Interviewing for a few positions but I'm confused regarding what would be best for my future.

32 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 2:42PM UTC

   Follow your gut.

   If you have several offers on the table you make pros and cons lists for each, including salary, benefits, perks and flexibility of schedule. Responsibilities, advancement opportunities, alignment of values.

   Once you've made your comparisons you'll get a clear picture which offer leads.

2. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 4:58PM UTC

   Thank you, Anonymous. A regular paycheck is definitely in the 'pro' column! I was laid off unexpectedly so that's a primary concern. I'm hoping that I can find work in an industry that I'd enjoy but if not, having the financial freedom to not only pay my bills but save for the future would be an asset! If I receive multiple offers, I'm looking for to comparing the opportunities.

3. Lara Ivey KauchakSeptember 6,2022 at 3:51PM UTC

   while the industry may not be a great fit or something you would be passionate about, I would also consider the team and your manager - are they good fits?

4. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 4:55PM UTC

   Great advice, Lara! I'll add that to my list. While trying to find a new position, I'm opening doors to other industries and regions. It's a learning curve but I'm committed to putting myself out there and making the best of a difficult situation.

5. Joanne RosenSeptember 6,2022 at 4:13PM UTC

   Stop sending out resumes to jobs that are already posted. Find companies where you WANT to work. Connect with people who work there through LinkedIn. Talk to them about possible jobs coming up. Ask them if the company has an employee referral program. Ask them to take your resume to HR.

   Most jobs are filled before they are ever posted. Jobs are posted to CYA.

   Cheers

   Joanne

   www.analyticadvantagecc.com

6. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 4:54PM UTC

   Joanne, I'm doing a mix of both methods. I am receiving interviews from posted jobs but reaching out to contacts and pitching myself to employers as well. I found out about a position that I'm in a third round for that wasn't posted. It's difficult right now as there are so many rounds that I need to apply to all types of methods. I made it a final round after a few months only for the job to be cancelled and another postponed. I'm not giving up but want to make sure to find a position!

7. Joanne RosenSeptember 9,2022 at 3:25PM UTC

   Glad to hear you are doing it all.

   Honestly, these companies that need 4 or 5 rounds of interviews are ridiculous. Just a big time suck on everyone's part. It has to stop! It's like the new "thing" where people say, "Oh, to work HERE, you have to go through 10 interviews, learn to dance a jig, paint a self portrait, and volunteer to work 20 hours a week overtime with no pay. We are THAT special."

8. Barb HansenSeptember 6,2022 at 4:13PM UTC

   Practical talk:

   If you are unemployed and you need a job (as most of us do), I suggest accepting the first job that sends you an offer letter.

   You can continue to interview with the other companies, if you wish, but as the saying goes "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" - and having a job is better than not having a job.

   There is no guarantee that you will get another job offer, and if you do get a second job offer, you can weigh the pros and cons at that point, and if the second job offer is better, you can always leave your newly acquired job. Is it odd to leave a new job for another job? Yes. Does it happen a lot? Yes. Will it hurt your career if you leave a new job after a few days or few weeks? Nope.

   Good luck and congrats for having potential multiple job offers in your future :)

9. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 4:50PM UTC

   Thank you, Barb! I didn't realize it was acceptable to leave a new job for another. While I'd prefer not to do that to a prospective employer, I'm glad to know it's possibility.

   I agree with your assessment that I need to secure a job and take any offer first. I'd kick myself if I passed up a paycheck for a chance.

   I'm grateful that I had savings as being laid off unexpectedly is difficult. I built a career with 20 plus years in my industry and I'm looking outside in order to secure employment. My preference would be to return to a career trajectory but if needed, I'm willing to chart a new course!

10. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 4:40PM UTC

    If you can let everyone know you're in final rounds with others, it might make you seem more attractive to some and get some employers to offer you positions with timing flexibility as you wait back to hear from others. Positioning this could also help you in negotiating more compensation and flexibility in terms of offer acceptance dates. It's a tightrope to walk but being in advanced rounds with multiple employers could definitely work to your advantage and I'd be open -- but respectful -- about that and you can use that as the reason to ask about them giving you a better sense of their offer / process timing.

    Best of luck!

11. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 4:44PM UTC

    I appreciate your advice! While I'm grateful for moving forward, there are some industries that I would enjoy working in more than others. I like the idea of positioning and processing. Thank you!

12. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 11:20PM UTC

    This is a VERY risky tactic, to expect employers to grant you more time as you wait for other offers. They have positions to fill, they’re not in the business of serving as place holders as you jockey for the highest pay. Bad advice.

13. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 7,2022 at 4:32AM UTC

    This can also backfire. They could say, sorry - we can't move that fast and we wouldn't want to stand in your way so we'll understand if you need to withdraw from the interview process.

14. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 6,2022 at 10:38PM UTC

    I think you have a couple of different issues here.

    Yes - continue to send out resumes. Never take your foot off the gas pedal of your job search until you have a written offer letter. And sometimes not even then.

    If you're unemployed - and I'm a big fan of sleeping indoors - I would recommend you accept the first reasonable offer you get.

    That doesn't necessarily mean you have to end your job search. There's nothing wrong with a "temporary fix" unless you're wealthy enough to not have to worry about paying bills. For the rest of us, a "temporary fix" can keep the lights on.

    That being said, I would try to push out your start date as far as reasonably possible. I would also tell your new employer that you want to give them a heads up that you have several previously scheduled doctors appointments coming up (to cover for potential interviews).

    And continue the interview process with your other options. It's not really cool to accept a position and then rescind your acceptance (trust me, no one hates that more than a recruiter) but you have to do what's best for you.

    It's the best way to not end up with zero jobs.

    YOU SAID:

    "I'm entering the final interview for a position that would be the highest salary of my career but not a field I'm passionate about working."

    So you need to decide what's most important to you. No one can decide that for you.

    Is it being passionate about the field? It it being challenged? Is it the opportunity to learn? Opportunity for advancement? Lots of money can be an answer. Now some people do take jobs just for the money - and that's ok too. Sometimes it's with a plan in mind - I'm going to work at this job that I'm probably not going to like for a year or two so I can pay off my bills then I can afford to work for less money at a job I love. No judgement here.

    Please let me know if you have any questions. GOOD LUCK!

15. AnonymousSeptember 7,2022 at 2:49AM UTC

    Thank you for giving me a lot to consider! Earlier in my career, the highest salary would have resonated with me. Losing my job after working in a toxic environment took a toll on my mental health. While money right now is my primary concern it's more in terms of paying bills and being able to put money away again after using my savings.

    If I could find a job that I'd enjoy that pays the bills to me that would be my preference. I spent the whole pandemic hating where I worked while at the same time grateful I had a job.

    It took a lot out of me and when I finally decided to move on, that decision was taken out of my hands. I'm still processing everything and coming to terms with the last few years and especially, months.

    Before the pandemic, I was on a career tract that I thought would be a final position. I wanted to stay there until eventually retiring. When I had to relocate during the pandemic, I took a lower level position to pay the bills but it was such a toxic environment that I spent each night curled up in a ball afterwards. I used to be social but didn't have the energy to go out after work.

    That another reason I'm so confused. I need a job and I'm spending hours each day trying everything I can while at the same time, so fearful to end up in a similar position that makes me question what' ahead.

16. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 7,2022 at 4:24AM UTC

    YOU SAID:

    "While money right now is my primary concern it's more in terms of paying bills and being able to put money away again after using my savings."

    There is nothing wrong with that at all. Making money is the reason most of us work. I love my job but if I won the lottery, I sure as hell wouldn't be doing what I'm doing.

    YOU SAID:

    "That another reason I'm so confused. I need a job and I'm spending hours each day trying everything I can while at the same time, so fearful to end up in a similar position that makes me question what' ahead. "

    I'll paste something here that I wrote to another poster earlier this afternoon:

    Please don't let this fear paralyze you. Analyze all your options and then make the decision you feel is best for you. But please don't let fear cloud your judgement.

    When you accept a new position, you're not accepting a life sentence. Yes, you want it to be a good fit but not everything works out. You were able to find this most recent opportunity, you'll find another. If you take a new position and it's not what you'd hoped, don't be afraid to admit that to yourself and go and find something that's a better fit for you. Being afraid is not a reason to stay.

    Once you have all the facts you need to make a decision, go for it.

    Please let me know if you have any questions and if I can help in any way. Good luck!

17. AnonymousSeptember 9,2022 at 1:02PM UTC

    You never know. I accepted a position with the govt. And it has felt like a life sentence with no parole.

18. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 10,2022 at 4:52AM UTC

    You're only as miserable as you let yourself be.

19. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 7,2022 at 6:11AM UTC

    I want to add - I know how stressful a job search can be. I've been there myself. I recommend you try to carve out sometime each day to either get out and take a walk or maybe volunteer. If you have a local animal shelter, I'm sure they'd love some of your time.

