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How to Juggle a Job Offer When You're Waiting for Another

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what do you do if the job offer came from Company B that doesn't actually start 3.5 months later - they are not paying for moving or any salary prior to start date - you contact Company A to see if you are still considered a candidate and state that you have been given an offer and need to make a decision soon

Callie of MN 1:01PM May 09, 2012

We offered a position to a candidate (1-year removed from college). He asked to think about it over the weekend. He accepted Monday. On Wednesday he called to turn it down. I was furious, but what could I do. We had just emailed all the candidates politely telling them the job had been filled. Removed ads online and set up paper work for his arrival. I thought it was unprofessional, but what can you do. If I had been offered a better paying job with better benefits I'm sure I would have done the same thing. It is just a hazard of hiring people.
I would rather he quit before starting rather than quit a week after starting.

Shell of VA 3:34PM April 10, 2012

If you must leave, providing a letter and working those final 2 weeks is what's professional. Life changes all the time, and yes they would dump you ASAP if you didn't work out.
A previous employer cannot say anything except confirm hire dates. They cannot give any kind of opinion or anything else of your performance. So disregard this crap about gossiping about you and blackballing your record in the community.
If you're resume has a lot of short term jobhopping on it, yes, you will look dumb and spoiled over time, but that's not people talking about you, that's your account of what you did to yourself and your career.

Kevin of SC 3:10PM February 14, 2012

This is EXACTLY where I find myself this morning. I have until tomorrow to accept Company A's offer which although very generous, I still have my heart set on Company B. The company recruiter at B told me that I was the top candidate but they had more interviews and would be deciding next week.
Friends and family have suggested that I take the Co A offer and then if Co B comes through, just tell A that I am no longer interested. It just doesn't feel right to do that to them - they have been more than gracious to me.
I think I'm going to jump off the cliff and call the recruiter at Company B to tell him I have another offer from A, but that I really would rather work at his company - I'm just terrified that I will knock myself out of the running by being pushy. Wish me luck.

Jameson S. Butler of IL 12:03PM February 02, 2012

It might be unproffesional to "ditch" company A, but I try to look at it the other way around. If it wasn't working out within the first few weeks of working for company A and they had a better prospect come along would they hesitate in cutting you lose? I tend to think not. Of course, I might just be rationalizing.

M H of CO 7:57PM January 26, 2012

Employers always lie. I caught one a few weeks ago at Wings Financial. She told me on the phone that she needed me to drop everything and come in TOMORROW for the interview because that was the last day they were doing it. It was difficult but I made arrangements to come in. The interview didn't go that great and the job wasn't the best fit but at the end of the interview she says "yes, we will be continuing the interviews for the next two weeks, so it may be awhile before you hear back". I wanted so bad to call her out for being deceptive, but I figured whatever I didn't want to work there anyway!

Cheeky of MN 2:33PM January 09, 2012

I totally DISAGREE with one MAJOR point on your article and this is where I TOTALLY DISAGREE.....>> " here's what you can do. First, tell Company A that you're extremely interested and you want some time to think it over. Any reasonable company will give you a few days or a week. " Well I am sorry but in this economy if you tell a potential employer that, I GUARANTEE you they will say GOODBYE!! and within 10 minutes have someone else HIRED or at best a job offer to them. I have NEVER seen unemployment so bad! and in this economy if your DUMB enough to tell a potential employer you want to "think about it" well I can assure you that you will be the one NOT HIRED.

MDC of FL 10:27PM December 19, 2011

I think you are so right"Lengthy Process", but unfortuntly I am an employee and I can not afford to not play there game if I not play the game I would not get a job..Yes I have been string along for weeks and even one time not so long ago I was Hired On the spot, but the office manager said after the person hired me "Teresa that's if the board approves this position" after 2 weeks I call this employer and the position was not approved. What can I do?? I will never apply there again. So as I have always known "It's all about playing the game" and if I need a job You can bet your bottom dollar I will play the game. I need to support a family.
As for the other comment That is not a load of bull I am in this exact situation right now and I told my 2nd interviewer that I have a 2nd interview on Tuesday, what are my chances of being called back? She said I plan on calling you back next week I have 5 more people to interview. At 5pm that very same day I receive a call from this company and she asked if I could come in this Friday to speak to the Dr. I would be working with. So Jack of Tenn you are so wrong on this one....

Teresa Bridges of GA 1:34PM March 15, 2011

Came up with this note for the employer you are waiting on:
This morning I received an offer at Company A. It's a good position, but I explained that I needed to wait to hear from you and the team at Company B.
I am just looking for a quick update to know whether I am still "in the running" and when a decision might be forthcoming so that I can communicate that to the recruiter at Company A.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Name
How does that sound??

Al in SoCal of CA 12:59PM March 07, 2011

LoneRanger your story is a load of bull, please excuse my French. One doesn't need a lot of experience to see straight through that. Who are you foolng?

Jack of TN 9:34PM February 06, 2011