I interviewed with a company that I really really liked a few weeks ago.  After writing a thank you note the next day, i received an immediate response saying that they wanted to move forward.  i sent some writing samples that they wanted but now I haven' t heard back.  I called a few times but the person I interviewed with was traveling and then in a meeting.  his secretary said she would let him know that I called and have him call me back but I never received a call. I finally sent him an email last week and he told me that they are interviewing a few more candidates and that they should know in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, I just had another interview yesterday and was basically told I have the job.  This job isn' t nearly as great and not really in the field I want to be in career-wise.  But I' ve been job hunting for 3 months now, i need medical insurance (which this job provides), and I am basically sick of working 3 part time jobs trying to get by.

I just want a response from the first company though to know whether or not I should hold out for that opportunity.  I just don' t know how to go about it and what to say and whether I even should ask or if I should keep waiting.  I really don' t like the idea of having to quit with the second company as soon as something better comes along but I' m getting desperate for reliable work and benefits so I need to do something.