Support NeoGAF

[womfalcs3]

Say you go for two interviews. One employer responds with an offer that you would have to accept within two weeks. You really want the other job, though, but an offer for it may not come for a month. Is it a dirty move to accept the initial offer, but change your mind in the case the preferred one comes along?

This is about the job offer letter, not the employment contract. So the change of heart would take place before you start work.

Let's say an extension for the first offer is not an option.

 

[Mario]

I'd consider that both unprofessional and disrespectful, not to mention you'd possibly be keeping somebody else out of work depending on whether there are other applicants.

 

[cpp_is_king]

It is indeed pretty bad, I did this one time and the guy who I changed the offer on was fucking furious. Bad thing is, the company owner was someone who I wouldn't say I was exactly friends with it, but we weren't strangers. I was young at the time and didn't know better. On the other hand, it probably worked out better for me in the long run, but it was a dick move on my part and I still feel bad about it.

From the company's point of view, they could have actually already sent rejection letters to other candidates, cancelled interviews, etc because they have a candidate starting. Ultimately you have to weigh what's in your best interest and decide if burning that bridge and making that enemy is worth it for the other job.

Multiple job interviews / offers is always a tough situation to be in (although many out of work people would kill to be in that situation), if you think something like that is going to happen it helps to stall the first interview from even taking place for as long as possible. Once you have an offer, you can generally request a week to think about it, and some places may be kind enough to give you 2 weeks although it's rarer. If you tell the other company (the one that you really want to work for) that you have an offer in hand from another company and you have a hard deadline by which you must respond, they will often expedite the shit out of you. Assuming, of course, they're really that interested.

This happened to me in my most recent job search. I had an offer from one company, another company had literally *just* cold called me after I submitted my resume through their website. I told them that I didn't know if it was possible to get through the process quickly enough, hell I even lived in another state and they'd have to fly me out for an interview. And this is actually a major, major industry player, a big company, where bureaucracy is supposed to be king. But they fucking made that shit happen, flew me out the next day, had the paper in my hand 3 days later. I ended up accepting that one.

Anyway, in general, once you sign the paperwork, you should consider all other prospects as over.

 

[Troidal]

Do they know you are currently still working or unemployed?

You could lie and say the company you are currently in can't let you go within those two weeks and that you would like to have it extended.

 

[cpp_is_king]

Do they know you are currently still working or unemployed?

You could lie and say the company you are currently in can't let you go within those two weeks and that you would like to have it extended.

Doesn't matter, they're still going to give you a deadline just for signing the offer letter. The issue is whether it sucks to change your mind after signing the offer, not after your first day.

 

[womfalcs3]

Yeah...

So I'm thinking if I accept the first offer, I'll just suck it up if the one from the preferred company comes in. I don't know if I want to pass up on the certain offer to wait for a less than certain one.

Do they know you are currently still working or unemployed?

You could lie and say the company you are currently in can't let you go within those two weeks and that you would like to have it extended.

Accepting the offer has to be done within two weeks in all cases. I don't start work in two weeks, just accept the offer. Companies usually require a 30-day notice that you're leaving, anyway.

 

[Akim]

I wish I had that problem

 

[Big-E]

I actually might do this soon. I was pressured into signing an extension early despite me not wanting too so early and telling them about it. I was ok with continuing but I might be dealing with a fairly big personal situation where I don't think I could perform my duties anymore and might be asking to leave.

 

[freddy]

Look after number one as far as your business and work life goes. You get a better offer later you should take it. Business is business.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

It's kind of a dick move that I would make in a heartbeat.

Alternatively, you could take the job, then if you get the better offer, return to the job you've got, tell them you have received a better offer and ask if they can match it otherwise you will have to do what is in your best interest.

 

[IGotBillySoSpooked]

I'd take the job, to be honest. It doesn't make sense to pass up an offer in the hopes that another offer comes through. What if it doesn't?

Incidentally, my brother just did this same thing. He took the first offer and worked at this place for about two months before quitting and switching employers. He just said it wasn't working out and his boss didn't seem to mind.

 

[Cipherr]

No, unless you have signed already. If I were in that situation I would look out for myself first. All else is second. If tomorrow the company runs into deep shit coupled with deep debt and needs to layoff, or eat massive losses, you can bet your ass you will be severed ASAP, and in this climate you would be kidding yourself to think otherwise. Tend to yourself, especially concerning your profession.

 

[justin.au]

Look after number one as far as your business and work life goes. You get a better offer later you should take it. Business is business.

Exactly. They'd fuck you up the arse if it was necessary for their interests, this is your opportunity to get one back on them. Do what will be best for you. They're businesspeople, you won't hurt their feelings; they'll just get someone else.

