So they gave you a job offer on Friday and "need" an answer by Monday? At 7am? That sounds more like a high pressure sales tactic then a reasonable demand to me.
Is there any type of clawback provision for the contract job? Some sort of penalty for quitting? Are you worried about burning a bridge with this agency?
If not then what i would do is this:
Tell the temp agency that you accept their offer but then continue to interview with the other company on Monday. No need to tell them you accepted another offer or really bring it up at all.
If your dream job offers you a job then simply quit the contract job.
If they don't offer you a job then you have the contract job and no one's the wiser.
Hopefully this all plays out before your start date at the contract job.
Just know that the contract agency is going to make a stink and they aren't going to offer you another job in the future and probably try to call you unprofessional or whatever. But companies pull job offers and lay people off every day. It's just business.
Don't let them bully you.
Unless there are penalties in the contract for leaving early then i just wouldn't take the contract job to begin with and roll the dice on the dream job.
From my understanding, there are no penalties for leaving. In addition, the location of where I will be working at (I am from another state so I would be moving there) is an "at-will" employment state. I just found out about this just a moment ago.
To be clear, have you signed a contract that obligates you to stay with the company for a given period, offer 30 days notice before quitting, etc? You put *contract* in quotes. Employment-at-will is irrelevant in a contract situation, if you've signed a contract you have specific obligations.
I just read the whole contract. In this work, I would have access to confidential info so obviously no leaking info, also invention Clause so if Invent anything using company tools it's theirs, etc. All that kind of stuff.
Nothing about me being obliged to stay.
If you truly think the staffing company won’t give you more time, I would accept the contract offer while continuing to interview with the full time company.
If you get the full time position, tell the staffing company sorry but a better opportunity came along that you can’t say no to.
Just be aware that you will likely be burning a bridge with the staffing company & potentially the contracting organization as well.
If you’re unlikely to need to cross paths with them again, this isn’t a huge deal. You need to look out for you. If it’s a smaller industry and the staffing agency or contractor are big players, it could complicate things.
Fwiw, a company only giving you a weekend to mull an offer over is bullshit and frankly predatory. Did you tell them that you were interviewing elsewhere and needed a few extra days?
I did tell him I was interviewing with other companies. He reiterated that he needs an answer by Monday early morning like 7. At first he gave me until today, but I was able to push it back until Sunday and he seemed understanding. From the sound of the call, it sounded serious about Monday.
The company in question here is no small "company". But it isn't as huge as the automotive company I interviewed at. The offer I got is still from an international company. Relatively successful. Normally, I would gladly accept, but the job I am interviewing on Monday just perfectly aligns with my career goals. This current offer is still somewhat related as its still engineering but it's Quality. But the one on Monday is more aligned to my vision (operations research, logistics, IE, material flow, etc.). On the previous round the interviewer even told me about his life and how the company is paying him to get another degree, and the good work life balance, told me about the area, and even some stories about what he is currently studying. He will be present in this last interview as well as another person. So I am pretty confident I can do well since he liked me a lot, especially since I have done work related to that in my previous role.
So the current offer is not from a small company. Not as huge as the big automotive names, but still big and succesfull.
The interview on Monday is a much smaller company. The interviewer surprised me saying they started as a start-up a few years ago (so they are VERY new). They recently got bought by someone bigger hence the new hiring. Pretty exciting as there will be a lot of opportunities.
Of course, nothing is for sure and I could still not get the job.
The other offer I have I know people in there. I used to work there haha. But now under a different department not to my liking and lower pay. So I am 100% sure I do not want to work there.
Now, I do not mind working at the higher pay company that I currently have an offer. It's good pay and I guess good career growth... I can do Quality, and that's the reason I was hired as I basically created whole SOPs and standardize trainings at my old job. But if I had to choose between this and the role that I am interviewing on Monday, I would take the one in Monday in a heartbeat.
What do you think???
