Here is the deal...I interviewed with a couple of firms over spring break. Both of the interviews went very well and both expressed interest in hiring me. However, one firm was very definite (they were like we can talk offers when you are ready) and on firm was like "we would like to hire you...but we need immediate help and you dont graduate until like the end of June." Both firms are great but that is about all that they have in common.
Well...one firm just made me an offer. Its a pretty good deal, but I still want to know if the other firm is still considering me. What kind of message should I send to them letting them know what I have an offer but I want to know if they would extend one too? In the long run I would like to do the kind of work that the this firm is doing, but I know a good deal when I see one and I can't afford to pass up on the other firm unless I have something else lined up. I suppose I could always move firms after a couple of years but you never know what could happen between now and then.
I'd talk to the firm that didn't offer you a position yet, and say something like, "I'm very interested in working with you, but I've received an offer from another firm, and I'm wondering if will commit to offering me a position as well.." (not the best wording, but something like that..) and they can say, well we like you but we're not ready to hire, or we need someone right now, but if we can't find anyone we'll hire you when you're available, or yes, we'd like to offer you... so you get some kind of feedback..
Depending on where you live and your financial status, it might be okay to wait. There seem to be a lot of open positions right now, so if the second option is vastly more appealling, I might wait. It's just something you'll have to decide for yourself. A year ago, I would have agreed with betadinesutures but now I think you have more flexibility in the job market.. Nothing sucks more than working at a job you really dislike.
i would probably agree with pencrush, talk to the firm you really want to work for, but you probably need to respond in someway to the other firm pretty soon. don't forget that if you have time to let someone else we both know make the decision for you.
I know things are very busy these days, many firms are hiring locally, and our firm would likely take a chance on someone with little/no experience right now - as long as they are local (we'd be unlikely to interview someone with no experience if they aren't already living within commuting distance of us) AND they are willing to accept a pay rate that is at the low end of the normal range for this region (which only seems fair considering that they'd be gaining the all-valuable first experience while we'd be spending much of our own time on the non-billable task of training them.)
But the issue of waiting for students whose semesters haven't ended yet is a bit of a problem for many firms right now. We have many, many resumes from students who will be available at the end of May or in June. Meanwhile we and the firms around us are swamped with work and really scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for people for April and May.
The situation with the firm at which you interviewed is probably that they're still clinging to hope of finding someone for these next 6 to 8 weeks before you'd be available. If they do find someone then they probably will not still have an opening for you. (In our case, while we've gotten better resumes from students who aren't available now, we feel we must find someone for April, and if we do find someone we simply don't have the space and equipment for that person plus a summer student intern.) Most likely if this firm doesn't find someone within the next 3 weeks or so they'll give up that plan and figure that they'll wait it out until the students get out of school, but they may not be willing to jump to that conclusion quite yet (I know we're not.)
If you need to go with the sure thing then take the offer on the table. If you're willing to wait awhile (possibly a month or more) for a decision from the other firm then stick it out - but be prepared for a negative outcome from them.
@aaronUF I think if a firm is busy, they'll take all levels of people. I know my firm is looking to hire people at all levels. Even if you're just out school, you can build models, pick up redlines, and help with other production/presentation stuff.
thanks for all the responses. I have a little over 2 years worth of firm experience, and I am graduating with a M.Arch II degree. I would disagree with J about the other firm not being interested in me-I think its more like what Bloobox said...the other firm is much smaller and than the one that gave me the offer.
Im not asking anyone on the board to make a decision for me...I just want advice as to how to to phrase this letter I'm about to send out. Im perfectly happy working at either firm-but the other firm is my preferred choice because of the type of work that they do. i'm all ready to take this offer that I have, but what I don't want is for this other firm to call me up in 3 weeks and offer a job that i can't take. I know that I will probably want to experience another office in a few years and i may end up interviewing at this place again-I don't want them to remember me in a negative way.
Apr 16, 05 11:08 pm ·
·
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.
Job offer situation...