 

[Scrow]

politely and professionally tell the other employer, for the job you prefer, to get a move on. say that you'd prefer to work for them, but you can't pass up the other offer if the job with them isn't a sure thing.

if they really want you they might put a fire under it and make you an offer so they don't lose you to another company.

 

[AniHawk]

i had about three interviews that turned into three job offers about three or four weeks ago.

1st job: start me off as a temp, working up to full time. not bad, worked with them before. could have been nice. wouldn't have put my degree to use, but at least i knew the people and the company was kinda secure. the job was offered because i knew one of the people there, not because i went ahead and applied for it out of the blue (although i did send my resume).
2nd job: startup company that would pay me a little above minimum wage with the prospect of a full position after a 90 day trial period. would have put my degree to use. guy was really enthusiastic about my work.
3rd job: another startup company with a position that was more or less my dream job. the environment seemed really cool. was totally psyched for it.

i let the first two people know that i was interviewing for the third one (but not each other). each one of the three wanted me to come in for a trial run within the week. the first week eventually never called me (i called them), but had decided to move on to somebody who wasn't looking for other opportunities. the second place was... well, i didn't mind the work. it wasn't particularly challenging, but i was worried about the place as a long term thing. the extremely small size of the company alongside some other stuff made me wary. the third job unfortunately fucking sucked, and i didn't know that until after my first day there. not at all what was advertised.

however i had already told job #2 that i was taking job #3. i didn't feel too bad about it, and i wanted to tell them asap because their second guy had made it known to them that it was his dream job.

after a day much longer and more expensive than what it should have been at #3, i told them i had taken a position with another company. ...and then out of the blue, i was contacted by another company i had interviewed with months earlier, and now i work for them.

 

[neojubei]

I wish I had that problem

Me too.

 

[senahorse]

I took up a permanent position late last year that looked great on paper. After 4 days on the job I hated it and knew I wouldn't learn to like it. In the end I left right on the 2 week mark and went back to my previous job (luckily it still hadn't been filled) for the remainder of the original contract (roughly 3 months), turns out it was the best decision I made. Just last week I was converted into a permanent role at the next major pay grade

 

[Nemo]

Dick move indeed,

Did it anyway, twice. Once I even worked for a few hours, got a phone interview while on the job, got accepted and moved the fuck out

 

[ascii42]

I've seen it done. You'd be far from the first to do it.

 

[womfalcs3]

Dick move indeed,

Did it anyway, twice. Once I even worked for a few hours, got a phone interview while on the job, got accepted and moved the fuck out

Haha.

If it comes down to it, making a disrespectful/unprofessional move is a better option than passing by a better long-term option for your family and yourself.

 

[sk3]

Yeah...

So I'm thinking if I accept the first offer, I'll just suck it up if the one from the preferred company comes in. I don't know if I want to pass up on the certain offer to wait for a less than certain one.



Accepting the offer has to be done within two weeks in all cases. I don't start work in two weeks, just accept the offer. Companies usually require a 30-day notice that you're leaving, anyway.

Require 30 days notice? What are they going to do, FIRE you? 2 weeks is pretty standard in the US anyhow.

 

[Bernbaum]

politely and professionally tell the other employer, for the job you prefer, to get a move on. say that you'd prefer to work for them, but you can't pass up the other offer if the job with them isn't a sure thing.

if they really want you they might put a fire under it and make you an offer so they don't lose you to another company.

Smart.

 

[Zenith]

Yes, it's ok to take it. Who cares what the other employer thinks of you, you've got a job, you'll never see them again and it's not like you need them for a reference. As someone else mentioned, if it was the company who was in trouble they'd kick you in a heartbeat.

 

[THRILLH0]

Require 30 days notice? What are they going to do, FIRE you? 2 weeks is pretty standard in the US anyhow.

You want your benefits paid out?

To the OP, put me in the 'dick move that you should totally make' camp.

If the shoe was in the other foot they (and any other company) would shitcan you so do what's best for number one.

 

[AMUSIX]

Why don't you just go to the second job and tell them you need an answer soon as you are receiving other offers?

Or, more tactfully, tell them that other offers are being presented to you, but you would prefer to work for them, only you need to know soon.

 

[sonicfan]

Stuff happens all the time, you don't really owe the new employer anything until you actually start the new job IMO, and even then.....they just as likely could fuck you over right after you start.

I had a friend that years ago took a job with Goldman Sachs, big move to NYC, pulled strings to get his wife transfered to New York, he was going to be in the big leagues. He started October 1, 1987. Black Friday happened 3 weeks later, he was let go on Monday...... Luckily for him, his old firm took him back.....

I had the opposite sort of happen last year where I work. A guy left and we were interviewing several people to replace him. We settled on a woman from NYC, her husband was a lawyer but was happy to move down to NC we were told. She accepted the offer, was to start in a few weeks, all things were going smoothly, and a couple of days before her start date she called back and said she changed her mind and husband had taken a job in Texas....Good thing our #2 pick was very eager to move down also from NYC.

