If you’re ever in a position to be interviewing with multiple job opportunities simultaneously, then you may think landing a job will be easy. Problem is too many choices, not enough information and pressure from different directions can cause emotion to cloud your judgment. Here’s an effective outline for managing multiple job opportunities that will preserve your sanity & integrity.
First, rank all the opportunities in order of preference, based on pros and cons of each. As you gather more data or have more rounds of interviews, adjust your ranking. This will help you focus on your top two or three companies and make it easier to discard the companies that aren’t right for you.
Next, set expectations for recruiters and interviewers. Let them know you are very interested in the job but that you have deadlines that are out of your control. Giving them this courtesy will save your integrity by not blindsiding them with an unexpected offer turn down. It’s fair to let them know how far you are in the process with other opportunities.
At the same time, we recommend working close with your point of contact to gather as much info as you can, as soon as you can. For each opportunity, list all the questions that are important to you such as responsibilities, upcoming projects, equity and benefits. Your goal is to have all your questions answered before the end of the interview process.
As you approach the final interview stage, having a viable second choice can alleviate any potential disappointment. Think of it more as option A and option A prime. Having a backup plan will ease the blow of not landing the one at the top of your list.
Until you accept an offer, it’s ok to keep the funnel full, meaning continue to pursue new opportunities through various channels. Starting a new job search from scratch if you don’t receive an offer can set you behind, especially if you’re unemployed.
Finally, remember this is your decision. Don’t allow yourself be pressured by a headhunter or the employer. As long as you’re honest and ask all your important questions during the process, their effort should not outweigh if the job is right for you. The other side of that coin however is that they will expect an answer after making an offer. If you’ve been thorough throughout the process, then you should be able capable of making a decision when the offer comes. Remember you are still being judged on your decision making skills.
By staying organized with an action plan, you can take emotion out of pursuing multiple job opportunities and set the stage a logical business decision.