I had an interview this morning, and they rang me at midday to offer me the job.

My start date is in four weeks time, however, I also have an interview for a job on the Isle of Wight on Thursday. Theres a good chance I will be successful there too.

To top it off, I got a call, somewhat out of the blue, from another firm who are "very keen" for me to attend an interview next week.

Sounds great, doesn't it? Nice problem to have, and all that.

The thing is, I'm having pangs of guilt about tentatively accepting one offer then possibly blowing it off before I start, if I'm successful in landing one of the other roles.

I'm aware that it is very much a buyer's market for companies that are hiring, right now. So, I suppose one argument would be that why can't job seekers be choosy too?

Please feel free to either offer support, lambast or ignore, but I am looking for constructive opinions or thoughts, especially from others that have been in this situation. I haven't. My career has been pretty linear in that respect so far.

Regards

Spreadie

Congratulations, and good luck!

I'd still go to the other interview(s), and just accept which ever job suited me best.

I'd also try and fit in a nice holiday before starting the new job.

You should absolutely go on the other interviews.
Until you sign a binding contract with an employer they have little recourse against you other than removing their offer.
If you get offered the other jobs then you can pick which one you want or use the other offers to negotiate on the one you want (like getting more money for instance).

Good luck.

I've been incredibly lucky whenever I've been a "job seeker" and I'm familiar with the situation.

The first couple of times it happened, I verbally provisionally accepted the position but went to another interview and got that job too. It was a better job, so I called the first people and "let them down". They were quite annoyed both times, but I hadn't signed anything and they knew I had other interviews lined up. At least, I like to think they knew. Perhaps I hadn't made that quite clear - it was a long time ago and I was probably a bit excited

Anyway, as long as you make it clear that you're "very seriously considering the offer" and don't actually sign a contract until you've established your options, then I don't think you're doing anything wrong. It's difficult to word it, because you need to sound enthusiastic and decisive without actually making a committed decision.

Of course, if the job you've been offered is the best then I'd cancel the next interview and sign up right now! However, don't turn down a better opportunity just to be polite.

Good luck!!

I also got two offers at the same time of taking on my current job, though neither had an interview process thankfully - think I sent the one I turned down a letter and phoned ahead of it just to be certain

I was in a similar situation in Australia when I first arrived, and even ended up being offered two jobs on the same day.

At the end of the day a job is going to be where you spend the majority of your time and potentially build your career for the future. So although it may be harsh, sometimes you just have to be selfish in these situations and go with whatever suits you best.

Even if you're dead cert you want to take the job you've accepted then I'd advise going even if it's just for interview experience, it may come in useful in future.

What the others said.

If the other jobs look better, then go for the interviews.

The IoW, would you be moving there, or just travelling every day? Remember to take into account the cost of a season ticket into your calculations (if it isn't part of the package) and that on days where the seas are rough, you will either be late for work (the cats and hovercraft don't run when it is choppy) or you won't get to work at all (even the car ferries have their limits)...

Indeed! You're in a situation that most people would kill for at the moment.

Go to the other interviews, if you let on you've had another offer already they will have to impress you with what they can do for you as a company.

Good news Spreadie, keep on going if you’re on a roll you may end in a very positive position at the end of it all.

This is good news. Congratulations!

Congats

I've had this before. I had interviewed for and accepted a newly created position with my old employer (who had initially been reluctant to put me in the role). Then I was offered a "chat" by an old friend. I went for the the chat and was offered the job on the spot. I was honest with the new people about my situation and said I wanted to think about it. A day later, I accepted the new job and and had to let down my existing employer (new manager though). She was less than pleased at the time. In fact, very angry. But she got over it and understood in the end. At least I think she did...

Well done. They come in 3s like buses

Don't forget all job offers are not final until they have the references approved so like others have said until you sign on the dotted line it's not a done deal.

I had an agency try to stitch me up once. I did a weeks trial for a company but after that week I found the traveling was too much (2 hours both ways so 4 hours a day). They offered me the job at the end of the week but I turned in down. The agency said you have to take it. I said no it was a weeks trial so to me that means a weeks trial for both parties not one side. The agency were demanding money and all sorts. Luckily another agency who had offered me work helped get me out of it but just goes to show they try anything if they don't get the outcome they want!

C

Thanks for the replies all.

I fully intend to go to the other interviews. The IoW one interests me the most and, as I said, I have a good chance with that one. It's by no means a certainty, but I am intrigued. It pays considerably more than the others and would constitute a fresh start but, if successful, I have to consider moving expenses and cost of living etc..

I was wondering if I should mention the job offer in the interviews, and if it would help or hinder my chances. The fact that I have a job in the bag, but still made the effort to travel five hours for an interview, should at least give me a few points for willingness.

Cheers.