Long story short, had a couple of phone conversations this week with a company in the same industry I'm in now (construction). Last one was yesterday afternoon around 2:30pm.

Got home around 5:00pm and as I was pulling into the driveway, the recruiter called and said the company likes me but they wanted to go with someone who has more construction experience. The position was to supervise 4-5 field supervisors who each have around 20 communities and 13 subcontractors who are installers. Pay was pretty good at $80-85k with potential for $10-15k annual bonus plus company truck, cell phone and laptop.

Having 12 years in as a commissioned officer in the military (8 active, 4 reserve) and an MBA, they liked my qualifications as well as the way I interviewed. I actually felt relieved when the recruiter told me they wanted to go with someone who has more construction experience, I only have about 1.5 years of experience, because they were expected 55-60 hours of work a week. I'm currently enrolled in a second masters program (night school 2 days a week) and I have a family. I told my wife that working that many hours of week would leave little time for much else and that it would probably grind on our family time. Weekends is family time and my opportunity to catch up on chores such as mow the lawn (also mow the neighbors lawn since she dog sits for us), maintain the cars, bathe the dogs or just plain relax.

Personally, I thought for the position they were better off with someone with more supervisor/leadership experience than construction experience unless that construction experience was in a supervisory/leadership role. Why? Because the job appears that it's to supervise/coordinate construction and not actually do construction. I do not believe the other people/persons who have more construction experience are in supervisor/leadership positions because $80-85k would likely be a pay cut to them after factoring in bonuses.

Don't get me wrong, I've been in positions where I've worked 55-60 hours a week but at this point in my life with a wife, 4 year old, 3 dogs and a home, it's not something I would prefer to put myself into.

Once, with a specific government agency. A former colleague of mine got it. A year or so later I got his take on how shitty it actually was, so I'm glad I stayed where I am.

The grass isn't always greener. I took a new job a little over a year ago making close to $20k more a year. Not a day goes by that I don't wish I would've stayed put right where I was at.

I had applied as a HighJump (Warehouse Management System) Administrator. I am extremely qualified to do this job, as I have held that position in the past, been trained by HighJump, etc.

The job was in Madison Wisconsin. I would have worked remotely, and once every 4-6 weeks I would be onsite for a week. Pay was ~$100k. Great job, right?

After being told that they really want someone onsite all the time, I stated finding out more about the company. They seem to have cornered the market on taking advantage of low income families and fresh (legal) immigrants. After being made aware of this, I felt quite relieved that it fell through.

Or getting the offer and saying "Thanks for the opportunity, but I'm going in a different direction" can feel very very good.

Only with hindsight.

Over the years and only afterwards did I realize, I interviewed with the same hiring manager three times in various companies.

The first two times I didn't get the job and each time, I was so disappointed.

The last time, I got hired. He turned out to be a dick. So much so, I quit after six months without another job lined up. Someone out of the blue heard about me quitting (how, I don't know). She was a senior manager and contacted me and validated my experience. She's heard from a lot of people over the years how this manager treated them.

Looking back, if I had gotten one of the jobs he turned me down, I don't know how I would have fared for the rest of my career having gone through him.

Interviewed 11 years ago at a national company in Utah.
The interview went really good and it turned out the person interviewing me was from Ohio. He had Buckeyes mugs, pictures and other things in his office.
As we went on a plant tour, I noticed most of the employees had ear buds in listening to music. I also noticed the forklift traffic zooming around.
I nicely asked why employees were allowed to wear them around forklifts. He said they were pretty laid back and as long as the employees got their work done, it was alright.
I'm talking employees walking across aisles of forklift traffic with ear buds in. I really couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I'm pretty sure he saw the look on my face and after the interview, I never heard from them again.

