4 ms·

Yes I have this discussion with other people. You can interview and just.. not take the offers. The last couple places I left, I had offers up to a year or tw

Yes I have this discussion with other people. You can interview and just.. not take the offers. The last couple places I left, I had offers up to a year or two before leaving but weighing cost-benefit, stayed at that time. It's better to have the option than not. And interviewing is truly not that much work. You don't have to be perfect. The less you need the job, the less the interview process should stress you. We call this "opportunistic interviewing". You can emphasize to the recruiter/HR/interviewer when pressed that - actually I'm happy where I am at the moment, but I am always up for a conversation and this sounded like it could be an interesting opportunity. You may find companies even respond more favorably in the interview process to you when you are somewhat aloof in this manner. You will also make connections with companies who may touch base from time to time to see if now is a better time to make the jump. This is infinitely better than having zero leads and feel like your life is going to hell before you even start looking.

anaerobicover 6y ago
> You can emphasize to the recruiter/HR/interviewer when pressed that - actually I'm happy where I am at the moment, but I am always up for a conversation and this sounded like it could be an interesting opportunity. I agree with what you've said, but word of caution, this has to be handled with a bit of finesse, I think. I almost got passed over for a job because I said this and gave the recruiter the impression I wasn't that interested. I had a acquaintance on another team who mentioned it to me, and I did a little "damage control" with the hiring manager. I got a great offer in the end -- and it was a great job -- but without that contact I would probably have whiffed it.
- comprev 6y ago
  Indeed if the recruiter/hiring manager even gets a whiff that you're potentially wasting their time - it's game over.
  - rtlfe 6y ago
    > Indeed if the recruiter/hiring manager even gets a whiff that you're potentially wasting their time - it's game over. It really depends on the company and role and person. In some situations there can be years of conversations before somebody makes the decision to accept.
- steveBK123 6y ago
  Exactly, finesse is the name of the game for sure. There is a wide spectrum between uninterested and not-desperate. Appearing that you are desperate to get out of your current job is a far bigger red flag in most interview processes than appearing "not that interested". It's like the other side of the coin of people who are super paranoid of getting fired if your boss finds out you are interviewing. If you are providing value, being a flight risk (within reason) increases your value not decreases. You don't want to be so obviously foot out the door that they are looking for your replacement, but being the happy, uncomplaining soldier is not going to get you optimal raises/promotions.

anaerobicover 6y ago

> You can emphasize to the recruiter/HR/interviewer when pressed that - actually I'm happy where I am at the moment, but I am always up for a conversation and this sounded like it could be an interesting opportunity. I agree with what you've said, but word of caution, this has to be handled with a bit of finesse, I think. I almost got passed over for a job because I said this and gave the recruiter the impression I wasn't that interested. I had a acquaintance on another team who mentioned it to me, and I did a little "damage control" with the hiring manager. I got a great offer in the end -- and it was a great job -- but without that contact I would probably have whiffed it.

comprev 6y ago
Indeed if the recruiter/hiring manager even gets a whiff that you're potentially wasting their time - it's game over.
- rtlfe 6y ago
  > Indeed if the recruiter/hiring manager even gets a whiff that you're potentially wasting their time - it's game over. It really depends on the company and role and person. In some situations there can be years of conversations before somebody makes the decision to accept.
steveBK123 6y ago
Exactly, finesse is the name of the game for sure. There is a wide spectrum between uninterested and not-desperate. Appearing that you are desperate to get out of your current job is a far bigger red flag in most interview processes than appearing "not that interested". It's like the other side of the coin of people who are super paranoid of getting fired if your boss finds out you are interviewing. If you are providing value, being a flight risk (within reason) increases your value not decreases. You don't want to be so obviously foot out the door that they are looking for your replacement, but being the happy, uncomplaining soldier is not going to get you optimal raises/promotions.