Skeptical about job offer

Game of Thrones Fan

So I had a job interview successful job interview recently. The recruitment company person said that the role was between 30-35k. I had the interview itself on Thursday the 16th of May. During this they said 30k would be the likely figure and I said something to the effect of 'grand'. The interview seemed to go very well, and at the end of it, they said they were going to make me an offer. I was given a personal contact from one of them during the interview in case I'd any questions.

I got a phone call from the recruitment lady immediately after to say that all went well and asked for a reference. She called me the next too to reassure me I'd secured it and to also confirm with me that I was happy with it too, etc. On the Monday, she was onto me again the confirm that all checked out. This time she mentioned that the salary would be 29k. I said I was happy with that but politely asked if there could be an increase with a good argument. I said that I would still be happy if that was the figure though. She said she'd push for a higher salary and on Friday the 24th came back to say that the salary was going to be 35k. I was told that the likely start date would be a week from now, but that it could be later (I suspect it'll be a week later because they seem kind of unorganised). While I was on the phone I asked will there be a letter of confirmation that I will have to sign. She said that there's no rule of thumb for that sort of thing with a company like this, and she then went on to say that she wouldn't ethically be allowed to tell if I hadn't secured it. I didn't want to sound skeptical, so I just okay and that that was fine.

I haven't heard from any of them since the 24th, which is fine I suppose, but just today I found out that the referee hadn't been contacted! Should I be worried. Would they really not bother contact the referee. I suppose there's no point in mentioning that I know the referee wasn't contacted? I'm just a bit nervous as another time recently, I was told that I'd a good job with a company and they changed their mind at the last moment leaving me completely in the lurch. There's a few emails that confirm I've the job too, but obviously these don't count for much.

listermint

There's no way this thread is real.

The acceptance of such a wide variety of salary offers rings hollow.

salmocab

Are your figures right there? You asked for more than 24 and they came back with 36? Should that be 26?

Wildly Boaring

Contract please.

wirelessdude01

Something about this yarn doesn't ring true. Starts at 30, drops to 24 to end on 36. Hmmmmm

Game of Thrones Fan

listermint wrote: »

There's no way this thread is real.

The acceptance of such a wide variety of salary offers rings hollow.

Sorry, fixed figures.

Game of Thrones Fan

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Sorry, fixed figures.

What did they say when you recently contacted them for an update? Is the the obvious question to ask here.

Game of Thrones Fan

Deleted User wrote: »

What did they say when you recently contacted them for an update? Is the the obvious question to ask here.

No, it was the recruitment lady who contacted me the last time we were on the phone. And that was to confirm the salary.

But to answer you, all was good. I sort of went through that in the thread anyway.

Game of Thrones Fan

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

No, it was the recruitment lady who contacted me the last time we were on the phone. And that was to confirm the salary.

But to answer you, all was good. I sort of went through that in the thread anyway.

When was the last time you talked to anyone in the company?

Sonny noggs

You are right to be dubious, I would also have reservations in the same situation, I’d take anything the recruitment lady says with a grain of salt.

Game of Thrones Fan

Deleted User wrote: »

When was the last time you talked to anyone in the company?

I sent a text to the one who interviewed me with the reference details, and I got a response. But that was the day after the interview. When I mentioned this to the recruitment company lady (a long while back) she said if you could hold off on contacting her until it's official. She then told me that it was official a few days later.

Should I just go ahead and start making touch with the actual lady who interviewed me again?

Game of Thrones Fan

Sonny noggs wrote: »

You are right to be dubious, I would also have reservations in the same situation, I’d take anything the recruitment lady says with a grain of salt.

But she'd hardly play a mind game with me? I mean she's rang me quite a few times to reassure me I had it. Or do they just keep the option they have as eager as they can while they can still possibly search for other candidates?

I'm officially supposed to give 2 weeks notice where I'm at, so I'm really confused about whether I should tell them when I'm leaving.

Sheep Shagger

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

I sent a text to the one who interviewed me with the reference details, and I got a response. But that was the day after the interview. When I mentioned this to the recruitment company lady (a long while back) she said if you could hold off on contacting her until it's official. She then told me that it was official a few days later.

Should I just go ahead and start making touch with the actual lady who interviewed me again?

Yep - forget about the recruiter at this point and deal direct with the employer.

Game of Thrones Fan

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Should I just go ahead and start making touch with the actual lady who interviewed me again?

You haven't heard from them since the 24th of May. That's 10 days and it wouldn't be unexpected for you to call (don't text) to ask for an update.

Game of Thrones Fan

Deleted User wrote: »

You haven't heard from them since the 24th of May. That's 10 days and it wouldn't be unexpected for you to call (don't text) to ask for an update.

But as Sheep Shagger said, should I just call the actual company now?

