Accepted Job offer and have now been offered something even better.

minicin · 27-05-2008 09:55PM #1

Hi all

Having a slight dilemma. Recently I began looking for a new job as I have just received my Masters and wanted to focus on working in a role that I can use my new found skills. Went on several interviews and was offered one job on the spot. After some consideration and not hearing back from another company I accepted the job.

However today I get a call from the second company offering me a position that has a much larger salary and huge benefits that the other company cannot offer. The job is pretty much the same job in either place and the companies are both great places to work.

In my mind I am thinking I would definately prefer the second offer with the bigger salary and benefits, but this means letting down the first company who want me to sign contracts and begin work in a weeks time. I don't want to appear disloyal or like I messed them around but I feel like the money is alot to turn down. Has anybody been in this situation before? I would really appreciate the advice.

Thanks a mil!!

Mrs OBumble · 27-05-2008 10:06PM

Have you signed a contract with the first company, or was it just a verbal acceptance? If the latter, then nothing's agreed, so you can ring them back and verbally change your mind.

If it's in writing, 'tis a bit harder and you might burn some bridges, depending on the size of the industry you're in. Even so, it's better now than a week after you've started ...

minicin · 27-05-2008 10:09PM

No it was purely a verbal agreement. They did send me over the contracts today but I haven't signed anything. It is more the feeling of letting somebody down I know its bad practice.

amtc · 27-05-2008 10:24PM

it happens, we're all grown ups and people get better offers. Company A won't offer as much as Company B....my advice is to go with the job you want. No-one will disrespect you for more money if that's what you choose (they won't pay the bills!)

marbar · 27-05-2008 10:29PM

this happened me in december and i stayed with the first job. the second one was with a much much bigger company and offered bigger prospects.

i regret this now

don't let this be you!!

minicin · 27-05-2008 10:32PM

I think its because it is so close to the start date for the first company thats why I feel like I am letting them down and I have progessed with them just haven't signed the contract yet but I think that the second job just offers so much more then the first company can.

The other question is how to do this I am not good at confrontation but plan on ringing and letting him know is this rude?

yummycake · 27-05-2008 10:36PM

If I was in your situation, I would just be honest about it. As mentioned - it happens. Of course it's not rude, it would be rude NOT to inform them. Do you really want to sacrifice a better paying job with benefits just because you find the situation awkward?

minicin · 27-05-2008 10:40PM

Oh I definately will be informing them would never just leave it and hope it goes away. I guess it I am just trying to find out how other people have dealt with it and if it is bad practice to do it. I dont want to get a bad name for it which is why I want to handle it with some care!

stepbar · 27-05-2008 10:45PM

Let's be clear about this. If the shoe was on the other foot, said company would have no problem dropping you as quick as a hot potato. Perhaps you could mention that you have a second job offer and see what their reaction is. How in ever, I wouldn't worry much about it. Look after me fein TBH.

minicin · 27-05-2008 10:48PM

stepbar wrote: »

Look after me fein TBH.

That seems to be the advice most people are giving alright!!

bloomfield · 27-05-2008 10:48PM

I worked at a place a few years ago where someone turned up for their first day, had a phone call from another company mid-morning, and resigned at lunchtime - leaving straight away.

That's an extreme example, but as other posters have said, recruits change their minds all the time - so don't feel so bad about it. Company A might have a bit of a headache having to restart their recruitment process again to replace you - but it won't be the first time they've had to do that, and it won't be the last.

Primarily you've got to look after your own interests first.

magooly · 27-05-2008 11:06PM

Ive sat in on interview panels where the director offered positions on the spot if we found the candidate was suitable because the competitors packages were known to be better. I thought it was a form hoodwinking the candidate, and several times the candidate would call to say later that a better offer came along.

Just call and be frank, thank them for their interest and wish them all the best.

Dudess · 27-05-2008 11:11PM

stepbar wrote: »

If the shoe was on the other foot, said company would have no problem dropping you as quick as a hot potato.

Well said.
OP, definitely take the second job - it's your life. I was in a similar situation recently - got offered one job through a recruitment agency and accepted it, then a company offered me a better job. Told the recruitment agent I'd have to change my mind - she got a bit cold with me but eh... tough sh1t. These things happen.

Best wishes in the new job!

Stky10 · 27-05-2008 11:15PM

stepbar wrote: »

Let's be clear about this. If the shoe was on the other foot, said company would have no problem dropping you as quick as a hot potato.

Is the correct answer. Odds are that at some stage of your life you'll be laid off. Companies do this all the time if they think they can get someone else to do the same job as you cheaper than you do it.

