Job offer etiquette question

[ichy]

After being out of a job since the end of December I received a pretty good but not great offer from company A. I'd probably already have accepted it but this morning I also received a request for a second interview with company B. This has the potential to turn into a better offer if they decide they like me but obviously I'm not going to turn down a certain job offer for one that is far from guaranteed.

So, the question now is how do I respond to company A. I was going to write back and say that I'm very interested in their offer but I've agreed to an interview with someone else and I need to at least follow through on that before I make a decision. I also considered asking them for more details on their benefits package (the offer e-mail contained a salary offer but no details on how much health insurance would cost or how much ELT I'd get) before making a decision. Thoughts?

 

[Juddog]

A bird in the hand versus 2 in the bush - which is better?

 

[purbeast0]

i think either of your suggestions are fine. the 2nd one is something i would definitely do. no way i would just go into a job without knowing the whole package, not just salary.

 

[MixMasterTang]

When is your follow up interview with the other company? And yes I've never accepted a job offer without getting detailed information on their benefits package.

 

[torpid]

Get the offer and all benefits information in writing (IMO email is not good enough).

 

[Jimzz]

Ask for a week to think about it and then accept. If B offers better then jump before you start with A and call A and tell them no bla bla bla came up thanks but no thanks.

 

[ichy]

A bird in the hand versus 2 in the bush - which is better?

Obviously I'm not going to decline the offer from Company A, I just want to buy time until I've at least had my second interview with Company B.

 

[purbeast0]

or just accept offer a, then go interview with b and if you get the job with b, then tell a (thinking you won't start for a few weeks that is).

sure it sucks for company a but it's not their life/career.

 

[ichy]

Accepting an offer and then backing out of it is a dickish move. Company A is a huge employer, I have no intention of burning any bridges with them regardless of whether I take their offer.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

or just accept offer a, then go interview with b and if you get the job with b, then tell a (thinking you won't start for a few weeks that is).

sure it sucks for company a but it's not their life/career.

Company A will gladly fuck you over too in the future too, the least we can do is play pitcher back instead of always playing catcher.

 

[SunnyD]

Yes, definitely go tell Company A "Hey, I have an interview somewhere else as well. Do you mind waiting whilest I pursue this potentially better offer?" and see how long it takes them to rescind their offer and hire the next schmuck in line. :thumbsup:

 

[BoomerD]

Company A will gladly fuck you over too in the future too, the least we can do is play pitcher back instead of always playing catcher.

Yep...it wouldn't bother them in the least to cancel the job offer...after you quit your current job.
"Sorry, we have had a change in manpower demands. The job is no longer available."

IMO, accept Job A and interview for Job B. If Job B is better, take it and tell Job A,
"Sorry, I cannot accept the job due to changing circumstances. Thanks for your consideration."

 

[Meractik]

Obviously I'm not going to decline the offer from Company A, I just want to buy time until I've at least had my second interview with Company B.

You want to buy time, do as one other suggested and ask for WRITTEN paperwork about all perks and benefits included in the offer. They will not jump on providing that for you, so it will grant you time to conduct other interview and play the game. If they don't provide the written paperwork or try to give you any issues over it than you can make the realization that perhaps it wasn't a company you cared to work for if that is how they do business.

Either route you take you should always review benefits and perks and get it all in writing, without it in writing it doesn't mean #!$*.

 

[ichy]

Company A will gladly fuck you over too in the future too, the least we can do is play pitcher back instead of always playing catcher.

Dicking over one of the biggest employers in my area would be a very stupid and short sighted move.

 

[Schfifty Five]

For Company A:
1. Ask about their benefits
2. Ask for the offer to be in writing, either by mail or PDF scan via email
3. Ask when they are looking for a decision
4. If it's short (say a few days), ask if you can have 1 week to decide

For Company B:
1. Do you know when your next interview is? If not, you should call them and ask them to hurry and schedule now. Tell them you have a current job offer on the table that is time sensitive.

 

[ichy]

You want to buy time, do as one other suggested and ask for WRITTEN paperwork about all perks and benefits included in the offer. They will not jump on providing that for you, so it will grant you time to conduct other interview and play the game. If they don't provide the written paperwork or try to give you any issues over it than you can make the realization that perhaps it wasn't a company you cared to work for if that is how they do business.

Either route you take you should always review benefits and perks and get it all in writing, without it in writing it doesn't mean #!$*.

