Backing out of an accepted job offer

[KidPharmD]

I was wondering what the current opinions were on backing out of an accepted job offer (hospital- specialist position).

I have one offer currently that I would enjoy but a chance at my unicorn job, except the unicorn job hasn't been posted yet. It will be at least 6 weeks before that job is selected, but the I will have to respond to the first job within the week.

Any thoughts?

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[GoldfishPharmD]

What makes the position you want a "unicorn" job?

 

[M0df]

If you are not guaranteed to land the 2nd job, then taking the 1st job is the only sensible option.

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

I'm guessing the peds world is pretty small, so I don't think I would want to burn any bridges by accepting a job and then backing out of it. The interview process is a big ordeal. When I interviewed, they flew the candidates out, took them to dinner, had a long day interviewing, doing presentations, meeting everyone. You then get the job offer and if you accept it and hold on to it for x amount of time and then tell them you had a change of heart because you got a better job offer, you could really be screwing them over. The candidates that they might have picked besides you may have already accepted positions elsewhere and then they may end up with not their best choices or having to potentially interview more people. If you're okay with that, then do what you need to. I think deep down if I really want this other job and you think your odds are good, I'd probably wait it out. I know that's hard because you may have to potentially look for another position if you don't get it. You could also always talk to your dream job and tell them that you're really interested in them and that you got another offer that you need to act on quickly but wanted to see where they were in the interview/hiring process.

 

[Eichhoernchen]

Your case is a lot different from mine since it is a specialty position.. but I am planning on backing out from an accepted job offer with chain pharmacy if the other "unicorn" position I am interviewing for works out.. Bad timing and the waiting game make things so difficult and frustrating. Despite the new schools and the many pharmacists, I still feel like it is a very, very small world where you just don't know who you are going to run into so ideally I'd prefer not to burn any bridges.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. The real problem is that I am a PGY2 resident, and even though my residency has been extended through July (took a month off), Turning down job A, then not getting job B would mean unemployment while I started the whole process of looking for a job again. With a wife and two kids, that really isn't a very feasible option just for the sake of professionalism alone.

then you have to man up and take job A - 10 years ago I took a job, then backed out a month later. I can guarantee you that if I went back to the first place, I would not get an interview. Not that big of a deal for me because I am not a specialist, the smaller the pond, the more likely it is to burn ya,

like I said in another post

the toes you step on today my be connected to the butt you have to kiss tomorrow

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

What isn't so great about Job A?

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

Job A is in another state, in a place farther from our family than we already are, where we know no one. It isn't actually in a bad place. Job B on the other hand is in our current city where we have a school for the kids, friends, and a community we love (and has become like family).

Seems understandable why you don't want to leave. I would reach out to the job you really want and politely say that you've received other offers but you're still really interested in them and want to know where they are in the process. I've heard that advice from multiple people even places I've interviewed at told me to call them if I got job offers elsewhere, so I don't think it's unreasonable.

 

[Beacon]

Take job A, if Job B comes through, quit Job A or ask for a big raise. Simple really.

Everyone that says anything "its a small world" doesn't get it. You said you have a family. You have to do whats best for yourself and your family. If that means quitting a job after a week, month or year, thats what you do. Your employer will figure out a way to go on without you. NOBODY can fault you for taking a better opportunity! Always do whats right for you. It took me a long time to figure that out.

 

[npage148]

Why would you turn down a job for a job that may not even exist(or you may not get) when you said you couldn't sustain your family if unemployed.

 

[KARM12]

Accept the job, interview for the other and make the decision then if you end up with a second offer.

 

[Ackj]

If job A is in another state, I would be a bit less concerned about "burning bridges." It's completely different than if you leave Anycity General Hospital for Anycity Medical Center 10 miles away.