Accepting a job if not sure - can I turn it down later?

[bibliofile]

I've been applying for a few jobs recently, been offered one which pays OK but I feel quite depressed about accepting. My dh is pressuring me to accept as we need the money, which is true. But I'm hoping I might soon be offered another job, even one that pays a bit less, but that I feel more enthusiastic about.

Can I accept but if offered something better before the start date, change my mind? I don't really want to let them down as they actually seem very nice, just the job is not exciting me. But I can't afford to be without a job, so just saying no and then ending up without a job isn't an option either.

Can companies do anything if you accept a job and then back out before starting? Are there penalties for doing so? Ideally, I'd be offered something else before having to accept, but unless that happens v soon, I think I will need to either accept/decline soon.

Advice appreciated please, as I am so stressed about this.

What do you mean by penalties? They can’t fine you or send you to prison, it’s just a job!

I’ve done this before and would have no qualms doing so again. Any company would get rid of you if they had to!

You're not obliged in any way to start working for them. We have had a few people pull out at the last minute, sometimes because they got another job, sometimes for completely different reasons, sometimes they were offered another job. We've also had people leave after a few days as they felt it wasn't for them.

Are you employed at the moment?

Working freelance. But need a larger, more regular income.

I'd accept it and if something better comes along before start date take that instead.

I accepted a job offer whilst still hoping I'd get another I'd already interviewed for. I did get offered the other job but not on the terms I wanted so stuck with the original. I wasn't very excited about starting but actually really enjoyed it and was quite surprised. So you never know!

its really not in their interest to do anything so you’ll be fine, however do be prepared to royally piss them off and burn your bridges.

Thanks for advice. I'm hoping I might get something else as have had several interviews and still waiting to hear.

Personally I wouldn't do this. It could really be inconvenient for the employer and they might be turning down others.
Not sure how other employers might view you if they see on your CV you're looking and have just started somewhere recently. Because if you do find a job before starting you'll leave it, but if you don't I assume you'll start working there? Otherwise you wouldn't be accepting.

But you wouldn't put it on your CV wouldn't you. I took a job and left after 3 weeks - it just wasn't for me.

How would you hide it when you need your P45?

I mean your new employer needs the P45 from the last one.

I left a job after about 4 weeks - like redcliff, it just wasn't for me. I explained as much in the interview I had for what became my next job. They were fine with it. It happens.

@mummymummums It’s a CV. A marketing document. You don’t put your life history on it, just the edited highlights.

@biblofile give the job you’re hoping for a call, explain you have an offer in hand but you’d rather work for them. See if they can give you an indication if you’re the preferred candidate and/or their timeline. If you accept and then pull out that’s fine, but recognise that might burn a bridge (eg blacklist you with that manager/company).

I was offered the job I dreamed off (2 weeks after the interview so assumed I'd failed when I hadn't heard) on Friday at 5pm when I was due to start another job on the Monday. I had to call the guy who would have been my boss at 8am to tell him. He was really unhappy and didn't believe me when I told him about the other job.

I felt terrible at the time as if I'd betrayed him but ultimately it was by far the best decision I'd made and I'm sues he moved on soon afterwards as I did myself. Nothing he could do anyway as I hadnt signed any contract.

Don't worry and good luck with your job search.

It’s not personal, it’s business!

That new employer could still turn around and tell you due to xyz they won’t be employing you.

When I started a new role a few years ago at a very big airline, I was training to be cabin crew.

This was back in the recession and the airline realised they were potentially in trouble. The people who were on the training course behind me, were sent home on their very first day! I believe they were paid a month’s salary in lieu of notice. They had all left previous jobs and were now unemployed.

I would never be loyal to any employer - put yourself first.

Thank you all. Making me feel better.

I really don't want to mess anyone around, but as far as I know, the company currently offering me the job doesn't have any other suitable candidates, so if I said no, they'd just be readvertising - don't think I'd be responsible for them losing another good candidate who is currently waiting to hear.

Remember - the company isn’t a sentinent being with thoughts or feelings.

Sure the hiring manager might be a bit annoyed - but it will be at having to start recruitment again. In a few months they won’t even remenber you!

I think it is reasonable, given your financial situation to accept the job and then pull out of it later if you get another one. If you have signed a contract then technically yes, in breach, but no company is going to have the time and inclination to do anything so I would not worry.

It isn’t something that I would want to make a habit of, but it happens and you need to look out for yourself.

You can do what you want.
A head hunting company (if involved) could be losing thousands though!