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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to accept (and then possibly reject) a job offer (lawyers)?

26 replies

IFoughtTheLaw · 08/05/2014 19:06

Name changing regular.

I am in a bit of a pickle. I'm a trainee solicitor due to qualify in September. My firm hasn't yet made a firm decision about what jobs are available and who will get them (it's way more complicated than that but can't elaborate really).

I have therefore been attending interviews while I wait for my firm to decide. I attended one today and I am fairly sure they are going to make me an offer.

I do not want to turn down an NQ role without any others on the table, but I'm not sure really if this is the firm I'd pick first if I had other offers.

Can you accept an offer and fanny around with the paperwork or even accept in writing and then reject? I don't expect they would sue me but it seems a nice place and I don't want to burn any bridges.

Should I tell my current firm if I get an offer and hope it expedites things? Or would that look back that I have interviewed elsewhere?

OP posts:
OuterFromOutersville · 08/05/2014 19:09

Yes, tell your current firm if you get an offer, and tell them that you'd rather stay with them. Then the ball's in their court. Good luck Smile.

Chippednailvarnish · 08/05/2014 19:15

Yep tell your current firm, lots of people do this to force their current employers to give them payrises...

Suebedo · 08/05/2014 19:58

Tell them but be prepared to leave if they fart around too much. NQ jobs can be the hardest to come by (8 year PQE speaking). If they value you, they'll offer you a job. But some firms are up their own arses complacent and end up loosing talented NQs as a result.

Chunderella · 08/05/2014 20:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
IFoughtTheLaw · 08/05/2014 20:06

I am really not sure I want to leave though. I'm not sure I'm ready to issue an ultimatum! The firm I interviewed at is much smaller than my current one and would be c£10,000 less

OP posts:
shoppingfrenzy · 08/05/2014 20:20

I would have thought your current firm would be surprised if you weren't looking elsewhere on the current climate and considering they haven't confirmed how many trainees they'll keep and in which departments. I agree with the others - if you get an offer, tell your firm and it will hopefully open up a dialogue. At the very least it will become clear whether there is an opportunity for you at your current firm.

Good luck and well done.

If you turn this offer down and your current firm don't keep you, that would be a worse pickle than being able to choose between two firms who both want you.

shoppingfrenzy · 08/05/2014 20:21

Don't view it as an ultimatum, but as a way to start a discussion.

PumpkinPie2013 · 08/05/2014 20:28

Well done on your interview Smile

If you get an offer definiteltly tell your current firm - they may suddenly make a decision. The place I work made me permanent the day before I was due to attend an interview I would most certainly have been successful at.

However, if they don't/mess about then I would accept the job offered in these times.

I'm not a lawyer but in my line of work (Education) it is a big no no to accept and then unaccept a job so I wouldn't but appreciate it's probably very different in other sectors.

Good luck!

TequilaMockingbirdy · 08/05/2014 20:30

Well done!

I think it's pretty shit when people accept job offers and then reject them. My old place we were quite on the ball and I was in charge of ordering stuff for the new recruits. One fella I ordered jackets and clothing, stationary, business cards etc with his name on then he rejected. Frustrating.

parentalunit · 08/05/2014 20:31

It's frowned upon to accept an offer then reject it, unless there were unforeseen circumstances. I have known people to invent the 'unforeseen circumstances'. In these situations, sometimes it is sensible to put yourself first, so in that respect, it would not be unreasonable from YOUR perspective.

To ask the question differently...would it be reasonable for a company to make an offer, then rescind it? Well, that is also frowned upon, but it does happen.

I would ask the offering company when they need a firm answer - you might find that they allow a week or two for decision making. Did/could you ask for more money, if that's the only thing holding you back? In the mean time, keep interviewing at other firms, and tell your current firm about the offer.

Good luck.

fuckwitteryhasform · 08/05/2014 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nennypops · 08/05/2014 20:35

Some firms really keep trainees hanging on with the possibility of an NQ job, and then end up offering none, or only one or two - so it would be really quite a gamble to rely on getting an offer from your current firm.

As you will be aware, if you accept a job offer and then pull out, that is technically breach of contract. You're right in saying that it's unlikely the firm would sue, though I have known one threaten to do so though they were dickheads generally ; but it's not a great way to start your legal career.

Original poster
IFoughtTheLaw · 08/05/2014 20:49

Is there someone I could PM about the wider issues? It's quite complicated Confused

OP posts:
miramar · 08/05/2014 20:51

Can you ask someone in your firm when they expect to decide how many NQ positions will be available? I think it'd be good to start the conversation rather than passively wait. You can show that you're interested in staying where you are, but will have to look elsewhere if they don't decide soon. I should imagine they'll value you showing a bit of self-respect and interest in your career.

Ruralretreating · 08/05/2014 20:57

Well done on your job offer. It is better to be honest, than to reject after acceptance. Fuckwitteryhasform's suggested statements are a good approach. I was in a similar situation myself but 10 years ago. I didn't tell my training contract firm but did tell an almost offering firm who were happy to wait and see - but it was a very different economic climate then!

minibmw2010 · 08/05/2014 21:11

I used to work in a law firm and dealt with the trainees all the time. It's about the right time of year for the senior partners to be making decisions about who they want to keep, etc. If you get an offer from your interview, definitely let your Senior Partner know, most likely they'll now be in a position to either make you an offer themselves or they'll let you know if it's good to accept the new job. They'll appreciate your honesty. Good luck.

Caterina99 · 08/05/2014 21:27

If you get offered the job then you are in a very strong position. It is very common for people to take a job offer to their current employer and use it negotiate a payrise or promotion.

Original poster
IFoughtTheLaw · 08/05/2014 22:19

There is an added layer of complication, the result of which means I'm not sure I can be straight with my firm yet...

OP posts:
miramar · 09/05/2014 01:12

You might find the Employment section has more help and advice.

Good luck.

ThingsThatShine · 09/05/2014 01:23

Isn't it really early for September NQ jobs? My firm hasn't posted its job list yet either and we are generally a good few weeks ahead of most others!

Chunderella · 09/05/2014 07:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
IFoughtTheLaw · 09/05/2014 08:31

Noooo! Am childless and plan to stay that wayGrin

OP posts:
Original poster
IFoughtTheLaw · 09/05/2014 08:38

Yes it is early, but a recruiter sought me out and I've had two interviews, so these are roles I would have missed but for being early. Puts you in an awkward spot though!

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 09/05/2014 08:40

I wouldn't accept then reject. When do you think the offer will be made?, soon?

I'd say speak with your current firm but I see there is an issue.

Chunderella · 09/05/2014 08:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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