Offer but upcoming interview for dream job help Forum

[Anonymous User]

Ugh, have to try here too because anon posting exists. Sorry if you've seen this before.

Hopefully people can help me out. I have been interviewing for a job and I really like this firm and was ready to accept on the spot (well, with minor negotiating but we had already discussed a bit). Just before an offer came, I was completely surprised by a phone screener and callback from a dream job I had applied to and written off. I don't want to lose my shot at the dream job but it is going to be incredibly competitive and I am actually a little under the posted year requirement.

How do I stall the offer I have and do not want to lose to chase after the dream position? Thank you for any advice.

Other pertinent info:
If it really comes down to it I would probably be ready to accept and quickly revoke acceptance to go for the dream gig and want to do this in as considerate a way as I possibly can. The start date is August so not like I would already be working but i still hate hate the idea of doing this to the firm. Any and all advice and perspective is appreciated.

The offer is a law firm and the dream is in house. They are similar but not really same part of practice area. Think industrial infrastructure work vs commercial leasing, both real estate but different skill sets. I'm actually trained in the latter and love the work.

The dream place did tell me they were planning to move very quickly and were ready to get this position filled asap so I will also try asking if we have wiggle room to accelerate my portion of the process.

[malibustacy]

Accept first if you have to, then renege if you get your dream job.

Don't feel too bad. It's employment at will. They'd cut you loose without a second thought if times were hard. There are plenty of law grads who would love to take your offer.

[SFSpartan]

Bird in the hand - take the first offer and then renege if need be. That said, if this is for a lateral position rather than your first post-grad job, feel free to turn down the place you have an offer at (assuming you're fine staying in your current job for a bit if things don't pan out)

[Anonymous User]

I appreciate the comments. If I dont get the dream job I really am ready to move to this firm now. One reason I do not want to screw it up by asking for time.

I am thinking about the runner up, in a sense. They could be told the position is gone and end up moving on and not being available if I do revoke and I don't want that. So I would really would like to stall first if at all possible. Any thoughts on good ways to ask for 2 weeks?