Wildly Boaring

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Contract please.

To elaborate.

Do not give your notice till you have s contract.

Ring recruitment agent in the morning explaining that you will not be putting in notice till you have the contract.

Ring for an update Wednesday afternoon. If nothing, ring your contact in company explaining that you have no contract yet.

Rubberchikken

call the person who interviewed you and find out the facts. its obvious to state but you dont need the hassle of handing in your notice if this all comes to nothing.

im beginning to lack any patience or understanding with recruitment and firms tbh. ive had recent experience of skype and phone interviews with no follow ups.
asked to send in suitable times for phone chats and having sent in a choice of 3, never hear back.
the professionalism is disheartening to say the least.
hope things work out for you.

Sonny noggs

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

But she'd hardly play a mind game with me?

I'm officially supposed to give 2 weeks notice where I'm at, so I'm really confused about whether I should tell them when I'm leaving.

Normal procedure is to agree a salary, start date, return signed contract then hand in your notice. Even then there is nothing really to stop the employer rescinding the job offer. I wouldn't be handing in your notice until you have done the above.

The 6k jump in salary seems implausible why 6k and not 3k for example when you weren’t negotiating hard.

Game of Thrones Fan

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

To elaborate.

Do not give your notice till you have s contract.

Ring recruitment agent in the morning explaining that you will not be putting in notice till you have the contract.

Ring for an update Wednesday afternoon. If nothing, ring your contact in company explaining that you have no contract yet.

I don't want to sound rude. The recruitment lady said to me, that if she asked the others for a letter of confirmation that it might be a case of "look can you not handle this" and she didn't want to be annoying them.

Wildly Boaring

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

I don't want to sound rude. The recruitment lady said to me, that if she asked the others for a letter of confirmation that it might be a case of "look can you not handle this" and she didn't want to be annoying them.

It's not rude to ask for a contract it's completely normal.

No one gives their notice without a contact in their hand for the next job.

Game of Thrones Fan

Sonny noggs wrote: »

Normal procedure is to agree a salary, start date, return signed contract then hand in your notice. Even then there is nothing really to stop the employer rescinding the job offer. I wouldn't be handing in your notice until you have done the above.

The 6k jump in salary seems implausible why 6k and not 3k for example when you weren’t negotiating hard.

Well I made the point that the job has a huge amount of responsibility... perhaps more than I can handle!!

I made the point there there seemed to be a gradual decline, from (25-30k), to 30k, to 29k, and maybe they felt they were being unfair.

Game of Thrones Fan

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

It's not rude to ask for a contract it's completely normal.

No one gives their notice without a contact in their hand for the next job.

Okay, but would it be cheeky to ask the company directly, and not the recruitment lady?

OldMrBrennan83

Be very wary of trusting anyone working in recruitment. Contact the company directly, you're well within your rights to. You might not even have the job at all but you need to know.

Wildly Boaring

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Okay, but would it be cheeky to ask the company directly, and not the recruitment lady?

As above I'd ring her tomorrow and again Wednesday afternoon.

She gets no money if you don't take the job.

Tell her no contract means you will not be giving notice. Go from there and her reaction.

If she's going to sort give another ring Wednesday afternoon.

Play by ear but deffo ring company by weekend

Sonny noggs

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

I don't want to sound rude. The recruitment lady said to me, that if she asked the others for a letter of confirmation that it might be a case of "look can you not handle this" and she didn't want to be annoying them.

Move on, this is going to go nowhere, sorry to say but you are being played. Can’t say why you are being played, but her response is ludicrous.

You know those stories you read in here where people say they have never gotten a payslip or the discovered they were underpaid for years without realising etc...this is the start of it.

Wildly Boaring

2 other things

1. 2 weeks is not that long in some companies to get past HR with a contract. Our HR function are in Dublin and are completely snowed under.

2. If contracting the employer directly do not bad mouth agency. Do not even mention them. I often use recruitment agencies and I always use the same 2 or 3 agents. You have no idea the background

Allinall

Something doesn’t add up here.

OP. How did you have the number of the person who interviewed you?

ziedth

Funny one,

The length of time really shouldn't be too much of a concern. It's annoying but far from uncommon.

However, while they are using a recruitment agency to (A) Make you an offer in the room and (B) Give you their mobile number seems very odd along with the erratic salary negotiations.

Your right to be wary but I'd fall short of pulling the plug. I would however Google the hell out of the company.

fritzelly

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Well I made the point that the job has a huge amount of responsibility... perhaps more than I can handle!!

I made the point there there seemed to be a gradual decline, from (25-30k), to 30k, to 29k, and maybe they felt they were being unfair.

Saying you probably cant handle the job and get a pay raise?

Something fishy on one side or the other here.

