Would you accept a job whist awaiting another offer?

[Vron]

Dilemma here - have to make a decision Weds about a job offer 'A' which I was quite happy to accept until.....

This morning I found out I am down to the last two from 48 on another job 'B' (which would be a better role) and I am apparently the 'preferred candidate' The final interview is not going to be until after Easter though. So, how do I play offer 'A' - the advice I have had is to accept as a bird in the hand and all that but I don't want to have to give backword. I also know of someone else who did the same with the same company 'A' and was pursued for the recruiting costs when he pulled out after accepting their offer.

I dont think Employer 'A' will wait a couple of weeks for me to decide (i.e to turn them down if I get offer 'B').

Ta

[condor]

Isn't there usually a probabtionary period on both sides? Take the offer from Company A (unless it's really not that good)...as you say, a bird in the hand

[maix27]

That's a right stty way to play things... I hope you don't work in a small market sector.

[DJC]

You are obliged nothing until you sign a contract.

So accept the offer. Tell the other lot you will be signed a contract within 24-48hrs and if they want you, then they better sort themselves out sharpish.

If they dont, you sign your first offer and take up the new job.

I had this a few months ago. I had a job offer, had accepted and was waiting the contract. It had to be returned to the company by end of play that friday. On Weds I was contacted about a different job, I told em they had 48hrs to sort something, they couldnt do it in time, so I said sorry, Im signing a different contract.

Nothing complicated about it.

[Landlord]

Why would B be a better role? Any chance of making A more similar to B by approaching them, IYSWIM?

[cs02rm0]

Either choose to go with the one who's offered you a position or ask them to wait two weeks and accept the consequences. Anything else is just too messy.

[Vron]

maix27 said:

That's a right stty way to play things... I hope you don't work in a small market sector.

Nice comment - I am trying to do the right thing hence my post.

[Puggit]

Funny this - I have a verbal offer from A, and I've been waiting for the contract for 2 weeks. B has come on the scene with a far better job and I've had the interview today.

Waiting for tomorrow's news...

[maix27]

Vron said:

maix27 said:

That's a right stty way to play things... I hope you don't work in a small market sector.

Nice comment - I am trying to do the right thing hence my post.

You were essentially asking if it is a good idea to take an offer from company A and then drop them if you get a better offer from company B were you not?

I always think the right thing is to be open and honest with all parties, anything else is underhand and unprofessional, as I alluded to in my post, doing such things can come back and bite you on the ass.

What are your options?

Can company A do anything to make the role better? (if it's financial then you have good cause to negotiate)
How quickly can company B act? Do they know you have an offer on hand already? Maybe if they know they can fast-track something, that will also show you how committed they are to you.
Company A have offered you a role, so they've made a commitment to you. If you do accept the offer then you need to make the same commitment, if you can't offer that commitment the don't accept the offer. Maybe ask them to delay it for a week?

I see this a lot in my line of work and it costs companies a lot of money and effort, it also costs other people jobs.

[Gargamel]

Who says you are the preferred candidate ? If it was the company then fair enough, if it was a recruiter then who knows...

Ultimately you have to look after number one but be aware if you are burning bridges then it could easily come back to haunt you.

Personally I would verbally accept company A on wednesday evening, they can send you the contract (won't reach you until Thursday) Easter out the way - can you interview on Tuesday with company B ?

Streching it, but might be possible to stall for a week.

[Vron]

So, how do I play offer 'A' - the advice I have had is to accept as a bird in the hand and all that but I don't want to have to give backword.

I don't think the tone of my post was to drop employer 'A' in it, exactly the opposite infact - if that was my intention I would just do it I wouldn't ask on an internet forum for advice.

[Vron]

Gargamel said:

Who says you are the preferred candidate ? If it was the company then fair enough, if it was a recruiter then who knows...

Ultimately you have to look after number one but be aware if you are burning bridges then it could easily come back to haunt you.

Personally I would verbally accept company A on wednesday evening, they can send you the contract (won't reach you until Thursday) Easter out the way - can you interview on Tuesday with company B ?

Streching it, but might be possible to stall for a week.

Thanks I was thinking Easter may give a bit of breathing space.

[okgo]

Some more opinions here from my situation, albeit a lower calibre job no doubt, the point is similar. And I got no comeback from the other place.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[maix27]

Vron said:

So, how do I play offer 'A' - the advice I have had is to accept as a bird in the hand and all that but I don't want to have to give backword.

I don't think the tone of my post was to drop employer 'A' in it, exactly the opposite infact - if that was my intention I would just do it I wouldn't ask on an internet forum for advice.

I think the term 'play' gives it a connotation that you want to know the best way to take advantage of the situation, not the best way to deal with it in the open and upfront.

Lots of people post on internet forums to absolve them of having to think for themselves, or plainly just to get confirmation on the best way to 'play' a situation.

My apologies if I took it the wrong way but that was how it came across to me. (being a recruiter and having been on the receiving end of the situation you've described at least 6 times in the last 3 months I unfortunately take it to heart when people are dishonest).

[Dave_M]

Gargamel said:

Who says you are the preferred candidate ? If it was the company then fair enough, if it was a recruiter then who knows...

Ultimately you have to look after number one but be aware if you are burning bridges then it could easily come back to haunt you.

Personally I would verbally accept company A on wednesday evening, they can send you the contract (won't reach you until Thursday) Easter out the way - can you interview on Tuesday with company B ?

Streching it, but might be possible to stall for a week.

Seems a good option to me.

A close friend came to work for me in a previous role, very tough (and expensive) recruiting process which I kept out of, offered a post as she is clearly very good. Verbally accepted the offer.

Unbeknown to me, she was also offered another job about 3 days later for about £10k more. I fully understand why she accepted that (£10k!) and we're still very close, no problem.