Goochie

I've been looking around for a new job for the last few weeks, mainly because I'm bored where I am, doing a job I could have done if I left school at 16 rather than going to uni. The money is good but I think thats because its "boredom money"

I went to an interview at a local firm in the week before Christmas, they're involved with something I've never done before and there are none of the aspects I dont like about my current job. However, I diddnt come away thinking "I'd love to work there".

The money is 3% more than I am currently on.

I also applied for a great soundign position at another firm I've always fancied working for - however, I think it is a little out of my experience limits and they may be after someone a little older/more experienced. Closing date for application is this Friday - after which I may or may not get an interview etc.

Now comes the tricky part..... the chap from the first place just left me a voicemail offering me the job.

I dont know what to do really, because:

1) I diddnt get thet "feels right" feeling after the interview
2) What if the second place were to offer me a job after I've been at the other one for a few weeks ? How will the second place react when they find out I'm no longer at the company stated on the CV I sent them?
3) Do I stay put and ask for some more money? been here 12 months now and am die a review - if ther eis no more money I can the accept the current offer.
4) The 3% pay increase would mostly be absorbed in petrol commuting each day - currently I cycle to work.

Kandy

You could always ask to go back, look around again, ask a few more questions, and see if the 'vibe' improves - but I think a person's instinct is a valuable asset - first impressions are usually right.

Better, ask for an immediate review and use the offer to negotiate improved pay/responsibilities in your current job (unless they tell you you're rubbish!). 3% isn't much - not even a COL rise?

Meanwhile pursue the other opportunity and find out a bit more - if you get an offer they'll obviously think you have the talent etc. and with a higher current wage you can negotiate another 5-10% on top!

andy2407

Toss a coin.
If, after the first toss, you say to yourself "Best of three" then you have answered the question already.
Delaying tac-tics might also help. Ask the chap who has left a voicemail to confirm the offer in writing. Then go back with a query about hols or working hours or something, just to give you some more time. Arrange to go and have another chat if you are not sure. Think of more questions to ask. Do more research on the company. Do you have to accept their first offer. Write and tell them you would really like a 10% pay rise to make the move worthwhile (tell them you are expecting more than 3% in current job even if you are not). All this puts the decision in a different light and also give you more time.
Meanwhile suss out your current boss re. payrises etc.
Finally, call the second company early next week and ask whether you have been short-listed. Maybe tell them the situation. If they are interested they will see you quickly. If not, you haven't lost anything. Work on the premise that they need you as much as you need them.

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Tom_vRS

Yep, I'd go with what Andy says. Buy a little bit of time to allow you to explore all the options and make an informed decision.

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heresmo

Hi Goochie Can I suggest you look a little farther ahead and use that as a measuring stick as to how things will pan out as to what where you want to be? From me knowing you (Alan Partridge quote), I have a feeling that impulse buying might not be your best friend, so how do these options stack up? Seems you are in demand, so for as long as that is the case, then what are you really looking for? Probably a more important question than what to do now, but you know to take no notice of me

Regards
Mo

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texasjohn

I think this is very true if you have the experience and skills that they are looking for and also those skills are very rare.

My profession gets paid a bit more than we should (no post grad quals nor professional post grad charterships needed) but good ones are few and far between, it is an experience* and aptitude based profession, thus headhunting goes on a lot.

* specific to the industry within which your career progresses, I mean: I'd struggle to get a job as a building firm commercial manager having just Aero and MoD/DoD experience. I just don't have the 'industry' experience.

A guy I work with is a Project Manager, it's different for him (he's worked in quite a few diverse industries) as he relies on theory rather than any industry OTJ experience.

JMHO, thats my take on things.

You need the feelgood factor to take the job though, why not ask them if you can go back and 'meet the people you will be working with', and have a second chat about the company, its plans, career paths etc.

Sniff about a bit more, ask questions you might have thought inappropriate (steady though lol ) for the interview.

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Goochie

I've just run them through a credit check and it seems they are making more money each year - where my current employer is making less money each year and expecting to start making a loss in 3 years

SkodiRS

If you have reservations about a job before you've even accepted it...it's not for you.

If you don't get the "buzz" just thinking about it you can be sure that you'll end up being bored again.

You're currently employed so can afford to take your tinme to find the right role.

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Adrian.

ncarring

There are more jobs out there - don't jump at the first offer. Trust your instinct.

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

drm_jones

That gives you a minimum of 2 years before you need to jump ship - what are you worried about

On a more serious note, trust in your instincts - if you are not 100% sure it is the right one then then let it pass and keep looking for something else.

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JPreston

That's right actually; I've come away from interviews with a vague negative feeling only to accept the most rubbish job in the world (twice). Whereas at the good places I've worked I felt really positive after the interview.

Also it's not really worth moving for 3%, because next month you might find somewhere willing to give you 10%. I'd quite like being able to cycle to work again at least, instead of an hour in traffic

devonutopia

First impressions count for me, and a bad vibe at an interview would put me off big time. Where I am now, I came away with very good vibes. Met a lot of the staff who were all cool, and now I'm working there, I'm really happy. Money is crap (at the moment) but the non-financial rewards are copious - like a free bar at the Xmas party - both of them.

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SkodiRS

I always worked on the 10-12% salary increase "principal"..... I guess this reduces the more money you earn though.

Money is important but not the be all and end all.....if your happy with your role, you'll be more productive and, hopefully, you'll be rewarded for it. Kind of idealistic but that's what I try and tell myself.

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Adrian.

Goochie

Thanks for tall the advice - reinforced what I was already thinking. I've rang the guy this morning to say that the role isnt' for me.

He said he understood entirely as I was worried that I'd be under-utilised and get bored anyway (so why off it to me!? )

heresmo

Not difficult to understand, Phil. They stand to gain a good six months (say) of a new broom's enthusiasm. It would be your problem after that. Their answer is easy - "We employed a guy and it didn't work out." Your problem would be answering how come you're job-hopping already (say six months' from now).

Can I ask whether it was agency who suggested these jobs? They can tend to match you to jobs you can do rather than those that you will grow into.

Good luck finding the right one
Mo

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Goochie

Nope, the one I just turned down was advertised in the local paper and the one I'd really like (but doubt I'll get an interview for) was advertised on the companie's own website.

In my experience, recruitment consultants tend to offer you all the jobs they have that no one else wanted then you dont hear anything from them for months. However I've also seen it from an employers side and they tend to send in a massive mamount of CV's based on keywords and what they think is right. Sadly their experience of your field is often minimal and they can be way off the mark when suggesting candidates.

Cant slate them too much though as it was a consultant who got me the job before this one having found my CV on totaljobs.com He asked how much I was looking for so I told him only to find at interview he'd added £2k on my figure!

JMK2

Recruitment Agencies Love'em (not)

To be fair not all are the same - but I got into a mighty row with one on Tuesday. Guy started slating my C.V. - nothing positive. Then when we got down to asking what jobs he did had there was absoultely nothing suitable.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrr

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