Not quite sure what to do here
Hi all, I got an interview for a temporary position. I applied on Tuesday, got called late Tuesday and they had me come in on Wednesday. Waited 45 minutes ( my appointment was at 4:30, they did not interview me until 5:15) and the interview was all of 10 minutes. Long and short- job pays $12 an hour, should last 3 months. Job is open due to restructuring as they look for a controller, and cost accountant. I received an offer this AM, have not yet called them back because I had a call for an interview for a permanent position, and I called and left a message for that person, but have not heard back yet. I did not get a good feeling about the temp job- basically the HR person and the CFO communicated a slightly different job, and I told them I was looking for 25 hours, they want to kick it up to 35. I want the reduced hours so that I can continue to go on interviews, because in 3 months, I would be back on the street. This temp job would involve matching AP, collection calls and covering the receptionist's morning break, lunch and afternoon break. So, they would want me to stay until 3 or 3:30. My prize is the permanent position. I just applied for the permanent position last week, and they have responded fairly quickly, but not so quickly to make me wonder if there is something wrong. I guess my real concern is that since they had me wait for 45 minutes to interview, that they do not respect my time, and what if I take this and miss out on a permanent position. I am not desperate yet, and I have had a few opportunities come in, just on the wrong side of town ( 35 miles away one way). I am an experienced accountant, with a CPA license. Just wondering what others would do. I am thinking of calling the company with the temp job and telling them I am waiting to hear back on a permanent position, that I don't want to leave them in a lurch. Your first impressions and your gut feelings should never be ignored. If you felt uncomfortable or had a bad vibe from the interviewers or the atmosphere, you really need to take that into consideration. I have heard of more than one person who didn't feel comfortable in the interview, accepted the job and then regretted their decision because the job was not what they were led to believe. Do you really want to feel uncomfortable for the next three months? What you might be able to do is contact the company with the temp job and offer a negotiation with hours. You wanted 25, they offered 35, counter with 30 hours. State that you can come in at 10:00 and work until 3:30 on Monday thru Thursday and 9:30 until 5:00 on Friday. (Actually, I think that is only 29 hours). But maybe all day on Friday from 8:30 until 5:00. Those hours will allow you to go to interviews between 8:00 and 9:15 and 4:00 and 5:00. Premiium interview times in my opinion. And I have never met a person who really likes Friday interviews because if it goes bad it spoils the weekend. Did you tell the interviewers at the temp company that you wanted only a certain amount of hours because of interviews, etc? If not, then don't tell them that you don't want to give them an answer because of a possible permanent position. They may tell you never mind and then you would be out that position and you may not hear back from the permanent one at all. (Yes, I know, this is a cheery paragraph)
Update I called the company with the temp position,and explained the situation. So, we will see what happens. At least I know I was honest about the situation and my gut feel says to keep on moving on. The temp job would have hours of 8 to 3 with an hour for lunch, but I have a feeling that something else is going to come along, if I keep on keeping on.
Hi Kelly, Thanks for the advise! Actually, this a temp job being directly offered by the hiring company- no staffing company involved, which is what made it interesting. I definitely don't want to be uncomfortable for the next three months- and that assumes it lasts that long! I just got out of a situation where a job was not what I was lead to believe and then I was offered a temp to perm, and took it, only to have the job canceled after one week, so I want to take the time to make the right decsions. I am at peace if the company with the temp job decides to move on. My gut feeling very strongly is telling me to keep moving. I know I have good skills, and that I just need to find the right fit. I am really not that picky- just looking for something reasonably stable, and reasonably close to home- within 12 miles or so one way. I was just told the hours would be 8 -3 with an hour for lunch. The hours are the way they are because they need someone to backup the receptionist with the phones. I guess basically, the gut feeling is what is really making me question this, because logically, they aren't bad and they did switch to 30 hours a week. | |
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