topic Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation in Beauty

O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

JamicaJammer — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:20:19 GMT

Hindsight's always spot-on 20/20. That's a given.

Thought I'd share how I mis-handled a recent job offer.

I'm a HS grad, no college, but my generation didn't need to have anything else to be a successful secretary/office professional.

I'm re-entering the job market, and with the economy as it is, employers can pay 25-40% LESS than they did 10 yrs ago for an employee, AND they now require- and get - only 4-yr college degreed applicants for basic secretarial work.

I had applied for a position last fall but didn't hear anything until a few wks ago. They'd chosen someone else for that opening, but she had to resign for family obligations recently, and they'd kept my resume and called me. I wasn't actively job hunting, so it caught me a bit off guard, but was pleased they called, and interviewed twice. First screening interview went well, second one seemed a bit 'flat', and I figured they were just going thru the motions. Nope, I was called the next morning with the job offer.

I thanked the gal and asked if I could let her know later that afternoon my response. She seemed fine with that.

I honestly wanted time to consider all aspects - it's quite a long commute, and later hours in the afternoon than most, etc.

Looking back, I should have stated right on the phone that I had to have a couple of days to make sure I could make things work for my family situation, etc., but didn't think fast enough to say that, and honestly, it's not like it was a CEO job, so I was kinda surprised she seemed OK with the few hrs I asked for.

I called Mom - so excited as it was twice the salary as most jobs I've applied for! But Mom came across so frail, pitiful, reminding me that would mean less time with my son, etc., that I honestly felt guilty for taking the job, so I called the office manager 2 hrs before my deadline and declined the job, saying I just couldn't make it fit with my family obligations.

By that evening, I find out Mom's played me like a fiddle.....she's fine....bottom line: I should have taken the job. By then I'm too embarrassed to call them back, but I was so upset that on Sat., I did call and left a VM for the office manager that I was sure they'd already filled the position, but in case they'd not, I'd been able to work things out and would love to accept the job.

No word from them, but I saw today on a job search site that the day after I declined, they began running an ad for that job. I figure they think I'm a head case/flake now and that's that.

I just am heartsick at the missed financial opportunity.

So, for you who hire employees: do most jump at the offer, or ask for time to consider it, or ??

For those of you who job hunt: what would you have done?

Thanks.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

Jtdmum — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:24:03 GMT

Re-apply for the position. Sometimes they have to post and interview once a job is available. Good luck!

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

gailcoco — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:30:59 GMT

Why go to the second interview if you really didn't know if you wanted the job? I think it probably worked out in the end because you were so on the fence about it.

When I was doing the hiring in my department I would not have re-considered you after you declined the job. You kinda came across as not being reliable. I'm not saying that you're not reliable but the back and forth is off-putting.

Keep looking and I bet you'll find something closer to home with better hours. Have you considered working for the city, county or school systems? They pay well, with good benefits and some offer flexible hours. Good Luck!! Gail

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

sidsmom — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:34:44 GMT

Call them back tomorrow during the day. If you were the perfect fit then, you'll be the perfect fit now. Believe me, it takes a lot of time/effort to interview, etc....a good recruiter would welcome your re-consideration. Good luck!

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

JamicaJammer — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:37:36 GMT

On 2/25/2014 gailchap said:
Why go to the second interview if you really didn't know if you wanted the job? I think it probably worked out in the end because you were so on the fence about it.

When I was doing the hiring in my department I would not have re-considered you after you declined the job. You kinda came across as not being reliable. I'm not saying that you're not reliable but the back and forth is off-putting.

Keep looking and I bet you'll find something closer to home with better hours. Have you considered working for the city, county or school systems? They pay well, with good benefits and some offer flexible hours. Good Luck!! Gail

I agree - they probably figure I'm unreliable now.

I think it was just such a out-of-the-blue thing, it caught me off-guard, and I honestly thought I'd be able to find something closer to home or PT that paid $15-18/hr. HA. What a mistake!!!! "Part-time" now means 35 hrs/wk, not 15-20. And only the college folks get the $15/hr jobs. Nobody pays more than that for anyone!

You obviously aren't in Indiana! Here, all government office jobs including schools pay about $8-8.50/hr, but I still apply for them since they are close to home and have so many, many holidays!!!

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

JamicaJammer — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:39:39 GMT

On 2/25/2014 gailchap said:
Why go to the second interview if you really didn't know if you wanted the job? I think it probably worked out in the end because you were so on the fence about it.

The reason I went to the 2nd interview was because the first one went well, and I had just really begun to crunch my financial numbers after that one, and yeah, I'm needing the money of a FT job, and at least this one paid enough to drive that far, etc.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

JamicaJammer — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:40:06 GMT

Thanks for the responses. I may go ahead and call tomorrow ... worst case, they said forget it, toots!

