WWYD? Job/interview question

lbonga1

I would like to hear opinions of what you all would do in this situation. I have been speaking to a previous employer about potentially coming back to work for the company, but at a different location (20 minute drive). He said he wouldn't have a full-time position for me, and he was waiting to hear back about if there was a part-time position available. He's kind of hard to get ahold of, and I when I called back a week later, he wasn't available, but I spoke to someone else who said there are now 2 part-time positions available. I've been trying to get ahold of him since then, and all I've gotten is a relayed message of, "I'm waiting to hear from the right people to get the green light." I don't know if that means the green light to bring me in for an interview, or a green light to hire me.

I also have an interview with a different company on Wednesday. It would be a full-time position, but I already know from a friend with the same job that it would pay about $7/hr. less than option #1. Location is only about a 10 minute walk. Both options have medical/dental/401k benefits, and tuition reimbursement, though option #2's tuition reimbursement is limited to a university that I won't be going to. I'm likely starting at program through Oregon State online in January.

I would prefer to work for option #1, but what do I do if #2 makes an offer first? I'd ask them if I could have a day or two to think it over, and let option #1 know that I have another offer on the table, but it's stressing me out that my previous manager is so hard to get ahold of. Hypothetically, what if he gives me an offer a week after accepting option #2? I don't really have any time to wait around because I'm no longer on unemployment.

Erikan73

Are you waiting for previous boss to apply for the job with them or have you already applied & are just waiting to interview?

MommyLiberty5013

Can you email your previous employer? I know phone is very professional, but since you have a prior dialogue with him and an on-going discussion it's fair game in my book to reach out via email as well as phone. He has got have a smart phone and therefore he is probably getting emails 24/7.

Regarding what to say either by phone or email, just state your situation. #1. I want to work for your company. #2. I am seeking immediate employment. #3 Reiterate your skills and background.

With the second job option - do the interview and if they provide an offer then yes, you are well within your rights to take a 24-36 hour period to review it. Or, even the weekend if they offer it on a Friday. You could say something like, "I'd like to sit down and review the job benefits with my family (or DH) or by yourself, and see if it will work for my family's needs."

If you have a prior email dialogue with previous employer established, then, if/when job #2 gives an offer, you can then email the previous employer and state your updated situation.

short+sassy

I'm going to second @MommyLiberty5013's suggestion of contacting him through e-mail.  People have different preferences but I know for me, I vastly prefer e-mail over using the phone.  Plus, if what he is saying is true and he needs to get the green light from others for the next step, an e-mail sitting in his box might be a good reminder for him to light a fire underneath that department.

If you are offered a job with Company B, Company A still can't decide even with a deadline, I'd take the Company B job.  At least for the time being.  $7/hour is a HUGE difference.  Although it is awkward to take a job and then turnaround and leave shortly thereafter if a better offer comes along, don't feel any qualms about doing that.  You need to do what is best for you and your family.  After all, if Company B goes through a downturn and layoffs are needed, more than likely they will have no qualms about letting their employees go at a moment's notice.  It's just the way it is. 

lbonga1

@Erikan73, I have already applied, and at first he said he was waiting to see if a part-time position was opening up then he'd bring me in for an interview, but when he told the person I was speaking to on the phone that he was waiting for the green light, it kind of threw me off on what exactly he meant. 

@short+sassy, I think that's what I needed to hear, is that it'd be ok to leave option 2 if the offer from option 1 comes along a little too late. I'm not concerned with layoffs from either company as they're both global companies, probably in the top ten most popular in the U.S. But option 1 is definitely a better personal fit.

I will try emailing...maybe if I do get the offer from option 2, and I email option 1 with "urgent" in the subject, it will catch his attention?

julieanne912

lbonga1 said:

@Erikan73, I have already applied, and at first he said he was waiting to see if a part-time position was opening up then he'd bring me in for an interview, but when he told the person I was speaking to on the phone that he was waiting for the green light, it kind of threw me off on what exactly he meant. 

@short+sassy, I think that's what I needed to hear, is that it'd be ok to leave option 2 if the offer from option 1 comes along a little too late. I'm not concerned with layoffs from either company as they're both global companies, probably in the top ten most popular in the U.S. But option 1 is definitely a better personal fit.

I will try emailing...maybe if I do get the offer from option 2, and I email option 1 with "urgent" in the subject, it will catch his attention?

I wouldn't email him with URGENT in the subject line.  A follow up email is fine, but an email with URGENT in the subject makes it sound like he needs to drop everything he's doing to respond to you. That is bordering on pushy, and coming from someone who has been a hiring manager before, pushy job applicants can start to get annoying.  I hate to be blunt here, but maybe he's just blowing you off.  Go with the job that actually is committing to giving you a job, not the ones being flaky about it.

Nat009

julieanne912 said:

lbonga1 said:

@Erikan73, I have already applied, and at first he said he was waiting to see if a part-time position was opening up then he'd bring me in for an interview, but when he told the person I was speaking to on the phone that he was waiting for the green light, it kind of threw me off on what exactly he meant. 

@short+sassy, I think that's what I needed to hear, is that it'd be ok to leave option 2 if the offer from option 1 comes along a little too late. I'm not concerned with layoffs from either company as they're both global companies, probably in the top ten most popular in the U.S. But option 1 is definitely a better personal fit.

I will try emailing...maybe if I do get the offer from option 2, and I email option 1 with "urgent" in the subject, it will catch his attention?

I wouldn't email him with URGENT in the subject line.  A follow up email is fine, but an email with URGENT in the subject makes it sound like he needs to drop everything he's doing to respond to you. That is bordering on pushy, and coming from someone who has been a hiring manager before, pushy job applicants can start to get annoying.  I hate to be blunt here, but maybe he's just blowing you off.  Go with the job that actually is committing to giving you a job, not the ones being flaky about it.


I agree with this- I would also not put "urgent" in the subject line. The absolute worst thing is having to wait to hear back from a job, so I do sympathize with you on the lack of communication from his part, but would still refrain from being pushy. Even though $7/hr is a lot more, it's only part time hours... Would you prefer PT work? And at the end of the year, would the FT job still gross you more despite the wage difference (roughly $7k)? If option 2 is being better about the application process and communicating more efficiently, it may be a better choice...

Either way, I hope that you hear an answer soon from both and can make your decision

lbonga1

Thanks for the input. I was being a bit sarcastic about the "urgent" thing...sometimes I forget when people are just reading what I'm saying it can be hard to tell. 

I would prefer to have a part-time position since I will be starting full time school in January. I think it's going to be very demanding both working full time and going to school full time. I've done it successfully before, but that was before having two kids. I'll do what I have to do though. Once I finish school, it's almost certain that I will double or triple my income from what either of these jobs will pay me, so I know I at least I have that in my future.