Interviewing after already accepting a job offer

[Anonemous]

Is it discourteous to interview after already accepting an offer? I applied to many companies months ago and I finally got responses last month. I accepted an offer and the position still hasn't started (HR says it's going to take a month at least to process employment). This week I get a call from a recruiter from one of the companies that I was interested in and they want to interview me.

Should I go to it or would that be rude?

Update: Last week I get an email stating the position was put on hold.

(6/23) Today I get an offer from an engineering contractor firm for that position.

 

[dougp]

I would go - how would the company that hired you know? Hear them out, it could be something that will challenge you more and further your career, or provide more pay.

 

[spidey07]

I'd go. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Current place isn't your employer, they become that when they are paying you. A freaking month? Never heard of anything like that, normally they want you to start immediately.

 

[rcpratt]

Do it. At the very worst, it will be good interviewing experience. At best, you'll get a better offer or a similar offer for a more interesting job.

I did a few interviews after I accepted a job this spring (to start after I graduated), but knowing that I wouldn't accept any of them. I didn't have to interview for the job I had accepted, and wanted to get some experience.

 

[Adrenaline]

Interview with the new company, they may turn out to be a better fit for you. You can always turn a job down for any reason you come up with. There is nothing wrong with a couple options for jobs.

 

[Zargon]

do it

 

[her209]

Its a trap!

 

[Deeko]

Towards the end of college, I accepted an offer from a small company I had interned with. A month later, I got an interview with a much bigger/better company. I interviewed, and received a much better offer. It was a very difficult decision (well, picking the latter company was, but doing so after accepting the first was not), but in the end I talked it over with the first company, they understood, and I took the second job.

I still feel bad about it, but I had to do what was best for me. I suggest you at least take the interview. It doesn't mean you have to accept an offer from them.

 

[SandEagle]

do it. corporations only care about what best for their interest; you should do the same

 

[Miramonti]

If they aren't paying to retain you for the month, then you don't work for them and should set up the other interview.

Waiting 1 month before signing a candidate who you've given an offer to is terribly risky and/or presumptuous, muchless stupid on their part. If you find a better fit/offer, you should do what's best for yourself.

The last thing you want to do is wait a month and hear that business issues have changed and they are in a hiring freeze now.

 

[bruceb]

Just be courteous in turning down the first job. Say something like, it's a better fit for my skills or an easier commute, nicer area. Something like that. And in my view, they did extend an offer to you, but it should not take 1 month before you start. Unless you signed a contract and you wanted to wait for your reasons. Like leaving current job or vacation first.

 

[joebloggs10]

It also doesn't hurt that if you get an offer from the second company but choose to honor your commitment to the first, you can usually set it up so that you have a standing offer for employment in the future if you handle things right.

 

[God Mode]

Screw the first company. A month is ridiculous and unless you signed something, they can easily tell you that the position is no longer available.

 

[Anonemous]

Thanks for the advice. I'll interview there next week then.

 

[Anonemous]

Screw the first company. A month is ridiculous and unless you signed something, they can easily tell you that the position is no longer available.

Well I signed their offer letter for the position but HR is sure dragging their feet even after I filled out all the forms and provided documents for citizenship.

 

[invidia]

Screw the first company. A month is ridiculous and unless you signed something, they can easily tell you that the position is no longer available.

I'm in the same situation as the OP. I got an offer and accepted a month ago. I submitted all the required documents 4 weeks ago. Last week someone was suppose contact me about a possible start date.

But it's a different story if it's the slow ass federal government or even a defense contractor doing a clearance review (my case). With ANY other company, I would say the hell with it if nothing happened in a month after accepting an offer.

I also got a couple of calls and interviews during that time. I went ahead with them just to check them out.

 

[God Mode]

Do some research to see if the first company isn't the second company trying to test your resolve.

 

[Eli]

Do some research to see if the first company isn't the second company trying to test your resolve.

Seriously? Quite frankly, I wouldn't want to work for a company that did shit like that.

Discourteous? This isn't a relative. Who cares? This is your life. You have to look out for yourself. If you receive a better offer after accepting, that's tough - for them.

Would it be discourteous to look for a better job while you're already employed? Of course not. That's silly.

 

[God Mode]

Seriously? Quite frankly, I wouldn't want to work for a company that did shit like that.

Discourteous? This isn't a relative. Who cares? This is your life. You have to look out for yourself. If you receive a better offer after accepting, that's tough - for them.

Would it be discourteous to look for a better job while you're already employed? Of course not. That's silly.

Companies do all sorts of strange stuff. My last employer would strategically place 5 dollar bills next to his feet when talking to someone and walk away to see the results. HR searching for personal information about you on the internet/facebook is just as strange.

 

[Eli]

Companies do all sorts of strange stuff. My last employer would strategically place 5 dollar bills next to his feet when talking to someone and walk away to see the results. HR searching for personal information about you on the internet/facebook is just as strange.

That's crazy.. lol.

I'd pick up the bill and send out a mass email saying something like;

"Dear Team,

"Found: 5$ bill. Please provide a serial number and description to claim your lost article. You have 30 days."

 

[fleshconsumed]

Go for it. In the end you have to do what's best for you. New company may provide better offer/position or might be an overall better fit for you. Even if you just started working there and only spent one week there, I'd still advise you to go to the interview. Never turn down an opportunity.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Go for it.

 

[Key West]

Go for it. Your company would forget about you and move on in 10 mins.

 

[Ns1]

hell yes because the company wouldn't hesitate for a second to do the same shit to you

 

[alkemyst]

it doesn't even hurt to interview post getting the job.

If a better offer is made always give your current employer a shot, but in all fairness your time is a commodity and should go to the best offer for it.

Keep in mind the best offer isn't always measured in dollars.