Received job offer, but have interview for my first-choice facility?!

Nurses General Nursing

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I need advice on how to handle this. I have scoured Google, but I would like input from nurses.

I'm relocating this summer and have put in a handful of job applications. I had a phone interview for the hospital that is my second choice on a unit I would be happy with. Today, I received a job offer. However, I have a phone interview tomorrow with the nurse manager at the that I *REALLY* want to work at, on the type of unit that I am really looking to work on. During tomorrow's interview, do I tell them that I have a job offer, although I am extremely interested in working for them instead? Should I ask if the manager has an estimate as to when he will be making his decision? I don't want to screw myself out of potentially landing this job.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I wouldn't mention the job offer. At the end of the interview you can ask if they know the time frame for when a decision will be made.

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From a non-nursing perspective (I am currently switching my career to nursing), any time I have mentioned that I have another job offer - the outcome has always been good. You will become a more attractive candidate in their eyes and/or be offered you notice in a more timely manner.

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This actually just happened to me. My second choice (Hospital B) offered me a job before I had made it through the entire interview process at my first choice hospital (Hospital A). I asked the manager at Hospital B if I could have some time to think about it (without mentioning why). After I received a job offer from Hospital A, I accepted it and then wrote Hospital B's manager a thank you letter explaining that I appreciated the offer, and especially appreciated her patience, but had ultimately accepted an offer elsewhere after careful consideration.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
From a non-nursing perspective (I am currently switching my career to nursing), any time I have mentioned that I have another job offer - the outcome has always been good. You will become a more attractive candidate in their eyes and/or be offered you notice in a more timely manner.

Unfortunately in nursing, there's too many nurses looking for work. So this tactic could work...and it could also backfire in the applicant's face, especially if the employer has other qualified candidates who would be ready and willing to start yesterday (and some even for less pay!).

OP: I agree with Ace and Purple. Ask for the time frame as to when to expect any possible offer from the dream job. Meanwhile, ask the definite job for a little time to think about accepting the offer...but be careful--ask for too much time to "think about it" and you may find they'll go with someone more eager to work with them instead. If dream job gives you a time frame of "up to a month" before you'll know either way, definite job is likely not going to wait around that month for you.

If dream job is taking too long to get back to you and you need to give definite job an answer, IMO go with definite job. You can always reapply to dream job.

As far as mentioning the offer...if it were me and I was asked, I'd say something vague like "I'm currently looking at a few opportunities" but stress how I'd really really REALLY see myself working for dream job.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

I would not bring it up. If you mention the offer from Hospital B, Hospital A could take it as you trying to either play one against the other or pressure them into making a quick decision, and you may not get an offer. I sit on a lot of interview panels, and it is irrelevant to me whether an applicant has other offers. I assume that if it is someone who we would want to hire, other employers probably would, too.

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Unfortunately in nursing, there's too many nurses looking for work. So this tactic could work...and it could also backfire in the applicant's face, especially if the employer has other qualified candidates who would be ready and willing to start yesterday (and some even for less pay!).

OP: I agree with Ace and Purple. Ask for the time frame as to when to expect any possible offer from the dream job. Meanwhile, ask the definite job for a little time to think about accepting the offer...but be careful--ask for too much time to "think about it" and you may find they'll go with someone more eager to work with them instead. If dream job gives you a time frame of "up to a month" before you'll know either way, definite job is likely not going to wait around that month for you.

If dream job is taking too long to get back to you and you need to give definite job an answer, IMO go with definite job. You can always reapply to dream job.

As far as mentioning the offer...if it were me and I was asked, I'd say something vague like "I'm currently looking at a few opportunities" but stress how I'd really really REALLY see myself working for dream job.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

"There's too many nurses looking for work" is really dependent on what area you live in and what the market is like there.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
"There's too many nurses looking for work" is really dependent on what area you live in and what the market is like there.

Entirely true.

But as OP is, based on their other post, going for PCU-level positions, I'd wager OP is probably looking in an area where's there a little more competition than a little less.

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Entirely true.

But as OP is, based on their other post, going for PCU-level positions, I'd wager OP is probably looking in an area where's there a little more competition than a little less.

Either way, it's speculation.

I currently work in a saturated field where many people are looking for work. And once again, mentioning I have other offers has only done me good. Too often, women are warned against negotionating or even the appearance of negotiation. Hence why Hollywood actresses make much less than their male counterparts.

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You would need to have job offer #1 in writing. Then you will have some time to complete the hiring process. Keep it in your front pocket.

Start the process for the job you " really want", as a separate issue. Do NOT tell them you have another offer. THAT is where you could shoot yourself in the foot.

Job # 2 will follow their hiring process, if they want you.

You have time to accept #1 , while waiting for #2 offer. Play the waiting game, to get what you want.

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