Job/interview--WWYD? (long!)

madelyn07

I'm full of these today

Awhile ago I applied for a job at a different university. The job would be perfect for me, the only downside is the commute (about an hour each way). Two weeks ago they called me to set up an interview (which was yesterday). The day after I set up the interview I saw a job posting for a job where I currently work (my department, different office) that I'd LOVE! I know, from working here for the past three years, that this position will have tons and tons of applicants. I spoke with the director and assitant director for that office, and both seemed excited that I was interested. They want to fill that position ASAP because the person that left had scheduled a ton of events prior to leaving and now they are having to scramble to get people to cover those events. They are hoping to have the new hire in place for the last scheduled events for the fall at the end of October.

If I were to be hired, I could definitely go to those events since I wouldn't have to be trained on anything, I already know all of the information because of my current job. I applied for the job and the posting closed yesterday. The assistant director told me they HOPE to set up interviews by the end of this week but it will probably be later than that (by a week or two).

This morning I got a call back from the interview I went to yesterday (at the other university), asking me to come in for a second interview on Friday.

So here is my question...I know the job that I interviewed for yesterday is moving quickly. They hope to make a decision early next week and have that person in place two weeks later. The job that I applied for here (the one I REALLY want) is a bit behind this other job in timeline (ie, the soonest they'll do interviews is the end of next week but that's stretching it a lot). So what do I do? Should I go talk to the assistant director of the job here (the one that just closed) and tell him that before that job was posted I'd applied and set up an interview for another job and have a second interview on Friday? Of course I'd stress that his job is the one I really want and, honestly, I'm not concerned about it "hurting" me at all if I tell him about this other job. I really don't think it would affect anything for me, like him  holding that against me or anything. (FWIW, I know him very well and I'd consider us to be "friends".) But, at the same time, even if I talk to him and tell him about the other job/interviews, it isn't like he can say "If you are offered that job, don't accept it, we want you". So...would there even be any benefit in talking to him?

 

And, of course I'm getting way ahead of myself here and trying to plan things out that most likely won't happen (basically I doubt I'll be offered this job I interviewed for yesterday--or, knowing my luck, either job) but I want to be prepared in case something does happen. How do I handle this situation?

 

Side not: I really want the job here, where I currently work, but I'd much rather have the job I interviewed for yesterday than stay in my current job if that is what it came down to. Salary isn't really a concern and the commute doesn't bother me, especially since the job here would require lots of travel, ect., so that would kind of even out. I just want the job here more. But I want either job more than I want my current job

 

Help

 

illinigal

I would definitely do the 2nd interview for the hour commute job at the other University on Friday.  Like you said, you don't know if they will offer you the job or not, but I don't think it can hurt going to the 2nd interview.  If they do offer you the job, you'd have to weigh your options at that time.

As far as the job you really want at your current University, that's a tough one.  If you really don't think it would hurt you to ask the assistant director that you're friends with about it, then I would do that.  Maybe interviewing for that job will move faster than you think or the 2nd round/job offers from the other university will move slower than you think.

Best of luck!

madelyn07

illinigal:

I would definitely do the 2nd interview for the hour commute job at the other University on Friday.  Like you said, you don't know if they will offer you the job or not, but I don't think it can hurt going to the 2nd interview.  If they do offer you the job, you'd have to weigh your options at that time.

As far as the job you really want at your current University, that's a tough one.  If you really don't think it would hurt you to ask the assistant director that you're friends with about it, then I would do that.  Maybe interviewing for that job will move faster than you think or the 2nd round/job offers from the other university will move slower than you think.

Best of luck!

Oh yeah, I'm definitely going to the interview on Friday. I just don't know how to deal with the conflicting timelines. You are right, the job at the other university could slow down..but so far they've been pretty true to their word about the speed they hope to move at. HR at universities can take forever, though. I really doubt the job here will speed up, just knowing the time of the year (busy!) they are in, the # of applicants they'll get, our slowly our HR department is and, well, how slow they can be in that department

I really hope the job at the other university does slow down, that would make things the easiest!

Thanks

BeeBee08

Well, first, this is awesome news!  I have my fingers crossed that something works out and it is exactly what you want.