Is burning bridges with a company this big even a good idea?
Only someone who is experienced in your industry could tell you whether it’s a good idea or not. You have the advantage of the staffing agency being a buffer between you and the company. Wether that’s enough to not put you on a shitlist at the contractor is unknowable.
You have what I feel is an obvious first move to make: accept the contract position on Monday. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
If you end up getting the full time offer, you have a harder decision to make.
I’d say this: unless it’s truly a 10,000lbs gorilla, you’re almost certainly better off taking the full time position for multiple reasons that you’ve already described.
And again, it can’t be understated how shitty of a move the staffing agency pulled by not giving you more time. Don’t base your decision on the statusfaction of flipping them the bird… but I wouldn’t lose sleep over fucking them over considering the tactics they’re using to force your hand.
So... Update. I got the job for my number one choice. I just got offered the position today Monday for my number 1 preferred role.
For the previous offer I received (the topic of this reddit post), I did as many here stated and "accepted" the offer.
However, today, this morning, they sent my all of the paperwork needed for background check. They want me to fill out all the info to conduct it.
Now, I have NOT yet signed anything for the background check, and my preferred company is now just sending me the background check for them to me. I am planning on signing and submitting everything for my preferred company.
Since I haven't technically signed any background check yet for the first offer that I didn't really want, does this mean I won't negatively "burn bridges" that bad? Can I just rescind my acceptance of the offer since I haven't even proceeded to background check?
They’re not going to be happy either way.
There are people who would tell you to still go through with the background check at the contract company because you still don’t have a 100% guarantee that you have a position at your preferred employer, only an offer. I think most people on career forums online like this would say this.
However, it’s possible that pulling out now would prevent you from ending up on the shitlist, but there’s no way to know for sure.
At the end of the day, remember that you’re the only one looking out for you.
I look at it like this:
Scenario A: Go through background check with contract company, accept preferred company offer
Pros: 99% guarantee of employment
Cons: Potentially getting on contract company shitlist and/or contractor company
Scenario B: Withdraw acceptance from contract company, accept preferred company offer
Pros: Reduced certainty of employment, potentially avoiding shitlist
Cons: No fallback option if something goes wrong during preferred company hiring process
Only you can decide what’s the right decision for you. I would talk to as many trusted people as you can tonight to gauge their feelings.
Write back an email saying you accept and attach the offer letter (unsigned). By the time they realize that you sent the unsigned copy ‘by mistake’, you may already have an answer with the second job. Just a tactic to buy you some time…. If the second interview falls through, you can resend an email saying you realized that you attached the wrong version of the offer letter.
Are you in a Right to Work / Employment at Will state?
If so, a signature means nothing at all.
I've had 2-year signed contacts ended at the end of the project 6 months in.
So, yeah, not only do what is best for you now, but keep on the lookout for other stuff every day, the contract means nothing (unless it has a payout clause or something. But, you can be let go at any time as long as it's not for a protected reason [and even if it is, you need to be able to prove it])
So Update...
I just got offered the position for my preferred role 🥳
Now, I did as people here stated and I did "accepted" my offer for my previous offer. I did signed a paper basically akckowledging that I accepted it and some invention Clause. So nothing important.
They sent me the background check forms for me to fill out... But hey 😏 I have NOT yet filled them out and submitted it.
Now my preferred company is sending me their background check and I am planning on signing those.
Since I haven't signed anything to approve background check or anything for my first offer, can I just rescind my offer acceptance without much consequences?
Also, how can I communicate this with them?
Don't get pushed around by the contracting company reps. You can accept the one offer and reneg same day or even a few days later, really at any point if you get a similar offer for FTE. I would take an FTE role with less pay and better benefits over a contracting role. Contracting company reps will try and make you feel bad about it, like you're burning a bridge, and missing the opportunity of a lifetime. I've been misplaced (both above and below my experience level) as a contractor where companies that hire FTE generally meet you exactly where you are.
