Leaving job for something better in first week

[lifexplorer]

Hi everyone,

Right now I'm set to start a job in the next couple of weeks. Verbal acceptance given, and written paperwork expect next week, however I have several other opportunities that are much better financially and/or commute wise which have a good chance of turning into firm offers with paperwork anytime in the next couple of weeks.

I'm not too worried about backing out from a verbal agreement alone (I've had 3 employers do that to me in the last few months!) but I'm wondering what kind of problems I could face if I back out either

a) after signing the written paperwork, but before starting
b) after starting, but maybe in only the first week or two

Do you think I'd be better off just trying to delay my start date by a week to see if one of the other, better opportunities come through first? My partner thinks I just get whatever money I can, even if it's just for a week of work, and quit if I get something better during my probation period (expecting 3 months probation with 1 week notice).

Thanks!
N

[Louise80]

Hi
Whether you delay starting or start and then leave, the impact on the employer is the same i.e. they have to start recruiting again when they thought they had filled the post. Whichever you do they are obviously going to be unhappy because they have invested time and resources in recruiting you. The risk you run is that you don't know when you might be applying to them in the future or if you'll apply elsewhere in the future and one of the people who is recruiting used to work for the company.

However, you really do need to do what's best for you in terms of finding the right job and earning. I think you should just consider the long term implications on your career.

Is there any way that you could hurry the other opportunities along? You could get in touch explain that there are other opportunities that you need to decide on but that your first choice is them?

From your perspective (in the short term) starting and then leaving for a better offer will give you more i.e. the earnings for the period that you are there.

From an employers perspective, I'd prefer someone to delay their start because this avoids wasting time on training them.

I guess the decision lies with how confident you are that any of the other opportunities will turn into offers and whether you feel that you can manage any future interaction that you need with the company that you reject.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[maria555]

hi I think if you are the getting the opportunity better than this one then you must go for that.You wrote that financially and verbally that is better.Do according to your need.