What to do, two job offers how to handle this..

iv-tecman

iv-tecman

iv-tecman

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I'm in a little bit of a pickle with this one..

Story is, I am just about to be made redundant from a job I've held for 15 years. No problem, I've accepted my severance offer from my current (TUPE process) employer and they have agreed to pay me in lieu of notice.

I got told during a consultation meeting about my current employers intentions, and I was offered a TUPE to another company during this process or redeployment within the company I would TUPE across with - but due to distance and changes in working conditions I opted for redundancy.

No problems, so in Sept this year I started the process of job hunting. And I have interviewed with various companies, applied for many positions and even turned down a role I was offered due to me not thinking it was a good fit for my skillset.

During this time, I have been offered a role that is around 30 - 45 mins drive and will see me travelling to customer sites 2 - 3 times a week, car allowance etc. Seemed a good role, I liked the idea and accepted it. Not signed a contract as yet , due to start 2nd December. I finish my current job 30th November, remember I'm paid in lieu of notice so in theory I can start work the next day.

I accepted this role 3 weeks ago. During this time, I've also had other applications that were being processed and one company (a large company at that) has offered me a much better role, 10 mins from my house, no travelling and actually a better salary and better benefits.

This was offered to me yesterday. I want to accept this but I've already accepted another role, but I've not signed a contract as yet.

Now, I don't want to burn any bridges or mess anyone around (although it appears I am maybe about to) but as yet the other company hasn't sent me an offer letter as I've not accepted, but they would like an answer soon.

So now what do I do, as to be offered one job is great, but to be offered a better sounding role in the space of a month is excellent and i'm very lucky.

I'm feeling a bit of guilt here. But I applied for all these jobs at the same time, it just turns out the other company that offered that I've not accepted yet took a little longer with their interview processes (and deep down I wanted this job more) so I kept going to the interviews even after I got an offer from the first company (and fellow work colleagues have warned me about company that offered first saying they aren't a great company - so that sorta put an unease into my mind about them anyhow).

So my gut says go to the one I wanted, but haven't accepted it, so no offer letter, and no contract sent, but even if I accepted it Monday, by Wednesday I'm expected at the other job, yet I could turn up knowing full well I might not be staying, I'd only go in case the other company fell flat during the offer phase.

As once I get offer letter and contract with start date with company I prefer more (looking like 4th Jan 2016) I will be taking it. Its an excellent company with great benefits that isn't easy to get a job with (the interviews are hard and involve prep work, presentations and selling yourself very well)

Its a bit of a dilemma. Advice?
 
Take the other job, no need to be loyal to an employer that isn't even your employer yet.

I would come clean to the first offer people before you start though, no point in them wasting time onboarding you.
 
As above, be respectful when writing to the employer, however you owe them no loyalty. Let them know that you're greatful for the opportunity however you've received another offer which is much closer to home which you feel is a better fit for your skillset.

You sound massively enthusiastic about the new offer so you'd be silly to turn it down. The first employer, I imagine, would prefer it far more to have you decline the offer outright than turn up there and then leave after them spending a month or so training you for whatever they need you to do. Make sure you get an offer in writing for the 2nd position before declining the 1st though.
 
TBH I don't think you should feel guilty, all company A will have to do is find a replacement for you. You should really be thinking about which one has more progression though? And also which one will you be more happy at with the jobs you will be doing.

But from the sounds of it you should be taking B and it'll be worth burning the bridges for.

You could always try reasoning and explain you have had another job offer which you will likely be taking it due to a shorter commute etc. They might/should understand.
 
Company that offered me yesterday has a much better career progression and offer much better working hours (very flexible - perfect for me and my daughter).

Company A is a lot smaller , growing but apparently has had a bit of a churn in employment (but this is anecdotal as what some say isn't always reflective) however both offer interesting work, just company B means I won't have to commute and its more internal then customer facing meaning no external travel.

