Difficult situations

[unixronin]

This is looking like I may end up in an awkward position.  Convergys (in Reston, VA) has said they're going to make a decision by Jan 1, and my inside contact told me his boss was drooling after my interview.  However, it seems nothing's going to happen on my other job prospect, Ceva-DSP (in San Jose, CA) until mid-January.

Thing is, if I end up with the choice of both, there's good reasons why I might prefer Ceva-DSP -- but it looks like if Convergys comes up with an offer, I'm going to have to decide on it before the interview with Ceva-DSP comes up.  Granted, one guy just joined Convergys, then left two days later when Sprint made him a better offer, but I don't feel comfortable doing that.  On the other hand, if I say no to Convergys, and then something happens and monkeywrenches Ceva-DSP .... that'd be Bad.

I dislike this situation intensely.

But one way or another, we have to get out of this rat-hole.

Comments

Aiyiyi -

[persimmon.livejournal.com]

I have fingers crossed that this all works out for the best for you all - and may you all have a wonderful holiday.

Re: Aiyiyi -

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the good thoughts, and a great holiday to you too.

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

What persimmon said: fingers crossed for the best possible outcome for you and your family.

For what it's worth, here at UT, I've seen people respond to a job offer by saying that they needed X amount of time to decide (presumably to attend another interview or wait for another offer to compare it). This has not been a deal-breaker. The corporate world may, of course, vary.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Very true. The fact they're saying they'll make a decision by Jan 1 doesn't mean I'll get an offer by Jan 1, and I may very well be able to stall until I know what all my options are.

Thanks for the good thoughts.

[jmkelly.livejournal.com]

I second janetmiles--tell them you need a certain (reasonable) amount of time to make your decision. (That's assuming you didn't already tell them you could start work as soon as you heard from them!) They could be hardnosed and say "Take it today or leave it"--but if they're that unreasonable, you may be better off without them in the long run. They may suspect that you're comparing offers, but so what? One's expected to do that. Good luck.

[attutle.livejournal.com]

Standard advice: Make the best decision you can with the information available at the time. Same as always.

When you get the first job offer (assuming that happens) you won't yet have the other information, so you'd be guessing.

This boils down to risk analysis. You have two risks you are worried about. One, you might get both jobs, and have to choose between staying at the first job or treating them badly. Two, you might turn down the first job and fail to get the second job, leaving you without employment.

So, which is worse? Having a job and being offered a better job, or not having any job at all?

Sounds like you aren't the only one affected by the choice, so it seems pretty obvious that you should take the first job offer you get, then figure out what to do if you've got two job offers once you get there. Anything else is high risk.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Yup, that's what prudence dictates. It's still not a happymaking situation.

[attutle.livejournal.com]

Of course not. Just saying you shouldn't stress over it, or feel guilty. Do what you gotta do.

[ttocs.livejournal.com]

Sitting in my new job, in a location I'd rather not be, making 20-25% less than my last job, I hear you.

If the offer in NY still comes in, or something else does, I'll have to evaluate that as it comes...

For what it's worth, I'd seriously recommend calling Ceva and saying that you are very very interested, but you have another possiblity that is progressing elsewhere... Give them some details minus company name if they ask.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

They know. :) Trust me on this one. :)