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Multiple job interview etiquette.

nickn

nickn

Oct 6, 2007
821
10
Phoenix, AZ
#1
I'm job-hunting right now and I've encountered a situation that I've never encountered before.

I have multiple companies interested in me at once. :hyper:

I had a phone interview with Company A today.

I have an in-person interview with Company B tomorrow.

And I have a phone interview with Company C on Friday.

Company C is the one I would most like to work for, followed by Company A, then Company B.

None of them explicitly know that I have interests in other companies, though. :ninja: On my phone interview with Company A, I didn't mention anything about considering other companies.

But tomorrow is my in-person interview with Company B, and I feel like the topic might come up. I want to have a successful interview with Company B but still leave my options open in case Company C (the one I really want) pulls through and I end up getting the job at C.

So tomorrow, at Company B's in-person interview, what is the professional/polite way to express "I'm actually holding out for an interview with Company C later this week"? I feel like coming out and just saying it would be an unprofessional thing to do.

Your thoughts? :)
 
#2
Could go the honest way and tell them, or you could say that Company B is the place that you want to be.

Don't know what it's like in your field or in your area, but don't really see people being offered the job with a handshake at the end of the interview all that often these days. So you'll likely have a few days swing to hold them off and see what offers come in?
 
#4
In the unlikely event that you are offered a job on the spot, just tell them you'd like to think it over and ask when they need an answer.

Unless we're talking McDonald's here and you have been unemployed for a long time, then that "bird in the hand" thing might apply.
 
#8
All good posts, thank you everyone.

The reason I was reluctant to post the industry is because I've already identified that I live in Phoenix in my profile, and with the proliferation of internet and social networking nowadays I don't want to out myself to a potential employer. :)

I'm still pretty young (early 20s) so I don't have a whole lot of experience in the professional world. It's good to have some people telling me how this all works. :D I appreciate it.
 
#10
Treat them as if you only want to work there, if offered job take it. Don't be hesitant and do t mention you'd like to wait a few days or if they mind hiring you but you potentially go to another company. If they think your using them as something to fall back on they'll find someone with genuine interest.
 
#11
UncleFluffy said:
It's not like you're the only person that they're interviewing, is it?
Click to expand...

No no, I realize that, but the reason for my conflict was a scenario like the below quote vvv

FREAKYSTLYEY said:
Treat them as if you only want to work there, if offered job take it. Don't be hesitant and do t mention you'd like to wait a few days or if they mind hiring you but you potentially go to another company. If they think your using them as something to fall back on they'll find someone with genuine interest.
Click to expand...

Say I do get a job offer before I hear back either way from the other company, which I really would prefer to work for. I know that if I fidget and hesitate and say "well, gee, uhhhh..." then I would think that's a really bad sign to the employer, possibly enough for them to retract the offer. So say I DO take the job, and then the other company comes through and offers me a job as well? I would think that would create an awkward situation between my brand new employer and myself. But then again, I may never hear from the other company, so any job offer I get is probably a good one to take. :smug:
 
#12
Employers play the same balancing act with interviewees...."we'll have you an offer in two days" can usually mean "we want to interview these other people to see if they are better qualified, but we'd like you to be in our back pocket if they aren't". So essentially the same dance you are doing now. If it were me, I would accept the first legit offer.

You could always be proactive in the interview and let them know you have a timeline and will respond to all offers by a certain day. If all your interviews are among the same industry companies, it may not hurt to let them know you are weighing offers from a few of them.

-Mike
 
#13
On the idea of this thread. I have a very possible and probable interview coming up with a big name company (it begins with an F ;)) and I'm really nervous about the whole thing. It's my dream job and I will do whatever it takes to get this. I have already super refined and gone over my custom build/resume with a fine toothed comb to make sure it's as good ad it's going to get given my tools on hand. And I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips for a high level of nervousness in a interview that basically depicts the rest of your life. I already know to give firm hand shakes, nice button up shirt, nice pants, take out piercings (I happen to have 1, eyebrow ring), cover tattoos, and be respectful. But anything to help me with this would be greatly appreciated. I've never been nervous for an interview in my life, but this is the big one.

Thanks!
 
#14
Interview them.

Don't be a **** about it, but ask them questions. It (a) shows interest, and (b) puts them in the mental stance of selling the job to you. If you do your homework and put information specific to their company and their business sector in your questions, that's even better.

Good luck :)
 
#15
UncleFluffy said:
Interview them.

Don't be a **** about it, but ask them questions. It (a) shows interest, and (b) puts them in the mental stance of selling the job to you. If you do your homework and put information specific to their company and their business sector in your questions, that's even better.

Good luck :)
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm trying to study up as much as I can on them. I've spoken with other custom shops but I've never been even close to as nervous as I am with this one. And honestly this is the one I want. Anything else would be settling for less.
 
#18
nickn said:
Say I do get a job offer before I hear back either way from the other company, which I really would prefer to work for. I know that if I fidget and hesitate and say "well, gee, uhhhh..." then I would think that's a really bad sign to the employer, possibly enough for them to retract the offer. So say I DO take the job, and then the other company comes through and offers me a job as well? I would think that would create an awkward situation between my brand new employer and myself. But then again, I may never hear from the other company, so any job offer I get is probably a good one to take. :smug:
Click to expand...

Keep it mind the business attitude. Your doing what is best for you, and if the job isn't it leave. I would take a job and work it work two days and quit if I had to, or got a better offer, it's all business, they would lay you off In a heart beat its no different.
 
#19
In life I'm 11 for 11 with interviews to offers so I have to think that I'm doing something right. Picked my favorite 3 jobs and haven't looked back. NEVER let one company know about another that is courting you UNTIL you get firm offers. Right now in some markets companies can hold out for great talent at great prices (bargain shopping) In others like mine, salaries have gone up 20% in the last 3 years alone, so there is no real absolute to discuss.

Just like record labels, you wait until you have the paper, have your favorite that feels right in your gut, don't play games as that can blow up, and be respectful.
 
#20
FREAKYSTLYEY said:
I would take a job and work it work two days and quit if I had to, or got a better offer, it's all business
Click to expand...

I've had someone do this in a place I worked at. Small place, everyone knew everybody. 3 days after she quit, no-one remembered or cared that she even existed. It's bad manners, but not really that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.

(Don't ever expect to be offered a job there again, though.)
 

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