Instant Interviews: 101 Ways to Get the Best Job of Your Life

Chapter 70. Auctioning Yourself Off to the Highest Bidder

Once you're deluged with instants, offers start.

You get so thrilled with the chase—seeking out the jobjungle jewels—that you don't think to go back to offerors you turned down. They're disappointed, so make their day!

If you don't, you're missing the dynamic of an auction. It's fun, makes you feel very wanted, and can increase everything about a new job. Pay, vacation, responsibilities, power. All because the process itself takes on a life of its own. Ebay built an e-empire on that fact. Only we use the phone.

Assume you just got an offer from Olivia, and you turned down Curtis yesterday. (I'm setting it up this way because it's more awkward than if Curtis's offer was still being considered.)

Assistant: Curtis Counter's office. Dora speaking.

You: Hi Dora, this is Sally Instant. Is Curt the flirt in? . . . Oops, sorry! I used that to remember his name (Do 82).

Dora: Hi Sally! Sorry we won't be working together.

You: Well, that still may happen!

Dora: Great! I was looking forward to you doing the monthly sales report. Here's Curt.

Curtis: Curtis Counter.

You: Hi Curt! This is Sally.

Curtis: Well I'll be . . . to what do I owe this honor?

You: Well, I've been reconsidering your offer. I just received one for twenty-five percent more from one of your competitors (true—every offeror is a competitor). But I would really like to work with you and your team.

Curtis: I've been thinking about it, too. The fact that you had the courage to call ...