What to do about job offer with another interview coming up?

[Anonymous]

Here's the deal- I'm leaving my current position because I won't be needed consistently for the hours I'm looking for. I went on an interview that's 12-5pm every day, guaranteed pay every week whether or not they need me, good pay, and the kids and, most importantly, the parents seem awesome. They have said they want me, and it's just dependent on my reference, which I'll be giving them tonight. My issue is, they asked if I was going on any other interviews and I told the truth and said, yes, just one this coming Saturday. They said they hope we'll have everything done so I won't need to go on this interview. So this is the thing: the other job is even more perfect schedule wise- 3 days a week from 8-6, and 2 days off. That would be amazing, the pay is $1/hour less than this one, but it's a few more hours a week and 2 of the 10 hrs each day would be overtime. It's more just having a better schedule though. I have no idea if it's guaranteed hours or anything like that, but I would definitely ask.

So I'm concerned what I should say to this family when (or I guess, if, since it's never a 100% sure thing) they call and offer the job before Saturday. I was thinking saying "I'm really excited about the opportunity to work with your kids, but I'd like some time to talk to my husband and make sure this is the best thing for me. Can I think about it and get back to you on Sunday?" And if they need an answer sooner...idk!

I REALLY like this family and it seems perfect other than schedule-wise. I like to volunteer on my time off from work, and it's much easier to do on 2 full days than just some time in the morning every day. If I get offered the other position, I guess I'll have to decide then, but my major concern is just what to tell the parents if they offer before I get to go on the interview (I would ask for an earlier interview, but the mom told me last weekend that she wasn't able to during the week)

[Anonymous]

Forgot to mention that the upcoming interview is with a family who just hired a nanny a few weeks ago (older lady) and said she's not really working out, and they think she seems overwhelmed with the kids. I guess a potential problem with this is, it seems like the chances of letting her go and taking me on could be less than a family whose nanny is leaving on her own accord. Anyway, just thought I'd see what people thought!

[Anonymous]

I'm a little confused about getting OT pay for two of your ten hours each day with the other family; since you won't be getting over 40 hours per week I didn't think you were entitled to OT (regardless of working over 8 hours in the day)? Maybe I'm wrong, but you might want to make extra sure that family is planning on paying six hours per week (out of 30 hours total) at an OT rate?

Getting back to your question, you've already been honest, so you should continue to be. Tell them you've enjoying meeting them and are sincerely excited for the opportunity to work with them, but you've also promised to interview with the other family, and you intend to do so, and then, after Saturday, you can make an informed decision which family will be the best fit for you.

If you do tell them that, you should also be prepared for the fact that they might offer the job to someone else. I don't think you should say you need to talk it over with your husband and let them know Sunday, because they KNOW you have another interview Saturday, and they will know you are stalling for that reason, and it might make you seem disingenuous.

The only other option I see is to tell them you accept the offer, and then if you get an offer from the other family you like better, tell the first family you're sorry but you've changed your mind. As long as it still leaves them with a few weeks to find someone else, and you haven't signed a contract yet, that shouldn't be a huge deal.

Another thing you don't seem to have considered is: what if you tell this family "I'll get back to you Sunday," then you meet the other family and they are AMAZING. You might have to wait until Monday or even Tuesday (or later?) before you can reasonably expect the family you meet Saturday to check your references and offer you the position. What will you say to this first family on Sunday if you've already made them wait several days for your response, and you find yourself stalling to wait for an offer from the Saturday interview family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a little confused about getting OT pay for two of your ten hours each day with the other family; since you won't be getting over 40 hours per week I didn't think you were entitled to OT (regardless of working over 8 hours in the day)? Maybe I'm wrong, but you might want to make extra sure that family is planning on paying six hours per week (out of 30 hours total) at an OT rate?

Getting back to your question, you've already been honest, so you should continue to be. Tell them you've enjoying meeting them and are sincerely excited for the opportunity to work with them, but you've also promised to interview with the other family, and you intend to do so, and then, after Saturday, you can make an informed decision which family will be the best fit for you.

If you do tell them that, you should also be prepared for the fact that they might offer the job to someone else. I don't think you should say you need to talk it over with your husband and let them know Sunday, because they KNOW you have another interview Saturday, and they will know you are stalling for that reason, and it might make you seem disingenuous.

The only other option I see is to tell them you accept the offer, and then if you get an offer from the other family you like better, tell the first family you're sorry but you've changed your mind. As long as it still leaves them with a few weeks to find someone else, and you haven't signed a contract yet, that shouldn't be a huge deal.

Another thing you don't seem to have considered is: what if you tell this family "I'll get back to you Sunday," then you meet the other family and they are AMAZING. You might have to wait until Monday or even Tuesday (or later?) before you can reasonably expect the family you meet Saturday to check your references and offer you the position. What will you say to this first family on Sunday if you've already made them wait several days for your response, and you find yourself stalling to wait for an offer from the Saturday interview family?

I'm in California and law is anything over 8 hours in a day is paid overtime. The second family already said it would be paid overtime.
I really appreciate your response and thanks for bringing up that point: I was actually thinking the same, that they would know I was just stalling. So thank you for bringing that to my attention again- I'll probably go with what you said. I am really hoping they don't pull the offer, but I know it's possible. I really like them! Also I couldn't accept and then leave for another family! I'd hate that to be done to me, so I really wouldn't do it to anyone else.
Thanks for your thoughts!

[Anonymous]

You need to do what is right for you + and in your best interest.

Personally, I think it is rude of the family mentioned to try to deter you from going on your other interview on Saturday. Any considerate family would allow you to keep your commitments even if they are a conflict of interest.

Red flag there.

I say go on your Saturday interview before making a decision. If this family wants a definitive answer before Saturday, then they will just have to wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to do what is right for you + and in your best interest.

Personally, I think it is rude of the family mentioned to try to deter you from going on your other interview on Saturday. Any considerate family would allow you to keep your commitments even if they are a conflict of interest.

Red flag there.

I say go on your Saturday interview before making a decision. If this family wants a definitive answer before Saturday, then they will just have to wait.

I emailed the mom and basically said what was said earlier, and she was totally ok with it. She was super nice. I think the dad was just wanting to make it easier on me too actually- to offer me the job before needing to go on any other interviews), and also excited to not need to keep looking But they now know what the deal is and I'm not worried about it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to do what is right for you + and in your best interest.

Personally, I think it is rude of the family mentioned to try to deter you from going on your other interview on Saturday. Any considerate family would allow you to keep your commitments even if they are a conflict of interest.

Red flag there.

I say go on your Saturday interview before making a decision. If this family wants a definitive answer before Saturday, then they will just have to wait.

I emailed the mom and basically said what was said earlier, and she was totally ok with it. She was super nice. I think the dad was just wanting to make it easier on me too actually- to offer me the job before needing to go on any other interviews), and also excited to not need to keep looking But they now know what the deal is and I'm not worried about it

Good for you, I am glad. You made some excellent points here.

This family sounds like they were being extremely practical. Good luck to you OP!