Job Application Advice

[Reel]

I had an on-campus interview with a company that I wasn't thrilled about for a job that I don't want to do. I didn't realize my dislikes until the info session the night before so it was too late to cancel the interview. I did the interview and they apparently liked me. However, I don't really want to pursue it but I am afraid that if I don't pursue it it will have been my only opportunity to get hired and I will have blown it. I have an on-site interview scheduled in a couple weeks with a company I really do want to work for. Of course I don't know if I will get that job and I have no offers at this point to fall back on. Am I really shooting myself in the foot by declining these guys or is it a good idea to decline since I could never be happy doing a job I don't want to do for a company I don't want to work for?

 

[woowoo]

YOU
Are in charge of your life.
Do what YOU want to do.

 

[Albis]

the real question is . . ..

are you okay with not having a job from either company at the end or having a job that you don't really like

 

[BEL6772]

What does 'apparently liked' mean? Did they offer you the job, or did they just schedule a follow-up interview? If they made an offer, did they ask you to respond within a certain time frame?

Personally, I'd go for tactful honesty. Let the 'undesireable' job know that you are in the process of interviewing with several other companies and would like to be allowed the time to give fair consideration to all offers you may receive. Try no to decline the offer (or break off contact) until you have something better lined up.

 

[Reel]

Originally posted by: BEL6772
What does 'apparently liked' mean? Did they offer you the job, or did they just schedule a follow-up interview? If they made an offer, did they ask you to respond within a certain time frame?

Personally, I'd go for tactful honesty. Let the 'undesireable' job know that you are in the process of interviewing with several other companies and would like to be allowed the time to give fair consideration to all offers you may receive. Try no to decline the offer (or break off contact) until you have something better lined up.

Apparently liked means that I had a negative attitude internally and I am certain that it slipped out but I am surprised that they pursued me further. No job offer came from them or any definite time frame. Instead they asked for me to fill out a bunch of forms with personal information: "We were quite impressed with your technical knowledge during the interview last week and would possibly like to move to next steps within the next month or so." It is a large expenditure of time to fill these forms out. I do like your approach though. I think it is a reasonable middle ground and allows me the 2 weeks I need to evaluate how I do with my first choice company. Thanks.