Job Offer Ethics/Etiquette
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Anonymous
| Would you ever accept a job offer if you were still negotiating with another company just so you don't lose the first offer in case the second one doesn't come through? |
Freeman
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Do you mean accept the first job offer while fully intending to take the second one if it turns out to be better? No, I wouldn't do that. I was in a similar situation prior to my current job. I had an offer for this job waiting a response, but I was still negotiating with another company. I just asked the first company for more time to make my decision, which they granted with no issues. I've been on the other side as well, where we had offers accepted, then the person changes their mind a week or two later. Barring exceptional circumstances, that's going to generate ill will at the rejected company, since it usually generates more work for them, re-posting job listings, fresh round of interviews, etc.
My general philosophy is to basically treat companies the same way I would treat individuals in this situation. Would you agree to help one person, knowing that you are likely to break the agreement? To me, that helps me remember that I'm dealing with people, not companies. |
Anonymous
| ITA! Ask the company whose made you an offer for more time. Or, if they can't wait, tell the other company that you need to come to an agreement soon. You might even explain that another offer has been made. |
Anonymous
| No, once you accept an offer, you follow through. It's a small world. I wouldn't want to burn bridges. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks. ITA. I am just feeling pressured by company #1 even though they began recruiting me while I had another offer on the table. It's been less than a week until they provided an offer I would accept, so I think they need to be patient. I work in a small industry and my former boss is an employee. So yes, not worth burning bridges. |
Anonymous
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I think it happens a fair amount, though I agree that ethically it isn't right.
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Anonymous
| What is a reasonable length of time for an employer to leave a job offer open? |
Freeman
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I would estimate that 1-2 weeks would be a reasonable time frame under normal conditions.(Some positions might be more urgent, but not usually) That gives sufficient time so that the candidate doesn't have to feel rushed into making a decision. I would personally try to answer any job offer within a week if possible, and I would definitely request an extension if I hadn't decided within two weeks. Edit: I guess I should say that some fields may have different standards, so the answer might vary depending on the job/area/etc. |
Anonymous
| Another job-related question (OP, let me know if you want me to just start my own thread): Yesterday I had a second interview for a job that was posted in early May. I asked the interviewer (my future supervisor) what her timetable was for making a decision. She replied that she'd know in early to mid July--she's very busy and has lots of travel coming up. Does that strike others as incredibly slow? |