Post: #1

Would you take a job with a company if you knew you weren't the hiring manager's top choice? For example, you were the 2nd or 3rd choice, and the job is offered to you because the first two candidates rejected their respective offers.

I have always rejected job offers where I knew for certain that I wasn't the top choice candidate. While this may seem limiting, I have had job offers on the same day of the interview. In one case that I knew of, they cancelled the other candidates' interviews.

People (friends, recruiters) think I am crazy for thinking this way. So I thought I would ask for a reality check with other professionals on this topic. If you have any personal examples or anecdotes, please share. Thanks.

Post: #2

It depends a lot on how important your job is to you, your lifestyle and values.

Would you sleep with a girl knowing you are not her 1st choice? Probably, if she is not your 1st choice either / just a ONS.

I personally only see my job as a means to an end. I go to work, get shit done, and leave on time. I dont do a bad nor exceptional job. It pays the bills and afford me the best lifestyle that I can afford for the moment. Not to mention other administrative benefits. However I'm in France where employee got a lot of benefits.

If the job is sacred to you and you plan to build/create something out of it then yeah I would say dont be an option. It's like choosing a LTR, she needs to be your 1st choice and you her.

If you play it well there's a lot of benefits in keeping a job that is stable, easy, pays well and doesn't monopolize your life, freeing you to do other things.

Post: #3

I'm no girl's first choice.

If she could have a male super model, I wouldn't even exist to her. However, once a relation is developed, I often become her first choice.

Jobs are no different in my mind.

Post: #4

Take the job and prove the manager wrong- that you should have been the first choice.

Or better still start your own business.

Post: #5

remember that General Lee only took command of the Army of Northern Virginia (and only temporarily at first) because Joe Johnston was wounded and Albert Sidney Johnston was dead.

Post: #6

(03-08-2018 07:44 AM)Alpha_Romeo Wrote:  Would you take a job with a company if you knew you weren't the hiring manager's top choice? For example, you were the 2nd or 3rd choice, and the job is offered to you because the first two candidates rejected their respective offers.

Yeah I would, and have.

In that situation, I might squeeze them a little harder than usual in our negotiations before taking the job. Just to make sure they are in the right mental space with me, before I say yes.

Post: #7

I dont understand the logic.

If you would have taken the job if you were first choice, why wouldnt you take the same job if you were second?

Is it an ego thing? Then thats just ridiculous.

Is it because you think it will affect their treatment of you after? I doubt thats the case anywhere.

Or is it because you think its an indication the offer is bad?

Post: #8

I've taken jobs where I was the top choice, and I've taken jobs where I wasn't. In the case where I was the top choice I was treated better by the company and I had a better relationship with my line manager. This is just my experience and observations though. My sample size isn't large enough to make generalizations about this trend, though it has raised my curiosity, and hence the thread.

Would you get better treatment from a girl who is in love with you versus an any-dick-will-do slut?

Post: #9

"Foolish pride"

Post: #10

(03-08-2018 12:13 PM)Alpha_Romeo Wrote:  I've taken jobs where I was the top choice, and I've taken jobs where I wasn't. In the case where I was the top choice I was treated better by the company and I had a better relationship with my line manager. This is just my experience and observations though. My sample size isn't large enough to make generalizations about this trend, though it has raised my curiosity, and hence the thread.

Would you get better treatment from a girl who is in love with you versus an any-dick-will-do slut?

This is a somewhat legit reason, but look at Tigre's counter strategy above. ACT like you're the first choice, act like you're straight up BETTER than their first choice, and they'll respond the same way as some women do.

Post: #11

I'm with suits, don't get butt hurt by peoples first impressions on limited data.

You are better than the others, it may just take time for your girl/employer to see that, because you don't look like a supermodel/model employee at first meeting.

If the job is best for you, than take it if its offered. Same with a woman.

Post: #12

Has to be one of the most corporate-brain things I've heard. Who cares? Will the "hiring manager" be there forever? Will you?

Where in this silly formula is what you want and yoyr goals. Your current system indicates you are letting this be decided by others.

Post: #13

(03-08-2018 07:44 AM)Alpha_Romeo Wrote:  People (friends, recruiters) think I am crazy for thinking this way.

"Sometimes the potential hire will be crazy."

Post: #14

How would you even know your not the top choice?

Most companies you will never find this out until after you get the job.

Post: #15

(03-08-2018 08:44 PM)Repo Wrote:  How would you even know your not the top choice?

Most companies you will never find this out until after you get the job.

If they want to bring you back for a "second interview" you can be sure they are interviewing others. If at that second interview, you get an offer, then you know where you stand.

Post: #16

You can always be sure they are interviewing others. If a company doesnt, I would be alarmed.

Post: #17

Depends on the company but if somebody else passed on the job it'd be a huge red flag for me after a bad experience. If you know that information upfront, you're lucky and should walk away IMO.

Post: #18

The important thing is that if you are offered a job, they think you are qualified, and they WANT you. They (the hiring manager) will be happy and relieved if you take their job offer regardless of whether you are the first, second, or the N th choice.

The first choice might have declined the offer due to having a job offer with a higher salary or in a good location, or family reasons. This does not necessarily mean a red flag.

In short, I also think it is not rational to decline a good job offer just because one is not the first choice.

(03-08-2018 07:44 AM)Alpha_Romeo Wrote:  People (friends, recruiters) think I am crazy for thinking this way. So I thought I would ask for a reality check with other professionals on this topic.

Post: #19

If you owned Walmart, would you sell to a customer who was originally looking for a Trader Joe's?

The answer should be obvious.

Post: #20

You let your emotions get the better of you.

Any corporate job has two simple purposes : to make money, and to gather relevant experience that will help you find a better job.

You're the B plan? So what? I'm sure working for that company is also not your #1 choice.

Your boss wanted another candidate? Screw him, go work there until you have enough money to start your own business, or enough experience to move on to a better paid job.

Some of your co-workers don't like you? Fuck them, just keep doing your job, perform well, and plan your next move.

One day, you will have a lot of work experience and headhunters/recruiters will call you on a weekly basis. One day, you will have enough "fuck you money" to quit any time you want. On that day, you won't give a shit about your your job, and that feels amazing!

Post: #21

(03-08-2018 08:48 AM)Suits Wrote:  I'm no girl's first choice.

If she could have a male super model, I wouldn't even exist to her. However, once a relation is developed, I often become her first choice.

Jobs are no different in my mind.

And the very same girl drops the male model in a heartbeat if the current-day celebrity shows up and offers dick to her.

Think about this in a job environment:

Sometimes companies hire people and then regret it deeply - you never even know whether their choice 1 or 2 would have been so good for the position.

Second - why the fuck do you care? You can be picked last out of 20. Your performance will be the metric and that 20th picked can easily outperform all 19 coming before him.