How can I tell a potential employer: there's another hospital I'm waiting for?

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2015

How do you know you're a top candidate?

RunawayN · Jul 26, 2015

How do you know you're a top candidate?

They said I'm currently their top candidate and they want to bring me onboard

(although they did say they needed to interview a couple more people so it could change in this little King of the Mountain interviewing game)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2015

They said I'm currently their top candidate and they want to bring me onboard

In the job-seeking game, words from interviewers and HR managers are absolutely nothing until they mean something. Actions speak louder than words. I bet they've told several other applicants, "You are currently our top candidate."

If you receive an offer from the 'great hospital' next week, stall by saying you need a few more days to consider the offer and all that it entails. At this point there's no guarantee you'll receive an offer from the other 'really great hospital,' so I'd personally take what has been offered.

If the 'really great hospital' does happen to extend an offer, there's nothing wrong with rescinding your acceptance of the offer at the 'great hospital' before they spend any money or time to train you.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2015

This is called life, and it often involves making judgement calls and decisions without complete information.

BTW -- if you get further communication, such as an actual offer, from Great Hospital A -- you will kiss it goodbye if you give any inkling that you are "waiting" on another potential employer. It's just impolite. You can say you'd like some time to consider the offer - no more than 48 hours, in my experience.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2015

I would stall with their next round of interviews. :)

Farawyn · Jul 26, 2015

Agree with above. I wouldn't say a thing. Good luck!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2015

This is called life, and it often involves making judgement calls and decisions without complete information.
BTW -- if you get further communication, such as an actual offer, from Great Hospital A -- you will kiss it goodbye if you give any inkling that you are "waiting" on another potential employer. It's just impolite. You can say you'd like some time to consider the offer - no more than 48 hours, in my experience.

This. If you receive an offer from hospital A and respond by saying "I need to wait until I interview with Hospital B in 2 weeks before I know if I want to accept this offer or not" they will likely move on to the next candidate. Most employers will give you a small amount of time to consider their offer but not weeks and certainly not if you tell them that they are your second choice.

caliotter3 · Jul 26, 2015

It makes sense to accept an offer from Hospital A and then to rescind that acceptance once Hospital B extends an offer. But make certain that the offer from Hospital B is a firm offer or you may find yourself out in the cold.

xxMichelleJxx · Jul 27, 2015

I agree with everything everyone else has posted. I would not say anything to Great Hospital # 1 that you are awaiting to hear about a job offer from Great Hospital #2. They are not going to waste their time when they could be recruiting someone else. Also, nothing is definitive until you've been told that you are hired and have signed actual documentation. Getting a job is very hard. People are known for sweet talking. At the end of the day, it doesn't mean anything. Take it from me, I'm dying to get a job in a hospital. I would literally take any hospital position I am offered just to get my foot in the door and gain experience.

I recently had a situation where I thought I had a job. This was for a CNA instructor position. We discussed pay, he had me come in and shadow the current CNA instructor for 2 days. He also had me come in and review the course outline, syllabus, exams, etc. He introduced me to the rest of the staff at the new instructor. Everything. I was supposed to start my job on a Monday. On Friday, I went in because he wanted me to go in and sign papers and stuff. I went and long story short; this guy changed his mind. He made me pay for and obtain a teaching license that I now have no current use for; and made me waste my time and money going there. In the end, I was told 2 days before my start date "never mind." He said to wait a couple of weeks..maybe he can use me then. He said how the lady I was going to replace is no longer leaving.

I swear...the most unprofessionalism I have seen till date.

I should've known better though.. I never signed any official documentation. Sad thing is that I was so close to quitting my current job for that one. I had a resignation letter typed out and ready. Literally all I needed to do was go in and hand it in. I was going to go in earlier..but I had a gut feeling that told me to wait until I signed the actual hiring documentation. Good think I listened to myself..otherwise I would've been jobless.

Just be careful. People saying that you are the top candidate doesn't mean anything.

Good luck to you!!

amoLucia · Jul 28, 2015

They said I'm currently their top candidate and they want to bring me onboard

I believe this ranks as the world's FOURTH most phoney baloney, BS, hokey, outright falsehood along with:

#1 - "No, darling, I'm not married."

#2 - "The check is in the mail."

#3

#4 - your line

Farawyn · Jul 28, 2015

I believe this ranks as the world's FOURTH most phoney baloney, BS, hokey, outright falsehood along with:
#1 - "No, darling, I'm not married."
#2 - "The check is in the mail."
#3
#4 - your line

What's #3?

"No, those pants don't make you look fat!"