CNNMoney.com has an article that really tweaked me this morning – Help! I accepted a job – can I change my mind? The article is the standard reader mail format with some good advice in the answer section.
An offer letter – which is usually a brief document describing your position, duties and compensation – is generally less binding than an employment contract – which goes into much more detail and usually states how much notice you must give if you decide to quit.
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So just be honest and say, ‘I’m sorry, but my dream job opened up and I really feel I have to take it.’ Most often they will just let you go. One thing in your favor is that, after only two weeks on the job, it’s probably not too late for them to call their No. 2 choice and replace you.”
Here is what gets me – we had this situation play out a couple years ago when we were helping a client select a manager. The position was here in the Twin Cities and the candidate was moving here from Denver. She signed the offer letter and had a scheduled start date.
Unfortunately, she notified our client 7 days before her start date that she was going to pursue another opportunity. We were stuck since we had ceased sourcing for the “filled” position.
To make matters worse, our client invoked what I like to call the “winner-takes-it-all” approach. They had no interest in talking to the number 2 candidate even though that candidate was strong. Our client had a tough time selecting between the two top candidates – they were that close.
For some reason, we see this mentality play out frequently in our clients’ minds. They have 2 final candidates who are almost equal. They select their top choice. If they cannot reach an agreement with them, they want to start a new sourcing process. The second candidate who made their initial decision so difficult is now considered damaged goods (or something to that end). Frustrating to say the least.