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October 17, 2007 | Comments: (0)
An excellent pickle
Dear Bob ...
I'm in a bit of a pickle -- I've just received an offer from one place, and they want me to start on Monday. However, I've got another interview on Tuesday morning with a place that I like better, and I'd rather work there (better pay, better benefits, better match for my skills and where I want to go career-wise, etc). But they haven't made me an offer yet, and if they don't, I also don't want to lose out on this one.
How should I handle this? Would it be wise for me to explain all this to the recruiter who has made me this offer, or is there a better way to deal with it? Thank you in advance for any advice you are able to give.
- Drowning in insurmountable opportunity
Dear Drowning ...
When you say you don't want to lose out on the offer you have, I'm interpreting that to mean the job, company, offer, benefits and so on are acceptable to you ... not that you'll take anything right now rather than waiting for a good opportunity.
Assuming that's the case:
The best approach I can think of would be to tell the folks who made you an offer that the earliest you can start with them is two weeks from Monday due to previous obligations (if they push hard, that lets you back off to one week from Monday).
Tuesday, if you still think you'd prefer the other company after your interview, let them know you have an offer on the table, and that while you don't want to be pushy, you have to either turn them down or start work with them within a week or two.
If the better company comes through, you call the first one, let them know what happened (another company made you an offer you simply couldn't refuse), thank them for their offer. Apologize for having to change your decision, recognizing that they had put effort into their recruiting process, wish them well, and say good-bye.
On the other hand, if the only thing the current offer has going for it is that it would provide gainful employment ... if it's a job you'd hate, a career dead-end, and a salary that would cause you to move into a studio apartment in a bad section of town ... then let the company know that after thinking things over you can't accept their offer.
Under those circumstances, be prepared to let them know what they'd need to add to make the situation work for you. You never know - they might be interested enough to offer it.
- Bob
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Posted by Bob Lewis on October 17, 2007 05:26 AM
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I definitely agree with Bob.
When you are sent an offer, you have every opportunity to say, "Thanks for your offer, I will review it with my family and get back to you shortly..." In the same way that the hiring company is going to take some time to contemplate the offer they make to you, you should afford yourself the time to evaluate it and make counter proposals, if necessary.
For instance, if the salary could deal with some adjustments, now is the time to say that and propose something more equitable.
By the looks of it, the only thing the first job has going for it is the fact that there is an actual offer on the table. It seems to be lacking in all the areas that a job would be rated for appropriateness.
If it's good enough to accept, however, then now is the time to adjust the start date and the salary. You don't gain more leverage of these items after you start the job...
Posted by: ASB at October 18, 2007 03:23 AMGood advice, all. It's not clear why the rush at the first employer, but if they are reasonable people that you will want to stay with, they should realize that you do need some time to think about it, wrap things up at your previous occupation and be ready. If they are really upset after you asking for a little time for you to get yourself ready to come to work for them, I'd be suspicious that they perhaps might be unreasonable about other things too. I wouldn't explain the other job possiblilty to the recruiter just yet; they have no business knowing your business until you have signed in and accepted the contract. Keep your options open as possible, just delay.
Posted by: Sam at October 19, 2007 05:45 PMAs a matter of curiosity, I'd like to ask Bob and the commenters who agreed with Bob, what exactly is wrong with Mr. Drowning telling the first company exactly the truth - more or less as he describes it to Bob? And for that matter, why not tell the second company the same truth at the interview?
Some "pros": since in either case he hasn't made a binding agreement with the first company, both sides can walk from the deal. But if he tells the truth they know they are walking away form someone who at least has the merit to get other interviews (the truth), whereas they might walk away thinking Mr. Drowning is an unjustified waffler (a falsehood, I assume).
The knowledge of the interview may cause the company to improve its offer.
At the interview the knowledge of the other offer almost certainly will increase Mr. Drowning's perceived value.
Both companies are 'bidding' Mr. Drowning get expect to get something closer to his real market value -- which is the fundamental principle we believe in, isn't it?
So what's wrong with telling the truth?
Posted by: davep at October 24, 2007 09:10 AM|
Three books. Three ways to change the world, your life, or at least Bob Lewis' bank account. Leading IT: The Toughest Job in the World distills the world of IT leadership into eight learnable skills and gives you concrete, practical techniques for each one of them. Bare Bones Project Management: What you can't not do makes project management manageable, even for first-time project managers with no formal training in the discipline. ManagementSpeak: What managers say/What they mean … well, it won't help your career, and won't make you a better manager. Mostly, it will make you chuckle, guffaw, and maybe even chortle. Make friends - it's the perfect gift for anyone who has ever suffered through one of those meetings. Order your copies today! |
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