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Discussion

how do I delay an answer to one interview while waiting on a second interview?

I currently have a job on orthopedic/med-surg floor, but I have two interviews coming up. The first is in two days (PACU/day surgery), the second is 6 days after the first interview (stepdown). My question is, if I get an offer from the first interview before I take my second interview (or before a few days after the second interview, to allow the second interview people a little while to make up their minds), how do I delay an answer to the first interview until I know the results of the second interview? Is there a way to keep my options open without losing an offer from the first interview or burning any bridges?

I think that I may want the PACU job with the first interview the most, but that I may have a better shot at getting the stepdown job (second interview). I'd be glad to take either job, though.

(FYI: I work at a hospital system which has 4 different hospitals; my current job is within the same hospital system as the two interviews, although at a different hospital physically; and the two interviews are both at the same hospital. That is to say, the results of my interview/offer may be open-access/casual word-of-mouth to the interviewers, as well as to the higher-ups at my current hospital.)

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    Well I think you answered your question. Tell it how it is. I would tell them that I'm grateful and looking forward to the new opportunity. I would then tell them I have an interview on such and such day and that I want to keep all options open. Any manager with any amount of sense will understand that.

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    Hmmm, always a tricky question! If you've done both interviews, and get an offer (but really want the other job), I would suggest calling the manager on your preferred unit. Explain that you've had another job offer, but don't want to take it if there is a chance you can get into their unit. I've had to do this in the past when stuck between two potential job offers.

    The one thing I would NOT do is to tell the manager offering you a job that you are waiting on something else. Honestly, if I were that manager, I'd almost be tempted to take back the offer. Employee retention is a big deal, and people don't like to hire applicants who are clearly accepting a "second choice". If you don't want to give an answer right away, simply say a genuine thank you and ask for a day or two to consider. Most hiring managers should be okay with that. But once that day or two is up - make a decision and accept or decline, no matter what else you might be waiting on.

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    Any manager with any amount of sense will understand that.

    Any manager with any amount of sense would probably say "Well, thanks anyway, but since you don't seem to be really interested in the position, we'll just offer it to the next person."

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    "I'm very interested in the position, and thank you for choosing me. I'd like to take a little time to review the offer, and discuss it with my family. Can I have a little bit of time, and talk to you on ___day??"

    Then when you go to interview B, at the end, ask them what the next step is, and when they are likely to make a decision.

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