) interested in working there.

ScottFern

I recently turned down my back up job because I had a bad gut feeling about it even though it would of paid me 8k more and given me 5 more days of PTO.

I won't settle! I need to find my next position where I can stay at for the long term and stop the hopping.

Plantwiz

erpadmin wrote: »

I like any and all opportunities to interview, even if I never plan on working there. It's always good to get as much interview practice as you possibly can.

Oh yeah, I would totally interview with the 2nd company just for the experience of interviewing. You just never know when that could be useful.

+1

Nothing is solid until you have it...and you might find that even if you take the 1st offer, by interviewing with the 2nd, you might like that one better.

So, until the 1st is done...don't consider it complete. YMMV

jmritenour

I'll give them a call and set it up when I leave work in a few minutes. Honestly, it's more just frustration that it looked like I finally had something good lined up, after having been on several interviews in the last few months, and being the runner up. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. I feel kinda like Charlie Brown after Lucy pulls the football away from me.

But something's gotta go my way sooner or later, right?

jmritenour

Well, I got the offer VERY late last night. Now it's decision time...

NinjaBoy

jmritenour wrote: »

Well, I got the offer VERY late last night. Now it's decision time...

Cool

-Ken

N2IT

Awesome situation to be in!

I am sure you will make the best decision!

tomahawkeer

Im kind of in a similar situation. I was given an offer, that I accepted on 11/30/10. The catch is, im still waiting for final approval from the main contractor, to OK me from my 2nd interview, as well as my paperwork to fill out my SF-86 and get my clearance check started. In that time, i've received some other interest in my services as well, and while i've not gotten an interview from those yet, if I were offered an interview, I would for sure take it. I have been told however, that since the big wigs from the primary will be back in on Thursday of this week, I should know something more concrete by Friday, at least that is my hope.

Anyway, yeah if your not working at the new position yet, or been given anything concrete yet, I would say keep exploring your options.

Devilsbane

Congrats for getting the offer.

Advice to you, and anyone in a similar situation, don't put all your eggs in one basket until it's for sure. Interviewing with another place and then getting the offer from the first is by no means the end of the world. Maybe you will end up with 2 offers and can be choosy? Much better than passing on the second interview and then the offer not coming.

Glad it worked out for ya

jmritenour

Just to revisit - I accepted the position, and gave my two week notice to my current employer yesterday. Man, it's so hard to do when you truly love the people you work with. I've been there over 6 years. They've been with me when my father died, when my sister passed away unexpectedly, and when I got married.

I'm anticipating and dreading the next two weeks, but I know this is definitely the right move.

erpadmin

jmritenour wrote: »

Just to revisit - I accepted the position, and gave my two week notice to my current employer yesterday. Man, it's so hard to do when you truly love the people you work with. I've been there over 6 years. They've been with me when my father died, when my sister passed away unexpectedly, and when I got married.

I'm anticipating and dreading the next two weeks, but I know this is definitely the right move.

There's a reason why the phrase "it's not personal, it's just business" exists.

With stuff like this, you gotta go with the gut. You're gonna hear all this stuff about "the grass isn't always greener..." but if you don't experience that for yourself, you won't really know for sure. You need to grow and learn, and moving on sometimes is the best opportunity for that.

Congratulations...I'm sure you'll do well in your next chapter of your career.

Plantwiz

jmritenour wrote: »

Just to revisit - I accepted the position, and gave my two week notice to my current employer yesterday. Man, it's so hard to do when you truly love the people you work with. I've been there over 6 years. They've been with me when my father died, when my sister passed away unexpectedly, and when I got married.

I'm anticipating and dreading the next two weeks, but I know this is definitely the right move.

Always difficult when you leave good people. Something struck you to seek out other employement, so remember those reasons. PLUS, if they too appreciated you, maybe they will have a vacancy in a few years that will be a nicer fit with your new experience you bring back. Keep doors open, but always look forward

Congratulations!

snadam

jmritenour wrote: »

Just to revisit - I accepted the position, and gave my two week notice to my current employer yesterday. Man, it's so hard to do when you truly love the people you work with. I've been there over 6 years. They've been with me when my father died, when my sister passed away unexpectedly, and when I got married.

I'm anticipating and dreading the next two weeks, but I know this is definitely the right move.

I know its tough (having similar experiences to yours) to leave an environment like that. However, if they truly value you as a person/friend, they will understand, respect and appreciate your choice. Sure they will be sad you're leaving, but happy that you have made a career advancement.

Either way, congrats on the new gig and Godspeed!