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Interview dilemma
I just interviewed and accepted a job with a research lab at a large medical school. I interviewed last Monday.
On Tuesday, I got a call from a lab in a different department at the same facility. The other lab wants me to come in for an interview this coming Monday. Not knowing if I had gotten the position I had just interviewed for, I accepted.
Wednesday, I found out that I had gotten the position. After telling the head of the lab that I would accept the position, I find out from HR that the pay is much, much lower than I had anticipated. It will barely cover my bills and I will probably have to take on another part time position (hopefully I can get one) to earn a little extra (plus side, it would also be some additional experience).
The starting salary range for the position that I am supposed to interview for on Monday is slightly better, but its in an area I am not as excited about. I felt like I had a good connection with the researcher I interviewed with. He has a very small lab and I would be getting a lot of one-on-one training time with him. This is a good thing for me because I have recently graduated with an advanced degree in a scientific field, but my past research has not been in this exact field. I really need the experience to back up my education, but at the same time I have a lot of student loans to pay!
I guess my dilemma is, knowing the job I have already accepted is a good fit except for the money, would you still go for the other interview? Is it wrong for me to interview with this other lab knowing I have already accepted another position?
Oh, if it makes any difference the position doesn?t start until the end of Sept. so I still have some time.
Re: Interview dilemma
As long as you haven't accepted the first offer in writing, I'd say you're fine, or at least it's going to be easier. Go to the second interview and see what happens. You'll be able to see if this researcher will have time to spend one-on-one with you, whether it's something you can get excited about, and whether it's really a good fit. I'd also try and negotiate a higher salary with the first job, or see what your advancement options are.
My only major concern is that this is in the same facility/campus. Are you not worried that someone from Job 1 will find out you're interviewing for Job 2 after accepting?
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
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Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
Because jobs in this field in my area are few and far between and no matter how little it pays, it pays more than the internship I am in now.