Want to hear a real dickhead story? I worked with a guy in Michigan, pretty senior well paid type, who took a new job in NC. The thing is he didn't even tell his old employer he was leaving. He got to his new job, found out it wasn't going to be what he thought it was going to be after about a week, and left and went back to his old job....fucker, I would have fired him on the spot once I found out......

 

[Hari Seldon]

Take the first offer, and if the second offer is better quit and take that. Don't see the problem, that is business. You might burn a bridge at the first company but oh well. Look after yourself first, because no one else is.

 

[LM4sure]

Why don't you just go to the second job and tell them you need an answer soon as you are receiving other offers?

Or, more tactfully, tell them that other offers are being presented to you, but you would prefer to work for them, only you need to know soon.

That would be my recommendation. After I graduated from college, I had this exact same situation and I went to the company I really wanted to work for and let them know I had a job offer and needed to respond within two weeks. I did end up getting a job offer from the job I really wanted within that two weeks. But I still think that might be a risky move. I'm not sure an employer wants to feel rushed into making a decision.

 

[JGS]

Say you go for two interviews. One employer responds with an offer that you would have to accept within two weeks. You really want the other job, though, but an offer for it may not come for a month. Is it a dirty move to accept the initial offer, but change your mind in the case the preferred one comes along?

This is about the job offer letter, not the employment contract. So the change of heart would take place before you start work.

Let's say an extension for the first offer is not an option.

It's dirty but totally understandable. I would not let something like duty or honor stand in the way and tae the job I want to work.

As someone who hires, I get that I may lose someone. Honestly, it's cheaper to lose them prior to actually starting the job even thugh the replacement process takes a while (Not that much as there are usually strong number 2's).

Keep in mind though that no matter how could you are you have probably ruined any chance of working for that company again unless you lie. I know I wouldn't hire you again.

 

[ArjanN]

I wish I had that problem

.

 

[Nekofrog]

I wish I had that problem

Make yourself more valuable to employers.

 

[J Tourettes]

Look after number one as far as your business and work life goes. You get a better offer later you should take it. Business is business.

This. Why the fuck would you do yourself out of a job you'd much rather have?

 

[womfalcs3]

In many cases, companies give you a probationary period to test you out. In that period, you can be fired with ease.

Why don't you just go to the second job and tell them you need an answer soon as you are receiving other offers?

Or, more tactfully, tell them that other offers are being presented to you, but you would prefer to work for them, only you need to know soon.

I have told them that. It's a big company with thousands behind me vying for a position. He did tell me he heard it's good news, but I can't rely on his off-the-record hearsay and pass up on the current certain offer.

 

[Mario]

If it comes down to it, making a disrespectful/unprofessional move is a better option than passing by a better long-term option for your family and yourself.

If you are prepared to pull this on company #1, do you even truly want to work there in the first place?

 

[kikori]

Why don't you just go to the second job and tell them you need an answer soon as you are receiving other offers?

Or, more tactfully, tell them that other offers are being presented to you, but you would prefer to work for them, only you need to know soon.

I'd recommend this as well. A few years ago, I was out of work and had gotten a job offer from one company while interviewing with a place that was a better fit for me. I had my second round of interviews with the second place on a Thursday, but the existing job offer on was expiring the next day, on Friday. During the interview, I met with the hiring manager's boss (he happened to be out of the office) and politely told her that I really wanted to work for them but I had an offer on the table that was expiring the next day. They called me on Friday afternoon with the verbal offer, but I wanted the physical letter, so I called the first place and asked for an extension. They said no, and I was forced to turn them down without the offer letter from the second job in hand. It came Monday though, and I've been here ever since. It turns out that the hiring process here is extremely slow, and had I not said what I did, I probably wouldn't have seen the offer from them for weeks.

On the flip side, we extended an offer to a guy who accepted, only to get a call from him literally the Friday before the Monday that he was due to start, saying that his current employer had countered and he was backing out. We had to start our search all over again which sucked, but we got over it. Frankly, I think it's better to bail like that than to start at a place and leave after only a week or two. The latter leaves a bad taste in people's mouths as to the kind of employee you might be regardless of how legitimate your reasons for leaving are. It's a small bridge but it's still a bridge, and you never know if you're going to run into these people again when you're trying to get a different job in the future.

That said, at the end of the day you absolutely have to look out for yourself. Most companies have no loyalty to their employees at all anymore, and if you work for one that does, consider yourself fortunate.

 

[womfalcs3]

If you are prepared to pull this on company #1, do you even truly want to work there in the first place?