Hopefully Monday I get a written offer letter as I'll accept the offer first thing Monday morning, and hopefully I can contact company A before 9am 2nd December in writing (via email) my reasons for declining their offer. I will be feeling guilt (1 day before starting and I won't be showing up - that is bad IMO but what can I do? ) but the other offer is much better. Not just in terms of pay, but even to my lifestyle. I had this feeling I was doing well in interviews for Company B. When your final interview lasts over 2 hours and they start chatting about you as a person and showing you around the offices etc, you know you are looking very likely to get an offer, and I did.
 
Blatantly company B. A short commute is a HUGE positive factor in my opinion, especially with a young family and when company B is larger and supports flexible working. However until you get a written offer from company B, act exactly as you would have if company B had never happened.
 
Participant said:
Blatantly company B. A short commute is a HUGE positive factor in my opinion, especially with a young family and when company B is larger and supports flexible working. However until you get a written offer from company B, act exactly as you would have if company B had never happened.
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So if company b doesn't get the offer letter to me before 2nd December start company a job? But if after a day or so company b send offer letter. What then?
 
gave up reading once you said, i want to accept such and such

do it, live once, and learn by mistakes if you make them
 
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iv-tecman said:
So if company b doesn't get the offer letter to me before 2nd December start company a job? But if after a day or so company b send offer letter. What then?
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Resign after a week from company A once you get the offer from B, saying the job isn't what you expected and you wish them all the best.
 
Participant said:
Resign after a week from company A once you get the offer from B, saying the job isn't what you expected and you wish them all the best.
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To be honest I had thought this, but I'm thinking wow it is bad but in the end if company b falls through then I've still got a job ...

Cheers all... You cant put a price on a company that offers flexible local working.. Hopefully I do end up at company b.
 
iv-tecman said:
To be honest I had thought this, but I'm thinking wow it is bad but in the end if company b falls through then I've still got a job ...
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You have to look out for your own interests in this sort of decision. Be hard-nosed without being obtuse. It's your life that this affects, neither company would think twice about serving you one week if they changed their minds, so I wouldn't get too hung up on not wasting their time.

As long as you handle yourself correctly, there's no reason you'd damage your reputation.
 
While I was waiting to hear back from an interview I started at another place. On my 2nd day had offer from the other company. Waited until Friday and handed in my notice. Felt bad but you have to do what's best for you.
 
Yeah if you leave after a week or two then just claim something about culture fit or you got the wrong impression about what the job was about etc. I wouldn't mention that you are leaving to go somewhere else.
 
Explain the position to company B and ask them to fast track the application and contract. Once you get it signed, I'd call company A and tell them politely in person. If the timing doesn't work out, just stall company A for a week or so or however long it takes.

It is frustrating as an employer, but it happens. It may not be a huge surprise as you're on the market with a good reason to look for more than one option.
 
Well it took company B a little longer then expected but I finally got my offer letter and i've now done my forth day in the job at company A and tomorrow will be five days in, and yeah I 100% know even if I didn't take company B offer I'd be looking now for another job, its pretty bad IMO.

when I was told by others it was a poor company to work for, they weren't kidding. Talk about working to expectations that cannot be met. Also found out the turnover of staff at company A is shocking.

I am tempted to just walk out tomorrow and not even bother with the weeks notice period, but I guess I should just offer to work the week out, not that I'd want to.

Company B HR apologized for such a long delay but they want to check ref, sort out some paperwork and get my contract in the post before sending confirmation, but it seems the wait might be worth it.

I can afford to be out of work till first working week in Jan 2016, to be honest I think it could be better for my sanity. Already since starting this job I have had to visit 4 different clients with little to no info about what I'm doing, parked my car at one site and someone wrecked the rear of the car and drove off leaving me with £400 worth of damages, I've already spent twice what I would spend in weekly fuel...

What a bad week, and can see why I'm tempted to just not turn up tomorrow.
 
Just send HR is Job A an email saying its not what you thought it would be, cc in your boss and dont turn up again - if anything you might do them a favour if its as bad as you say
 
don't just walk out - go in and resign properly - if you've only been there for 4 days I doubt they'll ask you to work a notice period anyway
 
Give the weeks notice, don't mention the other offer. If asked just say the work environment is terrible and leave it at that.
 
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