"I could have been a contender, instead I'm content..."

[false_name]

Y'see, this is why I don't like posting long descriptions of what's going to be happening soon in my life. It can set me up for a fall, like the whole PhD fiasco (which is still more gutting than a big sharp gutting device) or in its lesser form means I need to post some kind of resolution.That's fine when I feel like it (as I clearly did when I

Comments

[el_guitarrista]

Ring A and B - tell them you've had an offer from another company and you're considering it, but "you are my absolute preference. I have a week to give a decision on the other company, so I'm hoping we could arrange sort a more immediate date out when we could discuss the possibilities of employment with you. I'm really excited by the prospect of working for you, but as I'm sure you'll appreciate - if you feel I'm unsuitable for the position then I would have to take my second option."

You can vary the tone having a better idea of the company, but that's exactly what I did while securing next year's work. The company were abolutely happy to see me wlmost immediately - and the honesty helped, along with a big dollop of flattery.

I'm absolutely serious - just call A and B on monday morning and see what they say. They may take a day to get back to you, but you could still have an interview wednesday\thursday and make your decision with all the opportunites present.

[false_name]

Which is what I tried to do before I had Friday's news. Jobs A and B are within the same company, and when I phoned them up I was passed between about 5 people - none of whom seemed to know anything about my circumstances and could only offer me the standard "You'll know if you have an interview Monday [for Job A, not B]"

I shall try again, I guess. But I'm not optimistic. They're a confused company. Also I suspect this one is more competitive than your examples - the qualifications are pretty lax, and it comes more down to examples of writing whilst obviously you would have been the outstanding candidate.

This isn't helped by the fact that my parents are being decidedly one-sided in making it clear that I should forget the dream jobs and accept the other. :/

[el_guitarrista]

I'm only writing this for completeness, but I assume you asked for their 'personel manager' or similar?

Sounds like you have at least five working days before you have to accept job C, so plenty of time to get a decision from A and B.

As always, the best of luck.

[false_name]

Well I phoned up their HR office, and they passed me back and forth like a used condom :(

I should reiterate that Job C hasn't actually been offered, it just seems unlikely that it isn't mine if I want it. At the end of the day he said he'd need to go over my writing with his colleagues, but given his colleagues seemed pretty impressed with the quantity and quality of what I got through, I can't imagine they'd give me a negative report.

[el_guitarrista]

Just read about Monday's news - I'd still call them and make them aware of the situation - it also makes you look wanted, which can only help.

[mulgaun]

A bird in the hand ...

You're young, time for the dream jobs lies ahead ... I would tend to agree with your parents, if Job C is indeed offered and Jobs A & B remain in limbo, I'd go for C and give it all you've got; somewhere in the future it will make for a good reference.

[false_name]

This is all true, but A and B are rare jobs. They will come up every so often, but there's a real danger of becoming overqualified for them (despite them still seeming fun...) if I get too much experience.

But yes, your opinion has been noted. :)

[overlycautious]

You know as well as I do that job offers are even rarer than appealling jobs at the moment; Whilst I would undoubtedly be wrestling with the dilemma just as much as you are at the moment, I think that your parents are right. You've (almost) been offered a job that you won't mind doing in a location you like (Though the salary should be the main consideration at this point- You need to work out if it's definitely enough) with a company you like. You'd be mad to turn them down when there's no guarantee of anything else lined up, to be honest.

As I say, I'd be wrestling with this too if I were in your position, so I know it's probably not what you want to hear, but it's my tuppence-worth all the same.

[false_name]

Thanks, and I know it is the sensible option, but we only have one life, etc.

As it is I have more time than I expected to decide. I shall know if I have an interview elsewhere tomorrow, and I can phone them up and ask when I'd know - if its by the end of the week then I'll try it anyway.

I actually toyed with the idea of explaining it to the fella in London - he's a kind of honest straight up guy and I think he'd understand - especially if I played up the location rather than dream job angle. I didn't in the end though just to be on the safe side...

[false_name]

As an afterthought I should also point out that the reason I asked for more time was largely financial - I was wandering round the area before I went in looking at Letting Agents and rent for a one bedroom single flat unfurnished started at £800 per month. :/

But that's London - I'd just have to live further away, and there's doubtless cheaper areas around.