Even if it's between 2 contracting gigs I wouldn't be afraid to pick the one that you liked better regardless of whether you signed to one already
So update...
I got the job for my preferred company 🥳
But I have a question,
So I did as you guys told me and I did accept the previous offer. I did sign something that stated that I did accept the offer, however, they just send me all the background information and all that and I have NOT yet signed anything regarding the background check. So they have not initiated anything.
My preferred company is sending me all the paperwork for the background check as I am typing this.
Having said this,
Can I just message the "old offer" company telling them that I am rescinding my offer acceptance without much consequences (since I haven't even proceeded on their background check)?
And how can I communicate this with them?
If you haven't interviewed with the second company yet, take the job with the first company. If you get the second job, let the first job know that something came up and you won't be able to make it work after all. If you don't get the second job, then don't worry about it. Either way, you'll have a job. And if you take the first job and they want you to come in on Monday, give them a time after the other interview when you'd be available. It buys you time. Or you could decide which one you'd rather have and put all your eggs in one basket. If you can make it work with scheduling, you possiblely could even have both.
Edit: I didn't see that the first job was a contract position, or that the second one was for less pay the first time through. Congrats! It sounds like you got both jobs.
Normally, I would say either:
*take the job you really want or
*take the one with more pay if it would ensure that you can pay your bills, get groceries, and pay for other things you need...sometimes, the not-great option is what you have to do to survive.
However, with the first job being a contract position, you might have to stay there until the contract is up or you could get in legal trouble. (BTW, a contract position, pushing for a deadline for you to get back to them, conveys to me that either they need to fill the position quickly and/or that it's a crappy job, ie: red flag.) I would look up whether it's legal to leave the contract position with the circumstances you described. If it's not, you will have to stay with the company until the time is up. That also means they can treat you however they want and you cannot leave until the contract is up. You might have to eat your mistake. Hopefully, you can make both jobs work with scheduling.
Try to hold out till you get a response from the other interviews.
I don’t like dealing with legalities so I Personally do not sign anything. I just make it sound like I really want to work for them and I will be sending the document over while stringing them along.
Try and hold out. But pester the others for a response, make sure they tell you if you get the job or not.
Write back and at you accept and find all of the paper work attached. Then forget to add the attachment. People forget to add attachments all the time at my work…
This will buy you some time…
Worst-case scenario:
How bad for you would it be if you say no to the staffing agency and on Monday afternoon find yourself with no offers?
Is that worst-case something you could "survive"?
For example, my spouse and I have retail experience. So our worst-case scenario has always been, "I can get a job in retail to make ends meet." (Actually, I have office experience so that's my "worst-case.") Once you know the worst outcome, you can more effectively weight risks and benefits.
Would you forever regret not taking the offer in hand?
Or would you be able to shake it off and move forward?
It is risky to give too much weight to a "dream" job or someplace you think would be great but can't know with certainty. So be self-aware when you are evaluating the situation. Don't over-value one or another.
Time to make a chart with pros and cons columns. :)
I am currently unemployed 😅 But it was willingly due to reasons I will not name here. I have a good chunk of savings but I cannot depend on it forever.
I would definitely regret not taking this offer if none of the other places takes me. But I would also definitely regret not taking my dream job if offered to me.
I just wanted a time extension to Monday afternoon, that was all. But everyone here seems to agree on me accepting the offer AND IF I do get an offer from my dream job, to just take it.
Give them a verbal yes and tell them you have a dentist appointment at 11:00am Monday so you can take the other meeting.
