Backing out of job offer
I need some advice on a potential scenario. I have already interviewed with Company A twice and have been invited to a third one in a week. I have yet to find out what Company A is offering in terms of salary. Company B interviewed me twice and has made a job offer. I am sure they expect an answer before I have the interview with Company A which I really want to find more about. My question. how bad is it to accept Co B's offer and proceed with the interview at Co A? What if the job at Company A is offered to me and it is a better fit? Is it unfair to back out of a job offer with Company B that I have accepted? I do have to think about my best interests. Any advice would help.
Thanks,
There are a couple of things you can do. First, I'd contact company B and ask them when they'd like an answer from you while, almost in the same breath, saying you'd be grateful for a few days to consider their offer, or time to talk it over with some family member...whatever. However, once they tell you that they want your answer by such-and-such date, I think you have to live with it and give them your response within that time frame. Assuming you accept B's offer AND company A makes a better offer - and I think it has to be a significantly better offer - you can go back to B and say that you've received an unexpected offer of employment that is a better fit for you, more in line with your career goals and objectives, or an opportunity that you just can't afford to let slip by - and either resign or withdraw your acceptance of B's offer. If it should unfold this way, I also think you have to be as apologetic as possible, express your heartfelt gratitude to B for their kindness and interest in you and then take the other job. But it's also possible that A won't make an offer, so I think you pretty much have to live with whatever B's time frame is and hope that you hear from A before you have to accept or decline B's offer. This will take careful timing and some good luck. Hope this helps.
Paul W. Barada
The Negotiation Expert