Accepting job offer then changing your mind
Discussion
howcanshe said:
I can see both sides of the fence on this one, but what is everyone's opinion on pushy recruitment agents forcing you into a decision, then letting them down when you receive a better offer from one of the other companies you were originally dealing with?
They'd do the same to you at the drop of a hat, I would have no issue doing this. And in fact I did do exactly this about 6 weeks ago.24 hours later they will have forgotten your name as they're getting the next lot of people through the door.
k off on the phone after that!howcanshe said:
I can see both sides of the fence on this one, but what is everyone's opinion on pushy recruitment agents forcing you into a decision, then letting them down when you receive a better offer from one of the other companies you were originally dealing with?
If you want to go with the second offer I should ring the recruiter and explain the situation. Tell him your decision and why you have made it. If he\she is a professional recruiter they will want to keep you onside so should not give you a hard time. Also the recruiter can be a good contact for you in the future and if for any reason the job doesn't work out.As others have said at the end of the day you need to look after number 1.
Although it hits the recruiter's commission, it's really the company you are letting down more, and depending on your industry that sort of thing can follow you around for a while, and pretty much write off any chance of joining that company in future. If you are going to do it then do it as early as possible so as to minimise the impact on their plans. Accepting a verbal offer in principle then saying "actually no" a day later won't cause much disruption, signing the contract, setting the start date then not showing up on the day is a real pain in the neck. There are various shades in between but earlier is always better.
Be honest with the company and be honest with the recruiter. I know as an employer if a recruitment consultant was forcing people to accept, then I would consider if he was the right consultant to be working with.
Interestingly, I was in pretty much the same position and turned down an offer that I had accepted, plus it had gone a little further as I was due to move abroad. It dawned on me that I was making a mistake, confessed to my boss-to-be and they went off and discussed things. 2 days later they called me back and offered me a different role (a part time one based in the UK). Things went well, ended up going full-time, left a couple of years later on good terms and we have now just signed an OEM deal with them for my new company.
So it's not always bad, but honest I believe is the best policy in this case. I'd certain respect you more for doing that.
Interestingly, I was in pretty much the same position and turned down an offer that I had accepted, plus it had gone a little further as I was due to move abroad. It dawned on me that I was making a mistake, confessed to my boss-to-be and they went off and discussed things. 2 days later they called me back and offered me a different role (a part time one based in the UK). Things went well, ended up going full-time, left a couple of years later on good terms and we have now just signed an OEM deal with them for my new company.
So it's not always bad, but honest I believe is the best policy in this case. I'd certain respect you more for doing that.
I had a job in the bag a few months back that I turned down at the last minute.
I was the only one progressed to interview, the consultant had worked with the hiring manager for over a decade, and supported his recruitment through 3 different organisations.
I realised that it wasn't what I wanted to do before I was taken it to meet the Director of IT over a coffee. I was immediately offered money over the top of the previously agreed salary, but I'd made my decision.
Recruiter was seriously upset.
In hindsight, it was the right thing to do. I've found a better job, on better pay, with IMO a better company that I'm due to start in June.
You have to look after number 1. Changing employers is a big deal, in my opinion at least.
I was the only one progressed to interview, the consultant had worked with the hiring manager for over a decade, and supported his recruitment through 3 different organisations.
I realised that it wasn't what I wanted to do before I was taken it to meet the Director of IT over a coffee. I was immediately offered money over the top of the previously agreed salary, but I'd made my decision.
Recruiter was seriously upset.
In hindsight, it was the right thing to do. I've found a better job, on better pay, with IMO a better company that I'm due to start in June.
You have to look after number 1. Changing employers is a big deal, in my opinion at least.
At present there isn't a 2nd offer but I felt the agent was really pushy.
I waited a week for feedback as they were interviewing other people yet he wouldn't wait for me to hear back from other interviews I had been on.
There is one yet to get back to me, who if they make me an offer is far better than the one I have accepted.
Cheers for all the advice
I waited a week for feedback as they were interviewing other people yet he wouldn't wait for me to hear back from other interviews I had been on.
There is one yet to get back to me, who if they make me an offer is far better than the one I have accepted.
Cheers for all the advice
This happened to me a couple of years back.
I'm a contractor, and I had a contract in the bag with a well known company. The commute was a bit crap, but the rate was good. They bent over backwards to get me on board including extending the contract from an original 6 weeks to 6 months. Then a second contract dropped on my lap. It was a simple commute, and they matched everything else on the first contract.
Dropping the first one went against my principals as I'd verbally agreed to it. I asked advice on another forum, and came to the conclusion that you have to think of yourself. I took the contract closer to home, and i'm so glad I did.
The recruiter was spitting feathers as I was the only match they had, but I still think I did the right thing, especially as I'm still at that second contract 2 years later.
I'm a contractor, and I had a contract in the bag with a well known company. The commute was a bit crap, but the rate was good. They bent over backwards to get me on board including extending the contract from an original 6 weeks to 6 months. Then a second contract dropped on my lap. It was a simple commute, and they matched everything else on the first contract.
Dropping the first one went against my principals as I'd verbally agreed to it. I asked advice on another forum, and came to the conclusion that you have to think of yourself. I took the contract closer to home, and i'm so glad I did.
The recruiter was spitting feathers as I was the only match they had, but I still think I did the right thing, especially as I'm still at that second contract 2 years later.
0000 said:
I'm not saying go out of the way to irritate them, just don't decline a better offer to keep them happy. What's stupid about that?
Nothing, but that's not what you said.Anyway look after number 1 absolutely but try not to dump on anybody in the process would be my contribution.
bad company said:
Stupid remark.
Keep the recruiters onside if you can. You never know when you may need them in the future.
There are thousands upon thousands of recruiters out there, and everyone knows that the vast majority are there to get you through the door so they can collect their hefty commission. Incentives are misaligned at the lowest levels of the hierarchy in recruitment. Keep the recruiters onside if you can. You never know when you may need them in the future.
22s said:
bad company said:
Stupid remark.
Keep the recruiters onside if you can. You never know when you may need them in the future.
There are thousands upon thousands of recruiters out there, and everyone knows that the vast majority are there to get you through the door so they can collect their hefty commission. Incentives are misaligned at the lowest levels of the hierarchy in recruitment. Keep the recruiters onside if you can. You never know when you may need them in the future.
Yes there are plenty of recruiters but the good ones will come up with the best jobs time and time again. Those are the guys & girls who have been around the longest.
Edited by bad company on Tuesday 29th April 13:35
bad company said:
22s said:
bad company said:
Stupid remark.
Keep the recruiters onside if you can. You never know when you may need them in the future.
There are thousands upon thousands of recruiters out there, and everyone knows that the vast majority are there to get you through the door so they can collect their hefty commission. Incentives are misaligned at the lowest levels of the hierarchy in recruitment. Keep the recruiters onside if you can. You never know when you may need them in the future.
Yes there are plenty of recruiters but the good ones will come up with the best jobs time and time again. Those are the guys & girls who have been around the longest.
Edited by bad company on Tuesday 29th April 13:35
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