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Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

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Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#1

Post by azelfrath »

So three months ago I was recommended by my instructor for a pentester position. He said that once the class was over (a week from then) he could officially vouch for me, since it's not showing favoritism if I'm not his student. I apply for the position and wait patiently. I email them back about 10 days later as per my instructor's advice asking if they have reviewed my resume, and got no response. I figured they had either ignored, forgotten, or lost my app.

Fast-forward to a few weeks ago when I apply for a sysadmin position at a local ISP. Less than three weeks from applying, I am hired before the background check even clears. I started last Wednesday.

Today, I get an email from the first company saying they want to set up a phone interview.

I really don't know how to handle this. Do I play hardball and tell them I was already hired? Do I ask if they can beat the pay and benefits of my current position? Do I say I am still interested but have been employed elsewhere? Do I tell my current boss that I might be considering a better position at another company?

Re: Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#4

Post by azelfrath »

procrastitron wrote: post #2

I would take the fact that they gave you no response at all for 3 months as a huge red flag.

That's what I was thinking, but it just occurred to me that perhaps the position hadn't been created yet. I mean yea, they still could have said something, but if I had been given advanced notice about a job that didn't exist, it would sorta make sense...

No, you're right. They could have at least acknowledged my existence =\

Re: Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#5

Post by azelfrath »

108 wrote: post #3

yeah, they are too late but do ask if they can beat the pay and benefits of your current position and dont tell your boss anything. Companies dont tell you when they downsize and give ya the pink slip do they?

I was thinking that, but a small part of me feels like that would come across poorly. I mean I know I am supposed to be looking for the best that is available to me, but I don't wanna turn them off by asking so bluntly.

Re: Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#6

Post by bigiain »

My advice is to be honest. Tell the new offer "I never heard back from you guys, so I accepted another offer. I wouldn't feel right leaving them in the lurch, so it'd a have to be a significantly more interesting offer and I'd need some time to sort things out here without disrupting plans they've made based on hiring me.". There's probably no need to tell your current boss anything until _after_ (if) the "significantly more interesting offer" eventuates.

Re: Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#7

Post by 108 »

azelfrath wrote: post #5
108 wrote: post #3

yeah, they are too late but do ask if they can beat the pay and benefits of your current position and dont tell your boss anything. Companies dont tell you when they downsize and give ya the pink slip do they?

I was thinking that, but a small part of me feels like that would come across poorly. I mean I know I am supposed to be looking for the best that is available to me, but I don't wanna turn them off by asking so bluntly.

Hey, you didnt sign on the dotted line or anything while being employed with current employer. You were in touch with them BEFORE you joined Com#2 and are they contacted you now so are just exploring options. Its not wrong. When you look at it this way you wont feel like a heel for leaving if the first company makes a good offer :P

Re: Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#8

Post by azelfrath »

bigiain wrote: post #6

My advice is to be honest. Tell the new offer "I never heard back from you guys, so I accepted another offer. I wouldn't feel right leaving them in the lurch, so it'd a have to be a significantly more interesting offer and I'd need some time to sort things out here without disrupting plans they've made based on hiring me.". There's probably no need to tell your current boss anything until _after_ (if) the "significan…

This is the closest to what I intend to do. I wanna display interest without making it obvious that I am gonna push for the best offer from both parties.

Re: Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#9

Post by gexla »

At this point I would just be looking at everything as a learning experience. The sysadmin job is probably a good learning experience, but probably not for long. The other job offer didn't come back to you for three months, so maybe they aren't in much of a hurry. Perhaps you could stick around the sys admin job for a few months to learn as much as you can from that job and then make the jump. In any case, I probably wouldn't be interested in sticking with the ISP for long.

Re: Got one job offer, took it, then got another. Etiquette?

#10

Post by rhizome »

bigiain wrote: post #6

My advice is to be honest. Tell the new offer "I never heard back from you guys, so I accepted another offer. I wouldn't feel right leaving them in the lurch, so it'd a have to be a significantly more interesting offer and I'd need some time to sort things out here without disrupting plans they've made based on hiring me.". There's probably no need to tell your current boss anything until _after_ (if) the "significan…

Indeed, the only thing to say to the current company is that you're leaving. Nothing else is their business and will actually hurt you if word gets out. Don't even think about playing them against each other, that only works when you don't work for either of the companies being played (yet).
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