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

pommom — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:41:50 GMT

As a former department manager, I respected the person for thinking things through. I would let them know, though, that I needed an answer one way or the other by a certain date - enough time for them to decide if they wanted the position.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

Tootie15 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:50:13 GMT

IMO ...To begin with, if you were hesitant to accept, then you really didn't want the position (for whatever reason) ... and I think your Mom laying a guilt trip on you pushed you over the edge!!

Hopefully you will find something that you want .... Good Luck!

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

Angry Bird — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 03:12:16 GMT

I don't mean to burst your bubble but I wouldn't accept you based on your post of events. I am sure they are paying a higher wage, you had 2 interviews and time to think it over. You declined so the company will have a pile of candidates that want the position. They will go forward in pursuing someone who is certain they want the job.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

ilovedaisies — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 03:22:20 GMT

You'll find something that pays a little less but is closer to home. If your mom is up there in age, she'll need you more and more, not less. Working closer to home will be a much better thing for you all the way around.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

GCR18 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 03:25:22 GMT

On 2/25/2014 JamicaJammer said:
Thanks for the responses. I may go ahead and call tomorrow ... worst case, they said forget it, toots!

That's what I'd do. It's likely done, but sometimes persistence wins out. Talk about why you are the perfect fit for the job.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

Nuttmeg — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 04:04:18 GMT

On 2/25/2014 JamicaJammer said:
Thanks for the responses. I may go ahead and call tomorrow ... worst case, they said forget it, toots!

Do not sell yourself short on finding that job.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

Jackie6 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 04:35:42 GMT

On 2/25/2014 nutmeg3 said:
On 2/25/2014 JamicaJammer said:
Thanks for the responses. I may go ahead and call tomorrow ... worst case, they said forget it, toots!

Do not sell yourself short on finding that job.

No, unfortunately for you, you are now damaged goods to them. You came across as indecisive, flaky, and unreliable. Keep looking for something else and forget about this job. You'll find another one.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

RetRN — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 04:48:32 GMT

You handled it poorly and lost out on a job. If you really needed a job you would have accepted it, there is no such thing as a perfect job, in a perfect place, at the perfect time. This is the real world and the older you are the tougher it gets in the job market.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 04:51:41 GMT

On 2/25/2014 Jackie6 said:
On 2/25/2014 nutmeg3 said:
On 2/25/2014 JamicaJammer said:
Thanks for the responses. I may go ahead and call tomorrow ... worst case, they said forget it, toots!

Do not sell yourself short on finding that job.

No, unfortunately for you, you are now damaged goods to them. You came across as indecisive, flaky, and unreliable. Keep looking for something else and forget about this job. You'll find another one.

I agree. I asked my DH about this because he's involved in hiring people for his department. Let me preface this by saying it is not my intent to hurt or insult you. If you feel the second interview was flat, but they made an offer anyway, it could mean that you were the best of who they'd seen from the aps they already had on hand, but you didn't really blow them away with anything. Even so, they made the offer and were prepared to hire you. When you declined, they were out of options and the job is open again. You've left them with a certain impression and unless you were superior on all areas, they have no reason to reconsider you. If you're still interested in finding a job, look elsewhere, but take this as a lesson to have all your ducks in a row ahead of time and don't let your mom play you like that.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

Tissyanne — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:09:24 GMT

You have nothing to lose by calling and speaking directly to someone. Don't leave voicemails in a situation such as this. The person could be out of the office and not picked up her phone messages. Good luck, and don't be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. If it does not work out it wasn't meant to be.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

chi5925 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:15:25 GMT

I worked in HR at my last company and was responsible for recruiting and screening candidates. The actual hiring was done by the manager. Here is my input:

You did nothing wrong or out of the ordinary by requesting time to think about the offer. It showed that you wanted to make sure that the job would work for you and for the company. We found that most of our candidates wanted to think about it and call us back with a timeframe that we decided (usually 24 hours).

Where the problem lies is when you called them back AFTER declining the offer telling them that you changed your mind. As others have stated here, by doing that it, unfortunately, made you seem indecisive and flaky.

My suggestion would be NOT to call the company back. The fact that they have already placed another ad is a clear indication that you are no longer a viable candidate.

Let this be a learning experience for you and don't dwell on it.

Good luck in finding another position!

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

florey — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:17:39 GMT

Sorry, I think you burned your bridges on this one. This whole thing just made you look indecisive. I would be surprised if they offered to you now, but you have nothing to lose by calling.

Re: O/T: Question re: Job Offer Situation

RetRN — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:23:44 GMT

I think calling would work against you, I sure wouldn't do it. It's history and they probably just want to find a responsible and dependable employee at this point. You had your chance.