All I can say is that you should think REALLY hard about the commute.  An hour each way is a long time and while it seems like it's no big deal, a year from now you might think differently when you realize you have spent ten hours each week just sitting in a car.  I'm only saying this from experience. 

If you can talk with your friend at your current location "off the record", I would probably let him know your situation and ask what he would recommend.  I think he would be able to indicate to you, without saying so much, what direction would be best for you.  If they want you, he wouldn't want to see you go.

Finally, if you don't care about burning bridges (which I don't really recommend) you could always accept the other job, but let your friend know you're still interested in staying at your current University and when they offer you that job take it instead.  

Good Luck on Friday! 

DeputiesWife

Holy crap - my head is spinning!

First - congrats about the second interview and having all these jobs open. I'd definitely go to the 2nd interview. And see what they have to say -- you sound like me -- want to be prepared from all angles and have things prepared to say incase!

I'd talk to the asst. director and see what their timeline is and go from there -- I dont think i'd tell him about the other job quite yet though.

Oh i am so excited for you! 

theworms

bfarrell:

Well, first, this is awesome news!  I have my fingers crossed that something works out and it is exactly what you want.

All I can say is that you should think REALLY hard about the commute.  An hour each way is a long time and while it seems like it's no big deal, a year from now you might think differently when you realize you have spent ten hours each week just sitting in a car.  I'm only saying this from experience. 

If you can talk with your friend at your current location "off the record", I would probably let him know your situation and ask what he would recommend.  I think he would be able to indicate to you, without saying so much, what direction would be best for you.  If they want you, he wouldn't want to see you go.

Finally, if you don't care about burning bridges (which I don't really recommend) you could always accept the other job, but let your friend know you're still interested in staying at your current University and when they offer you that job take it instead.  

Good Luck on Friday! 

ditto

GL cutie

I hope the new Tiger job works out for you, i'll be praying

gervaisj6

where is it? ! : )

GL! : )

MoFree

I have nothing original to add except that when it rains it pours.  I most definitely would go on the 2nd interview at the other school.  I agree with the PP who mentioned how tedious it could be to add 2 hours in the car to you day on a regular basis.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if you have to choose between two new jobs.  Best wishes, hon. 

Do you already have you letter of resignation written for your current job?

madelyn07

MoFree:

I have nothing original to add except that when it rains it pours.  I most definitely would go on the 2nd interview at the other school.  I agree with the PP who mentioned how tedious it could be to add 2 hours in the car to you day on a regular basis.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if you have to choose between two new jobs.  Best wishes, hon. 

Do you already have you letter of resignation written for your current job?

No, no letter written. Don't want to jinx anything because, as I said, my luck will be that they both fall through.

One day I DID write a letter of resignation for this job when I was 2 seconds away from walking out of the door but I deleted it.

I'd love to have the opportunity to chose between the two jobs but with this timeline, that won't happen.

And yeah, I realize the commute isn't ideal but even with those two hours added in, I'd still be working (including the commute) far less hours than I currently work..crazy, huh? And the other reason I don't mind so much is because with the job here, where I currently work, there would be a ton of travel required so I'd constantly be driving to the ATL airport (an hour and a half) anyway. (And one of the main reasons I want that job is for the travel.)

Ginger71

That's great news that you got called back for a 2nd interview! Could you be happy at this job if you found out you got the other job?

Also, I agree with bfarrell about the commute,though. I only commute 1/2 hr. to work but it can be double some days depending on traffic flow and I know you live near a big city......

I defintiely would not mention to anyone...friend or not that you are interviewing at another university. I've learned that when it comes to business, all bets are off and if a place finds out you are interviewing,it doesn't look favorable.

You have a lot to think about and I wish you lots of luck with the decision! You'll make the right one. I'm sure

vanessagorc

Ginger71:

That's great news that you got called back for a 2nd interview! Could you be happy at this job if you found out you got the other job?

Also, I agree with bfarrell about the commute,though. I only commute 1/2 hr. to work but it can be double some days depending on traffic flow and I know you live near a big city......

