Post: #1

I was contacted a week ago Tuesday by a Dell Talent Recruiter for a position as a tech writer working closely with product engineers. I would write manuals for end users and Tier One support. It's a good opportunity and would pay a lot more than my current job. We spoke for about a half-hour, we went over basic job duties and expected compensation and she said I would have a phone interview with Rick, one of the product engineers.

Next day I had a half-hour phone interview with him. It went well and he arranged for me to come in on Friday for an on-site interview. The first half-hour was with Rick and Larry, another product engineer. They even brought in a third person that I didn't know was going to be there. The questions weren't too hard and I didn't get stumped and I know I interviewed well, but of course they are not going to show their cards. The last half-hour I interviewed alone over conference phone with Bonnie, the head of their technical writing department. Towards the end of the interview she says "I'm going to be honest with you, I think you're a really strong candidate and a great fit, and I"m going to go ahead and recommend to Rick and Larry that you would be a good fit for the job. If you don't hear from us for 2 or 3 days, it's bc Dell is a big company and there is a lot of red tape to go through, but like I said, I'm going to go ahead and make that recommendation to them that you'd be a very good fit for the position." She also mentioned that they need to fill this position sooner rather than later, and she also said two spots are open. So I would only have to be their second-strongest candidate, not their first choice.

Rick then walked me out and said "Okay, the next step is Bonnie, Larry and I will confer amongst ourselves, and if you don't hear anything from us this afternoon, then you will Monday morning at the latest, be it we want to move forward with you, we decide to go in a different direction, or we want you to come back and talk to some more people." I thanked him for his time and consideration and then that afternoon sent a follow-up thank you email to the Talent Recruiter since I have no way of contacting them directly.

Some of my friends said if she went last then she is either higher in their organizational hierarchy or at least has more influence over this particular hiring decision. I would think if I'm no longer in the running then they would have notified me? There's no red tape or bureaucracy to instruct the talent recruiter to send me a courtesy email to inform me I'm no longer under consideration? He told me I would hear something definitely by Monday morning and it's already Monday afternoon. How long before I follow up with the talent recruiter?

Post: #2

Just email them asking how are things going. They said monday they'd let you know so you have a right to email them. Most recruiters will tell you what's happening. Big companies are just fucking slow so dont take it personally. It took 3 months for a big company to renew my contract through my consulting firm even though I worked for them before and they wanted to rehire me.

Post: #3

(07-15-2013 07:28 PM)cibo Wrote:  Just email them asking how are things going. They said monday they'd let you know so you have a right to email them. Most recruiters will tell you what's happening. Big companies are just fucking slow so dont take it personally. It took 3 months for a big company to renew my contract through my consulting firm even though I worked for them before and they wanted to rehire me.

I have another offer from a firm that I've already accepted and I tentatively start August 1st, but this is the job I really want. Would it be crass or a mistake to contact them later in the week if I still haven't heard them and say "I really want to come work for Dell and this is my first choice, but I have another offer and I will need to give them an answer soon?" Or would that backfire?

Post: #4

(07-15-2013 08:09 PM)DetlefMourning Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 07:28 PM)cibo Wrote:  Just email them asking how are things going. They said monday they'd let you know so you have a right to email them. Most recruiters will tell you what's happening. Big companies are just fucking slow so dont take it personally. It took 3 months for a big company to renew my contract through my consulting firm even though I worked for them before and they wanted to rehire me.

I have another offer from a firm that I've already accepted and I tentatively start August 1st, but this is the job I really want. Would it be crass or a mistake to contact them later in the week if I still haven't heard them and say "I really want to come work for Dell and this is my first choice, but I have another offer and I will need to give them an answer soon?" Or would that backfire?

You seem to think that emailing people and making them do their job is wrong. Change that perception, People are flaky. If you've ever worked a job, no one gets back to you when they say will and you have to follow up all the time.

Also don't be afraid to reign on a offer. Companies will lay you off before you even start the job if the economics changes. Return the favor and be as similarly willing to go for the better offer.

As for dropping the line about having offers. Game basics 101, look the part. A person who has value will have others chasing him. I talk about having other offers all the time when interviewing. If anything, it shows you're wanted. Think about it, a hot guy will have other girls so should a good candidate. They will then ask " Why dont you go with the other firm?" as a classic shit test. Give them some BS reason why you want Dell or why not the other company.

