Timing Is Everything

by Elana Konstant
Assistant Director of Public Interest Programs

Have you just been offered a chance to interview for the job of your dreams? Did this offer come two weeks after you accepted another, less thrilling but perfectly worthwhile position for the summer? If so, you are in a familiar predicament. Given that this situation is common but still confounding, we decided to provide some specific guidance on the issue.

Congratulations first of all on receiving such positive feedback from your applications! That is wonderful news. However, you shouldn’t just assume that it is ok to take this perfect job you’ve been waiting for and dump the employer you already committed to for the summer. Although it may not have been your top choice, you made the decision to accept a job and you should honor that decision.

The fact that you have already accepted a position is a binding obligation on your part. As it states in the GGU Student Handbook, "a student should not continue to 'shop around' for competing opportunities that would conflict with the commitment he or she has made to his or her employer. Doing so could damage the student's reputation as well as that of the School of Law." The bottom line - stick with your first commitment, no matter how much you love the opportunity that just presented itself.

Getting back to the dream job, now you have the opportunity to let that employer know that you are available in the fall or spring. You want to make sure to take advantage of this connection so that you might hopefully bypass at least the screening part of the next application process. Throughout the course of the summer, be sure to touch base with the contact person, letting him or her know that you are still interested in the position and would appreciate the chance to interview again. Hopefully, you’ll come out of this scenario with a summer job, a fall/spring job and your professional integrity intact!