It's Better Job Offer...What Should I Do?

You have just accepted a job offer but then out of a sudden, a better one comes along. It's a "nice to have" problem but well, it's still a dilemma, isn't it?

What You Should Take Into Consideration?

You need to think about what exactly constitutes a better offer, especially if you have gone through the process of recruitment for senior or management roles. Make sure that you ask this question if the new offer is as good a fit as it's being offered. This will definitely be true if the better offer is financially better. But once you are in a role, remuneration and benefits tend to be less important comparing to things like your relationship with your boss.

If you are not sure, you may want to spend more time with the hiring manager, recruiters, your potential colleagues, and with clarifying questions, you will start picking up quickly whether it's right or not for you.

You should also have this in mind that the first company might suggest a counter offer. If you are using the 2nd company's offer to negotiate that's fine, but never get into negotiations if you already decided you're going to accept the second job.

Will I Need To Consider Where I Am In The Process?

If you are still in the verbal agreement stage in the process, you can walk away without much awkwardness since there is nothing concrete being acknowledged. This is also true for any better offer, so you have to make sure the better offer will be in writing. Until that happens, you don't have to say anything further.

If you haven't signed and think another better offer is likely to be of your interest, you may need to delay it for a while. It is perfectly OK for you to say that you need more time to look at the contract. You need to make sure the process is being managed professionally, and if you are not sure, it's better to stay silent until you are completely sure.

If You Have Signed The Contract

Then, you are officially engaged. To cut and run away will eventually eat at your integrity. You need to do what is right for your professional career. If you acknowledged and signed, then legally you do need to be a bit careful. You might need to get the contract reviewed again by a lawyer or legal associate. Although the HR department of the company can take legal action against it, they rarely do. They normally write it off because knowing that you don't want to be there, they'd rather you weren't there in the first place.

How To Deal With Letting Them Down

The way to tell them should be appropriate to the relationship that's been formed. If you have been in regular contact with them, then you should tell them what attracted you to their job and be clear on why the other job is more attractive. Anything else is cowardly.

Remember this, your original employer may not be surprised especially when you are considered top talent. Companies especially large organization will overcome the disappointment.

Stay Or Go

Your positive points of leaving for a better position should outweigh whatever downsides, else it's not worth the hassle. Try to stick with the new job if you have already started and if the "better" one is not significantly superior. All the best~!

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Hey, thanks for reading this post up to this sentence. Now, I know you're probably wondering, "Why do you post this article?" 

Well, I first started my career journey as a headhunter and the reason why I jumped into recruitment is that I didn't know what I want back then. I thought the best thing to do is to interview thousands of people, understanding their roles and industries. With this exposure, I was able to understand the mind of the recruiters, hiring managers, and years later had the privilege to be in various roles with top global companies.

I am forever grateful to all the people that came into my life and showed me that I have what it takes to pursue my goals. Today, I am on a mission to help driven & ambitious people to get in front of global leaders & world-changing companies.

If you think you have benefited from this sharing, I hope you can pay it forward by sharing this article and connect with me to always inspire each other. Stay tuned for more brewing on #rioslab. God bless!