Job Acceptance/Hunting Question

[MikeVic]

I'm actively seeking other employment opportunities. I got a low offer from some place that I wasn't too excited about, and rejected the offer. They came back and asked me what I wanted and will consider it.

However, I got about five other interviews to go to so far, and one that I had already sounded good.

I was wondering what the etiquette and proper actions would be in a situation like this. Say that the company that offered does accept my demands. Can I accept their offer, sign the document... and then if one of the other interviews ends up in a job offer that I like more... sign with them too, while telling the initial place that I got a better deal?

[A-Husker-4-Life]

5 interviews!!, wow where do you live??? I need to find employment and man that's alot of openings...

[MikeVic]

5 interviews!!, wow where do you live??? I need to find employment and man that's alot of openings...

I'm surprised too. About a year ago, I applied to a lot of places and ended up with two interviews in a month. Got hired at one. This time around, I've applied to a lot less places but have interviews with five different places. Three are .NET-type development, one is developing using perl, and one is a networking-type role.

Although I hope the other ones also offer a position, and don't offer so little up front lol.

[gottimd]

The company I work for in DC is hiring. Too far of a commute?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm kinda tired of coal, so I'm sort of looking, too. Can you line me up for five interviews?

[MikeVic]

Will no one answer my inquiry? :( lol.

[adubroff]

I'm actively seeking other employment opportunities. I got a low offer from some place that I wasn't too excited about, and rejected the offer. They came back and asked me what I wanted and will consider it.

However, I got about five other interviews to go to so far, and one that I had already sounded good.

I was wondering what the etiquette and proper actions would be in a situation like this. Say that the company that offered does accept my demands. Can I accept their offer, sign the document... and then if one of the other interviews ends up in a job offer that I like more... sign with them too, while telling the initial place that I got a better deal?


On a technical/legal level I don't think anything binds you til start date. Even after that, depending on what the laws are in your state, theoretically you could quit the first day.

The question becomes a personal one though, if you accept the job and then go back and tell them you're actually going someplace else, you might burn bridges. I don't know if these are bridges that you care about burning, but it's something to think about.

I had a similar situation recently (am job hunting myself). I had an offer from a company which I found to be sort of a "B-" opportunity for me. It wasn't horrible, it was certainly better than being unemployed. I told them I needed a week to decide. Part of my decision was waiting on some of the other companies I'd dealt with, which I told them too. Ultimately, this among a few other things blew up the situation. I think it was for the best, but if you try to delay/fuss around, most likely the employer is going to read it for what it is(a level of disinterest on your part). I spoke to a recruiter who said in general you're actually better off just accepting the offer and then telling them down the line that you've gotten something better: "You wouldn't be the first person to get a great offer between accepting and start date." Of course there's some risk in that, because if the other companies move slow, you might hit the start date and be SOL.

[MikeVic]

On a technical/legal level I don't think anything binds you til start date. Even after that, depending on what the laws are in your state, theoretically you could quit the first day.

The question becomes a personal one though, if you accept the job and then go back and tell them you're actually going someplace else, you might burn bridges. I don't know if these are bridges that you care about burning, but it's something to think about.

I had a similar situation recently (am job hunting myself). I had an offer from a company which I found to be sort of a "B-" opportunity for me. It wasn't horrible, it was certainly better than being unemployed. I told them I needed a week to decide. Part of my decision was waiting on some of the other companies I'd dealt with, which I told them too. Ultimately, this among a few other things blew up the situation. I think it was for the best, but if you try to delay/fuss around, most likely the employer is going to read it for what it is(a level of disinterest on your part). I spoke to a recruiter who said in general you're actually better off just accepting the offer and then telling them down the line that you've gotten something better: "You wouldn't be the first person to get a great offer between accepting and start date." Of course there's some risk in that, because if th other companies move slow, you might hit the start date and be SOL.

Thanks. I don't want to burn bridges... but I also want to see what other people will be offering (if any of them do).

[JPhillips]

What's the timeframe on the interviews? I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for two weeks to make th decision while telling the first company that you are looking at other offers. If you can get a bidding war started, good for you.

I don't like signing and then essentially backing out of the deal. I think you can accomplish the same thing while keeping everything above board. If the first company won't give you time to consider all your options that may be a sign of the type of work environment you'll be entering.

And don't be afraid to drop Pumpy's name in interviews.

