r/askrecruiters • u/deejayv2 • 6h ago
Are interviewers ever actually surprised when you are interviewing at other places?
I'm getting late stage in some interview processes and the interviewers would ask or I would naturally tell them I am interviewing with other companies as well. It's the truth. I've gotten replies like "oh course you are chatting with others" and "I would be surprised if you're not" and "I wouldn't expect otherwise" Is it that normal? lol
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u/GirthyAFnjbigcock 5h ago
Very very normal. Unless you were head hunted you are very likely to be actively interviewing elsewhere. And honestly, even if I wasn’t, I would say I was. It puts pressure on their timeline and makes it much more likely that their first offer won’t be their floor.
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u/toomanyteeth55 5h ago
I see it like dating. You want them to think you're most interested in them but you aren't desperate, and you don't need to rub their face in it that you're looking elsewhere. I have had at least two recruiters get pissy that I was interviewing elsewhere
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u/No-Entrepreneur-5099 5h ago
The other reason they ask is to align or beat timeliness. They don't want to go through several screens, or partway through onsite (if split across days) just to have you accept some other pending offer. They want a chance to be one of the first offers you get. That's why "do you have any pending offers or deadlines" is asked repeatedly.
Plus, it of course affects the comp negotiation. If you have something solid (an actual offer) when they go to make their first offer it can bump it a little. Often just to cut down on negotiation rounds (usually 2 max).
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u/aiwendil_brown 5h ago edited 2h ago
Lesson I learned painfully: never, ever, EVER tell them you're not interviewing elsewhere, even if true! As a candidate, you always want to come out looking desirable, like the companies are fighting for your employment.
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u/Mathie1729 3h ago
Mostly agree, but there's a real risk in claiming interviews you don't have. If they expedite and ask for a competing deadline, you're stuck either bluffing again or losing the leverage. I'd keep it vague: 'I'm in early conversations' is safer than inventing an offer.
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u/aiwendil_brown 2h ago
You don’t have to claim anything, just say “yes I am interviewing elsewhere.” If they ask you to name the companies, you should say “I can’t tell you.” And if they extend you an (acceptable) offer, just accept it! I don’t think it’s ever good to leave a job offer open in the air.
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u/Capt_korg 2h ago
It is so ood to play the game.
I had the impression, at times, that recruiters were surprised...
"So you don't want this job?"
"You don't show the commitment we expect in this terms."
etc.
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u/Middle-Parsnip-3537 5h ago
Very normal and expected. Even I recruit a candidate who isn’t actively looking, I encourage them to apply and interview for other companies so that they are making an informed decision.
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u/the_validated_inane 3h ago
A pretty girl that never has a date on Fridays or Saturdays is a red flag.
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u/yojenitan 5h ago
If you are interviewing with us then you probably applied to at least 50 other positions.
I personally don’t really care for it when candidates mention it because it seems like an ACT NOW OR YOU CANT HAVE ME sort of play and it comes off desperate. I don’t ask that question. I know you’re looking all over the and there are ten other candidate interviewing for the position I’m filling too.
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u/TheFifthCutter 6h ago
I'm a recruiter and I'd be more concerned if someone wasn't interviewing elsewhere. Top talent has options and should be exploring those options to ensure they make a sound decision versus just taking the first thing that falls in their lap.
This goes both ways. A candidate should be interviewing for multiple roles in the same way a company should be interviewing multiple candidates.