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View Full Version : Job offer--but not the one I want


mrivnie
02-26-2008, 03:32 PM
Ok, I understand the need to work. I really do need a job right now. But my dilemma is....

I applied for a job back in January at my county Clerk & Recorder's office. It didn't require any kind of specific experience, just a high school diploma. I figured they'd tell me I was overqualified maybe.
Last week I interviewed for the job. It's not what I want to do longterm, definitely, but it's close to home, and it would help pay the bills. On Friday of last week, I got a call from another place I'd applied back in December--the county GIS office. This is where I want to work. So I had a second interview at the C&R office yesterday and a first interview at the GIS office in the afternoon.
Now the C&R office wants to offer me a job--one of my old supervisors got a call yesterday checking references and then the C&R people called and left a message for me today.
So now the dilemma. Sure, I would've been happy working at the C&R office before--but now I've interviewed for the job I really want. How do I tell them I want to wait until I know for sure (about a week) that I'm not going to get a job offer from another office in their building?
I want to use my degree. I didn't just get it so I had an excuse to waste $50k. And I know it's a common theme around here to do a job you didn't go to school for. How do people deal with it on a day-to-day basis?
I keep going around & around in circles in my mind--yes, this is a good, steady job with benefits, but will I be happy there? What if I hate it? What if I get another job offer somewhere else right after I start--I'd hate to have that kind of reputation with the county gov't.
Anyone have similar experiences? Advice?

Krishna
02-26-2008, 03:48 PM
You are under no obligation to tell them immediately whether you want the job. Just tell them you need a week to weigh their offer, and ask if it is OK for you to get back to them on X date. Most employers are happy to give you that chance, and understand that these decisions shouldnt be undertaken lightly...

Rage
02-26-2008, 04:04 PM
I'd also call and follow up with the GIS office. If they start really dragging their feet to the point that you feel you have to take the first offer, I'd call back again and explain your situation to the GIS office. The worst that happens is they tell you to pack sand and you work for the first place anyway.

mrivnie
02-26-2008, 04:59 PM
I called the office back and they offered me the job. I asked if I could have a couple of days to think about it (just so I could call the GIS office on Thursday and get a more concrete impression from them) and he said he'd have to check. Damn it.

mrivnie
02-27-2008, 10:56 AM
Got the call back--taking 2 days is fine. Now I just need to figure out a way to ask the GIS office if I'm in the running or not.

jr1012
02-28-2008, 12:12 AM
Got the call back--taking 2 days is fine. Now I just need to figure out a way to ask the GIS office if I'm in the running or not.

Calling the office directly and asking how their end of the job search is going is just fine. If you know the office is quieter at a certain time of day, call then. Job hunting takes up a certain amount of your time and it wouldn't be too forward to find out if its being wasted in waiting, as long as you don't say it like that.