Job offer advice...pretty please

ashesfromfire

Hey internet people! Not fitness related at all, but just crowd sourcing opinions. Ive been unemployed for 7 months and really need a job. I'm a full time student who just started my senior year at university. 6 days ago I interviewed for a job I REALLY want. I sent a thank you email, and the interviewer replied saying I'd hear from her soon. Awesome. Great. But now today, my boss from an old job (which I absolutely loved but the hours were HORRIBLE - working until 1or2am and needing to be in class at 8am does not make for enough sleep or homework time yo) contacted me asking if I still needed work because she'll hire me back (worked a seasonal position for her originally). Do the question: Is there a polite/professional way to ask the woman who interviewed me last week if she's planning on offerings the job because I've had another offer come across the table but I'd pick her business over the other? Or is that rude no matter the circumstances?
Additionally, at my interview I was assured that I'd hear back in just a few days...so that makes me think I didn't get it...but my thank you email got a reply maybe 72 hours after the interview letting me know if hear back soon.....gah I hate job hunting

Elise4270

Honestly you could take the job offered, then when the one you want comes through take it and quit the other position.

Just leave on good terms, with notice.

Caporegiem

If the job your old boss called you about is only seasonal again I'd take it until I either heard back from the other job or found something else.

jenmar222

It depends a little bit on what the position is....

I actually think it's a great idea to ask the place you are applying to about the hiring timeline and let them know you have an alternative offer (but would choose to work for them). It shows that you are a competitive applicant and reaffirms your interest in the position. Following up after an interview is good.

Edit: Don't ask if you are going to be offered the job, just ask for an update on the hiring timeline. And lightly mention the alternative offer, but emphasize that the new job is your first choice.

fanceegirl75

It would be unprofessional to ask if you are going to be offered the job. Unfortunately you just have to wait it out. I agree with the other comments. Take the job from your old boss. If it's a good working relationship let her know you have your eye on a particular job that you haven't heard from as of yet but would love to go back to work for her.

Shells918

Professional recruiter here. Call the place you interviewed and tell them you really enjoyed interviewing there, and would love to work there, however you're actively interviewing and have recieved another offer. They (company 1) is your first choice so you thought you'd check in to see where they were in the decision making process, so you can decide your own next steps. This way you'll know if you're being considered, when they plan on making their decision and go from there.
Hope that helps!

Jerrypeoples

i think both jenmar and fanceegirl make valid points.

talk to your old boss first and explain while you loved your old job the hours were hindering your education. tell her how you want to say yes but if this other job is offered you dont want to leave her in the crunch.

it also isnt out of the question to contact the "wanted" job and ask if there was a timeline they were looking at.

i applied to my current job at the behest of a friend. hated my old job to the point i was physically sick and just a *kitten* to be around cause i hated it so much. the new job came between me and another applicant. same skills only difference was he could start right away and i asked to be able to put in two weeks (even though i told them if that was the decision maker i would quit on the spot as they have a habit of firing anyone who puts in a two week notice)

they hired the other guy who on the first day flipped out because there were no nicotine breaks and he had to have a mid morning cigarette.

5 years later i still love smokers for that very reason

upoffthemat

I don't see anything wrong with calling and asking. For one thing it is getting your name back in front of them at a good, for another, if something as simple as that makes them eliminate you from consideration they may not be as good to work for as you were hoping. Of course you ask respectfully, but it isn't too much to ask IMO.

Shells918

MeganMoroz89 wrote: »

Honestly, as an office manager I'm annoyed when someone keeps calling me back/pestering me about the same thing I've already told them I'll get back to them on. I realize that getting a job is important, but if I were the interviewer a part of me would be irritated if I'd already told you that I'll let you know once I've made a decision, but you've ignored that and contacted me again.

You're saying "keeps calling back".
We're talking about 1 call because there's another offer on the table. Would you rather lose the right person because they didn't call to check before accepting another offer?

ninerbuff

Back in the day, I called back every job I applied for everyday until I was either told I was hired or they hired someone else. They've likely already made their decision, I personally say don't let them make you wait and contact them again. To me, someone who's anxious to work right away and pesters you, WANTS the job badly.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition