I was offered a new job on Friday and accepted. I gave my notice today and my current employer wants two weeks. Called the recruiter, who told me he told my new employer I could start in a week. Called the new employer because the recruiter has messed some things up. So, turns out the recruiter told him I could start tomorrow, and the new employer told me that he may not be able to offer me the job because they need someone right away. I am very frustrated and not sure what to do. I can not go back to my current employer and beg for my job back, and the people I am working for may very well cut me loose before the end of this week as this is just the kind of people they are. So, what do I do? I don't suppose I would qualify for unemployment and now I will have a gap on my resume.
So, the recruiter messed things up. Big surprise there. (Note the recruiter disdain in my words).
Okay, so you have two choices. Go back to your employer and beg for the job back in which case you will probably be thrown out the door by the weekend. OR.......Call the new job and start tomorrow since you know you will be unemployed soon.
I would take choice number two. If your old employer would treat you like crap because you were going to leave, then it isn't worth it to stay. And, since the screw up was the recruiter's fault, and you liked the new job enough to accept it, you don't have anything to lose by starting there in the morning.
Maybe, if you ask nicely, they will wait for Wednesday so you can clean out your desk at your old employer.
I agree with Kelly. It's not as if you are quitting your current job to begin a job search--you'd be quitting to begin your new job. You tried to give two weeks notice, but extenuating circumstances now prevent you from doing so. I wouldn't worry about burning bridges--I've given 4 weeks notice in the past(to train my replacement), and still got just a lukewarm endorsement from a previous employer (full disclosure: I didn't list that company as a reference, but when my employment history was being verified, my immediate supervisor was not very forthcoming). Good luck and get to work!
