Career Advice - Take or decline interview request?

Some of you may recall I posted a thread around July of last year soliciting advice on a job interview for an engineering management position I was really interested in. Long story short, I narrowly missed out on getting the position, but felt I left a very good impression and liked the company a lot. The message coming away, from both sides, was "We'll keep in touch."

Well, the hiring manager reached out to me yesterday to see if I would be interested in another position they have coming open, and having pondered it a bit I'm not sure that I am, at least right now.

For one, it's with a different group within the company that I think I am less interested in, and also does not appear to have management duties, which was a lot of the appeal of the last one. At the same time, things have gotten a bit better at my current place of employment as well. The company as a whole looks to be on a better trajectory, and I have had some really positive talks these past few months with management regarding my own path for advancement. I'm not in a spot where I definitely wouldn't leave right now, but I'm not actively trying to as I was last year and it woukd have to really be the right opportunity.

At the same time, this isn't a door I want to close permanently either, so I'm trying to be delicate in handling this. Not sure if it would be better to take the interview and at least hear what they have to say, or just politely decline.

Thoughts?

I think you could at least talk to them unless you think it would get back to your current employer and jeopardize something there. Listen to what they have to offer and if it isn't what you are looking for, thank them and mention that if another position opens up to let you know. Never hurts to see what is out there.

Decline and tell them why, same as you did to us.  No warranty stated or implied.  

I would at least talk to the hiring manager and outline your concerns (ie, not so interested in the group and what about managerial duties?). You might find that they're willing to taylor the role to your expectations, at least within reason.

I think it's definitely worth talking to the hiring manager and letting them know you appreciate the opportunity to discuss the position.  I'd probably be upfront about having reservations regarding the position and explain what they are and how I see this position as different and less appealing than the previous one and see where that goes.  As indicated above, they may have some latitude with the position and job duties to make it more appealing to you.  If not at least the conversation is ongoing and your willingness to be honest about things shows you are focused on finding the right fit for both parties.

This advice is worth every penny you haven't paid for it...

I would absolutely take the interview.

A) You want to keep that door open.  Maybe this job isn't exactly right, but the next one might be.

B) You may find out that this job is exactly right.  Don't forget, interviews go both ways.

Good luck!

Yeah, take the interview.  Also know that you are negotiating from a position of strength.  Make them sell to you. 

Talk to the hiring manager, and tell him/her that you’re interested but not sure that it’s right for you, you want to learn more about it. 

(Almost) everything I'm going to say has been mentioned above but I'll reiterate as these are the things I was thinking when reading your post. 

You're in a good spot.  Take the interview, but you'll be the one interviewing.  Make sure you've done some serious prep in knowing what's important to you, ask questions about the job that will help you decide if it would be a good fit and make sure you get the answers to the questions you ask.  And just be up front with them.  Tell them you're excited about the company.  Tell them you're looking for a good fit in the long term.  If this position isn't it...that's ok.

This hasn't been brought up already here but...Keep in mind:  A good company will create a position for the right candidate.  

Always take the interview

Doesnt sound like you are losing much going in for the interview. Strong bargaining position too

Thanks guys. I certainly didn't want to just turn away the opportunity before fully understanding the position, and an interview is always good practice if nothing else, but at the same time don't want them to feel as if I am wasting their time and leading them on, or worse using them as leverage, when I really don't think I'm all that interested, and thus sour the relationship that way. There is of course some risk of word getting back to my current employer as well, as it is a relatively small town and word travels. I highly doubt there would be any real repercussions from that, but I don't think it would be perceived very well either. 

I think what I'll do is shoot him an email this morning, candidly explain my current situation and what I would be looking for to make a move, and open up some further conversation on the position and what it entails. 

AngryCorvair said:

Always take the interview

This.

When recruiters or hiring managers contact me I tell them the same thing, "I'm always willing to listen to what you have to say."

Furious_E said:

 but at the same time don't want them to feel as if I am wasting their time and leading them on, or worse using them as leverage, when I really don't think I'm all that interested, and thus sour the relationship that way.

 

They called you. It's your time on the line, not theirs.