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Career help. Picking between two companies? What would you do?

N

nobb

Senior member
Hi,

I was interviewed for two companies: company A and company B. Both are engineering summer jobs. Not to be cocky or anything, but I think I did very well on both of them, and my interviewers definitely appeared impressed.

Company A will get back to me first, while Company B will take 1 week longer than Company A to let me know if I am accepted. However, I really was impressed by Company B and think they will probably pay higher than Company A. A isn't bad, but I think the experience from B will be more relevant, and something I enjoy more. But since Company A will get back to me first (let's assume I am accepted), would it be reasonable to ask for 1 week to think about it (and take my chances on being accepted by B)? What would you guys do and how would you word "can I have 1 week to think about it" in a good way?

Of course, if I am only accepted by one, or neither company, then I wont have to make any decision.
 
If you get job A, ask for a day or two to think about it, then contact job B immediately and let them know you need to make a decision at A soon, but B would be your first choice.

If B wants you, they'll expedite their decision and let you know, otherwise you probably weren't getting job B anyway and you can just take job A.

I did this once when going through a headhunter, and she acted like it was standard practice. However, I got job B and accepted immediately, so I'm not sure what job A would have been like after asking for a day to think about it, but in my case the risk was worth it.
 
Well, if B is more relevant definitely go for it. If company A gives you an offer just tell them that you'll consider it but want to keep your options open and will get back to them as soon as you figure out what you want to do. But, if company A really needs someone for that position they might just pick someone else unless you really stood out and the absolutely want you.
 
Originally posted by: Playmaker
If you get job A, ask for a day or two to think about it, then contact job B immediately and let them know you need to make a decision at A soon, but B would be your first choice.

If B wants you, they'll expedite their decision and let you know, otherwise you probably weren't getting job B anyway and you can just take job A.

I did this once when going through a headhunter, and she acted like it was standard practice. However, I got job B and accepted immediately, so I'm not sure what job A would have been like after asking for a day to think about it, but in my case the risk was worth it.
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:thumbsup: This is 100% awesome advice
 
Originally posted by: octopus41092
Well, if B is more relevant definitely go for it. If company A gives you an offer just tell them that you'll consider it but want to keep your options open and will get back to them as soon as you figure out what you want to do. But, if company A really needs someone for that position they might just pick someone else unless you really stood out and the absolutely want you.
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Nah, just say you want to think over it for a couple of days, don't mention "options" or other jobs in the waiting.
 
Ok so I was offered the job by Company A and I accepted. If Company B decides to accept me, do you guys think it would be immoral/unethical to turn down the job from A even after I agreed to it? I havent signed any contracts yet...
 
Originally posted by: nobb
Ok so I was offered the job by Company A and I accepted. If Company B decides to accept me, do you guys think it would be immoral/unethical to turn down the job from A even after I agreed to it? I havent signed any contracts yet...
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dude wtf, why did you accept?
did you ask for a couple of days to think about the offer to ask company B for their decision? they would probably grant that to you
 
😕 Why'd you accept Company A one day after you tell us you wanted to wait for B? You got advice that said it is fine to tell them you need a little time to decide, ask B to expedite, then you could make a decision in a couple of days since B would have let you known by then.

At this point, assuming you do hear good news from B very soon, I'd only ditch A and accept B if it was significantly better.
 
Originally posted by: nobb
Ok so I was offered the job by Company A and I accepted. If Company B decides to accept me, do you guys think it would be immoral/unethical to turn down the job from A even after I agreed to it? I havent signed any contracts yet...
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YES. This is a TERRIBLE idea, especially for SUMMER EMPLOYMENT.

What if you take Job B and snub Job A, and when you graduate the only place hiring is Job A??

 
Originally posted by: nobb
Ok so I was offered the job by Company A and I accepted. If Company B decides to accept me, do you guys think it would be immoral/unethical to turn down the job from A even after I agreed to it? I havent signed any contracts yet...
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You could, but you'd come off a prick, and Company A's hiring manager will probably "pay" you back some way or another.

Don't worry about salary, it's a summer job, go for job experience and company profile. I went for salary (non-eng) over experience (eng), and I can't even find a job in my field now. You might get more this summer, but you will be screwed later when/if they negotiate your starting salary once you finish college.
 
I can honestly say that I am looking for the experience over the money right now, and I just think the experience from B is more relevant and something I would enjoy more. Also, Company A seems to be economically struggling more than B, and I think my chances of getting rehired after graduation with B would be greater.

I guess I got too excited when the guy called, so I accepted it right away. Now that I think about it, I am not sure if I made the right decision to have so hastily accepted. I definitely dont want to be a selfish prick about this, but I am trying to take into consideration what would be best for my future and what I would enjoy more.
 
I've been in this exact situation and i asked for a week to think about it from both companies. it turns out the offers were the opposite of what i expected as far as pay and the company i didn't accept with has layed off 5000 people and cut pay. so its definetely worth it to ask for a week and i had no trouble, they were understanding.
 
I just asked for a week to consider 2 options. You'd be silly to not take some time.
 
Originally posted by: nobb
Ok so I was offered the job by Company A and I accepted. If Company B decides to accept me, do you guys think it would be immoral/unethical to turn down the job from A even after I agreed to it? I havent signed any contracts yet...
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That was really stupid. Any decent company will give you some time to think about it. For summer jobs I'd expect a day or two, for full time positions I would expect a week minimum.
 
Originally posted by: nobb
I can honestly say that I am looking for the experience over the money right now, and I just think the experience from B is more relevant and something I would enjoy more. Also, Company A seems to be economically struggling more than B, and I think my chances of getting rehired after graduation with B would be greater.

I guess I got too excited when the guy called, so I accepted it right away. Now that I think about it, I am not sure if I made the right decision to have so hastily accepted. I definitely dont want to be a selfish prick about this, but I am trying to take into consideration what would be best for my future and what I would enjoy more.
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CHalk this one up to experience. If you really want company B and they offer you, take it and tell company A sorry but you changed your mind. You will be burning bridges though. I'd say call company B and tell them you have an offer from company A so that they can speeden up the process. The more you delay telling company A that you changed your mind the worse it will be.
 
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