Companies like to talk about loyalty, but loyalty doesn't pay the bills. And loyalty won't stop your job going to India.

thecola · 27-05-2008 11:19PM

Be serious!

You will regret that you stayed with the company that clearly undervalues you! If the same job is paid more in other place- that's what your added value is worth.
The first company is playing on your feelings, that's why you got offer on spot, they clearly hoped that you will not be on the market any more.

And it's nothing rude. Even if you'd started working it, you will face less likely probability for adequate pay rise or promotion or anything.
I am talking from the point that jobs are similar, and companies as well, because sometimes there are few other factors besides that should be considered (like doing Audit at big4 for less, or at no-name for more. This choice turns tables after a few years).

Good luck with the new job anyway!

Sangre · 27-05-2008 11:30PM

Be completely honest and frank. Just explain that you were very interested in their company (if you were) but you've been offered another, similar role with a much better package. If you did like the firm you could suggest they make another offer otherwise you will be forced to take the better offer.

Recently I was interviewing with a few companies during a graduate recruitment phase (they all do it around the same time). One place offered me the job on friday evening and wanted an answer the following monday (I was still interviewing with other places). I just told them I wouldn't give them an answer as I wanted to hear from all the companies to consider all my options, I told them it was only fair on both of us.

In the end I took a job that offered 60% more pay, thankfully I waited (although in reality I just would have rejected this after accepting). They did it because they were a medium place and just couldn't compete package wise the larger places. This (and other places I know of a similar size) make these pressure offers to snap up people who are unsure of getting anything else.

j4vier · 28-05-2008 12:05PM

op i think i can give u a little advice myself
was in this situation one month ago, been offered a job , had the contract in my hand but just before i started i was offered a better job so decided to go with this instead.did the medicals all that, was told by the doc i was good for the role, now the company seems to be gaining time somehow
my fear is that im gonna end up with nothing! and i ll be bangin my head against the wall if that happens, i just hate the feeling of people not communicating

so my advice is , consider also what u have in ur hands and what u dont

Serafijn · 28-05-2008 12:45PM

stepbar wrote: »

Perhaps you could mention that you have a second job offer and see what their reaction is.

Definitely do this. You'd be surprised at what companies are able to come up with if they think they're going to lose a good candidate. Salary offers are rarely fixed. It does happen but it doesn't hurt to try.

Agree with other posters that you should just be honest in your approach. Call up and say you've had an offer, tell them how much and that the benefits are great, and that you're no longer sure you can accept their offer.

I would bet money they'll say something along the lines of 'let me see what we can do, I'll call you back'. If they can't match your other offer then at least they've had notice, and done all they can for you. Don't worry about hurting their feelings, they'll get over it!

Good luck and let us know how it goes

neil_hosey · 28-05-2008 02:04PM

why don't you say something like "hey ive just been offered another job with with more money and more prospects", and say something like "If you's cant match what the other guys are offering i will have to take the better offer."

you cant really not take it! id love to be in that position.

Pythia · 28-05-2008 09:16PM

Take the better job.

AARRRGH · 28-05-2008 09:33PM

I've been in this situation before.

I had an interview with company A. They rang me the next day and offered me the job; I accepted.

The following day I got called for an interview with company B. I went along to the interview and was offered the job on the spot. The money was 8k more.

I went home and rang company A explaining the situation. They told me they could not match the salary, and wished me the best. It was a polite and friendly conversation, and I have no doubt I could reapply for a job in that company sometime in the future.

So, as everyone else is saying, just let them know the story and it'll be fine. Do it by telephone as you'll come across better and you'll feel good about yourself afterwards.

minicin · 29-05-2008 11:14AM

Thanks all for the great advice! Went back to the first company to say a different company had offered me more money to go there instead so the initial company offered a bit more so going with them. The second company wanted me to wait for another week to see if they could come up with more money. Starting on Tuesday and very happy!!

AARRRGH · 29-05-2008 11:19AM

Well done, you did the right thing and it had a happy ending.

Serafijn · 29-05-2008 12:03PM

Great result, good luck in the new role

dade · 30-05-2008 01:37PM

just had that situation myself two months ago. had an interview at 9am with company A. had interview with company B at 2. during the second interview they offered me the job i said i'll think about it.

left and called the agency that set up the interview Job A. in fairness they called them back told them i had and offer. in fairness to Co A they where honest they where going to call me the next day to make an offer, so they matched the salary that was on the table and had a few other benefits. the most important being that it was based in the office and not on the road.

Co A never contacted me back nothing. so chances are in all these cases that just take it on the chin and go with person no 2

Accepted Job offer and have now been offered something even better.

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