The problem for me has been the lying on what the position actually is and what is demanded of you.
I have had a few part time jobs for travel money in the past few years. I tell them during the interview that I only want to work 24 hours a week. I will work any shift, any day including any holidays.
After I get the job:
Hours are either way over or way under.
The duties are not even in close to what was discussed, and are often in reality one person filling two slots.
They want me to travel.
There is either poor supervision or no supervision.
Constant calls wanting me to "cover" the shifts of other deadbeats they have hired (that have better pay and hours than me) who have bailed on their shifts.
No OJT or employee handbook.
Wanting me to spend money to comply with their dress code. Before I get the job.
I got a job recently with a multi store grocery chain here in the Yoop. Lots of really nasty janitorial work was required that was not mentioned during the interview. But the thing that pushed me out the door was the bulletin board the management used to communicate with the peons. There was a large notice in the middle with a colorful graphic of a tow truck on it. The notice said my car would towed if it was not properly parked. No one had told me where proper parking was and the lot was huge. Nope. I dont work for anyone who wants to tow my ride.
Now, during the interview process, I ask to see the employee handbook or a written job description. If this isnt forthcoming, I know the shaft will soon be.
When they call back to tell me I have the position or for a second interview, I decline.
And this is for a piddly little part time gig. I cant imagine what it would like to work full time for people like this.

The one that would have required me to live in Washington, DC another 4 years, yes. It didn't exactly fall through - I declined it, with, I recall, the comment "I'd rather eat razor blades." I always thought Lucius Cincinnatus was an example to be admired; pity more in DC don't emulate it.

Once, I interviewed because a former boss I got along with asked me to. It would have meant moving, but to a smaller town at a higher altitude = fewer people and nicer weather. But a cut in pay and a more political situation.

Anyway, his boss, The Big Elected Boss wanted to take the office a different direction. Interview went well, I just wasn't the person they were looking for, if they ever knew what that was... I wasn't it.

Relieved at the time, and still relieved though I always wonder where that branch of the path would have led.

We end up where we are supposed to be.

Yes... because it would have required moving to Minneapolis.

Sort of. I had an amazing job which slowly came apart, but when it was just turning bad and I had a direct line on a better paying job as I had worked with a very senior person in that company as part of my then current position. I was a bit surprised they had not moved to interviewing so I asked my contact what was up. He basically said, this would be a great job for you in 10 years when your young kids are in high school. It is a lot of hours and travel so stay where you are an enjoy time with your family. I did for the most part, but left for a shit-show job 3 years later (oh well). But he did help me help myself and I'm glad I did not take that other job...

Not really relieved. A friend got the job I applied for. I took another job which would have required moving to north of Chicago. After 6 months they called be for another interview and I accepted the job. Both my friend and I stayed there for almost 30 years.

Back in the early/mid 80's I was offered a state senate seat. Not the opportunity to run, I was offered the seat. It was assured. I considered it for about a day, then turned it down flat. One of the best decisions I ever made, considering the unspoken "requirements" that would have gone along with the job.

Yes, more than once.

Yes...but didn't see the absolute BLESSING in not getting hired until 4-6 weeks later.

Didn’t get a promotion a few years ago and hindsight so relieved it’s not even funny.

Yes. Was talked into applying for a promotion at my company which would have added some management responsibilities. My co-workers are the one's that talked me into applying because they know I'm fair and thought I was right for it.

5 applicants for the position, it was narrowed to me and another guy and they went with him based on seniority (he has 5 more years in than I do). He's a great guy and I was sad I didn't get it but I was happy for him at the same time.

Here we are a few months later and I can tell he is somewhat miserable and regrets the move. He told me what kind of raise he got and it was less than half of what I would have required. All in all I'm glad I didn't get it because I'm happy with what I do now.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
Or getting the offer and saying "Thanks for the opportunity, but I'm going in a different direction" can feel very very good.

Yup, almost like that feeling you get when you write that letter that says, "I am resigning from my position and my last day will be 2 weeks from today."

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
After I get the job:
Hours are either way over or way under.
The duties are not even in close to what was discussed, and are often in reality one person filling two slots.
They want me to travel.
There is either poor supervision or no supervision.
Constant calls wanting me to "cover" the shifts of other deadbeats they have hired (that have better pay and hours than me) who have bailed on their shifts.
No OJT or employee handbook.

Sorry for the thread drift, but this has me laughing out loud because the same thing happened to me.

I was at the mid-point of my career and so was willing to express my job requirements; first and foremost was little or no travel (my then-current job had taken care of any desire to get on a plane again). There was no ambiguity on the point because the hiring exec and I even discussed how many days per month I would be willing to travel "if there was a need".

The first month I was gone three weeks. I quit 2 weeks later.