How am I supposed to handle this? Jobseekers and job offers

Jones51412

I had a job interview today and I have 4 more interviews coming up. They are healthcare jobs.

The interviewer asked me if I wanted the job. I said yes. Then they gave me a job offer. They said it will start in 5-7 weeks but they will check references and my occupational health and the offer is subject to those. Honestly, I don't know how helpful one of my references will be.

Now, it kind of feels like I'm lying if I go to all my other job interviews and tell them all the exact same thing (to tell them - yes, I want the job when I know I have an offer already) and then allow them to make 4 offers as well. Honestly I would like having a choice and choosing the one for which it is easiest to find walking distance accommodation, but they already seem to have earmarked me for a particular place in the hospital - so I'm not sure if I should be doing this to multiple people - it kind of feels like I'm screwing them over. I know they are all going to spend money on background checks, etc.

But then I know that jobseekers will cut me off if I don't keep attending interviews and making new job applications up until the day I start working - which means that there will likely be more interviews and offers.

Voyager2002

Not a problem: even if you receive multiple offers you still need to consider them all and choose the one that you like best. Remember that most people who get interviewed are already in a job and so have the option of staying put unless the new job is significantly better.

As is often said, an interview is a two-way process: the employer has to sell themselves to you and convince you that you would be happy working there. So even if you knew that they were all going to offer you the job, it would still make sense for you to attend all the interviews so that you would know which you like best.

shortcrust

I think if you've had a firm offer of a permanent job you can just apply for temp positions from now on to satisfy the jobcentre. It's was fine for me to do that last time I was signing on.

I'd definitely go for the others though. The one you've got might fall through, and the others might offer more/better. Seriously don't worry about screwing them over. People back out of job offers all the time. It's just part of the process and they wouldn't take it personally.

FireWyrm

Looking for a job is a two way negotiation, or it should be. They meet you to decide whether they like you enough to employ you, and you ask all the questions about work and conditions you please. You can do that as often as you like until you secure a firm offer. What you have is a provisional place at the moment. You do not have an actual job until the day you start and the contract comes into force. Until then, you are still at speculative interview stage. It just so happens, you are in the lovely position of being at speculative stage with several companies at the same time.

DCFC79

You have to think of yourself, the employers will surely be used to this. You don't have a concrete offer yet so you aren't exactly lying, your keeping your options open.

Jones51412

So why do they sit there and offer you a job at the interview if it's not a real offer, as they havn't even checked the references yet? Surely these are things they should do before they say something that sounds like an offer?

jbond

So you've got to wait minimum a month before actually starting the job then? Seems like a while, even if they are getting references etc.
If I was you, I'd defo keep my options open. I think a lot of employers 'offer' you a job subject to satisfactory references etc.
I agree with Firewym here. I remember an old boss saying to me that an interview is a two way thing. You might decide that you feel the boss is a jumped-up c*w, and later decide to decline, based on that.

t0rt0ise

Jones51412 wrote: »

So why do they sit there and offer you a job at the interview if it's not a real offer, as they havn't even checked the references yet? Surely these are things they should do before they say something that sounds like an offer?

It's a conditional offer, conditional on your references. That is a normal way of doing things. It is unusual however to get the job offer so quickly, so if you go to other interviews you probably won't get offers straight away so will have more time to think things through.

22cuddles

jbond wrote: »

So you've got to wait minimum a month before actually starting the job then? Seems like a while, even if they are getting references etc.

Depends on the role you're applying for and/or notice period from any job you might be leaving. My own notice period is quite excessive (12 weeks) but is industry standard for the role I do. A month seems quite reasonable to me.

patman99

I've had this happen twice, were the has been a 2-3 week delay betwen the offer and the job starting.
In my case, I still remained signing on and still kept job hunting just in case a better offer came along.

GlasweJen

If the jobs are for the same hospital or health board then chances are that the same HR team will be looking after the references/disclosures/occupational health so when you get the written confirmation that they're offering you a job and asking you to fill out the forms for occupational health you can phone the HR person and tell them what's happening.

Is there one job that attracts you more than the others? If so say "I've accepted X offer but I have an interview on Monday at 4 in the heart clinic and if I'm sucessful I would rather pursue that post".

Even if the posts are all the same band as the one you are in with similar work you might not get offered them depending on what sort of person they are looking for so accept anything you are offered and go from there.