Have I accepted a job offer by agreeing a start date?

[LemograssLollipop]

I've received an offer for a job and received a formal offer letter via email with confirmation of a start date. Not signed anything yet.

After then another role has come up which I am interested in. I have an interview lined up with them.

If the second place makes me a better offer esp if higher salary I would likely choose that.

By suggesting a start date, have I indirectly accepted the first job? I didn't think so - i haven't signed anything or completed onboarding. The first place has emailed to say thank you for accepting the offer.

Well yes you have, but you can always retract your acceptance

If you've agreed a start date surely you've accepted the job. You can't start a job if you haven't accepted it! This way round is very normal in retail. Usually you would then sign the contract etc during onboarding when you start. But if you're not happy, you just go and do the other job and tell this lot "thanks but no thanks". I'm not sure I'd turn down a job though for an interview so it depends if you can still make the dates work.

You can withdraw from the process at any time prior to starting.

Contracts don't have to be in writing. They will be turning other candidates down on the basis of your email

You have accepted, but you’re not indentured. Even if you had signed a contract, you’re still not indentured. You just decline the job or give your notice if the start date is coming up, but realistically, they won’t actually make you work your notice. So it would be the same as just withdrawing and not starting.

Interview is tomorrow and poss start date for first job is Monday. Depends how quickly second place decides after interview.

Wondering if I should just accept the first job but I'm curious about the other.