Here is the deal...I interviewed with a couple of firms over spring break. Both of the interviews went very well and both expressed interest in hiring me. However, one firm was very definite (they were like we can talk offers when you are ready) and on firm was like "we would like to hire you...but we need immediate help and you dont graduate until like the end of June." Both firms are great but that is about all that they have in common.
Well...one firm just made me an offer. Its a pretty good deal, but I still want to know if the other firm is still considering me. What kind of message should I send to them letting them know what I have an offer but I want to know if they would extend one too? In the long run I would like to do the kind of work that the this firm is doing, but I know a good deal when I see one and I can't afford to pass up on the other firm unless I have something else lined up. I suppose I could always move firms after a couple of years but you never know what could happen between now and then.
offer in hand? i'd take it.
I'd talk to the firm that didn't offer you a position yet, and say something like, "I'm very interested in working with you, but I've received an offer from another firm, and I'm wondering if will commit to offering me a position as well.." (not the best wording, but something like that..) and they can say, well we like you but we're not ready to hire, or we need someone right now, but if we can't find anyone we'll hire you when you're available, or yes, we'd like to offer you... so you get some kind of feedback..
Depending on where you live and your financial status, it might be okay to wait. There seem to be a lot of open positions right now, so if the second option is vastly more appealling, I might wait. It's just something you'll have to decide for yourself. A year ago, I would have agreed with betadinesutures but now I think you have more flexibility in the job market.. Nothing sucks more than working at a job you really dislike.
i would probably agree with pencrush, talk to the firm you really want to work for, but you probably need to respond in someway to the other firm pretty soon. don't forget that if you have time to let someone else we both know make the decision for you.
"There seem to be a lot of open positions right now"
do you think this applies to new graduates with little/no experience?
I know things are very busy these days, many firms are hiring locally, and our firm would likely take a chance on someone with little/no experience right now - as long as they are local (we'd be unlikely to interview someone with no experience if they aren't already living within commuting distance of us) AND they are willing to accept a pay rate that is at the low end of the normal range for this region (which only seems fair considering that they'd be gaining the all-valuable first experience while we'd be spending much of our own time on the non-billable task of training them.)
But the issue of waiting for students whose semesters haven't ended yet is a bit of a problem for many firms right now. We have many, many resumes from students who will be available at the end of May or in June. Meanwhile we and the firms around us are swamped with work and really scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for people for April and May.
The situation with the firm at which you interviewed is probably that they're still clinging to hope of finding someone for these next 6 to 8 weeks before you'd be available. If they do find someone then they probably will not still have an opening for you. (In our case, while we've gotten better resumes from students who aren't available now, we feel we must find someone for April, and if we do find someone we simply don't have the space and equipment for that person plus a summer student intern.) Most likely if this firm doesn't find someone within the next 3 weeks or so they'll give up that plan and figure that they'll wait it out until the students get out of school, but they may not be willing to jump to that conclusion quite yet (I know we're not.)
If you need to go with the sure thing then take the offer on the table. If you're willing to wait awhile (possibly a month or more) for a decision from the other firm then stick it out - but be prepared for a negative outcome from them.
@aaronUF I think if a firm is busy, they'll take all levels of people. I know my firm is looking to hire people at all levels. Even if you're just out school, you can build models, pick up redlines, and help with other production/presentation stuff.
thanks for all the responses. I have a little over 2 years worth of firm experience, and I am graduating with a M.Arch II degree. I would disagree with J about the other firm not being interested in me-I think its more like what Bloobox said...the other firm is much smaller and than the one that gave me the offer.
Im not asking anyone on the board to make a decision for me...I just want advice as to how to to phrase this letter I'm about to send out. Im perfectly happy working at either firm-but the other firm is my preferred choice because of the type of work that they do. i'm all ready to take this offer that I have, but what I don't want is for this other firm to call me up in 3 weeks and offer a job that i can't take. I know that I will probably want to experience another office in a few years and i may end up interviewing at this place again-I don't want them to remember me in a negative way.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.