Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

Iliketomoveitmoveit 12 Feb 2017 02:45

Unique situation:

I'm an advanced Assistant at an R1, but the University is really more of an R2 and Psychology/my scholarship is not valued by the upper administration. At all.

-Department Chair of University 1 has made initial contact regarding a phone call to discuss an offer (went on in-person interview already). No verbal or official offer yet. This place is a land-grant tier 1 state institution and the University and Departmental situation would be a huge improvement over my current place. But, it is in a state that has mimicked Trump's federal hiring freeze by instituting a state-level hiring freeze. A little nervous about the offer, and this would most likely be another advanced Assistant position.

-Search Chair of University 2 requesting an in-person interview. This place has a good Department and would be a good location but institution not on the same level of first place. If I had offers from both places I would probably lean towards first place. However, this could be Associate level.

Should I accept offer of an in-person interview at place 2? Should I not say anything about place 1, or use it as leverage to move up timeline/negotiate Associate status?

I agree that it's a dick move to take interview slots from potential candidates when you have an offer, but the offer at place 1 is in the infancy stage and could get pulled. Place 2 would be a great option if place 1 didn't work out.

Please share your thoughts, this is a very timely decision and family considerations are highly relevant.

Thanks!

Re: Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

juniorfaculty 12 Feb 2017 03:52

I'm one of those people on this forum who discourages people from doing dick moves like continuing to interview when you've verbally (or more!) committed to another place, but it sounds like place #1 is in the infancy and you haven't even started negotiations, etc. And once you add the hiring freeze scare into the mix then yes you have lots of reasons to go on the interview at place #2. Even without that freeze I think it would be prudent to interview as you haven't done any negotiations. Also, you said "lean towards the first place" — this means it's possible that place #2 could still in fact be better after you visit it and give it a shot.

I think that it does make sense to mention place #1 to place #2 if it can help you in some way, such as moving up the timeline to interview or a different negotiation point. Likewise, you might want to mention place #2 to place #1 as you are doing the negotiations.

Re: Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

DocJ 13 Feb 2017 13:47

I've seen positions vanish in situations as you described with University 1. During my job searches, I did not withdraw from the process until I had the final, written offer in hand and everything signed off. I'd interview with University 2, but strategically I'd not mention the potential offer on the table. They might instantly think you're not a serious applicant if the other institution is on a different level. You can always use the offer to your advantage if they decide to extend - it may help negotiate for the associate rank or at least several years on the tenure clock and then some.

Re: Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

Iliketomoveitmoveit 13 Feb 2017 21:24

Thanks to both.

I am going on the interview at place 2. I told the SC Chair that I have not accepted an offer from another university, but that I have been interviewing elsewhere and that an offer may come through before their process is over. He was fine with that, and basically said that this is a sign that I am a good candidate.

Hopefully one of these two will work out.

Re: Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

Iliketomoveitmoveit 22 Feb 2017 16:32

OK, update. Place 1 made a very generous offer that most other places can't (and I was assured that the hiring freeze will not be an issue). I accepted verbally, and told place 2 about it. They congratulated me and we mutually decided to cancel my interview at Place 2. I feel good about this, but am now waiting to receive the official offer.

Questions:
1. How long does it usually take to receive the written offer after verbal acceptance? Because I have left another potential opportunity on the table (Place 2) and the hiring freeze thing is still nagging at me, I feel nervous.

2. If the offer at Place 1 does fall through, would it be inappropriate to reach out to the SC at Place 2 about a potential interview?

Thanks!

Re: Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

juniorfaculty 22 Feb 2017 20:16

Congratulations!

1) I only have two data, from my first job to my second. I never moved forward with paperwork for a job I did not accept. The first place was probably standard, and took a couple of weeks. The second place, where I work now, is very efficient (in some ways—my chair is, at least) and was able to produce something in writing within days. It was an electronic pdf. That said, it was still like a month or maybe more (!!!) before they produced that document in paper form for me to sign. As I said, my chair and the dean were efficient. The upper echelons, not so much.

2) It might not be that appropriate (or it might be), but there is no question that you absolutely should reach out to place #2 about an interview if #1 falls through. And they might be totally open to that idea.

Not to freak you out, but are you SURE you want to accept this offer without trying to negotiate for more startup, course release, salary, etc? It doesn't matter if no one will be able to match it. They still might give you more if you ask for it.

Re: Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

Iliketomoveitmoveit 22 Feb 2017 20:51

Yeah, I'm trying to remember from this job, and I feel like it was several weeks before everything was tied up in a bow.

The negotiations for place 1 went very well. They are offering a lot (start-up, summer salary, moving, partner placement, grad student funding, research fund) and have already increased salary 20% from their original offer. I don't think I can negotiate much more, nor do I really need to as it is a very generous offer and the CoL is lower there vs. here.

This is why I'm trying not to freak out!

Re: Initial contact re: offer vs. Another in-person interview

juniorfaculty 22 Feb 2017 23:28

oh wow sounds amazing!