Job Advice - What to do???

[Apparition]

Sorry for an OT post but I need to make a decision immediately!

I was offered a job last week and my absolute deadline for accepting or refusing the offer is today 5pm. The job is okay, pays well.

The problem is I interviewed last week for another job and called to follow up yesterday. They said that I would be getting an offer by the end of the day (yesterday). I still haven't heard from them. This is the job I want more even though it could pay less.

But before rejecting the first offer, I need to know the salary/benefits of the second and I need to be sure that the offer stands. I'm going crazy right now. I have two hours left to decide. I don't want to bug the second company again. Please help if you have any advice.

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[unfrozencaveman]

Sounds like you don't have much choice but to bug them again. Just explain the situation, people are cool about that kind of stuff.

Good luck!

 

[guv_garfunkel]

That's too bad. If I was you I would call the 2nd company again. They can't blame you for being anxious. Just explain your situation and they'll understand.

 

[MattD]

Sorry for an OT post but I need to make a decision immediately!

I was offered a job last week and my absolute deadline for accepting or refusing the offer is today 5pm. The job is okay, pays well.

The problem is I interviewed last week for another job and called to follow up yesterday. They said that I would be getting an offer by the end of the day (yesterday). I still haven't heard from them. This is the job I want more even though it could pay less.

But before rejecting the first offer, I need to know the salary/benefits of the second and I need to be sure that the offer stands. I'm going crazy right now. I have two hours left to decide. I don't want to bug the second company again. Please help if you have any advice.

I'm assuming you NEED the job, so my advice is take the job you've been offered.












Then if you get the other job, take that one and tell the first company you got a better offer. Sure, the first company won't be happy, but you don't owe them anything. They wouldn't bat an eye at firing you a week after hiring you if the project folded or something, and you have to make the best decision for yourself.

 

[stiffany]

I say first call the second job to see if they have a formal decision letter or whatever for you. If they're unsure, mention that you have another offer that you're being forced to make a decision on, but that you'd really really really prefer to be working with them. If they can't make a decision today...

Then, call the first job and speak with your future supervisor. Tell her/him that you're really excited about the possibility of working with them, but that you just need another day to get everything in order before you can give them a definitive answer..you could even say something about figuring out financing a lease, looking into a class schedule, or just something that might slightly make it harder to accept the job at this exact instance. Basically, you want to show them that you're still really interested, but that you just need a little bit of extra time. Then, suggest a firm deadline for yourself.

In general, if you're not sure about taking a job, then you shouldn't commit to it. Even though it's hard for them to bind you into a job without a set contract, I think backing out is just bad form - especially if the employer has to reject other people in the process once you commit to the job. You never know when that employer's frustration with you could bite you in the arse later on.

Also, while my main work/job bargaining experience has been with academic research jobs at NYU and Penn (aka in areas with more flexibility), I'd like to think that most employers would prefer honesty and want employees who made the decision to be a part of their team completely. However, if this is an economic summer internship or something like that with a huge group of potential interns to pick from, then forget everything I just said...

Good luck!

 

[chef_NU]

I'm assuming you NEED the job, so my advice is take the job you've been offered.












Then if you get the other job, take that one and tell the first company you got a better offer. Sure, the first company won't be happy, but you don't owe them anything. They wouldn't bat an eye at firing you a week after hiring you if the project folded or something, and you have to make the best decision for yourself.

I agree.

Stop caring about what the 1st company thinks if you leave. Chances are you won't ever have to deal with them again.

 

[Apparition]

Thanks for the advice!

This is actually a full-time non-medical related job. I can't really ask for another day because I already did that. I guess I'll have to call the second company. I hope they don't get sick of me and take back the offer. I hate uncertainty!

 

[karbouzie]

I say first call the second job to see if they have a formal decision letter or whatever for you. If they're unsure, mention that you have another offer that you're being forced to make a decision on, but that you'd really really really prefer to be working with them. If they can't make a decision today...

Then, call the first job and speak with your future supervisor. Tell her/him that you're really excited about the possibility of working with them, but that you just need another day to get everything in order before you can give them a definitive answer..you could even say something about figuring out financing a lease, looking into a class schedule, or just something that might slightly make it harder to accept the job at this exact instance. Basically, you want to show them that you're still really interested, but that you just need a little bit of extra time. Then, suggest a firm deadline for yourself.

In general, if you're not sure about taking a job, then you shouldn't commit to it. Even though it's hard for them to bind you into a job without a set contract, I think backing out is just bad form - especially if the employer has to reject other people in the process once you commit to the job. You never know when that employer's frustration with you could bite you in the arse later on.


Good luck!

👍

 

[karbouzie]

Thanks for the advice!

This is actually a full-time non-medical related job. I can't really ask for another day because I already did that. I guess I'll have to call the second company. I hope they don't get sick of me and take back the offer. I hate uncertainty!

just callem and say ur phone was off and no answering machine and ur not sure if they called or not...... i've done that before but it was for real

 

[Apparition]

So I heard from the second company. They are offering 5K less than the first. 40 minutes left to decide!!! Argh!