I did something I now regret - job related...

[buffygirl]

Ugh, I'm dreading tomorrow. I'm fortunate to be in an industry and a town that is booming. I love my job, have been there for over 5 years, love the owners of my company, love the people I work with, have had nice promotions, etc.

Then Why, oh why, did I say yes when a recruiter called me for a position with another company???:( I'm now dreading this stupid interview. I was lured by the title (the role I'm hopefully working myself into with my current company) and the $$ (about 30% more than I'm making now). Oy.

I work for an industry leader and the company I'm going to interview with is dead dog last in our industry.

Why did I get myself into this???:confused: What was I thinking?

My DH reminds me that the interview is what I make of it. It could be a great fact finding mission about a competitor and help me determine "what I'm worth" in our marketplace. Ugh, I've got a stomach ache.

Kim

[Grace]

I would NEVER go to an interview that I dreaded that much! I would just call in the morning (or even tonight and leave a message!!) and tell them thank you, but upon further reflection, I find that I'm not interested afterall. And let that be that. They want YOU. Not the other way around. You don't have to worry about "burning bridges" (if indeed that is what you're worried about). If you should ever change your mind and decide you want to interview with them, being DEAD DOG LAST means they will be begging for you and will do back flips to get you to come to an interview, not be mad that you cancelled out on the last one. And rereading your post, you have an interview with a recruiter, which sounds like an agency person, not someone who is actually with the company? Even LESS to worry about!

So cancel. Be happy. Sleep well. Don't dread. :)

[Robyn1007]

Or go, see if you get an offer and then use it as a bargaining chip for more money with your current company. :p Either way, don't stress about it.

[wallycat]

Consider it practice.
Interviewing is work and here is your chance to test the waters after being comfortable for 5 years.
Even if they offer you the job, you do not have to take it.
Interview, learn and then decide.

[mst]

Sometimes it is good just to see what is out there. Just because you interview, does not mean that you have to take the job. Plus, it is always good to learn more, and practice interviewing.

I would not cancel the interview. Even though this company may not be in a company that you want, that manager could change jobs and be someone that you are interested in impressing in the future. Same with the recruiter. They might come upon another job that would interest you more.

Just go knowing that you are collecting information, you are not committed to leaving your job. If your current workplace finds out, just tell them that you were just interested in hearing what they had to say. There are a lot more steps (like references) before an offer. If they ask you for references, just tell them that you would rather give them later when you are sure that this job is a good fit for you.

[buffygirl]

Thanks for listening...I am interviewing with the president of the company and the VP of sales from Dallas. Both are flying in for the interview process. Presumably they have other interviews set up, not just me, but I would feel bad if I cancelled. Not about them, but about me. I'm big on keeping my word.

And it wouldn't be bad to have a bargaining chip.:p Robyn, we think too much alike.

I'll let you all know how it goes. I really have no intention of leaving my current job, but do have a goals meeting with our owner on Thursday that should be interesting.

Thanks again...
Kim

[Grace]

I didn't realize you wanted to be talked into going.

As much as I am big on keeping my word too, I'm also big on not wasting other people's time. If I KNOW I'm not interested in the job, then really, it's wasting the President of the company's time giving him the idea that you are even remotely interested. I'm sure his time is valuable and what a waste to spend an hour with someone who is a definite no.

Obviously, do what you want, but if I were having a stomachache and dreading the next day as you said you were, I wouldn't feel badly at all about canceling. I would feel good about it actually.

Editing to add, although I will agree that practice is always good, and fact finding is good too, but it sounded to me like you already knew all about this company anyway and didn't like them. So that's why I didn't take that into consideration. And editing to add more, the kind of dread you said you were feeling is something I never ignore. That's your inner voice talking to you. I have learned not to ignore that. Butterflies and nerves are one thing, dread, stomach aches and big regret are something else.

[DmOrtega]

Then Why, oh why, did I say yes when a recruiter called me for a position with another company???:( I'm now dreading this stupid interview. I was lured by the title (the role I'm hopefully working myself into with my current company) and the $$ (about 30% more than I'm making now). Oy.

Whether you want to admit it or not, you are curious. Why would you turn your head and not listen to your heart? You should keep up on watching what is available, if you don't then you will miss the opportunity to advance in your career. Whether it is within your current place of work or not. Keep up with what is happening and you will know that you are where you need to be. Don't be afraid to move forward.

[CompassRose]

There are several people I know at work (the more driven, career-oriented ones) who apply and interview for other positions regularly, and quite openly. They all treat it as part of keeping fresh, keen and current. (The ones in management also talk of it as interview training.)

I don't think most of them have any intention of leaving our organisation, or the public sector, unless they get a really irresistible offer, but yes, they're out there in the marketplace all the time.

Now me, I hate interviews, and would rather buy myself an Iron Maiden for the bedroom and lock myself in it for an hour a night -- but then again, I'm also at a dead end in my day job and have very little interest or ambition to change that. But if I had half a brain, I SHOULD. I say go to the interview, consider it "window shopping" with no obligation to buy, learn and enjoy.

[donleyk]

I'm in the camp that you always need to be interviewing. No one says you have to take the job.

[KristiB]

Or go, see if you get an offer and then use it as a bargaining chip for more money with your current company. :p Either way, don't stress about it.

I did that and ended up with a raise :)

[buffygirl]

I just wanted to report back that I went on the interview and am really glad that I did. I met with the CEO and the CFO of the company and went away actually considering the position. I'm shocked that I came around, if that makes sense at all. I think I would be an excellent fit and a much needed shot in the arm to basically re-build the reputation of the company. We all agreed that we had some thinking to do, they have other candidates, I need to figure out if I want a position that is as entreprenuerial (sp?) as this one is.

I have a goals meeting tomorrow with my boss which should be interesting. If nothing else, the timing of everything has reminded me of my value, something I forget from time to time.:rolleyes:

Thanks for listening, giving advice and challenging me! I appreciate all of your posts!

Kim

[misskitty100]

Good for you!!:)