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Anonymous

11/09/20 at 10:46PM UTC

Career

temp offer

After I applied to multiple openings about 2 months ago, I had a few rejections, one offer (as a consultant), and a few upcoming interviews with the company I really want. The one that gave me the offer pretty much hired me on the spot. I accepted it and started last week. While the company is great, and the people are sweet, I could see within the first few days that I would not learn anything new there. The company I really want in the long run continues to interview me (they like to take things slow). I'm scheduled for 4th round of interviews this week. I hope it results in an offer. However, while I am still being interviewed and asked to "tell about myself" do I say that I am temporarily at this new job and continue to look or stick to my old one on the resume they have? Need your advice please! Please forgive me for posting it anonymously.

20 Comments

Amalia Francalangia

134

Advocating for Top Talent in the US

11/09/20 at 11:02PM UTC

Hi Anonymous! I have worked in the Talent Acquisition field for many years and my advice is that honesty is always the best policy. If you get an offer from this new company, I bet they will run a background check and will find out that you're currently working in a role that you did not disclose. The company could interpret that as a sign that you do not have the level of integrity they're looking for and be grounds for withdrawing the offer (whether it's true or not). It is also possible that the fact that you took this other position for such a short period of time could give the company hesitation about your interest in sticking around long-term (again, whether it's true or not). I would honestly and authentically explain your situation and hope they understand, but you should also be prepared for the possibility that the company will not want to advance you in the process. I'm sorry to be such a downer, but these are factors that every hiring team takes into account when evaluating candidates. I would try to reassure their fears that you plan to stick around if you're hired. Good luck!!

E Sylvia Simpson

Architecture & Metaphysics

11/09/20 at 11:30PM UTC

I would be honest, and I would also give some thought to whether the company is also interviewing other people for the same position. If the job seems enticing to you, why is that? And would it be equally enticing to other applicants? Competing over a prized position, when you already have a new job, is the reality you describe. I would think about that deeply. At this time, with so many people out of work, having the perfect position may be less of a priority than having a job that adequately pays for all living expenses. Maybe it would be a nice exercise to ponder why the company you're working with now hired you, and how that makes you feel valued. Perfecting work you're familiar with, may combine with plenty of opportunities to learn new skills in your spare time. If the job pays enough money, maybe it will turn out in your favor to stick with it after all.

User edited comment on 11/09/20 at 11:32PM UTC

Caroline Platt

312

11/10/20 at 12:49AM UTC

I agree that honesty is the best policy, but from your post, I thought what you have now is a temporary job or a consulting role (presumably no benefits.). If this is the case, absolutely say you took this temporary/consulting role because you want to stay current, keep a schedule, & obviously keep a roof over your head and food on the table. BUT clearly you’re looking for a permanent position, ideally with the Round 4 company! Best of luck.

Anonymous

11/10/20 at 1:48PM UTC

Don't think they would find out about your current job through a background check unless you gave them the information. At least that's how background checks work in my company. You're already engaged with them in the interview process - they are basing their decision on what they saw on your resume (presumably you didn't include this most recent work) so no need for them to verify your current employment. If they don't specifically ask you if you're currently working somewhere, I see no reason to disclose unprompted. If they do, then of course be truthful and spin it as a temp role while you look for a company to call home

1 Reply

Amalia Francalangia

134

Advocating for Top Talent in the US

11/11/20 at 3:59PM UTC

That is correct about the background check, but if you don't provide that information, it would be very dishonest. A background check that verifies past employment asks you to list all your jobs within a certain time frame. Are you suggesting that she lie?

1 Reply

Anonymous

11/11/20 at 4:47PM UTC

It's my understanding that she was engaged with this opportunity prior to starting the temp work and they are responding to her employment profile that does not include the current temp work. Why give more information than is necessary/asked for? It's not lying, it's just continuing the conversation as it started. If I am interviewing for a perm job and in the process pick up a side job to keep a roof over my head, I don't have to say to them, oh btw I'm working a side gig -- unless I am asked if I have any conflict of interest or contractual obligations that may interfere with my accepting an offer of employment from them

1 Reply

Amalia Francalangia

134

Advocating for Top Talent in the US

11/11/20 at 10:27PM UTC

I'm not referring to the discussions in the interview, but instead the information that is provided to the background check company. Not providing that information, if requested, as part of the background check would be lying.

