Accepting job offer with other applications pending?

[Conor D]

I'll keep this one as short as I can.. I applied for a Graduate Engineering position at a local firm which I have been successful and offered a job (Starting September 1st), I have received the employment contract but have not sent it back yet. This brings with it a 6 Month Probation period.

Whilst I was interviewing for this position I had applied to another local company and have interviewed for them also, I went for a second interview and I am now waiting to hear on the status (around 2 weeks until I find out more). This is a similar position, larger company, probably more challenging work with potential for more pay.

Additionally I have been going through the application process for a Graduate trainee development position at a Large UK Based company (Would genuinely bring an increase in pay, very challenging industry, development program along with it) - I completed the application, online tests, application has been reviewed and if that's successful I will have the opportunity for a telephone interview followed by an assessment centre which would take place on the second week of September.

I really want to know what the etiquette and also legality is of possibly leaving a company shortly after starting if an alternative position does come up (assuming it will bring with it a better opportunity). Does the probation period allow short notice termination for both myself and the employer?

The last thing I want to do is waste anyone's time or resources unnecessarily but I do want to keep my options open.

I have not mentioned the applications to any of the companies as I didn't want to affect any of my chances. Many of the dates/timelines are conflicting.

To throw another spanner in, I have also had an offer to take up a position doing an MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at another University.

Edited by Conor D on Sunday 17th August 21:05

[andy-xr]

You'll be on a weeks notice during probation (normally, anyway). I treat probation as a two way street, to make sure you like the company and for them that they like you, and they think you can actually do the job you blagged during the interview

It's not generally good form to leave for a better job early on, but seemingly OK after a year or so. Unwritten rule

If you're just taking it as a stopgap probably shouldnt have applied for it, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

[Rude-boy]

Some time you have to consider yourself first and do what is best for you.

If this involves pissing people off then sometimes this cannot be helped but you should ensure that maximum damage limitation is put in place.

[Conor D]

andy-xr said:

If you're just taking it as a stopgap probably shouldnt have applied for it, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

I applied for all the jobs around the same time, the first job got back to me first (I believe they're taking on quite a few new employees). I got a call two hours after the interview to offer me a job, the other companies are taking much more time to make a decision.

[John145]

As with all contracts, treat it as a 2 way street.

There is a notice period to provide on leaving and so long as you stick to that, no harm done. They'd treat you exactly the same way if their circumstances changed.

I was in a similar position, got offered a good job and was waiting to hear back from a preferred job before accepting. It took until the last day that the offered job was held open for me before the preferred job finally offered me the position. I had car keys in hand ready to drive to drop off the application!

They were disappointed but no harm done.

[Shaoxter]

Tell the companies you're waiting to hear back from that you have a formal offer already. That usually speeds them up and might strengthen your application.

Also it's usually ok to wait a week before signing and sending back the contract.

[Du1point8]

Shaoxter said:

Tell the companies you're waiting to hear back from that you have a formal offer already. That usually speeds them up and might strengthen your application.

Also it's usually ok to wait a week before signing and sending back the contract.

This....

I do it even now when a company is dragging its feet or Im in the process of 2 sets of interviews... Not play them off each other (salary, etc), just use that knowledge for them to speed up from glacial pace to snail pace to make the bleeding offer.

[Conor D]

Du1point8 said:

Shaoxter said:

Tell the companies you're waiting to hear back from that you have a formal offer already. That usually speeds them up and might strengthen your application.

Also it's usually ok to wait a week before signing and sending back the contract.

This....

I do it even now when a company is dragging its feet or Im in the process of 2 sets of interviews... Not play them off each other (salary, etc), just use that knowledge for them to speed up from glacial pace to snail pace to make the bleeding offer.

Thanks for that advice. That is something I originally didn't want to do to avoid any possibility of that being used to remove me from the application process in the early stages; thinking that I would probably take up the other position.

It sounds like it might be a good move forward though..

[Shaoxter]

Conor D said:

Thanks for that advice. That is something I originally didn't want to do to avoid any possibility of that being used to remove me from the application process in the early stages; thinking that I would probably take up the other position.

That's never happened in my experience, as long as you're polite about it obviously. Employers do understand that people interview for numerous positions at the same time and if they reject you on those grounds then I'm not sure you'd be wanting to work for them anyway.