I'm moving back to LA so I've been doing interviews. I just dropped a line that I had interest from other firms (which is true) but this company was the one I was most interested in. They just responded "we'll definitely get back to you soon since we're interested." All firms end up moving faster when you have an offer and will cut out the bullshit.

Post: #5

(07-15-2013 08:09 PM)DetlefMourning Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 07:28 PM)cibo Wrote:  Just email them asking how are things going. They said monday they'd let you know so you have a right to email them. Most recruiters will tell you what's happening. Big companies are just fucking slow so dont take it personally. It took 3 months for a big company to renew my contract through my consulting firm even though I worked for them before and they wanted to rehire me.

I have another offer from a firm that I've already accepted and I tentatively start August 1st, but this is the job I really want. Would it be crass or a mistake to contact them later in the week if I still haven't heard them and say "I really want to come work for Dell and this is my first choice, but I have another offer and I will need to give them an answer soon?" Or would that backfire?

Like the old proverb goes: "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." If you have a firm offer, take it; don't pass on a firm offer for an offer that you don't have. I get that you really like Dell but what is there not to like about the company that gave you a firm offer? (Don't answer that question for me, answer it for yourself)

Lastly, in this day and age you have to remember something that is absolutely critical: you can always change your mind after accepting the firm offer you have if Dell comes back with an offer. In fact, it would be to your benefit to take the offer and then use it as leverage if Dell offers you the job. Corporations have no loyalty to employees, only shareholders, so if you change your mind after you accept an offer because you have a better offer, there is no problem in doing that. That's business my friend. Corporations drop people at the drop of a hat and so should you.

Post: #6

(07-15-2013 11:24 PM)jakester318 Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 08:09 PM)DetlefMourning Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 07:28 PM)cibo Wrote:  Just email them asking how are things going. They said monday they'd let you know so you have a right to email them. Most recruiters will tell you what's happening. Big companies are just fucking slow so dont take it personally. It took 3 months for a big company to renew my contract through my consulting firm even though I worked for them before and they wanted to rehire me.

I have another offer from a firm that I've already accepted and I tentatively start August 1st, but this is the job I really want. Would it be crass or a mistake to contact them later in the week if I still haven't heard them and say "I really want to come work for Dell and this is my first choice, but I have another offer and I will need to give them an answer soon?" Or would that backfire?

Like the old proverb goes: "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." If you have a firm offer, take it; don't pass on a firm offer for an offer that you don't have. I get that you really like Dell but what is there not to like about the company that gave you a firm offer? (Don't answer that question for me, answer it for yourself)

Lastly, in this day and age you have to remember something that is absolutely critical: you can always change your mind after accepting the firm offer you have if Dell comes back with an offer. In fact, it would be to your benefit to take the offer and then use it as leverage if Dell offers you the job. Corporations have no loyalty to employees, only shareholders, so if you change your mind after you accept an offer because you have a better offer, there is no problem in doing that. That's business my friend. Corporations drop people at the drop of a hat and so should you.

I've already accepted the other offer. The Dell job is for a lot more money, in a field I'd rather be in, and there is opportunity for advancement. But I went ahead and took the other offer so I have it as a safety and won't be unemployed.

Post: #7

(07-15-2013 08:54 PM)cibo Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 08:09 PM)DetlefMourning Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 07:28 PM)cibo Wrote:  Just email them asking how are things going. They said monday they'd let you know so you have a right to email them. Most recruiters will tell you what's happening. Big companies are just fucking slow so dont take it personally. It took 3 months for a big company to renew my contract through my consulting firm even though I worked for them before and they wanted to rehire me.

I have another offer from a firm that I've already accepted and I tentatively start August 1st, but this is the job I really want. Would it be crass or a mistake to contact them later in the week if I still haven't heard them and say "I really want to come work for Dell and this is my first choice, but I have another offer and I will need to give them an answer soon?" Or would that backfire?

You seem to think that emailing people and making them do their job is wrong. Change that perception, People are flaky. If you've ever worked a job, no one gets back to you when they say will and you have to follow up all the time.

Seconded.

If you want to be polite, just email saying that you are keeping in touch and that you would like an update before assuming that the job offer is withdrawn.