Ringmaster wrote:
Minor updates:
So after a couple months of networking combined with formal applications (31 of them), I've made a bit of progress.
1. Interviewed with an engineering consulting firm several weeks ago. Didn't have the impression they were in a hurry and haven't heard back. Small project work, small firm (locally. Part of a bigger UK based firm).
2. Had a phone interview with a mining firm located in the West Kootneys, BC. Interesting work, but only a 2 year position. And as it's a short term, I wouldn't move my family. I'd rent a small apartment there and drive the 600km home every other week. They're flying me out for a second interview second week of January. They still haven't discussed pay, which I find odd.
3. Went through a video prescreen with a utilities provider in the Okanagan, BC. Followed my an actual video interview with HR and the project director a week later. They will be flying me out first week of January. This is a full time role and I'd move my family out after 6-12 months. Money is less than I'm used to, but it's secure and long term.
So while there don't be many presents under the tree again, at least things are looking up.
This looks encouraging. Many people have advice to give... but some advice I got from a recruiter years ago that has consistently worked well for me*
1. "Until you have something, you got nothing."
Good interviews, positive feedback, flights out for in-person discussion, etc. etc. don't mean @#$ until you have an offer. Don't ever count your chickens or ask for anything until you have the offer.
2. "Until you have an offer, you cause no problems, you have no issues."
Don't give the company a reason to reject you. If they ask you about relo to some barren wasteland, you don't say no (see you've just given them a reason). You can say you don't see that as a problem at the moment, or you'll consider it along w/family, etc. etc. You don't ask for anything at this point - otherwise that may be a problem or an issue, and they can reject you. If your comp demands are too high - that's another reason for them to cross you off the list. Any ask you may have could be a reason for them to say no. So don't ask. You have no issues.
3. "When you have an offer, they want you. Meaning you, specifically."
Now you can ask for stuff, i.e. negotiation. The whole point is that until you have an offer, they can reject you b/c of real or perceived problems or issues. If they've made you an offer then now you have some leverage to negotiate. That relo? would be hard to sell house, or hard for family, so are they ok w/you splitting time, or working remote, or have them pay for relo, etc. etc. Because they want you and they don't want to lose you now, they are more willing to accommodate your "issues". Same with salary. If it's low, now you can try to bump that up, or ask for sign on, or guaranteed bonus, or other aspects. Because they want you, they are more likely to give you this now.... vs. during pre-offer discussion. You have to do this carefully, politely, respectfully - in the context of considering their offer. Don't be a douche about asking for stuff. They may have a plan-b candidate, and tell you that. Even so, you're still the Plan-A.
4. "You make the decision". If any of the reasons don't work for you (relo, salary, other,) you can turn it down. If you're worried about losing it to candidate-B so you compromise, then that's still your call. All of this is entirely your call, as it should be, and a normal part of considering their offer.
* all of the above worked well for me. I'm ~3 months into a good, (i.e. great) role, after deciding to leave an also good situation. I'm in a "hot field" (data science) so there's lots of competition for roles, but the above advice worked really well.
Best of luck to you.