Yes. It's just that the preferred company, who has yet to respond, provides advantages that the current one doesn't. The advantages aren't material or anything. The preferred company will give me stability. It's about the facility's location (and the changing of locations with time), and the fact the preferred company would offer me indefinite employment, whereas this one will give me a trial of 2 years. They say I shouldn't worry about being let go after the 2 years elapse, but legally, they're not bound.

 

[MarkMclovin]

You are easily replaced, so I'd do it.

 

[33-Hit-Combo]

If you are prepared to pull this on company #1, do you even truly want to work there in the first place?

It's not black or white though. I'm sure if the OP had no prospects with company #2 he'd be all over company #1. It's 'the next best thing'.

I agree it's a bit of a dick move if he accepts #1 and then cuts himself loose, but to be honest he's only one person to the company. If you consider his leaving from the two perspectives, the effect is going to be a lot larger for that person.

I would probably do the same. It's your job, you're going to be there for a while so it's worth making sure it's right for you. Admittedly that could mean going from job to job repeatedly and screwing over a lot of companies... I personally wouldn't be successful enough to do that though.

 

[BitchTits]

Is it a dirty move to accept the initial offer, but change your mind in the case the preferred one comes along?

No, it's called being savvy. Don't feel guilty about looking after your own interests, and don't let GAF Justice League tell you otherwise.

 

[hokahey]

No, it's called being savvy. Don't feel guilty about looking after your own interests, and don't let GAF Justice League tell you otherwise.

This. For fuck's sake.

It happens ALL THE TIME.

And most career professionals have had to do something along these lines at some point.

What you should do though if you dont want to burn a bridge too badly, is tell the place you accepted at and now will have to reject that you're very sorry but you had interviewed multiple places, you were excited to be hired with them but that your dream job was offered to you at a salary you couldnt refuse. They may act a little pissy but if you ran in to that same recruiter down the road for some reason they wouldnt look down too harshly on you. If they did then they're just losers with an ax to grind.

 

[gutter_trash]

burning bridges comes to mind

in my city in my field, it would be considered a bridge burn and a bad move

 

[Enco]

Is it cool? Nope.

Should you do it? Yes, if you don't mind being a bit douchey. Plenty of people do it so I wouldn't worry too much.

If you're feeling manly

Spoiler

or not douchey

, be a man and take the risk with declining the job.

If you decide to do it, the business isn't gonna cry over it if that's what you're thinking.

 

[Hari Seldon]

Yes. It's just that the preferred company, who has yet to respond, provides advantages that the current one doesn't. The advantages aren't material or anything. The preferred company will give me stability. It's about the facility's location (and the changing of locations with time), and the fact the preferred company would offer me indefinite employment, whereas this one will give me a trial of 2 years. They say I shouldn't worry about being let go after the 2 years elapse, but legally, they're not bound.

Lol you are on 2 years of probation? Then there is not even a fucking thought to this. It is not douche at all for you to drop that company as soon as a better offer comes along, even if that is 2 hours after you start. If that company has some bullshit 2 year probation process then fuck them.

 

[BertramCooper]

Alternatively, you could take the job, then if you get the better offer, return to the job you've got, tell them you have received a better offer and ask if they can match it otherwise you will have to do what is in your best interest.

This is what I'd do.

Use the other job offer as leverage, if possible.

 

[yacobod]

Look after number one as far as your business and work life goes. You get a better offer later you should take it. Business is business.

this X 100

 

[CrankyJay]

No, business is business.

A company's obligation is to their stockholders, so they have no problem releasing you when times are tough.

Your obligation is to yourself.

 

[jorma]

I agree with the posters that felt that it was somewhat douchy behaviour, but that you should still do it.

 

[LosDaddie]

It's an employer's market. Company A will just go for candidate #2 when you leave for Company B. Unless you're in a highly specialized field, there's no shortage of qualified candidates applying for jobs these days.

So no, don't feel bad if you leave a company for another company after only working there for a month (at most). You may even get a counter offer if the first company values you that much. It's not dirty, it's business. You better believe the same company will fuck you over the moment business begins to sour. Why? It's business.

But yes, if you feel good about your chances with Company B, then I'd make a call to tell them that you want to work for them but need an offer soon. Otherwise, you're going to take Company's A offer. Most companies take their sweet time hiring new employees.

 

[Sethtimus Prime]

Look after number one as far as your business and work life goes. You get a better offer later you should take it. Business is business.

This. It might be a bit of a dick move, but most companies wouldn't think twice about fucking you over if it benefited them.

 

[diffusionx]

It's a dick move, no doubt, but on the other end, the company would have no qualms with doing the same to you if situations change. In the end, you're the one who is going to have to go to work every day, so it needs to be the best move for you.

One time I actually got rejected from a company, only to get a job offer a few weeks later. I assume the person who got the job either did this, or failed a drug test. Whatever, it worked for me.