My wife just accepted a job offer after a few weeks of interviews. Now another offer?

Question

She got another job offer just two days before the new job starts.and now she insists on accepting the offer from the second company because it pays a little more. I cannot seem to make her understand it's bad to bail out of an already accepted job. Am I being unreasonable? What are the potential consequences besides possibly burning a future bridge with an HR manager who might matter later? If I still can't talk her out of it based on your answers, what is the best way for her to back out of the first job?
Thank you!

Answer 1

this has to be her decision she is the one who has to do the work and she is the one who gets paid for it and if she thinks she is worth it then she should take the better job. i also think that she should play the first one a little and see if they will match it. then if they don't she can go to the other because of that reason. good luck and post how it goes if ya can. happy holidays=)

Answer 2

Of course she can accept the first job and then quit to accept the second but she doesn't have to put herself in that position. This happens all the time in business when people are interviewing for jobs. The best way to handle it is to first find out what type of time frame both agencies were looking for to fill the position. For all you know the second one is in a big hurry and the first is not so the second agency may make the first offer. Now, if it looks like there might be a conflict for the offers, you should be upfront with both agencies. You don't have to go into any details but your wife should let both agencies know that she is weighing other offers and give them some idea what her time frame looks like. Most companies are used to hearing this so it's probably not a big issue. However, when she does all of this she needs to understand that she doesn't have either offer yet so don't make the conversation sound presumptuous where it will damage her chances if one of the agencies is considering making her an offer. Also, since these are both government agencies in the same building the people may know each other so it may not be a problem for them to work something out on the offers. Although they may be competing for employees, the agencies are not really competitors. Now, if it really doesn't work out and she has to make a decision on the first offer, I'm with you. Take the first one but give the second a call to see if they can give you an idea about her chances before accepting. If they say that an offer is pending, then stall the first company. If not, it's not worth risking losing your home. Good luck.

Answer 3

If she based her decision merely on the money offer, then you are right. It is always better not to burn bridges behind you just in case you need to come back that way. Not everybody got job offers that easy, but then again if she doesn't treat carefully she will lose both opportunities before or after getting the job.

Try to find out more about both jobs and ask her what she knows or thinks are advantages and disadvantages. You may be able to make her see what really lies behind each option.

If she seems to make good decision and ready to go with the consequences, she can write a thank you letter to the HR manager saying she is very grateful that her application was accepted, the company has good reputation bla bla bla but then with the utmost regret she has to choose the other job and explain the reasons in the most polite way you can. You never know, she may get another offer for higher pay from the first job (if she really qualifies for it) ! Good luck!

Answer 4

In most cases, you can resign from accepted positions without ever showing up. All you have to do is call up the company and tell the HR person, due to personal reasons unforseen at the time of acceptance, you will not be able to work for the company. You may need to follow up with a letter. Don't need to say why.... it is none of their business.



Yes, it is not the best of things to do, especially if they are in related fields. Eventually, they may find out what happened. They may consider you unsuitable candiate in the future, they may not. But business is business. If the offer is significantly better, it may be a good choice.



The worse thing you can do is not show up at all, and not tell them ahead of time. If you do this, you will definately burn the bridge.

Answer 5

I suggest that she can be open about this. She could tell the folks at job 1 that she had another job offer that pays more. She can show her doubt........ job 1 might be willing to pay the same or a bit more as job 2.



If not...... ah well......... at least she can claim that she has been honest about it.



But before doing this, she needs to check if there is anything on what she signed at job 1. The contract might contain a clause about an obliged minimum period for giving notice!

Answer 6

she needs to choose the best job that fits her life. Money is only one part of it. She needs to be honest with the hr dept of job #1 depending on how the hr person is with her about her decision/honesty may be just what she needs to decide if she should work with #1 anyway. You don't mention perks or benefits or hours for either, but make sure your wife doesn't choose on dollars alone, maybe she could visit both potential enviroments to see which one 'feels' best to her.



hope this helps

Answer 7

Did she accept it in writing? Sign a contract with the first company? Other than that and the possible legal ramifications, she has the right to accept a better paying job and changing her mind.



Best wishes.

Answer 8

It is her decision on where she wants to work and what she wants to do. I would rather work for less money and be happy than work where I make a lot of money but be miserable. Leave her alone and let her make her own decision. I use to make over $20 an hour and quit to stay at home and be a foster parent making just over $20 a day! I am much happier and so is our family.

Answer 9

She should go with the best one out of the two regardless if she's starting a new job soon........ if the other company wants her bad enough they will just have to come up with a better offer.....