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A week ago Friday, I interviewed for a job and felt it went as well as could be expected. The interviewer was very upbeat and seemed very interested in most everything I had to say. He gave every indication that I would hear from them soon, and left me feeling I'd take the job if offered. However, at the same time, this guy was a visitor from their overseas headquarters and would not be a regular co-worker long-term.
Yesterday, a mere week later, I went back for a second interview. This one was with a higher-up in the local office. (Both interviews were also attended by the position supervisor, who didn't say much.) The second interview was a mere 10 minutes long and consisted of the same exact questions and job description as the first one. The guy was a lot more serious and kept stressing how important it was that I understood the various aspects of the job. He made a point to mention how this job is not like my previous ones. The job also has its fair share of overtime, and he made a bigger point of that than last week's guy.
Anyhow, I'm still thinking I'd take the job if offered, but I feel a little less enthused after the second conversation. It would be a better job overall than my present one, but also more of a drain on my time and I didn't get as strong a personal vibe from that guy, who I imagine I'd be working with a lot more than the first guy.
This just makes it harder to be excited should they offer me the job, and easier to feel okay about it if they don't.
A week ago Friday, I interviewed for a job and felt it went as well as could be expected. The interviewer was very upbeat and seemed very interested in most everything I had to say. He gave every indication that I would hear from them soon, and left me feeling I'd take the job if offered. However, at the same time, this guy was a visitor from their overseas headquarters and would not be a regular co-worker long-term.
Yesterday, a mere week later, I went back for a second interview. This one was with a higher-up in the local office. (Both interviews were also attended by the position supervisor, who didn't say much.) The second interview was a mere 10 minutes long and consisted of the same exact questions and job description as the first one. The guy was a lot more serious and kept stressing how important it was that I understood the various aspects of the job. He made a point to mention how this job is not like my previous ones. The job also has its fair share of overtime, and he made a bigger point of that than last week's guy.
Anyhow, I'm still thinking I'd take the job if offered, but I feel a little less enthused after the second conversation. It would be a better job overall than my present one, but also more of a drain on my time and I didn't get as strong a personal vibe from that guy, who I imagine I'd be working with a lot more than the first guy.
This just makes it harder to be excited should they offer me the job, and easier to feel okay about it if they don't.
Before you make a commitment, ask to speak to some of your future colleagues. Explain that since the job is a big move for you career wise, you want to make sure you making the absolutely right choice. If they agree, try to find out as much info from the employees, ask them questions about culture, work load, how they like it, etc. If they decline, chances are they are hiding something.
I actually asked this when I was interviewing for my current job and they said "sorry, no way, hahah". I just let it slide but wish I had seen the red flag. The place turns out to be a ****hole and they were probably afraid if they let me speak with one of their current employees, they would dissuade me from the job.
Go in thinking every single job is temporary as you move up towards your career and financial goals.
How does this job help you in obtaining the next job you'll want after this one? If it has the right title, company name or salary, then take the job. Plan on staying 2 years and then move on or move up in the same company.
Working the overtime may be worth it if it helps you in the long term. Always have a plan.
If I recall correctly, you thought you would be offered the job upfront when you went for your second interview which was yesterday (from a previous thread).
It appears I was right in my feeling that it would take more time for them to formally offer you a job, if they do.
Perhaps some of your disappointment is precisely because they didn't offer you the job right away, which you were expecting? That this interview was nothing more than a short repeat from the last time, and only 10 minutes? That seems like a really quick interview.
Maybe one thing led to another in your mind, creeping doubts, and now you aren't as enthused about this job prospect?
I had an interview like your second one once. She spent most of the time telling me about how this role was oh so different than ones I had in the past. Well it wasn't and I felt ''blown off'' the whole time and just wanted it to be over. Of course did not get an offer and did not want to work there after that.
It's true I went in somewhat expecting an offer, but I don't think that's why I felt unsettled. I just felt as though I was being grilled a lot harder on just how good a fit I'd really be for the position, which made for a less friendly conversation than last time. The first guy led me to believe that most everything I said made me a good fit, the second guy did quite the opposite. And since the second guy is someone I'd probably be working for, I felt a bit put-off.
I sorta wish I'd asked for more details about the overtime, but I felt it might reflect badly on me. Now I wish I had, as I know very little. I currently work at a crappy job, but at least I work a standard 40-hour week. I could deal with some overtime at a better company, but an excessive amount might drag me down.
I do still think that overall this would be a better company to work for and a better job in general, but I'm still a bit disconcerted.
Well, on a positive note, at least they didn't try to tell you how much they care about work-life balance and then once you started working you realized you had to put in a ton of overtime.
OP's story reminds me that I once had a second interview where it was clear that the higher-up interviewer was digging into the details of my qualifications and openly disparaging them during the interview. I didn't get the job and came to the conclusion later that this interviewer had been fishing for a reason not to hire me.
I now work at that employer and that interviewer does not. I've shared my conclusion with people who knew that interviewer and they tell me that I was probably right.
I wouldn't worry about it, OP. If the employer has a candidate they think is better, they're going to try to hire that candidate.
In my experience, second interviews usually means no job offer. I had gone through this twice and never got an offer. If they like you one interview is enough.
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