Need advice for potential multiple job offers

[KMurphy]

I graduate with a BSEE in May '01.
I've already landed interviews with eight companies so far. I don't want to be in a position where the first one gives me an offer, then a week to decide. I either burn a bridge or miss out on a potentially better deal.

Some people tell be to accept whatever is offered and choose the best; but that is not ethical. I know I have a good chance at most of the interviews and am seeking advice on some tough decisions later on. I guess I will list the possibilities.

Agilent - Test Engineer (tough technical interview, strong on everything but programming)
Shell - Power and Control Systems (field)
Exxon/Mobil - Power and Control Systems (field)
Ratheon - Hardware Design (not sure of environment; could be field or cubicle)
Lockheed - Safety Systems Engineer (mostly field)
Kodak - Process Engineer (Control)
DuPont - Control Systems (field)
Cisco - Test Engineer (Cisco name, but new aquisition; not well organized ~70 hrs per week)

I love field work and don't like to be a cubicle drone; so that leaves Shell, Exxon, and DuPont. I'm assured an offer at Lockheed and Ratheon from prior military experience, but desire DuPont the most. DuPont is my last interview; not even considering Cisco. I would like to hear about options to make the best out of the selection process without burning any bridges.

 

[vi edit]

Well, my degree (CS) and current job seem trite compared to what you will be receiving, but I will try to offer some advice.

Money ain't everything, but judging by some of your observations, you know that already.

Take into consideration how far you will have to relocate(if at all). If you do have to move, ask if they will pay for relocation expenses. Be sure to weigh all options and benefits that the companies will provide for you - retirement options, stock options, travel reimbursment, tuition re-imbursement. I've never worked for a company as large as those you are being interviewed by, so I may be incredibly naive as to what they do offer.

Also, if you have children, you may want to look into the quality of the schools in that area, as well as the overall living conditions. Check into commute times and living expenses.

As far as how to handle all of the interviews and offers, just tell them that you are still being interviewed and that you need time to weigh all of your options. If they aren't understanding, then you probably don't want to work for them in the first place.

You aren't the first "almost" graduate they have looked at, and you aren't the last. All these companies know that you are receiving multiple offers from other possible employers. Just ask them when the latest possible date they would accept an answer from you, and work from there.

Don't forget to include family and relocation into the mix. Even the greatest job in the world can turn out bad if you hate where you live. Also, if you do have a family, then working 70 hours is probably out of the question.

Best of luck to you! And congratulations for setting yourself up for such wonderful job oppertunities!

 

[Dameon]

Figure out the cost of living

Cost living varies heavily from place to place. I personally could not afford real estate in silicon valley on my salary. Be aware of differences, because the money will look good to move to different areas, but make sure to properly factor things in.

 

[~zonker~]

From a career standpoint, Cisco may be the best choice. They are a leader in telecom hardware and software. If you don't find it a suitable fit after a few years, there are many many places where the experience with Cisco will be marketable.

Agilent is also a company that will give you very marketable experience.

If you like field work or control systems interest you, the rest of the companies you have interviewed may be most satisfying. I've always looked at the people I would be working with as much as the work I would be doing. Make sure you can get along with the staff.

As far as offers and salary, make sure you have enough to live the way you would like and as Dameon pointed out, figure out the differences in the cost of living in each location. You should be able to consider several offers before making a decision. If the company will not allow you time to consider, you probably don't want to work for them anyway.

Good Luck!

 

[SuperTool]

70 Hrs/week
forget it. that's just plain disrespectful to engineering employees, unless it's a startup with a huge payoff potential.
I have to decide too. Here are my offers:
Motorola - network processor logic design
Intel - next generation IA64 logic design
Sun - Ultra Sparc circuit design
Compaq - board design (I like ckt/logic design more)
AMD - sledgehammer logic design. (no offer yet, but on-site went well)

Out of these, pretty much all are cubicles, except sun with own office. Mot is in boston, and the rest are in silicon valley, but pay is pretty much same when adjusted for cost of living.
Putting aside your feelings towards AMD and intel, which one would you pick?

 

[Wedesdo]

which ever one pays the most after all benefits have been accounted for.

 

[StageLeft]

kmurphy

Some people tell be to accept whatever is offered and choose the best; but that is not ethical.

I don't know why you say that. In business everything revolves around money and there is absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever in receiving multiple offers and rejected all but the best - no potential company would expect anything else out of you and you're selling yourself short if you do any differently. If you have to play one hirer against the other to get the best offer, its just business and that is how those with the best jobs have attained them... otherwise you stand a greater chance at getting a job which either sucks or is underpaid, or you are under-challenged, etc.

what supertool said I agree with. 70/hours week is going to suck in a hurry - that is almost half of your total life at work. I would only do that if you are being paid accordingly, ie $40k/year for 40 hours at one job offer, for $70k/year for 70/hours week at the other one. If one place is offering $50k/year with 40 hours and another is offering $65k/year with 70 hours do _not_ take the 70 hour job. It will really really suck. Thats like 9am-9pm every week day, plus 9-7 on saturday. No thanks!! Say goodbye to your life and hello to Hell.

 

[KMurphy]

Great advice, thanks.

My wife just had twin boys (fraternal) two months ago, so 70hrs is out.

What I meant about accepting is accepting all offers just to keep them baited along, then pull out at the end once I decide which I like best. Lockheed for example gives one week to decide, so by saying yes I accept would buy time to evaluate other offers without turning anyone away.

That would not be ethical, but I don't want to close door that I eventually want to go back through. It's going to be tough. All the companies have good benefits except Cisco (stock options and free popcorn & soda) and will pay all expenses to relocate. Yahoo as a neat site that lets you compare costs of living in different locations. IMO, stock options is a gamble; not a benefit, and could potentialy keep you locked into an unhappy situation.

RE: Cisco,
That's what the representatives said and were totaly unprofessional. It was one of their new aquisitions in Dallas/FW so I have no idea about what the "real" Ciso has to offer.

 

[SuperTool]

Don't do that. That's just plain wrong. They will process all the paperwork for you, go to board of directors to approve your options, just to find out that you lied. You will never get a job from them again. Ask for more time from everyone. They will most likely give you as much as you need.

 

[Windogg]

Like Wedesdo, make sure you have a good benefits package. Every company you listed will offer excellent medical since they are large and reputable. Just make sure they have good family coverage (low cost, high benefit for medical, dental, vision)for you wife and twins (CONGRATS!!!). For example the company I work for has very low co-payments, very low premiumsm and full PPO coverage for myself and domestic partner. My girlfirend is not working and this is key in case she gets sick. Also make sure they have a good 401(K) plan. Another great benefit is Flexible Time Off and FlexTime. This will give you time to take them to the doctor, spend quality time etc...

Best of luck.

Windogg