Dear Cindy – Should I Wait?

I'm looking for my first job after receiving my radiography training. My first choice of a hospital has promised me a position, but doesn't know when a position will open up. It could be a month or a year. I've been looking for temporary positions, but after each interview I've had an offer for a full-time permanent position. Then, when I say I might have to leave on short notice, the offer has been withdrawn.

Do you think maybe I shouldn't tell interviewers that my heart is set on another position, and just accept the offer and quit when my ideal job occurs?

Sincerely,

New Grad

What's so great about this hospital that you're infatuated with? Are they really that great of an employer if they're stringing you along like this? How reasonable are they if they expect you to sit around waiting, without a job, or if you have one, to drop it on short notice? Also, you may be in for a very long wait if the current employees don't quit, if the department doesn't expand, etc. And as someone just starting in her career, you want to minimize the time you're sitting around not practicing your newly-gained skills.

What to do?

First, never say, "My heart is set on another position." What better reason does someone need not to hire you?

Second, if an employer offers you a full-time job, before you accept (or decline), call up Hospital Utopia, and ask if anything is on the radar, because you've had a real job offer. If they guarantee that something will be open in a week or so, decline the full-time offer. If Hospital Utopia can't give you specifics, take the full-time job.

Don't tell the other hospital that you may have to leave on short notice. It's best if you stay in the job for at least a year, because it's good, early in your career, to show commitment and staying power. (And you may actually like the facility.) If you absolutely have to leave because Hospital Utopia actually comes up with a job, give your employer proper notice.

Good luck!