How do I tell them I reconsidered?
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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So Company A proposed jobOne with great stuff but then switched you to jobTwo with not so great stuff? Company B then came along with better stuff? Sounds like you are doing the right thing since Company A was doing some bait and switch on you, shaky ethics on their part too.
What is complicated in my mind is I "formally" accepted. I didn't do any paperwork yet though. There are forms and a drug screen I have to do in order to be truly hired. But yes, your description sounds right.
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
loctrice wrote:
made me an offer that I can't refuse
Did it involve a suggestion that you might be sleeping with the fishes? :wtf:
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. - Mark Twain
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F-ES Sitecore wrote:
as what you are doing is unprofessional (sorry, but it is!)
No apologies necessary. I'm aware of this. You can see details below if you want. I think mentioning another offer may be more information than is needed. I may just tell them I've reconsidered and decided it's not going to work. FYI: There was a relocation package on the table the entire time. Through the process they decided to put me in for a different job than I was approached with, and then I "qualified" for one level down from that. This meant the pay was less as well as no relocation package. I was going to do it anyway because there's a sign on bonus that would cover it but I'd have to live there myself until my first check and then bring the family.
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
I actually had the same situation where the job with Company A was offered and I accepted as Company B was taking too long - then Company B finally came back with a much, much, much better offer and I told Company A that I would not be starting with them after all. I did this as soon as possible so as to give them chance to reach out to other candidates. They came back with a higher offer and an earlier start date but it still didn't match up. I knew from what they had already told me that this new offer would just mean a delay in any later pay raise anyway as they had fairly strict policies as to how much they would pay a given position. Up to the point where they pay you some money for relocation or you actually start work or whatever, there should be no problem with saying, "I've reconsidered and my best opportunity is elsewhere, thanks, goodbye." This is not unprofessional. I've had people come to join our team and quit after four hours. That was unprofessional.
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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F-ES Sitecore wrote:
as what you are doing is unprofessional
Why? How is it different than leaving a job you are in to take a better job? How long should he have to work at the first job before he could take a different/better job somewhere else? 1 week? 3 months? At least in this position the company hasn't had to do a bunch of paperwork for in-processing a new employee and a bunch of training. They probably still have the ability to reach out to their other applicants if it has only been a short time since he accepted. Aren't all jobs accepted on the unspoken premise of "I will work for you until something better comes along."? I will agree that it is awkward and inconvenient for the the parties involved but I do not view it as unprofessional.
Socialism is the Axe Body Spray of political ideologies: It never does what it claims to do, but people too young to know better keep buying it anyway. (Glenn Reynolds)
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F-ES Sitecore wrote:
as what you are doing is unprofessional
Why? How is it different than leaving a job you are in to take a better job? How long should he have to work at the first job before he could take a different/better job somewhere else? 1 week? 3 months? At least in this position the company hasn't had to do a bunch of paperwork for in-processing a new employee and a bunch of training. They probably still have the ability to reach out to their other applicants if it has only been a short time since he accepted. Aren't all jobs accepted on the unspoken premise of "I will work for you until something better comes along."? I will agree that it is awkward and inconvenient for the the parties involved but I do not view it as unprofessional.
Socialism is the Axe Body Spray of political ideologies: It never does what it claims to do, but people too young to know better keep buying it anyway. (Glenn Reynolds)
You must have heard the saying that "A man is only as good as his word." He has made a commitment to the first company. Breaking that commitment makes him at best.. a liar. So, yes it is definitely unprofessional. Try testing that approach on your wife. "Honey, I'm with you until something better comes along." - let us know how that goes?
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You must have heard the saying that "A man is only as good as his word." He has made a commitment to the first company. Breaking that commitment makes him at best.. a liar. So, yes it is definitely unprofessional. Try testing that approach on your wife. "Honey, I'm with you until something better comes along." - let us know how that goes?
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F-ES Sitecore wrote:
as what you are doing is unprofessional
Why? How is it different than leaving a job you are in to take a better job? How long should he have to work at the first job before he could take a different/better job somewhere else? 1 week? 3 months? At least in this position the company hasn't had to do a bunch of paperwork for in-processing a new employee and a bunch of training. They probably still have the ability to reach out to their other applicants if it has only been a short time since he accepted. Aren't all jobs accepted on the unspoken premise of "I will work for you until something better comes along."? I will agree that it is awkward and inconvenient for the the parties involved but I do not view it as unprofessional.
Socialism is the Axe Body Spray of political ideologies: It never does what it claims to do, but people too young to know better keep buying it anyway. (Glenn Reynolds)
It is different to leaving a current job because when you do that the company has got some value from your work, and you need to give a notice period which gives them a chance to replace you, and that notice period also means you have fully complied with your legal and moral duty to the company. Accepting a job offer and then declining it puts the company in a bad situation for many reasons. For one they may be banking on the fact that you are starting, and now they have to re-start the hiring process. They might have spent money on advertising, on agency fees etc which has gone to waste. If you are waiting on another offer to come through then you should tell the company that you need to wait, not accept it while you wait and see if the other offer comes through.