    It helps get you out of your own head and relax a bit - it can help put you in a better headspace and help you move on - which you have to do. Helping others also helps build your confidence. You can't be in job search mode 24/7.

20. AnonymousSeptember 7,2022 at 8:53PM UTC

    Thank you for the feedback and I need to carve out time to get out more. I've been so focused on procuring a new role that it's been a full-time position with extensive overtime. I'm having interviews so I'm hoping that one or more eventually turn into offers. I went out today for a walk and it helped clear my head. I appreciated your advice!

21. AnonymousSeptember 7,2022 at 3:38PM UTC

    Until you actually receive written offers you won't have a clue as to your best future. I would stress on unknowns. Keep interviewing and cross that bridge when you have offers in hand.

22. AnonymousSeptember 7,2022 at 8:47PM UTC

    Appreciate the advice. I'm continuing to push and put myself out there throughout the process. I'll do so until receiving an offer. That being said, I have limited funds to travel for interviews. I'd prefer to relocate but if need be, I'm prepared to stay local.

23. AnonymousSeptember 8,2022 at 4:50PM UTC

    OP: I appreciate everyone's advice and you've given me a lot to consider! I'm in multiple rounds for positions and hoping that one of them provides an offer. Until then, I'm continuing to send out resumes and network.

    If offered, it might be worth staying in the area instead of relocating. Although those positions aren't my preferred industry, they would provide a regular paycheck.

    That doesn't mean, I couldn't move on in the future. I'm having a few more interviews in the next two weeks and hoping that I can return to work! I appreciated the feedback!

24. Maggie StoneSeptember 9,2022 at 12:17PM UTC

    Do keep on sending out resumes at least until you get a written offer and keep interviewing until your start date.

    When you receive an offer, you can also notify the other places you have been interviewing that you have received an offer, but you are excited about potentially working with them and you would like to know the status. If they are excited about you, that may generate an offer or move up the last interview. Or you learn that they have moved on. I have been in a situation where I received an offer after accepting an offer and ended up taking the second offer. Point being you don’t immediately have to accept the first offer that comes your way.

    Bigger question: Do you have a clear idea of what you want? If not, I would take a pause and carefully consider what you want. Monster has a great list of assessments: https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/best-free-career-assessment-tools
    Also, the book What Color is Your Parachute has great advice for career changers. You will have greater success if you can target your search to what you want. Good luck!

25. ChrishoggSeptember 9,2022 at 1:55PM UTC

    100% yes to reading (and doing the exercises in) Parachute (get it from a library).

    Also, the less focused you are, the more you will settle for anything, and as strange as it sounds, the less successful you will be, generally speaking, in finding and keeping a long-term position.

26. AnonymousSeptember 10,2022 at 6:28PM UTC

    I downloaded the book and looking forward to reading it! Thank you all for the book recommendation!

27. AnonymousSeptember 10,2022 at 6:29PM UTC

    I'm reading it now, thank you so much for the advice! I'm continuing to send out resumes and finding new ways to connect with companies. I'm finding that the more I interview, the stronger my pitch and realization in what I want out of a job. Thank you!

28. AnonymousSeptember 9,2022 at 12:50PM UTC

    I think it's important to think about what you like and don't like about the job - the responsibilities, the workplace, the hours, the flexibility, the manager, the coworkers (whatever is important to you) and see how each of the job offers stack up then make a decision based on which one checks the most boxes.

29. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)September 9,2022 at 2:16PM UTC

    The future is NOW. What works for you now. What are you passionate about?

30. AnonymousSeptember 10,2022 at 6:32PM UTC

    I know hat I want but those type of positions aren't available. I'm redefining what I need now versus what I want. Having a sense of security allows for a regular paycheck and I can always move into another field in the future.

31. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMESeptember 9,2022 at 4:45PM UTC

    Thinking positively and changing your perspective can work wonders. Chaning your "self talk" can be the first step to a brighter and more abundant future.

    Do you have an "elevator speech" or a list of all your skills and talents? Looking at ourselves through positive lenses and what we have already achieved -- can make moving forward much easier.

    Be kind to yourself and remember that your best days are ahead of you.

32. AnonymousSeptember 10,2022 at 6:33PM UTC

    Thank you, Lori-Ann. I do have an elevator pitch and it's getting more defined per interview. I'm open to other opportunities than when I originally started searching and it's providing more options. I appreciated your advice!