Juggling multiple interviews/offers

JustAnotherTechie

Hey all,
I'm sure this is an oft-asked question, but I've read lots of conflicting advice and I'm hoping someone can cut through the nonsense and just give me an answer!

So I've applied for a few positions over the last month or so - some local, predictable things and some pie in the sky dream jobs that would require relocation - and in the last week I've really started to see returns...

I had an interview on Friday at a local startup that I knew nothing about going in to, but was pleasantly surprised. I would genuinely love to work with the people there, the interview was good fun etc. They said they liked me a lot but for a few reasons were a little unsure whether I would fit with what they need, so I'm not sure they're even going to offer but until today I would've accepted it without question...

Then today I get an email from a "dream" job located ~200m away asking for a phone interview. I sent on my contact particulars and told them I'd appreciate it if it could be done as soon as possible as I was waiting to hear from some other jobs.

What do I do if the first company calls tomorrow and offers me the position? I really fell in love with the guys there, so I'd hate to screw them over in any way, but at the same time the odds of the dream job coming through aren't that high (although its hard to assess, they're in a heavily-applied-for industry, but seem to be a fairly unknown company, so I may have better odds based purely on a lower number of applicants).

In an ideal world I do this phone interview in the next few days and it ends with an immediate yay or nay, but life's rarely that succinct!

On top of all this I have a third (local) company who asked for my details to arrange an interview but still haven't actually contacted me. Here I was thinking I was unemployable!

I understand I shouldn't be grumbling, but this'll be my first job in my industry after finishing Uni so it all feels a bit stressful, like I'm defining my whole career here or something!

Advice?
Thanks :-)

londonTiger

tell the first people youd like to wait while before make your decision as you are interviewing for other jobs. its the most approprite thing to do, otherwise youre going to have to lie or bend the turth to buy some time.

which is never good, people are just a mouse click away on linked in.

They'll respect your honesty and may even turn back increase the rate.

This is exactly what I told one interviewer, it was early in the week and the interview went great and he asked if we were to hire you today when would you be able to start. I told them that I'm interviewing for other jobs and I'd like to hear back from them before I make my mind up.

Interviewer called me two days later and asked about whether I heard back from other interviews and offered to increase my salary from 22K to 26k if I make my decision to go with them.

The job is in new media though, I have a specialised skill so there's not a huge talent pool for my line of work. So that was the real leverage,.. YMMV

JustAnotherTechie

Jeez haha, so I've got this phone interview scheduled for tomorrow between 11 and 1, thinking that's quick enough to avoid the clash, then the other people ring me saying they've filled the initial position but were so impressed they'd like to meet with me to discuss something else... at midday tomorrow!

Eek! I was honest and explained and they said to just call them tomorrow afternoon and let them know where I'm at. I just feel bad now, they're so nice!

Jules2012

Rule of thumb, if a recruitment agency are playing middle man: tell them nothing.

If dealing direct with employers: be honest or at least spin it to you had already organised other interviews and and feel obliged to attend so can't confirm your decision at present.