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
Dear Company A, I have made the decision to decline your job offer and will no longer be joining you at this time. I have recently been offered an alternative role with another organisation which is much more suited to my current situation. I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you and I thank you for your time and interest. Best Regards, Me --- Basically just keep it short and to the point. It is good to mention the other offer as it reduces their need to come back with follow up questions (which they likely will if you don't say anything), which you don't want. If they are professional enough then you will get a short "we are sorry but all the best" reply. Otherwise you might get a short and ungrateful one... either way, you shouldn't need to take any further action with them.
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It is different to leaving a current job because when you do that the company has got some value from your work, and you need to give a notice period which gives them a chance to replace you, and that notice period also means you have fully complied with your legal and moral duty to the company. Accepting a job offer and then declining it puts the company in a bad situation for many reasons. For one they may be banking on the fact that you are starting, and now they have to re-start the hiring process. They might have spent money on advertising, on agency fees etc which has gone to waste. If you are waiting on another offer to come through then you should tell the company that you need to wait, not accept it while you wait and see if the other offer comes through.
I'm not sure where you live but everything here is "at will". There's no legal obligation at all and the moral obligation only seems to apply to the employee not the business. I've seen someone walked out of many jobs with no notice at all, and I've seen people rage quit and storm out. This company knew I was interviewing with other companies. I think that's why they put a very short time limit on the offer they extended.
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
A couple score years ago, I had the same situation with graduate schools. Penn State accepted me and I accepted. Then Northwestern accepted me. A far better option in the field. My research advisor/mentor, who even had ties to Penn State, when asked what to do said "Northwestern - no question". And pointed out I really didn't owe anything to either. I took his advise - but such decisions still cause no small discomfort.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
"the offer would expire." Not sure I would have accepted an offer that had an expiration date in the first place. Sounds unprofessional and disrespectful to me. Just as consumers are advised to walk away from deals that are "only good today". And you would wind up working with a bunch of colleagues who had also fallen for the same bad sales technique.
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
Use the example letter musefan posted and take the job with Company B. Since Company A switched jobs and compensation on you, it sounds like they didn't really want you anyway, but thought you might be desperate enough to take whatever they offered. Even their counter offer sounds like they are not terribly interested in having you work for them. I can't imagine that would have been a good working relationship anyway.
I live in Oregon, and I'm an engineer.
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"the offer would expire." Not sure I would have accepted an offer that had an expiration date in the first place. Sounds unprofessional and disrespectful to me. Just as consumers are advised to walk away from deals that are "only good today". And you would wind up working with a bunch of colleagues who had also fallen for the same bad sales technique.
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I recently accepted an offer from company A. I didn't have time to wait for company B as the offer would expire. Sure enough company B made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm comfortable with my decision, but I don't know a good/professional way to tell company A that I've reconsidered. You can find things like resignation letter examples on line, but I don't see any examples of this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
I've found that a carefully worded hand-written note usually does the trick. Don't forget to include the phrase, "IT SUCKS TO BE YOU! LMFAO", at the end.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013 -
Use the example letter musefan posted and take the job with Company B. Since Company A switched jobs and compensation on you, it sounds like they didn't really want you anyway, but thought you might be desperate enough to take whatever they offered. Even their counter offer sounds like they are not terribly interested in having you work for them. I can't imagine that would have been a good working relationship anyway.
I live in Oregon, and I'm an engineer.
I don't think they thought I was desperate. They knew I was talking with other companies, and had at least one offer. I think at least a good part of it was corporate limitations since it's such a large company. I mean I think they tried their best offer because they knew I wasn't desperate.
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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I don't think they thought I was desperate. They knew I was talking with other companies, and had at least one offer. I think at least a good part of it was corporate limitations since it's such a large company. I mean I think they tried their best offer because they knew I wasn't desperate.
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
My mistake, I read the counter offer story and thought it was part of your saga, which indicated the second company wasn't as interested and they seemed.. but that's not your dilemma. Well, Company A did their best, but it sounds like someone you'd rather work for made a better offer. My advice still stands, accept the offer from Company B and respectfully bow out from Company A.
I live in Oregon, and I'm an engineer.
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Well, the company can't wait around forever for someone to accept an offer, especially if it's an urgent open position.
Agreed, there must be some reasonable timeframe for an applicant to accept or decline an offer.
"the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment "Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst "I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle
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Dear Company A, I have made the decision to decline your job offer and will no longer be joining you at this time. I have recently been offered an alternative role with another organisation which is much more suited to my current situation. I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you and I thank you for your time and interest. Best Regards, Me --- Basically just keep it short and to the point. It is good to mention the other offer as it reduces their need to come back with follow up questions (which they likely will if you don't say anything), which you don't want. If they are professional enough then you will get a short "we are sorry but all the best" reply. Otherwise you might get a short and ungrateful one... either way, you shouldn't need to take any further action with them.
Nice. :thumbsup: This happens a lot. It's the nature of job-hunting. If you've had two interviews, and one makes you an offer, and you're under pressure to say yes or no then you should say yes. You can't assume the other will be an offer, so if you don't accept the first you might end up with nothing. In practice it's the agency (if any) that gets upset (and might call you unprofessional) rather than the client, for understandable reasons. But that's life. As I was once told, if you don't look after yourself, no-one else will. Harsh, but true.
Kevin