Isis
I was wondering if the distinguished members of the forum can give me a bit of advice. I'm currently now I have a bit of a problemo though.
I got offered a job at a firm (let's call it Firm A) and they want an answer within the next two weeks. The initial pay is on the low side, but it is a very good job, a very good company to work for, and good prospects.
There is a second job (Firm B)though that is much more to my liking and the pay is like 60% more, but the interviews are only going to take place in November. I do have a good shot at getting the gig and positions at Firm B very rarely open up.
I don't want to end up choosing the "sure" option and regretting it a few months down the line. I also don't want to turn down the offer from company A and things don't work out with company B; otherwise I'm back in "sell-all-my-guitar-gear" land.
As far as I can see I have 3 options:
A) Take the job at Firm A and if I get the job at Firm B I jump ship.
B) Take the job at Firm A and stop bitching about this
C) Decline offer from Firm A and hope and pray things work out with Firm B, otherwise there's going to be some gear in the classified section by Christmas.
Option A would be the "smart" thing to do, but it feels like a cowardly thing to do.
Is all fair in love, war and employment? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Gearhead
If A still likes your work and you don't mind staying there, and if you land an offer at B, you can always put it to the man at A that there's going to be an increase or a resignation. It's not that all is fair but as you can see from all the 'if' words in my advice, chances are slim that it will come to that.
psyx
I vote for the "cowardly option A", but the only thing is that you will have to neglect to mention that on your CV in the future since it may look bad that you left a firm after only a month.
Josh-Hayes
Any chance you can give us an idea of what you'd be doing at either place.
I'd agree with Gearhead's response.
studmissile
Option A, it business decision pure and simple.
Guaranteed a company (regardless of how good you might think they are) would drop you in a second.
Its not cowardly , it's strategy.
BluJu
If all else fails I say go with option A:
That being said honesty is often the best policy.
I don't think that it would be presumptuous to explain this situation to firm B in the hopes of getting a quick interview.
IceCreamMan
Option A ...no 2 ways about it ...
aubs1
Option A ...... you always look after No.1 first !!!!
Isis
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I'll be doing mostly corporate training and recruitment at both firms.
Firm A is an international company and it's in Joburg. Firm A will also require me to do a fair bit of travel to various African countries (something I'm not too keen on).
Firm B is also an international company, but much more laid back, the salary is better since I'll be starting in a more senior position, and it's in Midrand (so it's closer to home).
I spoke to a guy in HR at Firm B and he told me the interviews are set for the end of November but unfortunately they won't be able to accelerate the process. When I asked him straight-up what my chances are of getting the job he said it's excellent since I'm pretty much exactly what they are looking for.
I feel bad working at a place where I have every intention of quitting if Firm B pans out. I'm also quite concerned about my reputation, as this would be considered bridge burning par excellence. If I do get the gig at Firm B, I will have worked at Firm A for less than a month before I'll be giving notice.
I know I should be grateful that I have a job at all, but the timing is causing a nightmarish situation for me.
Mannemarak
This may just be the weird me speaking but...if you have no commitments with wife and/or children....I'd say, fortune favors the brave. But that said, I also had to accept a job at company 'A' since they chose me out of all applicants, and I had another interview with potential bigger rewards a week later lined up. But there was no guarantee that I would get the job and since work is scarce, I had to take the job at company 'A' and thus canceling my interview for the other job. I could have still gone for the interview at 'B' but I had that little voice in the back of my head saying things about reputation, and it would not be right to just jump ship...
So after my post I guess you would be no closer to making any decision ?
Good luck with whatever route you choose.
babbalute
b wrote
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I'll be doing mostly corporate training and recruitment at both firms.
Firm A is an international company and it's in Joburg. Firm A will also require me to do a fair bit of travel to various African countries (something I'm not too keen on).
Firm B is also an international company, but much more laid back, the salary is better since I'll be starting in a more senior position, and it's in Midrand (so it's closer to home).
I spoke to a guy in HR at Firm B and he told me the interviews are set for the end of November but unfortunately they won't be able to accelerate the process. When I asked him straight-up what my chances are of getting the job he said it's excellent since I'm pretty much exactly what they are looking for.
I feel bad working at a place where I have every intention of quitting if Firm B pans out. I'm also quite concerned about my reputation, as this would be considered bridge burning par excellence. If I do get the gig at Firm B, I will have worked at Firm A for less than a month before I'll be giving notice.
I know I should be grateful that I have a job at all, but the timing is causing a nightmarish situation for me.
No need to make a decision now if the interview is only in November with firm B and you are not certain of the getting this job. Take what's on offer now, and make the decision when you get offered the job by firm B. You might like firm A by that time and you might change your mind, who knows ?
Nicholas-L
keep in mind you always have a trial period at any company to see if it works out for you or the employer. Thus if you leave within a month then it shouldn't reflect bad on you. Just be honest with company A if company B offers you the position by stating that you went for multiple interviews and you have been offered a better position/salary etc etc.
aja
The HR guys will always tell you that your chances are great because they will want the largest number of suitable candidates turning up for interviews.
Take option A. No shame in leaving after a month or two -- it shows you have guts to leave if it doesn't work for you. If I were hiring, I would rather that employees leave after a month than plod along for three years hating every moment of their job. With most companies I have contacted, you have a three month cooling off period generally where you can leave freely or they can tell you to leave without any nasty CCMA issues.
charleshaupt
Take option A..