Believing the OP the agency is playing the numbers - get lots of people forward for the job and just keep fobbing them off til they have a guaranteed placement for one of them

Game of Thrones Fan

Allinall wrote: »

Something doesn’t add up here.

OP. How did you have the number of the person who interviewed you?

She gave it to me during the interview, in case I'd any more questions. Didn't I say that?

Game of Thrones Fan

fritzelly wrote: »

Saying you probably cant handle the job and get a pay raise?

I didn't say that part obviously.

fritzelly

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

I didn't say that part obviously.

Did I miss something?

Problem Of Motivation

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

If she's going to sort give another ring Wednesday afternoon.

I haven't hear that phrase before

Game of Thrones Fan

fritzelly wrote: »

Did I miss something?

I said it had a lot of responsibility, but I didn't say I thought I mightn't be able to handle it.

Game of Thrones Fan

ziedth wrote: »

However, while they are using a recruitment agency to (B) Give you their mobile number seems very odd along with the erratic salary negotiations.

Wouldn't it make you more inclined to trust them? I mean if you were playing a con on someone, you'd hardly give the person your number!

GingerLily

What con?

Game of Thrones Fan

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

She gave it to me during the interview, in case I'd any more questions.

Actually, I do have one question - Did I get the job!

Game of Thrones Fan

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

It's not rude to ask for a contract it's completely normal.

No one gives their notice without a contact in their hand for the next job.

I'm going to ring within the next hour.

Maybe I could play dumb, and say "maybe they are waiting to contact the referee before they give a contract" because I know they haven't contacted the referee.

wirelessdude01

Game of Thrones Fan wrote:

I'm going to ring within the next hour.

Don't say anything clever. Just ask what the state of play is and when can you expect to have a contract to sign.

Game of Thrones Fan

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Don't say anything clever. Just ask what the state of play is and when can you expect to have a contract to sign.

Thanks,

I sent an email, and I didn't say anything clever.

Game of Thrones Fan

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

I'm going to ring within the next hour.

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Thanks,

I sent an email, and I didn't say anything clever.

:rolleyes:

But, good luck. Hope you get good news back.

Game of Thrones Fan

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

To elaborate.

Do not give your notice till you have s contract.

Ring recruitment agent in the morning explaining that you will not be putting in notice till you have the contract.

Ring for an update Wednesday afternoon. If nothing, ring your contact in company explaining that you have no contract yet.

Below is the email is sent me this morning:

Hi Game of Thrones Fan,

Thank you for your email. Apologies for the delay in response, I was on annual leave and am only back today.

All is well with the company, I actually spoke to 'interview lady' yesterday evening and I will update you later today as I am just going into a meeting now.

What time suits today for a quick call?

Kind regards,

Recruitment Lady

Game of Thrones Fan

Latest email:

Hi (my name),

Sincerest apologies I got caught in meetings most of today and am only now back at my desk, so I missed our 4.30pm deadline for a call.

Please feel free to call me on xxx-xxxxxxx at any stage this evening.

I don’t have an exact start date yet, interview lady 1 promises that I will have this by next week as interview lady 2 is on holidays.

I look forward to speaking with you soon, with apologies once again.

Kind regards,

Recruitment lady

Problem Of Motivation

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Latest email:

Hi (my name),

Sincerest apologies I got caught in meetings most of today and am only now back at my desk, so I missed our 4.30pm deadline for a call.

Please feel free to call me on xxx-xxxxxxx at any stage this evening.

I don’t have an exact start date yet, interview lady 1 promises that I will have this by next week as interview lady 2 is on holidays.

I look forward to speaking with you soon, with apologies once again.

Kind regards,

Recruitment lady

She doesn't refer to your request for a letter of offer!

whoopsadaisy

Did you speak to your recruiter over the phone?

She seems to be forthcoming with information - if you're unsure about the state of play, then ask her. The reason why she is involved is because the company either can't or can't be bothered putting time and resources themselves into recruitment - her job is to effectively minimise effort for the company in the recruitment process.

If you are going directly to the company with questions that the recruiter can answer, yes you are risking pissing off the company because they are paying the recruiter to deal with this. If your recruiter is avoiding the question or doesn't know, okay maybe escalate it with a friendly inquiry, but if you haven't gotten to the bottom of it with the recruiter then do that first.

The delay is irritating and of course creates unnecessary confusion - but it really is not at all uncommon especially in peak summer season, as you've seen, people are on holidays. In larger companies especially, multiple people need to sign-off on a new hire. If it is a larger company, they are also more likely to outsource drawing up contracts which can often take weeks.

Don't hand in notice until you have either a contract or an Offer Letter in place of a contract. Advise your recruiter of this - she will almost certainly agree with you if she hasn't already advised you same. Other than that all you can do is keep in touch and try not to panic while you're waiting it out

Game of Thrones Fan

whoopsadaisy wrote: »

Did you speak to your recruiter over the phone?

