Received job offer but then asked to reinterview

[Ohhowdisappointin]

Hi all

I have NC for this. Would appreciate any thoughts or insight. Will try and keep it short

Basically I have been going through a long recruitment process which began in December for a very much wanted (and needed) job.

This has involved multiple interviews and assessments. It is for a sensitive position with a large bank so they have also paid for international vetting/ background checks etc…

Last week I received a call on which I was given a verbal job offer and told to expect an email with one in writing soon. On the call I was also told that the hiring manager had to go on mat leave sooner than expected, so I would be under a maternity cover manager when I started.

Today I received a call from the new hiring manager who invited me into the office for a chat so they could “ask me a few questions to see if they will be making me a job offer” - so basically another interview! The explanation given was that the manager now on mat leave hadn’t done a full handover so some info on my recruitment was missing

I was pretty stunned to receive such a call and agreed to another interview, but later called back to say it didn’t feel appropriate to reopen the process and reinterview after so long (and after a verbal job offer) so they will just need to make a decision based on what info they have.

Would like to know what people think of this situation and if they would have done the same?

Guessing I’ve probably cost myself the job but it seems highly unprofessional by the company

Perhaps they could even see showing ‘a bit of backbone’ as a positive and will stand by their job offer?

Also interested to know if anyone with hiring experience has any potential insight into what’s going on internally at this company

So very frustrating!

Could go either way, I suppose it depends on the role
Did you point out you had received a verbal offer ( which I appreciate isn’t binding)?
I probably would have pushed back but probably not quite as much (and I am usually pretty feisty)

Sorry for not making it clear, but the new HM was part of the call where I got the verbal offer, so was obviously aware

I was polite on the pushback call and also made it clear that I am keen on the job. But also firm in that I did not find the situation acceptable

I probably would have viewed as some box ticking that needed to be done. I probably would have gone along with it and only spoken up if they then actually rescinded the offer....which would have been really shit.

Fingers crossed for you. I can see your point about it potentially showing backbone and hopefully they will rephrase it and you'll still have the job.

....in your defence though, I don't see this as being as contentious an issue if you were a man.

A man saying "wtf, no, you already offered me the job" would be fairly standard I would have thought.

So good on you.

But yeah, just need to see how it goes unfortunately, I think.

I think that might work out for you, it seems a reasonable response.

I would add that ‘from December’ Is unfortunately not out of the ordinary long for a seniorish hiring process.

I think it depends on what exactly was said on the call eg “We’re delighted to say we’re offering you the job” is clear but “We’d love to have you on board we’ll be in touch soon” is less clear.

I would have have called and had a friendly chat with the new hiring manager saying “look, I’m confused and quite concerned about the process here, I was made a verbal offer of employment following a long recruitment process, are you telling me that because of internal changes the job offer has been withdrawn and I need to re-interview? Becuase that feels like a bit of a red flag!” If they apologised and said yes, I might donit, but if they tried to gaslight me saying no job offer was made then I might go elsewhere.

But it all comes down to how much you want the job…

I think that's absolutely fair from your perspective. He's probably trying to parachute a mate in.

I think you were very reasonable.

They fucked up internally is my guess. Didn’t have the paperwork in place, someone hadn’t signed off, something like that.

You were right to push back though.

Sounds like he disagreed with the decision and had a mate in mind

It depends if the new one feels they have fucked up and would rather just not hire you now I think

I think if they don't like you saying that then there is no job. Possibly they've had a rethink or are just really inept.

If they really want you and this was just box ticking then they won't mind being asked to sort their shit out.

Good for you , it’s shoddy from them and they should be embarrassed. They can withdraw the offer of employment at any time anyway equally you could pull out even after you accept so if they are having second thoughts about you they should be up front.

Something very odd about this
I think you’ve done the right thing. You will have wasted your time if they’re just up to no good- and also if they are incompetent. The hiring manager being in on the initial offer suggests something they’re plotting. A reduced pay offer maybe.

A verbal contract is binding in employment law. Although not always easy to prove. Btw

You did the right thing. You should be very proud that you're not underselling yourself. I also agree with pp, the person who wanted to reopen the interview process has a mate in mind. If they have given you a verbal offer and you have accepted the job, that's really all there is to it. If they are very keen they'd do their best to not spook you, which they have done now. Is this a maternity cover or something more long term?

Did you not say to them, but I’ve already been offered the job?

Any update OP?

Very unprofessional of them to do this to you with no explanation.

All very weird - I would have been a bit worried about your response op...although they have been unreasonable I think you have too. You might have explored with them what was missing (everyone makes mistakes sometimes) before telling them they had as much info on you as they were going to get. A man or a woman taking this blunt approach would be red flags for us - regardless of whether it was our fault or not. Difficult employees are best avoided - no one wants to work with them, mistakes happen and it's how you resolve them that matters and it's always useful if difficult employees show their cards during the recruitment process.
If you are worried about their processes and feel this phone call is the red flag then you should walk away now - don't leave it to them to make the decision. It's a two-way thing.

Hi,

If you're not accepting replies, please ignore this.
I read your post and I'm currently in a position where I'm waiting for my security clearance to complete. Everything else for my current role is fine but I've been waiting 4 weeks for the security clearance. Could I ask how long you had to wait for yours to be completed?

Thank you.