Need help notice or no noticeI have a unique situation. I spent seven years at my previous employer and was very happy there except the constant travel. Back in August, I started looking for new employment once my company was purchased by a much larger firm and they made massive changes. I had 4 places interested in me, two of which I didn't feel good for the long haul, one was good, the final was great. So I took a job with the good one company A because the great one, company B, told me they were currently overstaffed and doubted they would need anyone but if they did it wouldn't be until April 08 at the earliest. They were looking to get someone in the 3-6 month hiring funnel. I have been employed with company A since Nov 12. I have to be honest, the hiring manager misrepresented what exactly the job is and I would be looking for other employment anyways. But here is the situation, company B called back, had an immediate opening, I went for 3-4 more interviews and finally I got it. YEAH ME!!!! Here's the problem. I don't have a finalized offer letter from company B yet, I leave Monday for training with company A. Company B wants me to start in two weeks. I don't want company A to incur the expense of flying me to HQ for a week of training just to quit the day I get back. Company B has already given me a start date. However, I know if I turn in my notice at company A they will let me go on the spot. I can't turn in my notice until I finalize my offer with company B. What I am looking for is how do I handle the situation with company A? Obviously next weeks training is out so the best I can offer at this point is a 3 days notice which I doubt they would even care. I hate that it's come to this short of a time span however I can't turn in a notice and get let go without having it in writing that I am employed by company B. It's not related fields so networking is not a huge concern and I will not be using them on my resume. Also, company A's managers are out of town this week so I will have to do any notice via email which is impersonal but the only feasible way. Thanks for any help you can provide. Most companies that I know of don't offer acceptance or employment letters. I never even heard of them until somebody here mentioned it a while back. But, if you are really in need of that letter for your own personal files and/or peace of mind, then call Company B and ask them for one. Explain the reason you need it. Keep in mind, though, that just because you have a letter with a start date, "at-will" still applies and if they decide they are still over staffed, your employment with them can be terminated before you start. As for Company A and the training, go ahead and attend. You may learn something that is transferrable even though the industries are different. Also, you don't want to burn any bridges. If you go to your first day with Company B and you realize that it isn't such a great job, then you will be able to go back to Company A with the training already behind you. Possibly call in sick at Company A for a couple of days and try out Company B. If you you can determine that the company is a great as you originally thought, then go ahead and notify Company A of the change in employment. If it isn't, then you still can go back to Company A with no one there any the wiser.
What about contacting Company B right away, and in a respectful way, explain the situation. You know they have their process to get through, but you would like to do the right thing for your current company. If you had your offer letter by Friday, you could give your current employer notice and not waste their training time and budget. And if not possible, no problem. Then, I think you have to go to training and await the formal offer. Ian Christie Career Changers Coach | |
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