That's what I decided to do. I asked for more information on their benefits without mentioning the other interview I have. I did tell Company B that I have an offer so they'll need to make a decision about me quickly.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Dicking over one of the biggest employers in my area would be a very stupid and short sighted move.

Dicking over who? Unless someone can speak up with experience, you're acting as if HR makes a profile with your name that says "DONT HIRE THIS GUY!"

Christ, quit being a pussy and do whats best for you. Clearly you're the one always playing catcher and life. The only question is if you give a reach arround to go with it.

 

[Vic Vega]

Yep...it wouldn't bother them in the least to cancel the job offer...after you quit your current job.
"Sorry, we have had a change in manpower demands. The job is no longer available."

IMO, accept Job A and interview for Job B. If Job B is better, take it and tell Job A,
"Sorry, I cannot accept the job due to changing circumstances. Thanks for your consideration."

This is my recommendation and Boomer's first scenario HAS happened to me and was a bear to deal with. Luckily, my current job liked me so much they took me back no questions asked but I knew I was on borrowed time at that point. I stayed another month and moved to another job. Welcome to corporate America.

There is no loyalty anymore. Unless you are in an ultra specialized job role companies will ditch entire departments to make their numbers look better at quarterly shareholder meetings only to hire everyone back six months later.

A decade of working for fortune 200 companies has taught me to stay agile and always be looking for my next job. I've only been laid off once but I count the "job not available after accepting" as the same thing, I just got lucky that time and was able to go back to the old job.

 

[Meractik]

That's what I decided to do. I asked for more information on their benefits without mentioning the other interview I have. I did tell Company B that I have an offer so they'll need to make a decision about me quickly.

Good move, best way to play it IMO as it doesn't burn any bridges its just business. Plus it gives you leverage to mention to company B during second interview that they're not the only offer on the table. Good Luck!

 

[ichy]

Dicking over who? Unless someone can speak up with experience, you're acting as if HR makes a profile with your name that says "DONT HIRE THIS GUY!"

Christ, quit being a pussy and do whats best for you. Clearly you're the one always playing catcher and life. The only question is if you give a reach arround to go with it.

In some places accepting a job offer and then backing out of it WILL get your name on a don't hire list.

Keeping a commitment that you made is hardly the same as bending over and getting fucked.

 

[SaurusX]

I have to agree with the people telling you accept offer A, but later decline it if B's offer comes through. Maybe B's offer never comes... In that case you're set. If B's offer obliterate's A's, then I still don't see the problem for you. You'll have a better job at a better place and you won't need A.

Pro-tip: this same logic can be applied to finding a date for prom.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

In some places accepting a job offer and then backing out of it WILL get your name on a don't hire list.

Keeping a commitment that you made is hardly the same as bending over and getting fucked.

Tell them your mom died and you can't handle the situation - and must now leave to immediately move in and take care of your handicapped father.

Seriously, corporations are going to walk all over you. Companies don't ask "How much do you currently make?" and "How much do you expect to make?" because they want to beat your current pay :awe: They want to know how desperate you are.

 

[ichy]

Good move, best way to play it IMO as it doesn't burn any bridges its just business. Plus it gives you leverage to mention to company B during second interview that they're not the only offer on the table. Good Luck!

Thanks.

I'm under no illusions that an employer will feel any kind of "loyalty" to me. My old employer used to be a great place to work but over the past couple of years the company went to shit and started treating its employees like crap. I stuck around like a hostage with Stockholm Syndrome because, um, well because I was an idiot. Eventually I was laid off. That taught me a valuable lesson.

At the same time I don't feel the need to take an automatic antagonistic attitude toward anyone who offers me a job. I know a number of people who work for company A and it's supposed to be a place that treats its employees well. I actually got this offer through a former coworker of mine who moved there and is happy with his position.

 

[ichy]

I have to wonder how much real world experience the people who are telling me to back out of accepting an offer have. Believe it or not your word/reputation does have some slight value. Also, if I have the option to delay for a few days why would I give a dishonest acceptance if I can just tell them I need to think about it?

 

[Vic Vega]

You didn't mention how long the offer was good for? Do you have an offer letter in hand or just a telephone call?

If the offer is good for a week you have some wiggle room and there is no need to say anything yet. If it's 48 hours you may have a problem.

What will damage your reputation more is being unprofessional about this. Companies know people can and will be entertaining multiple offers. Your goal should be to remain as upfront as you can.