Have a job offer but also an upcoming second interview, what to do?

100eyes

Sandtree said:

What is it that is stopping you accepting the first offer if the job is very interesting to you? As an outsider, and as it will probably be to the 1st company, it sounds like there is something you prefer about the second company. Now maybe they are offering more money or maybe the job is more interesting in which case the first company can consider if they can do anything on the money side or if they really want to take on a candidate who'd rather be elsewhere?

I unfortunately am in the almost identical position right now but the 2nd job is potentially offering 25% more monies however its a first round interview I have later this week. Company one in my case appear to have created the challenge as they waived the interview that was set up for next week (which would have helpfully kept the two processes aligned) and gone straight to offer.

Thanks. What's stopping me is that the first position is fixed term for 2 years and as someone looking to get a mortgage very soon I'm looking for something long term. 2 years is still a decent amount of time, thus I'm still considering the position, as well as where it could take me in my future career.

Well it's great that they waived the interview, means they are really keen to have you. I didn't consider this, I might instead go to the second company and ask them if they could speed up the second interview perhaps.

100eyes

Sandtree said:

100eyes said:
I just hope they will be open to waiting 1,5 week for me to make a decision. I don't have a sense if that's long or not.

It is certainly fairly long and potentially very long depending on the nature of the engagement etc. Did you discuss with them when they'd want you to on board if you/they were successful?

I didn't but the projects has been on hold for a while and it didn't sound like they are in a super rush to get someone in. It's fixed term for two years cause that's what they have funding for, so they said it will last for 2 years from whenever my start date would be.

100eyes

AskAsk said:

what do you see as the advantage of going to the other interview when you are already happy with the job offer you have?

I'm happy with the role itself, but both of the roles have advantages and disadvantages. The first role is fixed term and further from where I live. Also the second company has been very upfront about their situation and was in regular communication with me through the 6 months since my first interview and that is something that I value and it shows that they are respectful and considerate, which makes me think - a good place to work for.

AskAsk

100eyes said:

AskAsk said:

what do you see as the advantage of going to the other interview when you are already happy with the job offer you have?

I'm happy with the role itself, but both of the roles have advantages and disadvantages. The first role is fixed term and further from where I live. Also the second company has been very upfront about their situation and was in regular communication with me through the 6 months since my first interview and that is something that I value and it shows that they are respectful and considerate, which makes me think - a good place to work for.

you can say that you are waiting for a decision from another employer before you can give them a decision.  you may have a couple of weeks from when they made you the fomal offer of employent.  it would be difficult to draw it out any longer than that.

100eyes

AskAsk said:

100eyes said:

AskAsk said:

what do you see as the advantage of going to the other interview when you are already happy with the job offer you have?

I'm happy with the role itself, but both of the roles have advantages and disadvantages. The first role is fixed term and further from where I live. Also the second company has been very upfront about their situation and was in regular communication with me through the 6 months since my first interview and that is something that I value and it shows that they are respectful and considerate, which makes me think - a good place to work for.

you can say that you are waiting for a decision from another employer before you can give them a decision.  you may have a couple of weeks from when they made you the fomal offer of employent.  it would be difficult to draw it out any longer than that.

Thanks great advice! Very helpful, thank you

Slinky

If you have been having regular communication with the company offering the second interview, they are obviously interested in you.  Be honest with them!  Tell them you've had another job offer you would be happy to accept in the absence of an offer from them. If they are keen on you, they'll pull their fingers out and push on with the process. 

They are human and will understand the position you are in - a bird in the hand being worth two in the bush.