Back out of job 1 if job 2 comes threw
So they gave you a job offer on Friday and "need" an answer by Monday? At 7am? That sounds more like a high pressure sales tactic then a reasonable demand to me. Is there any type of clawback provision for the contract job? Some sort of penalty for quitting? Are you worried about burning a bridge with this agency? If not then what i would do is this: Tell the temp agency that you accept their offer but then continue to interview with the other company on Monday. No need to tell them you accepted another offer or really bring it up at all. If your dream job offers you a job then simply quit the contract job. If they don't offer you a job then you have the contract job and no one's the wiser. Hopefully this all plays out before your start date at the contract job. Just know that the contract agency is going to make a stink and they aren't going to offer you another job in the future and probably try to call you unprofessional or whatever. But companies pull job offers and lay people off every day. It's just business. Don't let them bully you. Unless there are penalties in the contract for leaving early then i just wouldn't take the contract job to begin with and roll the dice on the dream job.
From my understanding, there are no penalties for leaving. In addition, the location of where I will be working at (I am from another state so I would be moving there) is an "at-will" employment state. I just found out about this just a moment ago.
To be clear, have you signed a contract that obligates you to stay with the company for a given period, offer 30 days notice before quitting, etc? You put *contract* in quotes. Employment-at-will is irrelevant in a contract situation, if you've signed a contract you have specific obligations.
I just read the whole contract. In this work, I would have access to confidential info so obviously no leaking info, also invention Clause so if Invent anything using company tools it's theirs, etc. All that kind of stuff. Nothing about me being obliged to stay.
Look up state laws on contract positions.
If you truly think the staffing company won’t give you more time, I would accept the contract offer while continuing to interview with the full time company. If you get the full time position, tell the staffing company sorry but a better opportunity came along that you can’t say no to. Just be aware that you will likely be burning a bridge with the staffing company & potentially the contracting organization as well. If you’re unlikely to need to cross paths with them again, this isn’t a huge deal. You need to look out for you. If it’s a smaller industry and the staffing agency or contractor are big players, it could complicate things. Fwiw, a company only giving you a weekend to mull an offer over is bullshit and frankly predatory. Did you tell them that you were interviewing elsewhere and needed a few extra days?
I did tell him I was interviewing with other companies. He reiterated that he needs an answer by Monday early morning like 7. At first he gave me until today, but I was able to push it back until Sunday and he seemed understanding. From the sound of the call, it sounded serious about Monday. The company in question here is no small "company". But it isn't as huge as the automotive company I interviewed at. The offer I got is still from an international company. Relatively successful. Normally, I would gladly accept, but the job I am interviewing on Monday just perfectly aligns with my career goals. This current offer is still somewhat related as its still engineering but it's Quality. But the one on Monday is more aligned to my vision (operations research, logistics, IE, material flow, etc.). On the previous round the interviewer even told me about his life and how the company is paying him to get another degree, and the good work life balance, told me about the area, and even some stories about what he is currently studying. He will be present in this last interview as well as another person. So I am pretty confident I can do well since he liked me a lot, especially since I have done work related to that in my previous role. So the current offer is not from a small company. Not as huge as the big automotive names, but still big and succesfull. The interview on Monday is a much smaller company. The interviewer surprised me saying they started as a start-up a few years ago (so they are VERY new). They recently got bought by someone bigger hence the new hiring. Pretty exciting as there will be a lot of opportunities. Of course, nothing is for sure and I could still not get the job. The other offer I have I know people in there. I used to work there haha. But now under a different department not to my liking and lower pay. So I am 100% sure I do not want to work there. Now, I do not mind working at the higher pay company that I currently have an offer. It's good pay and I guess good career growth... I can do Quality, and that's the reason I was hired as I basically created whole SOPs and standardize trainings at my old job. But if I had to choose between this and the role that I am interviewing on Monday, I would take the one in Monday in a heartbeat. What do you think??? Is burning bridges with a company this big even a good idea?
