Job search Part Deux - 3rd interview with one company & offer from another. Now what?
 

I officially passed on the work from home job I posted about. Just didn't feel like me after reading reviews of the job and the company.

As part of my job search I reached out to some current and former clients asking for LinkedIn recommendations. That went well. Several posted nice things.

One called me and offered to create a job for me at the nonprofit where she's now CEO! She's basically expanding on an open part time position into full time with added responsibilities. It's more accounting than I'd like but will also involve things like project management, forecasting, cost cutting, etc. Easy 20 min. commute with no traffic. I'd be very visible to a variety of execs from other companies who are board members.

The same day I had a lunch meeting regarding this position with a board member from the nonprofit, I got the call for an interview with a Fortune 500 company where I'd applied. Old company that's still relevant and growing. Very strong. Lots of places to go from the position I applied for. 10 minute commute!

Fast forward to today. The nonprofit called with a genuine offer ON THE DAY when I had my third interview with the Fortune 500. Money and benefits are about the same.

How does this work? The non-profit is in a hurry. The Fortune 500 company is not. Could take another 30 to 60 days to complete two more interviews before getting an official offer from them... IF I get one. Meanwhile the nonprofit would like me to start as soon as possible. I'm worried that by the time the big company (my first choice, for sure) gets done with their processes, the other job may have evaporated.

What's the best course of action here?

How good is your relationship with your HR contact with the other company. Can you call and ask how quickly the process is moving as you have an offer?


My gut reaction is take the offer you have. Would suck to be saying I wish in 60 days when you don't get the other one...

Man, I could use some of your luck if you have any leftover.

Fortune 500?

Do you know how many internal candidates you are up against?

My thinking, from being on the inside of large corps, there is an internal candidate that is almost surely a lock on the spot but HR still has to "go through the motions".

I'd take the bird in the hand.

You can still pursue the Fortune 500 and use the 30-60 days at the non-profit as a probation period.

If the Fortune 500 makes you an offer 60 days down the road you will have a dilemma but you'll have more information on what course of action you should take. You may like the challenges the non profit offers and decide to stay.

Personally I don't like the idea of putting in 2 months then walking for greener grass but there are times where you have to do what YOU have to do.

This position is low on the totem pole. Not entry level, but not far from it. I don't think internal candidates are a threat. The interviewer said it's from growth, not attrition. Odds are there are multiple openings.

Five interviews??? Wtf? In this talent market, any idiotic HR department that allows talent to remain idle for that long deserves to loose them. What does Glassdoor.com and the postings from their employees have to say about this company? What is your career field? The Phoenix market is growing and for the right skills a talent war is brewing. All things even, take the non-profit. You know the CEO, they clearly want you and if they are growing, there is opportunity. You can always continue to look. Having a current job is a position of strength and makes the job hunt less stressful.

Never pass up a job with the hopes of getting another one. You could leave the NP job later.

There are still some slow companies out there... They deserve what they get... I submitted a resume to a company on 11/2 and didn't hear a thing. They responded on 1/14 that they were really sorry to just be getting around to it, but would I like to come in for an interview. At this point I've done more homework and know I'm 95% sure I'd never want to work for them, but say sure I'd love to interview. Its now 1/20 and they still haven't scheduled that interview.... Conversely I submitted a resume on 1/11 to another company and had a phone interview that same day! They flew in a team for in person interviews tomorrow... Guess which company I'd rather work for? ;)

Nice to be wanted.

My last job was after about 30 different applications.

Talk to both. Tell the one that you need time to consider other offers, and the other that you have to make a decision within the same time frame.

Since August I've had four in-person and eight phone interviews for different positions, all arranged by different recruiters, at the same company. All these recruiters work for the same company and know each other. One of them called me today and said, "We get hundreds of applications every day and you keep making it to the top of the stack. Everyone here knows you." Ok, why the eff can I not get hired? I clean up pretty well, speak English pretty clearly and know lots of people at this company. I'm starting to think I'm blacklisted.

Given the choice, I think the non-profit sounds like a better fit, where at least the CEO knows who you are, and is willing to work with you (that says she trusts you, and respects you). The fortune 500 job, you will be one of a dozen employees doing the same thing competing for attention, and chewing out numbers, and hoping for the recognition to advance. I work for a fortune 100 company (luckily, I am in an exclusive prototype lab where there is no competition) but I can see the backbiting, and positioning for attention amoungst the office personel in middle management, I would never want to be part of that.

^^^this

Lee, you must have done / be doing something right throughout your career. All the best on which ever way you choose to go with this.

Totally agree. The non-profit clearly wants you and your relationship goes directly to the top. That's a great position to be in. At the Fortune 500 they may not even end up making you an offer, and if they do you will be just another number.

An interview is not an offer. Take the offer. If the other opportunity turns into something then deal with it then. You're a free agent and owe nothing to anyone - they certainly won't bat an eyelash to lay you off if they ever think it's in their interest so your loyalty to them should be no different. If you get a better offer on the table down the road, tell them and give them a chance to respond to it. If they don't, go get it. Or better still, just resign and go get it.

Lee, I like this one a lot. With the exception of the accounting, it sounds like a better quality of life package and you'll obviously be able to go places within the company.

I had a job/department created for me by a CEO and to date, it was best "work for someone else" experience of my life. The nonprofit, you are wanted and valued. The F500, probably not so much.

So the choice between being actively recruited by a CEO for a tailor made seemingly one of a kind role vs waiting until some HR drone gets around to deciding they'll pick you to slot into one of many similar holes?

I know what I would do.

I know teachers at the local state ran facilities that took upwards of 6 months after submitting resume/app to get a call.

The issue I see is that the F500 company has a timeline that is not very clear. If you'd know that you would be in the offer stage there in a couple weeks, you could keep the NP at bay with an excuse, but no longer than 2 weeks.

My pick here clearly would be the non profit. The CEO went out of their way to create an opening for you and is excited about you coming on board. Of course, now that that is done, they want you to commit ASAP.

I have never liked big companies that take forever in their hiring process. You are just a number to them. A small company, you can really stand out and help shape / make decisions etc.

My decision here would be made. Also, in earlier posts it became clear you really don't need to work because of the income, so the NP probably paying less should not be an issue.

Good luck and keep us posted!

G

I work for a very large company, and they can move quickly if they want you. I'm guessing by now you've already interviewed with your hiring manager? If so, the remaining interview might just be a formality. Talk to them, and let them know there is an offer on the table. That will let you know if they want you, or just think you're good enough to fill an open spot.