She seems to be forthcoming with information - if you're unsure about the state of play, then ask her. The reason why she is involved is because the company either can't or can't be bothered putting time and resources themselves into recruitment - her job is to effectively minimise effort for the company in the recruitment process.

If you are going directly to the company with questions that the recruiter can answer, yes you are risking pissing off the company because they are paying the recruiter to deal with this. If your recruiter is avoiding the question or doesn't know, okay maybe escalate it with a friendly inquiry, but if you haven't gotten to the bottom of it with the recruiter then do that first.

The delay is irritating and of course creates unnecessary confusion - but it really is not at all uncommon especially in peak summer season, as you've seen, people are on holidays. In larger companies especially, multiple people need to sign-off on a new hire. If it is a larger company, they are also more likely to outsource drawing up contracts which can often take weeks.

Don't hand in notice until you have either a contract or an Offer Letter in place of a contract. Advise your recruiter of this - she will almost certainly agree with you if she hasn't already advised you same. Other than that all you can do is keep in touch and try not to panic while you're waiting it out

Yes I got on the phone with the recruitment lady last night. She agreed that that is the usual way things are done. She said that she can get it but it might take a while. She said that she could put something in writing herself too. Is that a good enough substitute?

Game of Thrones Fan

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Is that a good enough substitute?

Meaningless. Strange she suggested it.



Let them take as long as they want (within reason), but don't hand your notice in without an offer or contract, preferably both so you know what you're actually signing up for.

whoopsadaisy

Game of Thrones Fan wrote: »

Yes I got on the phone with the recruitment lady last night. She agreed that that is the usual way things are done. She said that she can get it but it might take a while. She said that she could put something in writing herself too. Is that a good enough substitute?

Have you discussed a potential start date any further? Is the recruiter looking for you to hand in notice at this stage?

I personally wouldn't be comfortable handing in notice without either a contract or a formal letter of offer from the employer. If worst case scenario happens and this all falls through - you have nothing except the recruiter's word. Now I trust that, as she's told you, she would not have been able to tell you as much as she has done unless she was 99.99% confident that there is nothing to worry about. But still, legally, without a contract you don't have anything and by this thread title alone it seems that you are worried by this. Don't put yourself into a risky situation if it can be avoided - trust your gut for now.

If you do decide to wait for the offer letter, do be aware however this probably will take time, as she has told you. The company could outsource this. It could need to be done by someone in a different office or someone could be on holidays. Ask her how long you should expect to wait so you've an idea of timelines.

Game of Thrones Fan

whoopsadaisy wrote: »

Have you discussed a potential start date any further? Is the recruiter looking for you to hand in notice at this stage?

I personally wouldn't be comfortable handing in notice without either a contract or a formal letter of offer from the employer. If worst case scenario happens and this all falls through - you have nothing except the recruiter's word. Now I trust that, as she's told you, she would not have been able to tell you as much as she has done unless she was 99.99% confident that there is nothing to worry about. But still, legally, without a contract you don't have anything and by this thread title alone it seems that you are worried by this. Don't put yourself into a risky situation if it can be avoided - trust your gut for now.

If you do decide to wait for the offer letter, do be aware however this probably will take time, as she has told you. The company could outsource this. It could need to be done by someone in a different office or someone could be on holidays. Ask her how long you should expect to wait so you've an idea of timelines.

So I got confirmation from my future boss via an email being forwarded from the recruitment lady.

Mod:
Removed the full e-mail due to the information would show your future employer that it was posted in full and likely identify you as an individual.

OMM 0000

I feel you're not helping things by being so passive.

Ring the recruiter and tell her you can't give notice in your current job until you have a signed contract with the new job.

This is completely normal so if the recruiter doesn't accept it then you need to seriously re-consider investing any more time and energy into this, as something is off.

The delays are fine. People really do go on holidays. People really are busy and disorganised.

You need to keep dealing with the recruiter as it's in her interest you get this job, as she's getting commission. She'll put up a fight for you.

Game of Thrones Fan

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I feel you're not helping things by being so passive.

Ring the recruiter and tell her you can't give notice in your current job until you have a signed contract with the new job.

This is completely normal so if the recruiter doesn't accept it then you need to seriously re-consider investing any more time and energy into this, as something is off.

The delays are fine. People really do go on holidays. People really are busy and disorganised.

You need to keep dealing with the recruiter as it's in her interest you get this job, as she's getting commission. She'll put up a fight for you.

I've finally managed to get the recruiter to put pressure on them and they've come back to me with a date in the second half of August! For the last month they've been telling me that it would be "in a few weeks". It's only now I'm certain that they were lying.

Anyway, the recruitment lady said they're now going to draft up a contract within the next week.