Offer from a Different Field

[ll86]

So, I had a successful second interview for a copywriting position, and received this e-mail from the recruiter:

"Good news - you're on the 'short list' of top candidates for the copywriter position. I will know more by mid-week next week, but the next step is likely a quick writing project.

Please keep me posted if you think you will are getting close to offer stage with any other companies. I'll be in touch soon. Have a great weekend!"

Yay! So now I'm preparing by pouring through their website to prepare myself for the writing project.

My question is this:

I also had a second interview for a very different position (an assistant at a daycare center). The daycare center said they would give me their decision around mid-week as well. The copywriting position is the only copywriting position I applied for (because these positions seem to be few and far between, and the other ones I looked at didn't really appeal to me), and it is my first choice. So--if I get an offer from the daycare center, do I tell the recruiter? I want to appear competitive and in-demand, but if she asked what the offer is for, would I appear wishy-washy and not committed to copywriting?

[CleeIB]

Hi there,

Yes, tell the recruiter if you get an offer from the daycare center, if only because the recruiter asked that you do so. That indicates a certain level of interest on the recruiter's part. He/she cares enough to keep you the radar.

To seem more competitive, you need not tell the recruiter that the offer is from an unrelated employer (the daycare center) unless the recruiter specifically asks. Even then, you can politely decline to specify.

As for revealing how much the offer is from the daycare center, you may want to wait until you get an offer (and number) from the copywriting recruiter. If the copywriting offer is below the daycare offer, then put the daycare offer on the table as a negotiating point. If the copywriting offer is above the daycare offer, then of course you don't need to negotiate with the daycare offer.

Good luck!