[MikeVic]

What's the timeframe on the interviews? I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for two weeks to make th decision while telling the first company that you are looking at other offers. If you can get a bidding war started, good for you.

I don't like signing and then essentially backing out of the deal. I think you can accomplish the same thing while keeping everything above board. If the first company won't give you time to consider all your options that may be a sign of the type of work environment you'll be entering.

And don't be afraid to drop Pumpy's name in interviews.

The initial place wanted a start date in the first or second week of May. I've had two other interviews already. Excited about one, but have to wait if they will bring me in for another interview. Have another one on Friday, and then the last on next week Tuesday.

I suppose I can ask for two weeks to decide, but then would I give my two weeks notice at my current place at the same time?

[Dr. Sak]

I was wondering what the etiquette and proper actions would be in a situation like this. Say that the company that offered does accept my demands. Can I accept their offer, sign the document... and then if one of the other interviews ends up in a job offer that I like more... sign with them too, while telling the initial place that I got a better deal?

I went through something just like you stated. I accepted an offer from another company and signed the paper saying that I would come there. The reason being I never expected the company I worked for to match what the new company was offering.

So I entered my manager's office and handed him my letter of resignation. We had a talk afterwards and I told him that the only reason I was leaving is because this company was offering way more money. To make a long story short my company ended up beating the other company's offer. So I then called the place I signed with and told them I had a change of heart. The guy understood, wished me luck, and even offered to me if I ever want to reconsider to give him a call personally. I just had to send him a formal letter rejecting the offer.

[MikeVic]

So, well, I don't want to say anything before I officially start... but I'm so excited how things worked out. I'm going to be uneasy until I actually start work at the new place. As it stands, I'll be making 45% more at this new place. I was floored. It seems like a great place to work too. Like I said, I'm going to be uneasy until I actually start. :)

[canadiancreed]

So, well, I don't want to say anything before I officially start... but I'm so excited how things worked out. I'm going to be uneasy until I actually start work at the new place. As it stands, I'll be making 45% more at this new place. I was floored. It seems like a great place to work too. Like I said, I'm going to be uneasy until I actually start. :)

Damn do they need any help at all?! :eek:

[Eaglesfan27]

What's the timeframe on the interviews? I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for two weeks to make th decision while telling the first company that you are looking at other offers. If you can get a bidding war started, good for you.

I don't like signing and then essentially backing out of the deal. I think you can accomplish the same thing while keeping everything above board. If the first company won't give you time to consider all your options that may be a sign of the type of work environment you'll be entering.

And don't be afraid to drop Pumpy's name in interviews.


Agree with every bit of this advice.


Just read the rest of the thread. Did you end up at the 1st place to offer?

[MikeVic]

Agree with every bit of this advice.


Just read the rest of the thread. Did you end up at the 1st place to offer?

Nope, the first place to offer had an initial amount that was frankly pretty insulting. Same amount I was making, and they knew how much I was making before offering me a position with them. I sent them a letter declining the offer, since I was even promised a raise at my current place. So I'd be going to work somewhere for less money, and a lot more work. A lot of reading at home too.

They replied and asked me what it would take to to consider moving, and I gave an amount that I was looking for (which was a lot higher than they initially offered). They agreed to that, but now I had a bad feeling of the very low-balling they did to me. The position would give me a lot of knowledge and would be good for my resume, but I felt that my social life would disappear.

As this was all happening, I was interviewing with another place that I really liked the sound of. Not knowing what they would offer, I wanted to work there instead. However, I didn't have an offer or anything, and turning down the other job with a raise seemed hard to do.

I ended up getting a second interview at the second place the day before the first place wanted to know my answer (it was a hard deadline, I already asked). I brought this up to the second place at the end of the interview, and they said they'd take my situation into consideration. A few hours later I get a call, with a verbal offer for the higher-than-expected amount.

I was still scared, since I would have to turn down the first place's written offer, and I only had a verbal aggreement with the second place. I decided to do it... and got a written a couple days later. So now, pending positive references, I will be working for the second place. :) I gave my two-weeks notice at the current place, and am hoping everything goes smoothly.

Thanks for the help from everyone in this thread.

[MikeVic]

dola,

I should mention that I was making below-average for my field in this city at my current place. I took it for work experience. So now I feel like I'm being rewarded for that. :)