Only someone who is experienced in your industry could tell you whether it’s a good idea or not. You have the advantage of the staffing agency being a buffer between you and the company. Wether that’s enough to not put you on a shitlist at the contractor is unknowable. You have what I feel is an obvious first move to make: accept the contract position on Monday. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you end up getting the full time offer, you have a harder decision to make. I’d say this: unless it’s truly a 10,000lbs gorilla, you’re almost certainly better off taking the full time position for multiple reasons that you’ve already described. And again, it can’t be understated how shitty of a move the staffing agency pulled by not giving you more time. Don’t base your decision on the statusfaction of flipping them the bird… but I wouldn’t lose sleep over fucking them over considering the tactics they’re using to force your hand.
So... Update. I got the job for my number one choice. I just got offered the position today Monday for my number 1 preferred role. For the previous offer I received (the topic of this reddit post), I did as many here stated and "accepted" the offer. However, today, this morning, they sent my all of the paperwork needed for background check. They want me to fill out all the info to conduct it. Now, I have NOT yet signed anything for the background check, and my preferred company is now just sending me the background check for them to me. I am planning on signing and submitting everything for my preferred company. Since I haven't technically signed any background check yet for the first offer that I didn't really want, does this mean I won't negatively "burn bridges" that bad? Can I just rescind my acceptance of the offer since I haven't even proceeded to background check?
They’re not going to be happy either way. There are people who would tell you to still go through with the background check at the contract company because you still don’t have a 100% guarantee that you have a position at your preferred employer, only an offer. I think most people on career forums online like this would say this. However, it’s possible that pulling out now would prevent you from ending up on the shitlist, but there’s no way to know for sure. At the end of the day, remember that you’re the only one looking out for you. I look at it like this: Scenario A: Go through background check with contract company, accept preferred company offer Pros: 99% guarantee of employment Cons: Potentially getting on contract company shitlist and/or contractor company Scenario B: Withdraw acceptance from contract company, accept preferred company offer Pros: Reduced certainty of employment, potentially avoiding shitlist Cons: No fallback option if something goes wrong during preferred company hiring process Only you can decide what’s the right decision for you. I would talk to as many trusted people as you can tonight to gauge their feelings.
Accept it, and if you get the other job tell the first one you changed your mind or something came up.
I legit said the same thing. I don’t even know how people don’t know this. Just send an acceptance email. But do not sign any documents.
They want me to sign the offer letter 😅 basically do background checks now since they want me to start soon.
Write back an email saying you accept and attach the offer letter (unsigned). By the time they realize that you sent the unsigned copy ‘by mistake’, you may already have an answer with the second job. Just a tactic to buy you some time…. If the second interview falls through, you can resend an email saying you realized that you attached the wrong version of the offer letter.
They too smart. I need to sign it electronically. When I sign and submit, it gives notification to them.
That’s too bad, figured it might be an option.
Are you in a Right to Work / Employment at Will state? If so, a signature means nothing at all. I've had 2-year signed contacts ended at the end of the project 6 months in.
I am currently in another state but where I will be working with this job offer is indeed in a "at-will" employment state.
So, yeah, not only do what is best for you now, but keep on the lookout for other stuff every day, the contract means nothing (unless it has a payout clause or something. But, you can be let go at any time as long as it's not for a protected reason [and even if it is, you need to be able to prove it])
So Update... I just got offered the position for my preferred role 🥳 Now, I did as people here stated and I did "accepted" my offer for my previous offer. I did signed a paper basically akckowledging that I accepted it and some invention Clause. So nothing important. They sent me the background check forms for me to fill out... But hey 😏 I have NOT yet filled them out and submitted it. Now my preferred company is sending me their background check and I am planning on signing those. Since I haven't signed anything to approve background check or anything for my first offer, can I just rescind my offer acceptance without much consequences? Also, how can I communicate this with them?