1 Reply

Anonymous

11/11/20 at 2:02PM UTC

Hey OP! I agree with the others that honesty is the best policy. I actually went through something similar where in December 2018 I took a temporary position so that I could pay the bills while searching for a more permanent role in my desired field. During my interview, it came up that my company did know about my current position, though it was not listed on my resume because I had applied for this role prior to accepting the temporary position. When I explained that the job was meant to be temporary and that I saw it as a good way to expand on skills outside of my field while searching for my more permanent home, my current company appreciated my honesty and hustle. It's always a good thing to broaden your skillset, and to be honest with people you are looking to work with in the long term. Get yourself set up on the right foot!

1 Reply

Anonymous

11/12/20 at 4:49PM UTC

I am likely to have a similar conundrum. My issue is with the first offer accepted. I am assuming they won't think temporary as they have invested in a somewhat lengthy process. That lengthy process has led to other organizations reaching out and now my dream job is on the table. I am the only income in my house and I do not feel comfortable with a gap in employment given the times. I am feeling all sorts of stress over having to accept and offer that I may depending on timing never start at and/or leave quickly. That being said, I am actually excited about the first offer and if the dream job falls through would be happy to invest in organization that gave me the first offer. I have never worked anywhere less than 4 years in my professional career so this feels strange to me. Would love people's thoughts.

Stephanie Norton

11/11/20 at 2:13PM UTC

I am in a similar position, but I did disclose that I am working as a consultant. I told the Interviewing company that I'm not one to sit idle, but would prefer to have a full time position. Thus why I am interviewing. Also, if you want to give the consulting position 2 weeks notice, it's easier for the new company to understand why you're pushing your start date out.

Patricia Osborne Randolph

179

MFT looking to assist with uplifting others

11/11/20 at 3:17PM UTC

Being honest about your situation means being true to yourself!

[email protected]

152

11/11/20 at 3:40PM UTC

The candidate should absolutely tell the company that he/she is working a temp or contract position. Firstly, it shows the company that the candidate is hirable. Secondly, any company in this job market who drags out the process for 2 months and 4 interviews runs the risk of losing top talent. More than likely they are interviewing multiple candidates but what this shows is that the position is not an urgent to be filled position. Excuses in years past include executives are travelling and they are unable to get everyone together etc. etc. but in the world we are living in today, Zoom interviews have become a major and effective tool. My advise to the candidate is to carry on and I believe it is a good thing to let the hiring company know that he/she is continuing to interview. Smart companies know to speed up the process and make a decision along with an offer before their top talent gets scooped up elsewhere.

Elianet Oliva

243

Make things happen!

11/11/20 at 3:52PM UTC

totally agree with everyone else, just speak your truth, if they want you, they won't hesitate. Usually in my own experience companies like people currently employed vs completely unemployed. Also, there is no shame in they take too long and you need to pay bills.

Anonymous

11/11/20 at 4:05PM UTC

If you're hired as a consultant, isn't it expected that you're still interviewing for other jobs? It's like dating people, if they want you they should've put a ring on it which you you would have declined because the consultant job is too basic for you. I would be very open about sharing how your work is progressing and look around for someone at the company that you can train for the role you're consulting for so when you go you don't leave them in the lurch. They aren't giving you a long term commitment, why would you commit to them?

1 Reply

Anonymous

11/11/20 at 7:05PM UTC

Put a ring on it exactly! Beyoncé is a very wise woman!

Rosa Carolina Pereira

Legal Counsel in Colombia

11/11/20 at 8:40PM UTC

As most of the advice above, I think that you must be honest about your situation. Having a job as consultant, I wouldn't say should stop you from looking for a permanent one in a company you like. If you continue in the interview process, please check with people that work or have worked in this company; the culture, the way of working and other things that are important to you, so you can decide if it is the right place for you in this moment.

Audrey Kirsch

11/11/20 at 10:59PM UTC

I agree with everyone that you should be honest and let them know about the consulting job. Interview round 4 is brutal so sounds like they are very careful about who will fit in with everyone at their company. Maybe letting them know about the consulting position will push them to move a little quicker in their decision making. Good candidates are not just going to sit around and hope they get hired so if they don't want to lose you, they better make an offer soon. Good luck!

Laura S

Communications & marketing professional

11/12/20 at 5:32PM UTC

Definitely be honest--if nothing else, it's at least the easiest thing to remember! And especially right now, they'll understand that 1) it's a temp job and 2) you have to keep food on the table. Emphasize that while you enjoy your colleagues and the mission, you want the job you're interviewing for. One thing I say in interviews (again, because it's true) that interviewers love is that I think any day where I haven't learned something new is a waste. That then opens the door for you to do one of two things: 1) talk about your extracurriculars, any classes you're taking or volunteering you're doing, etc.--give them an idea of who you are, or 2) talk about the parts of the job you're interviewing for that excite you because it'll be a chance to learn something new from your colleagues.