Stuck between two job offers?
 

Hey all,
I've had two interviews in two days and both jobs are from connections and are trying to help me out.
Anyway, the first job has really long hours and is close to my house and I gave them $12 as my salary requirement /hour. The hours are really bugging me because some days are 12 hours and it's a lot for me. i'd only take tihs job if it was a last resort for me, since I've been fed up from searching forever for a job.

The second job might give me less ( i really don't know how much), but it's in a comfy office and the hours are less and the place is 20 mins from my house but it's in a familiar place.

I'm more inclined for the second job. I was interviewed first in the first job so they have called me today and I really do not know what ot tell them because i'm waiting for a "yes" or "no" from the second job. I dont want to refuse the first job in case the second job does not work out. So, what should I do? Should I tell them to give me a few days to think, or what?
Any suggestions are very appreciated.

Who will give you the best benefits package? Or any benefits?

Sorry, did'nt read the whole thing carefully. You might ask for 48 or 36 hours and be up front that you are waiting on an answer from the other company. Sometimes it's amazing what a little honesty is worth. It lets them know up front that you are honest.

Yeesh...I'm sort of in the same situation. I think short of time travel, all you can really do is be honest and ask the first prospect to give you more time. A smart employer, unless desperate, would I think be interested in waiting since you are in some demand.

I'm taking that risk and we'll see how it works out. I'm also very interested to see what more experienced members have to say.

How long will it be until you will hear back from the second job? Benefits package aside, I'd encourage you to go for the second job if possible. If the potential for long hours annoys you already (and I know it would bug me), it's only gonna get worse once you start. Did you tell them both of your $12 minimum? Why do you think the other job might offer less?

Good luck, I've been through this job hunt thing many, many times myself.

I generally always tell them that I will give them my answer in 24 hours. I like to double check my emotions and go with facts. The facts won't change, my emotions will.

Sultana is exactly right on the "only going to get worse" part. I've worked shift and 12 hours is a long time to do anything. Your comment that some days are 12 hours long is a little worriesome. I would want to know exactly what they mean by that.

It's perfectly okay to tell the one that's offered you a job that you'll let them know in a couple days, and it would also be okay to tell them that you're waiting to hear from another job. They obviously want you to work for them, or they wouldn't have offered you the position in the first place. If they're a good company, they'll be willing to wait a couple days for you.

If you can stall 'em, do. But if not... it's a risk. It's a rough world out there right now, employment-wise. I'd be inclined to say, "A bird in the hand..."

Frankly -- if you haven't already -- it's time to ping the other job and tell them the truth: you really, really want this job, and another employer is making offers, and you can only hold them off so long. So... what's happening?

I agree with Rodney

Also it alway seems to me that it's easier to find a job if you already have one. So, take what you can get and use it as a stepping stone to something better in six months or so.

Good luck!

Thanks all for the advice.
Well, it turned out that the first job didn't need me b/c they want someone experienced:(

Well, anyway..the second job is offering $10 with no benefits, but it'll be my first time working, so I'll see how it goes since ther'e going to be a "testing" period. Maybe then, i'll move to bigger and better things (I hope:| ).

The problem is that no one wants to hire people with no experience nowadays and i'm sick of searching for months and months and never getting any answers).
Thanks all.

If you can keep this job for six months, suddenly you have some experience.

At that point in time, you can start looking for another job.

Early in my career, when up for any kind of review that gave me a bump in salary, I would also look for another job.

I pitted current job raise with new potential job offer increase. I matched duties as best as I could and also looked for new jobs that would give me yet one more skill to add and work on.

After 2 years, I had gotten much more experience than all my friends, plus I made more money because I didn't stay to get the $.25/hr raise. When my friends were making $3.85/hr ($3.35 min wage back then) I was already at $6/hr.

Good luck!

Entry level jobs exist for a reason and they're in every field you care to find. You can't get the high-paying jobs until you've earned your way with the starting positions first.

I'd say take the $10/hour for now. It's not a lot of money, but it ought to be enough to survive on if you're frugal. You may have to give up some amenities (depending on where you are, whether you live with your parents, etc). You may even have to take on a roommate. But if you get into it and stay with it, you can build up the experience necessary to make the big bucks.

You have to start somewhere - the key is to start...

A probationary period is pretty much the norm in any job, where the company determiines whether you are right for the job, it's also a chance for you todecide whether the job is right for you... Many times that probationary period is 3 months.. sometimes longer...

Once you have experience, you can then move on from there... but without it you are just going to sit and twiddle your thumbs...

Congratulations! While you are there learn everything you can. Don't think that your only benefit is your paycheck, it is a place to aquire knowledge and experience. No matter what it is, bust your but for them and keep doing it. It may not pay off soon but you will get noticed. It's also a great habit to develop.

Eight people work for me and I know who is trying that extra bit and who isn't. You can bet that it matters come performance appraisal time!

I just hired three new hands. They all beat out some older employees for this job because they knew how to do things and showed initiative.

Good luck!

Thanks, rockogre, aberkok, sultana, cynthetiq, calilivchick, rodney, cookmo, martian, maleficent! You guys are great!! Thanks for the congrats!
I'll stay with this job and see how I can handle it.
Good luck with all of you and your jobs.