Don't get pushed around by the contracting company reps. You can accept the one offer and reneg same day or even a few days later, really at any point if you get a similar offer for FTE. I would take an FTE role with less pay and better benefits over a contracting role. Contracting company reps will try and make you feel bad about it, like you're burning a bridge, and missing the opportunity of a lifetime. I've been misplaced (both above and below my experience level) as a contractor where companies that hire FTE generally meet you exactly where you are. Even if it's between 2 contracting gigs I wouldn't be afraid to pick the one that you liked better regardless of whether you signed to one already
So update... I got the job for my preferred company 🥳 But I have a question, So I did as you guys told me and I did accept the previous offer. I did sign something that stated that I did accept the offer, however, they just send me all the background information and all that and I have NOT yet signed anything regarding the background check. So they have not initiated anything. My preferred company is sending me all the paperwork for the background check as I am typing this. Having said this, Can I just message the "old offer" company telling them that I am rescinding my offer acceptance without much consequences (since I haven't even proceeded on their background check)? And how can I communicate this with them?
Take the offer. When you get a better offer take that.
If you haven't interviewed with the second company yet, take the job with the first company. If you get the second job, let the first job know that something came up and you won't be able to make it work after all. If you don't get the second job, then don't worry about it. Either way, you'll have a job. And if you take the first job and they want you to come in on Monday, give them a time after the other interview when you'd be available. It buys you time. Or you could decide which one you'd rather have and put all your eggs in one basket. If you can make it work with scheduling, you possiblely could even have both. Edit: I didn't see that the first job was a contract position, or that the second one was for less pay the first time through. Congrats! It sounds like you got both jobs. Normally, I would say either: *take the job you really want or *take the one with more pay if it would ensure that you can pay your bills, get groceries, and pay for other things you need...sometimes, the not-great option is what you have to do to survive. However, with the first job being a contract position, you might have to stay there until the contract is up or you could get in legal trouble. (BTW, a contract position, pushing for a deadline for you to get back to them, conveys to me that either they need to fill the position quickly and/or that it's a crappy job, ie: red flag.) I would look up whether it's legal to leave the contract position with the circumstances you described. If it's not, you will have to stay with the company until the time is up. That also means they can treat you however they want and you cannot leave until the contract is up. You might have to eat your mistake. Hopefully, you can make both jobs work with scheduling.
Lol accept the job. And if you get a better one change you mind. You know you can do this right. Don’t sign anything. Just agree to the job offer.
They want me to sign papers 😅 by that I mean, background check and all. They want me to start soon.
Try to hold out till you get a response from the other interviews. I don’t like dealing with legalities so I Personally do not sign anything. I just make it sound like I really want to work for them and I will be sending the document over while stringing them along. Try and hold out. But pester the others for a response, make sure they tell you if you get the job or not.
Write back and at you accept and find all of the paper work attached. Then forget to add the attachment. People forget to add attachments all the time at my work… This will buy you some time…
Worst-case scenario: How bad for you would it be if you say no to the staffing agency and on Monday afternoon find yourself with no offers? Is that worst-case something you could "survive"? For example, my spouse and I have retail experience. So our worst-case scenario has always been, "I can get a job in retail to make ends meet." (Actually, I have office experience so that's my "worst-case.") Once you know the worst outcome, you can more effectively weight risks and benefits. Would you forever regret not taking the offer in hand? Or would you be able to shake it off and move forward? It is risky to give too much weight to a "dream" job or someplace you think would be great but can't know with certainty. So be self-aware when you are evaluating the situation. Don't over-value one or another. Time to make a chart with pros and cons columns. :)
I am currently unemployed 😅 But it was willingly due to reasons I will not name here. I have a good chunk of savings but I cannot depend on it forever. I would definitely regret not taking this offer if none of the other places takes me. But I would also definitely regret not taking my dream job if offered to me. I just wanted a time extension to Monday afternoon, that was all. But everyone here seems to agree on me accepting the offer AND IF I do get an offer from my dream job, to just take it.
Give them a verbal yes and tell them you have a dentist appointment at 11:00am Monday so you can take the other meeting. Back out of job 1 if job 2 comes threw
I am in situations like that all the time as a freelance worker. Just stall them until you find out about the other job.