How Do I Delay Job Start Dates Without Losing The Opportunity?

[rodster888]

I have been working in the call center industry since 2006. I resigned last December 2012 and have been working from home / a housewife since then. Just recently I started re-applying at Team Leader job openings I saw online.

My problem is: I went thru alot of job applications and actually got accepted to several companies. One company is already rushing me to start on June 24th but I am still waiting to hear back on my other job applications since I want to work for the other companies I applied to MORE since they have better company standing, etc. I am worried if I do not take the other job offer and start by June 24, that I may not even get the other job/s I applied to. Here's an overview of my choices:

Call Center #1:
- Offered me low salary
- Is 1 hour away from my home
- Poor facilities, poor employee satisfaction (based on internet searches)
- Company is well known
- Potential START DATE: July 5

Call Center #2:
- Offered me high salary
- Is 30 mins away from my home
- Nice facilities, medium to poor employee satisfaction (based on internet searches)
- Company is "unheard of", small company
- Potential START DATE: June 24

Call Center #3:
- Hasn't offered me salary yet, but based on feedback, can give me HIGH salary
- Is 1 hour away from my home
- Great facilities, VERY high employee satisfaction (based on internet searches)
- Company is VERY well known and has a GREAT REPUTATION
- Potential START DATE: ??? - Still waiting for 2nd interview date

Call Center #4:
- Hasn't offered me salary yet, but based on feedback, can give me HIGH salary
- Is 1 hour away from my home
- Great facilities, high employee satisfaction (based on internet searches)
- Company is VERY well known and has a GREAT REPUTATION
- Potential START DATE: ??? - Still waiting for 2nd interview date

Call Center #5:
- Hasn't offered me salary yet, but based on feedback, can give me HIGH salary
- Is 1 hour away from my home
- Okay facilities, high employee satisfaction (based on internet searches)
- Company is SEMI well known
- Potential START DATE: ??? - Still waiting for JOB OFFER, done with recruitment process, no call back yet

How do I delay the hire dates any further without losing the potential job? The other companies aren't a sure thing yet so I am really pressed to decide. =( HELP!!!!

[boxtops]

You can't, this is one of the risks you take if you make multiple job applications. You've already posted several times about all your options. YOu can't put one job offer on hold waiting to see if something better comes along - the employer would be mightily miffed about that. You either decide yes or no - but you can't keep them dangling.
You don't have to keep listing your options, we've all seen them several times now.

[boxtops]

Anyway, I thought last week that you were advised these call centre jobs really aren't for you, because you suffer with work related stress and these sort of jobs will bring you just that? we advised you last week to look for other sorts of work.

[rodster888]

Boxtops: I appreciate all the advice on "switching industries", but as mentioned, I am in need of a job that can pay me good money, because, let's face it, we all need money. Right now, trying to "make it" in a totally different and unfamiliar industry really seems impractical and ALOT more risky than choosing one of the companies I listed above. Thank you for all your inputs, I will think of the BEST way to try and delay the job dates. That is why I keep posting these on this website, to get other ideas on how to effectively go about doing so. This is "THEANSWERBANK" is it not? And that is why I am trying to utilize other available resources to come to a decision. If my posts are starting to bug you, I suggest you ignore my questions. I am looking for HELP and other possible solutions, not for criticism.

[carrot99]

I'd go with Call Centre 2. They've actually offered you a high salary and they are closer to home. You might not even get offered the other jobs. A bird in the hand and all that...

[rodster888]

Carrot99: Thank you for this. What do I do though, if I get accepted at the other companies? It would be highly unprofessional to just leave Call Center 2 hanging wouldn't it? How can I best approach this?

[bednobs]

i would just take the one you've been offered

[woofgang]

Rodster, you talk about reducing the stress in your life then you deliberately make more.......

[rodster888]

Truth is, I am having a difficult time deciding since I want to choose a stable, well known company that can give me a great salary and tons of GOOD experience. I'm afraid Call Center #2, isn't all that well known. No one's heard of it, but it is legit - saw the place for myself.

How should I:

1.) Take the job at Call Center #2 then continue to apply until I get accepted in order to make my way to the MUCH better company / companies?

[bednobs]

i don't understand your question - to"take the job at Call Center #2 then continue to apply until I get accepted in order to make my way to the MUCH better company / companies" you just have to ake the job at Call Center #2 then continue to apply until you get accepted in order to make your way to the MUCH better company / companies

[dennisb66]

Call center 2, you will also be making a big saving on fuel costs,assuming you drive to work

[rodster888]

So how do I "exit" from Call Center#2 in the event that I get the job/s at the companies I am actually eyeing for? Training starts next week and all the other companies have only scheduled me for 2nd interview next week too. My dilemma is how can I continue to go thru the recruitment processes (interviews, etc) if I am already working for Call Center #2.

True, call center is closer to home and they offered me good money, but I would much rather go with a company that can offer me better compensation and better experience (plus a better company name). What do I do, how can I dodge Call Center #2 for now, atleast?

[237SJ]

Can you not continue to work from home until a job you really want becomes available? If it was me, I would hold out for companies 3 and 4. I wouldn`t want to drop my employer "in it" by accepting a job and then disappearing for a better offer (if all their team leaders do that, no wonder company 1 has low morale)

[237SJ]

Sorry, meant company 2

[bednobs]

you can't really. what you could do is work for 2 for six months or so then start applying/looking

[rodster888]

That's my dilemma, I need to work now since Call Center # 2 is already rushing me to sign their job offer and start on June 24th. I can keep working from home while I wait on the "POSSIBILITY" of getting into Call Center # 3 or Call Center # 4, but Call Center # 2 DID give me a higher salary offer ( I could really use the money). How can I "outsmart" these employer/s while I continue with my job applications at Call Center #3 & #4? I've been pushing back on the start dates for so long now.

[bednobs]

For Funks Sake - they've offered you a job - just take it. Or don't.

[rodster888]

And besides... I'm looking more for stability and for a company I can definitely be proud to put on my resume (or update my online profiles with). My dilemma is really tough for me since Call Center #2 is such a small (under 500 people) and UNKNOWN company. Ofcourse I want to go for a Fortune 500 company or atleast a company that people would be impressed to hear about, get it? sometimes, it isn't just ALWAYS about the money and PROXIMITY.. It is also about BRANDING. =) Right? What am I gooonaaa do. Darn. Problem with the bigger companies is they take sooo long to get back to applicants. I'm sure the only reason why Call Center # 2 is rushing me is because no other applicants really qualified for the position (or maybe no one applied since the company IS UNHEARD OF). I'm sorry, I'm not bashing small businesses, but this is a big carrer move, who wouldn't want to work for a BIG, STABLE company that they can be proud of?

[ll_billym]

Erm, just tell the others (3, 4, 5) you have an offer from another firm but would rather work for them (based on their reputation) - but you have to make a decision soon and can they help you by letting you know where they are with things.

Either they will or they won't, if they want you to work for them then they will.

[bednobs]

i feel you must be in another country - in this country at the moment, it's not all about "branding" or "career moves" it's all about getting a job, earning money so that you can pay for things you need. I can't understand why you worry about what job number 2 will look like on your rsumee - it'll look a darn sight better than "housewife"

[237SJ]

It might not look too good on your CV if you have a short spell of working for a company, either. A future employer might question your loyalty.