Suppose that you interviewed for jobs with two separate companies

[Orrex]

Both pay about the same, with approximately equivalent benefits. And let's say that you interview for both on the same day.

You don't particularly want the job with Company #1 but would accept it in the absence of another offer.

You really like the job with Company #2 but don't know if they'll offer it.


So a few days go by and Company #1 makes you a reasonable offer, and you haven't heard from Company #2.


1. Do you accept the offer, recognizing that no other offer might be forthcoming?

2. Do you reject the offer, hoping that Company #2 might come through with something better?


or


3. Do you accept the offer, only to dump Company #1 when Company #2 makes an offer next week (or so)?



Aside from being (potentially) inconvenient for Company #1, is there anything really wrong with option 3?

[flying rabbit]

1. The only loyalty to company 1

is in your head.
I am pretty sure they are hiring you for what YOU can do for them (maybe they should make their offer more palatable). If company 2 will make you happier go for it. Company 1 will get over it. I also dont think they will lose sleep if they decide to get rid of you in the future, so why worry about getting rid of them if opportunity knocks? he whole burning bridges thing is the only issue that comes to mind.

[lizziegrace]

2. Before I would accept the job with company 1

I'd call company 2 and let them know that you've received an offer and would like to know if they can tell you where the search stands.

[OhioChick]

3. Agreed. Don't want to burn any bridges with company 1 n/t

[LostinVA]

8. Exactly

[Flaxbee]

11. Agreed. Good advice from lizziegrace

:hi: lizziegrace! :hug:

[HipChick]

4. Play them off each other..and get a salary leverage

[HopeHoops]

5. Simple: Stall. Been there.

Use an excuse like "I have to discuss it with my significant other and he/she has been tied up with an out of town business trip." as your "detailed" excuse. Initially, just start with a "have to think it over and discuss it with my S.O., can you give me a few days to decide?" Get a fixed window. Then if #2 hasn't gotten back to you near the end of the window, call the interviewer, express that you've received another offer but would really prefer their company and see if they can come up with one - be honest about that one.

[NewJeffCT]

6. I agree with this idea

The only difference is, are you currently out of a job now? Then, I might be inclined to just accept offer #1 because you never know how job #2 will work out.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. take the job. worry about the other only IF and When it happens.

[LaurenG]

9. I really want to know what you think you should do.

As long as you're willing to give company #1 plenty of notice that you're leaving when #2 offers you a job you could choose option #3.

[Orrex]

12. I'm favoring option #3, though I'd try not to be a jerk about it

That is, if possible, I'd endeavor not to leave company #1 in the lurch.

At the end of it all, though, my loyalty has to be to my family's needs; if company #2 comes a-callin' with a better offer, then company #1 will just have to get by without me, and if this leaves them temporarily high and dry, then I'll feel bad about it, but I won't lose any sleep.

I justify this to myself by recalling that companies (in my experience) have no qualms about screwing-over and/or jettisoning employees at the first sign of financial trouble, so companies as a group have no basis to complain when prospective employees have to do the same.

[LaurenG]

13. I do the hiring for our little clinic and though I would be disappointed

to lose a good employee, I would also understand the need for an employee to take care of themselves. I might try and counter offer if I were in that situation just to try and keep someone, but in the end reasonable people understand how life is and so far I haven't held it against anyone who felt the need to move on to greener pastures.

Good luck with whatever you do. :hi:

[yawnmaster]

10. I've dealt with the situation from the company side...

Interviewed a person. He looked like a very good match.
He had said, during the interview, that he was also looking at another company.
We made an offer and he accepted.
A few days before his start date he told us he accepted the job at this other company.

After a bit of cursing (not to him, privately), brought up more resumes and continued.
Don't even remember his name, but no hard feelings. I think we'd hire him if we had a position in the future.

You can stall before accepting, if need be. If you do take the other job, its good to do it before actually starting the first job, as the company will start making dependencies and spending resources on you and the bridge may be burned.