[mcl6136]

My current job has deteriorated in a big way.
I've been seeking work elsewhere and am glad to say that I'm a finalist for two positions -- two jobs that I would love to be offered. One of them is a position that would suit me to a "T." (whatever that means).

: )

The problem? Both of the prospects want me to do an ALL DAY on-site interview in the next two weeks.

That's two "personal" days on top of some previously planned vacations ....way too much out of the office time given that my boss is a complete micromanaging control freak. I planned the vacations long ago and got airline tickets....

The interview that I really want to go on (the great prospective job) is on a Tuesday.

I hate pretending to be on a vacation when I'm really interviewing for a job. I am tempted to remove myself from the competition for the 2nd choice job, and narrow the choice down to my first choice.

But that seems like really upping the ante for the great job.

What should I do? Stay in the running for both of the jobs? Cancel my tiny (two and three day vacations?) The pressure is really rising at my current gig.

HELP!!!!

[Gavinandnikki]

I think you need to full on interview for both. Vacations, even deeply needed ones, can wait, for a perfect job.

Having great job satisfaction enhances your entire life, I think.

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by Gavinandnikki

I think you need to full on interview for both. Vacations, even deeply needed ones, can wait, for a perfect job.

Having great job satisfaction enhances your entire life, I think.

Thanks for your thoughtful response. The full day interview for the job that I want LESS requires an enormous amount of "homework" before the interview. I have to: come up with three superiors, three colleagues and three subordinates for references and contact them; prepare a 10 minute presentation of what I would do in the position during the first 100 days; provide writing samples and make an over-night stay in the location of the interview.

I know that I sound whiney about this, but contemplating it makes me wonder if I do, indeed, want this job given the huge amount of work it would require of me -- and a week before the interview for the REALLY great job.

I'm getting super fatigued here... my current job is a mess, and the wear and tear is just getting to me. Shouldn't one great job prospect be enough?

I feel like I am fighting a war on three fronts: present gig, and two prospective ones -- And I feel it might be wiser to do ONE THING WELL -- interviewing for the job that I really want.

[dancinglady]

Originally Posted by mcl6136

Thanks for your thoughtful response. The full day interview for the job that I want LESS requires an enormous amount of "homework" before the interview. I have to: come up with three superiors, three colleagues and three subordinates for references and contact them; prepare a 10 minute presentation of what I would do in the position during the first 100 days; provide writing samples and make an over-night stay in the location of the interview.

I know that I sound whiney about this, but contemplating it makes me wonder if I do, indeed, want this job given the huge amount of work it would require of me -- and a week before the interview for the REALLY great job.

I'm getting super fatigued here... my current job is a mess, and the wear and tear is just getting to me. Shouldn't one great job prospect be enough?

I feel like I am fighting a war on three fronts: present gig, and two prospective ones -- And I feel it might be wiser to do ONE THING WELL -- interviewing for the job that I really want.

Wow what kinds of jobs are these? I have never had to prepare this much for an interview. Thanks for your response on my post. I knew almost all of that. I have zero job satisfaction and am trapped because no one is hiring older workers.

[Gavinandnikki]

That is a tough decision and alot of work for the second choice position.

And I'd feel the same as you do! If my chances of getting my first choice was very high, I might pass on the other.

But, my fear would be that I wouldn't get #1, so, I think that, in the end, I'd shoot for #2 as well.

I am most comfortable knowing that I did the best I could do.

But if #2 was really 4 or lower, I wouldn't do it.

Good luck with a tough decision.

[hvert]

Is the second choice gig paying for your hotel?

That does sound like an awful lot of work for an interview, but it also sounds like anything that gets you out of where you are now is good. It's really hard to tell whether or not you will like a job until you are there (in my experience), so I might not write them off just yet.

Is it worth asking if they can accommodate your schedule? Being slightly unavailable can make people want you more.

[mcl6136]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Ugh.

I dropped out of the Number Two Job prospect. The headhunter made it into an ugly mess...which leads me to believe that I was at least seriously in consideration.

I am SO relieved.

The prospect of the homework, on top of my current high-pressure job, and preparing for the job that I really do want.....was too much.

I am looking forward to getting some sleep tonight.

I believe it is true that it's hard if not impossible to know if we will be a good fit until we're in the position for a while, but for once in my life I trusted my instincts and acted accordingly.

At least I took some kind of action. Sometimes it's good to push off the shore, even if you need to make midcourse corrections as you go....

Thanks, everyone

I think you made the right decision about the second job. I too have never heard of an interview process with that much involved. It's actually not professional on the side of the prospective employer and it screams out that they would be high maintenance employers. You might have been going from the fry pan into the fire. Good luck on the other interview.

[unaluna]

I agree with discover. That sounds like bs. Like they were trying to see how much crap they could throw at you. Wtf?? Nine freaking references?? Nothing like keeping a job move on the down low!

Oh, and as to taking days off - take as many as you need to while getting away with it. Absolutely. This is a major juncture in your life. Make no mistake, your manager would do so if he/she were looking for another job.

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by discover

I think you made the right decision about the second job. I too have never heard of an interview process with that much involved. It's actually not professional on the side of the prospective employer and it screams out that they would be high maintenance employers. You might have been going from the fry pan into the fire. Good luck on the other interview.

Thank you....in the end, I discovered they had pushed out their last executive!!!!

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by discover

Oh, and as to taking days off - take as many as you need to while getting away with it. Absolutely. This is a major juncture in your life. Make no mistake, your manager would do so if he/she were looking for another job.

I am glad and thankful to see your message. I need a bit of time off to be at my best at the Number One interview. I have more than 3 weeks off piled up!!!

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by discover

I think you made the right decision about the second job. I too have never heard of an interview process with that much involved. It's actually not professional on the side of the prospective employer and it screams out that they would be high maintenance employers. You might have been going from the fry pan into the fire. Good luck on the other interview.

I'm thinking that some of the zany factor is due to the headhunter involved.... And I am cynical enough to think that someone who gets paid to check people out might have a vested interest in having as many as nine references for a candidate!
Sheesh!

[mcl6136]

Thank you people! This forum has helped me in a big way!!

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by mcl6136

I'm thinking that some of the zany factor is due to the headhunter involved.... And I am cynical enough to think that someone who gets paid to check people out might have a vested interest in having as many as nine references for a candidate!
Sheesh!

Maybe its a new headhunter who doesnt know how to trust his gut. I wonder who tells him/her when to go to the bathroom. Pardonnez my french!

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by unaluna

Maybe its a new headhunter who doesnt know how to trust his gut. I wonder who tells him/her when to go to the bathroom. Pardonnez my french!

She has been at this for more than a dozen years. Zowie!!!