I defintiely would not mention to anyone...friend or not that you are interviewing at another university. I've learned that when it comes to business, all bets are off and if a place finds out you are interviewing,it doesn't look favorable.

You have a lot to think about and I wish you lots of luck with the decision! You'll make the right one. I'm sure

ditto G!  I have commuted, and i grew to hate it SOOOO much that i have lived walking distance from work for 12 yrs now.  So that does get old.  On the flip side, so does work travel.  I used to really enjoy it.  Now it's like torture.  I have 1 work trip in nov, and one in dec...i'm DYING to get out of at least 1 of them.

That being said, good luck!  And i hope you get whichever one u want...or both at the same time and it can be ur call!

madelyn07

vanessagorc:

Ginger71:

That's great news that you got called back for a 2nd interview! Could you be happy at this job if you found out you got the other job?

Also, I agree with bfarrell about the commute,though. I only commute 1/2 hr. to work but it can be double some days depending on traffic flow and I know you live near a big city......

I defintiely would not mention to anyone...friend or not that you are interviewing at another university. I've learned that when it comes to business, all bets are off and if a place finds out you are interviewing,it doesn't look favorable.

You have a lot to think about and I wish you lots of luck with the decision! You'll make the right one. I'm sure

ditto G!  I have commuted, and i grew to hate it SOOOO much that i have lived walking distance from work for 12 yrs now.  So that does get old.  On the flip side, so does work travel.  I used to really enjoy it.  Now it's like torture.  I have 1 work trip in nov, and one in dec...i'm DYING to get out of at least 1 of them.

That being said, good luck!  And i hope you get whichever one u want...or both at the same time and it can be ur call!

I don't know if I could be happy at that job if I found out I got the other...that's so hard for me to say. I know that job would be 100% better than my current job (which, in reality my job isn't horrible but this environment is toxic and I work 12+ a day routinely). The thing about the job I interviewed for yesterday is that it would be great for me in the long run. It is absolutely in the line of work of what I want to do with my life. However, it is also very specific. The job here, where I currently work, would be great for my resume and my future in general but not in the same specific way that the other job would be.

I know the commute isn't ideal but I have to get out of this job. I just have to. And I know the traveling gets old and isn't glamorous and all but I need it for myself. I feel like that'll be the final end to our whole journey to have a kid and all and I just need that for my mental health.

If I don't talk to J (the assistant manager) I just don't know what to do...what if I'm offered that job next week but the job I really want, the job here, I wouldn't even have interviewed for yet? I really can't accept that other job and then go back and decline if I get the other job because that would burn bridges I really don't want to burn. (This other university is the same university that I work at now, just a "satellite" location so people know each other/talk.)

 

 

PurpleIris30

I've been in this position before, and it has actually worked out (and sounds like one job was very similar to your job in enrollment and recruiting).  

You could wait to see how this second interview goes and if you get a job offer.  If you are offered the job, you will have at least some time to let them know whether or not you accept.  If you do get an offer, use that to your advantage.  Talk to your friend the manager and level with her/him.  Say that you have been offered another job, but this would really be your first choice.  Ask about the timeline, ask about your odds of getting the position.  I've done this before and if they REALLY want you in that position, maybe they will bump up the interview process, cut off some of the interviews, or just let you know that they can't change the schedule but that your odds are really good for getting the position.  I did 4 rounds of interviews in 3 days once because they knew I had been offered another job and wanted to get me through the interview process. 

You could also have this conversation now with the friend/manager.  On the plus side, you would give them and yourself more time to get this figured out.  On the negative side, you don't have the other job lined up for sure.  You'd have to evaluate the risk of having that backfire and affect your current position (which isn't a concern if you know you have another offer and would take it over your current job).

My second anecdote is that sometimes the timing just all works out.  I just changed jobs this year.  I was interviewing at several places at the same time.  There was one job that I really wanted, and it sounded like I wasn't going to find out for a couple of weeks on their hiring decision.  There was another job that sounded like it would be just fine, and they told me they would let me know the next week.  Turns out the first job (the one I really wanted) called and offered first.  So all of my worry was for nothing. 

Good luck on the interview process. Congratulations on getting a second interview.