Reneging on job offer?

[treetoptina]

I applied for two jobs; both closer to home (I posted on Friday about how my boss reacted!) but one for a lower salary (Job A) and one at a similar salary (Job B ). Job A was my preference but was a £15k salary drop from top of the advertised range.

I had a first stage interview for Job A last week, second stage interview tomorrow but was offered Job B on Thursday so withdrew my application yesterday.

Job A CEO has contacted me directly to say that based on first interview I was their strongest candidate and he’d have at least matched my salary if that's what it took. He’s asked me to reconsider and call today to let him know if I will still interview.

I have verbally accepted Job B but not signed any paperwork yet feel like reneging is a crappy thing to do. On the other hand this is a long term move for me - at least the next 5 years - and I know it’s a candidate’s market...

WIBU to interview tomorrow and make a decision on Thursday potentially letting Job B down?

Can you negotiate more salary with job B ?

If you’d been offered both jobs at the same salary (assuming this is now correct) on the same day which one would you have taken? If it’s job A then go for it, you haven’t start job B yet, it’s not uncommon to do this.

Go to the interview. Even if you decide not to take it afterwards it's still good practice. And your life is more important to you than being polite - if Job A is the one you want, and you get it, then renege on the job offer.

We've had a few people do that at the place I work at - it's disappointing in terms of work, but as a manager I understand people will take a better offer, and I don't blame them for it! You need to do what's best for you.

Don't worry about reneging, it is very common to apply for two or more jobs and end up in this situation.

Take the job you most want. Be honest - someone else contacted you with a revised offer. That's all, this is really not a drama.

If Job A was your preference despite the salary drop you'd be mad not to go for it with a good salary.

Go to the interview for A and get a feel for them with new eyes, as if you're interviewing them, and decide properly after that.

Go for job A.
I appreciate feeling crapping about withdrawing from B, but it's business and not personal.
How many companies wouldn't think about reneging on candidates?

I've done it before. I spend a long time working and it needs to work for me.

Not sure I agree. They didn’t think it was worth paying enough before. And you may find that this means you don’t get raises.

How many companies wouldn't think about reneging on candidates?

Exactly, if a company decided to withdraw a job for some reason they wouldn't think twice about it.

If A was your preference anyway you'd be mad not to go for it with more money on the table

You would not be unreasonable to pursue all the opportunities you can and choose the best fit for you. Just try and be quick and don’t leave job hanging for too long. You don’t owe either job loyalty at this stage.

I’d go for the one you prefer. Company B will get over it.

You should interview and see what you think then. However, one of my questions would be that ok, they are revising the salary for you now but what will the progression look like or is it that forever.

Keep going along with job A, so attend the 2nd interview. It’s fine if you turn down job B, they can offer it to another candidate. I recruit a lot, and we always identify a ‘reserve’ who isn’t rejected until the prefered candidate formally accepts

Do what is best for you. You owe neither company anything.

This, I used to work in HR, it happens, quite frequently too.

I am a hiring manager and it’s a bit frustrating when candidates drop after accepting a job but not particularly rare. Do the interview for job A and then take whichever you prefer but make sure to negotiate salary and know your worth!

I once interviewed for a role, handed in my notice at current role and worked 10 of my 12 weeks notice. My dream job came up and I got it and I almost didn’t take it out of guilt. When I called the hiring manager for the role I’d already accepted she said I absolutely must go for the other role and she’d have done the same. Took from it that you have to put yourself first in career and (meant nicely) you’re not that important to a company, esp before you start! Good luck!!

I had to do this recently. I had accepted job A, had already interviewed for and not heard back from job B after some time. Job B got back to me two weeks later with a much higher package. I reneged on job A. Yes, I felt guilty but it was the right decision for me.

I was recently offered an NHS band 5 job but they took so long to do the paperwork that I’d been offered a band 6 in the intervening time. Obviously I turned down the 5, having previously said I’d take it. The way I see it, if they hadn’t have wanted me, they’d have had no problem turning me down. Some places don’t even contact you 🤷‍♀️ Don’t even give it another thought if you want the other job.

If Job A is your preference and they are willing to match salary then you'd be crazy to not go for the interview!

Don't do anything about job B until after that but if you decide to take job A just withdraw from job B, you don't owe them anything!