Job opinions

So I have an offer letter from a company but it is dependent on the company getting a contract and I have a week to respond. I have another interview the week of May 23 with a different company for a job which I would prefer and isn't dependent on them getting a contract. I am really stuck on what to do.

The way I look at this is that company #1 wants you to commit to something that they're not willing to commit to themselves. That doesn't sound too promising to me.

So accept the first one, and bail if the second one works out.

It's a two way street. You have nothing to lose.

Zomby woof wrote: So accept the first one, and bail if the second one works out. It's a two way street. You have nothing to lose.

So I have nothing to lose if I accept the first and pull out.

Or you could play the same game and accept it conditional on you not getting job #2...

BoxheadTim wrote: Or you could play the same game and accept it conditional on you not getting job #2...

This- people do it all the time.

I'd avoid company #1 all together. Then again I work in an industry that depends on getting contracts and such.

I'd go to the company that already has the work.

Are thes jobs both in Huntsville? Contracts can (and frequnetly do) take a lot longer to award than planned. Accept the first offer by all means. Don't think that means you have a job because the company may not win the contract. Go to the 2nd interview and kick some ass and try to get that job. After the second job is a done deal, then go back and let the first company know that you are no longer available. I'm guessing these are both at will type employment situations.

you have an offer, yes it's contingent on something but it's an offer nonetheless. if it's a job in which you are interested, take it.

of course you still interview for job #2. don't tell job #2 that you accepted the offer from job #1 or they'll probably blow you off. and don't tell job #1 that you are interviewing for job #2.

if #2 makes an offer and is a better deal for you, then you take it and quit job #1.

but it would be short-sighted to pass up job #1 because of interview #2.

Ooops, I misread the first post. I just caught the "and this one isn't dependent."

I'd follow everyone else's advice on this one.

zomby an datsun have it right. congrats on the job success, but if it comes down to it, a job based with a company NOT being contracted is better in the long run than one that is, even if the contract position offers more cash. Im stuck in a sinking ship - my companies contract ran out and wasnt renewed. Rather than find a new client, they are just closing the doors, letting the work wither away and eventually we will all get let go. Id much rather have taken less money each payday from a stable employer, than lose out when the talkin heads fail to keep me employed.

I'm with the majority here; accept job #1, interview and aim for job #2. Most states are "at will employment" and you can quit [or be let go] at any time...quitting before your start date just makes everything easier. ;)

Ok I was just not sure if I had something to lose if I accepted the first offer then turned it down if I got the second.

93EXCivic wrote: Ok I was just not sure if I had something to lose if I accepted the first offer then turned it down if I got the second.

The only downside would be if you wanted to work for company #1 in the future.

I would suggest a stall letter..perfectly appropriate in this situation. If company one really likes you, they should have no problem letting you take some time to make a decision. Especially if the position is dependent on getting that new contract.

Rich

I would take 1, and keep interviewing. If 2 doesn't pan out, and 1 isn't something you really want to do, keep interviewing. Are they similar fields? (you're a recent ME grad, right?)

Accept #1
Continue to try for #2 as stated.
The worst that could happen is that you really have two jobs at the same time. When and if that happen that is the time to decide. Right now, you still have neither. Be sure you do not come out empty handed with no job and at best have your own real choice between the two.

I see quitting after 2 weeks to be a burned bridge, and I hate burning bridges. Even in a market as large as Atlanta, it's amazing how many people cross paths, and a burned bridge could haunt you.

I would call company #2, tell them that you've got an offer on the table with a week to respond, but that you really think you would prefer to work for them. Ask if you can move up the interview to work within the window in which you need to decide.

TJ is right. It's not a done deal till the company has a contract in hand. I've heard of companies load up on resumes to pad their resource pool to apply for contracts around here (Huntsville).

In reply to DILYSI Dave:

yeah, but it's a really small bridge at this point in his career. if he quits after 2 weeks, the company is out some HR time and maybe a little bit of training. if he quits 2 weeks after completing his company-funded MBA, well, that's a totally different bridge.