Job hopping

[B_Krishnakumar]

Hi guys,
Need help with a dilemna. I had accepted a job offer from a company
and asked for a 3 month joining time. Since then I have been having
a tough time selling my house here and in the meantime my current
company also has woken up and is offering a very good opportunity
in India (one that I had always wanted but had been unable to convince
my company until now). There is 1 more month left to join the first
company.

How bad is it to say no to the first company? Other than burning
the bridge and getting a bad aftertaste, are there any legal implications?

Thanks.

[yessireebob]

Well it is all upto the individual, but how would you react if the company pulled back the offer after you put your house up for sale etc.
Did you sign any documents?

[SixthSense]

OP - I think this is the second worst decision making situation for person in job search process if the first worst is not getting a job.

However the way philosophically one can look at this is like this ..

One made choice and accordingly accepted the offer based on that situation and various parameters.. So commitment is being made. Now may be other good job came knocking the door but it was not their when someone required it most at the time of the search process.

By saying NO - I don't think there is any legal implication even at Director / VP level ( unless exclusive contarct is signed with defined not joining penalty ) BUT on moral level it does not sizzle well and needless to say the bridges will be burned.. So is the reputation will get set up in the job market when it comes to future job search. So is "What goes around .. comes around monkey on your back..

I think at this moment you need to stay with the ship by joining them. at least spend 6 month - 12 month time and still if you fell you should / could do better than switch the job.

But not joining cld be loosing situation for you in some extent. Should you wish to do that than you better make sure it's really worth it.

Best luck.

[nand]

OP, I disagree with the previous post. I think you should take up the offer you think is better and cite some reasons to get out of the other offer. Bottom line - look after yourself. Companies dont think twice to lay off or fire someone they dont need. At the end it is your life. So do what is convinient for you. Yes there is a price to pay, in that your reputation may get spoiled. But say you dont have to leave your current company for the next 5-10 yrs - it doesnt matter and people forget by then. And there are plenty of companies and they have better things to do than talking about how mr. kumar did not keep his word.

In these cases I always advocate doing what is best for you. If you follow sixth sense advice of staying 6-12 months, you are actually doing more damage to the company. They will spend money on ramping you up and just when you start becoming productive you will leave. At least if you dont join they can try and find someone else.

[Desi_by_Nature]

guys, i have a related question. Obviously I don't want to land up in a situation where i have to take my word back.

Say i'm job hunting and land up an offer from company A (which is my third choice) and they want me to make a decision fast ...but say i'm still hoping to hear from company B (which is my second choice) ..and to add to the fun , lets say there is a company C (which is my first choice) and i am yet to interview with them.

How do i ask company A to "hold on for a while"? is it okay to tell them, that i'm still considering other offers and so i need some more time?

or is that a bad idea? what's a euphemistic way to tell them, that i'm still looking and if i don't land up a better offer then i'll think about joining you.

[Desi_by_Nature]

Thanks MeraNaseeb

although I believe my question was somewhat different. I want to know if it's okay to tell a company (that is awaiting your response for accepting/declining an offer) to hold on (until your pursue other opportunities)?

perhaps during the interview process ,you would have shown great interest in the company and the job etc., been through several rounds with them, negotiate the offer etc. - but when it comes time to accepting the offer you show some resistance, coz basically you want to explore other opportunities before committing.

How does that leave the employer feeling? is that okay to do? how to get around it - especially when the company expects a quick answer.

[FreeSpirit]

DBN,

It happened to me last year. I was basically pushed to make a decision in one week from company B(which made first offer) while I was still negotiating with company A. After two days I told company B that I'm talking to few other companies and will need two weeks time before I make my decision. They were not very happy about it but later they came back and told they will wait for my decision. In the end I joined company A. So bottom line, tell the company the real story. They also know that market is hot and people weigh multiple offers before making the decision. Infact I have seen some companies sweeten the offer during wait period with the hope that you'll join them.

[SixthSense]

Thanks MeraNaseeb

although I believe my question was somewhat different. ...

How does that leave the employer feeling? is that okay to do? how to get around it - especially when the company expects a quick answer.

DBN - yes there is difference in your question than OP.

If you are in job search process and some multiple offeres are coming in your direction or you anticipate that it will come in your hand in next 2 weeks timeframe than it does not hurt to tell the company A like FreeSpirit did that you want to take 2 week time before commiting to offer. That is perfectly normal and 1-2 weeks response time is reasonable in many cases for senior level. after all company also took their own sweet time before making their offer to you.

so in nutshell although they made offer .. you did not commit to it but asked for some time to mull over it .. or renegotiate some parameters of it .. hence it's not a commitment ( which time you can use to see other offers )

BUT once you made commitement .. signed offer acceptance and decided joining date than ( may be i am old school here ..I am not too old by the way ) I think we need to keep our commitment and join that company as that company became the logical choice from our own process.

one might always argue that what if better offer come 4-6 weeks after the comitement is made .. well yes BUT .. to each of it's own .. at the end of the day the querstion is deep down in your heart do you feel comfortable doing it ? .. I know ... I don't .

[SixthSense]

K - now can anyone comment on my Question :-)

MNR2I - Actually I gave reply to my dear friend DBN ( DBN - I am allowed to call you dear friend right ? :emteeth: ).

Now to your question "they leave the company for a higher position in small to mid-size company and 6 months later they are back at their old job."

Simple truthful answer - Adoptability & Flexibility.

1) you need to adopt the to new situation / company culture / working style and prove your value again. not many people have that motivation / dedication after some time in their professiona carrer assuming they have the skill to do it but lack will power / hard work ).

2) you need to be flexible .. learn new things .. new way ( not technical but even on management level ) .. build your reltionship management etc .. it takes times and you have to pay your due in new company for doing that ..which required patience .. control your frustration even your EGO get hurt etc ...

so becoz of that many people realize it's betterto go back in their comfort zone than "starting all over again" ..

That is reasonably applicable answer.

SS

[hello_sg]

My 2 cents. I've been in this business of hiring IT individuals for a while now. When candidates verbally accept our offer and then change their minds, our expectations are for them to be open about it. I have seen this a lot and happens every day. If there is no written agreement, I dont see any implications and I am sure any mature company hiring manager can understand this. My suggestion would be to present your decision with an apology and an explanation. At the end of the day its just business!