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Multiple Job Offers with a Twist
A little background:
I left a job I was with for 7 years to chase a dream that actually turned into a nightmare. I chased a job that I thought I would be happy doing. I was there for 79 days. I had a problem with the way certain employees including myself were treated. I left without a job in the wings as I was seriously feeling my mental health declining.
After 6 weeks of searching, I got a new job. One where I could work from home. I was fine with the job until I realized that the company was sinking faster than the Titanic. They made a lot of promises to get a client on board with them that they never gave thought to the logistics of such promises. Additionally, after 9 months of begging for working equipment and their not giving me the tools I need to do the job, I began looking for other job prospects.
After a month of searching, I went to my old company and asked if there would ever be a time they would consider rehiring me. Of course, with that company, nothing is ever done quickly. Two weeks after my request, they told me a job offer was immenient. I still don't have the offer in hand and am hoping to have it today or tomorrow. This job is with a fairly large company and management can be quite a problem which is frankly my only real hesitation with coming back.
Meanwhile, I had been interviewing with other companies and I have been really honest with my old company about it. They warned me that I would need to make at least a 90 day comittment if I came on boad with them.
Today, a really small branch of a company called me and told me they wanted me and if I would be interested. I told them I was very interested but that there was another offer that would be coming to the table and that I wanted to be fair and consider both options. He understood and advised he did not want to discuss pay with me until the other job had been offered. Is that a good sign for negotiations?
Anyway, here are my questions and concerns.
1) I have been unhappy career wise for 14 months and fear that I'm going to accept a job and find myself unhappy again. I cannot continue to job hop nor do I want to. I hate job hunting and I dream of being with a company for the long haul.
2) If I accept the new company's offer, am I going to look like a real tool for asking if I can come back to an old company?
3) Is it a good sign that the new company wants to wait on salary negotiations until the other offer comes in?
4) Salary isn't really my #1 priority, it's happiness. However, my old company says I'll have to start out again as a temp-to-hire. Should I be offended that I have to prove myself again after 7 years with the company and only a 14 month absence?
Help?!
Re: Multiple Job Offers with a Twist
1. I don't know what to tell you, and I don't see a question. I am concernted that you don't like the management at your old company. It's a crapshoot with the new company. It could be your dream job, it could be an OK job you can stay a while at, it could be a nightmare. That's the risk you take.
2. Potentially, but you have to look out for you, and at the time you approached your old company, they looked like a viable option, and potentially the only viable option.
3. Not necessarily. They may tell you the competitor's salary is something they can't match, or use it as an excuse to stop negotiations.
4. If that's their policy, I don't see what there is to be offended about.
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1) I have been unhappy career wise for 14 months and fear that I'm going to accept a job and find myself unhappy again. I cannot continue to job hop nor do I want to. I hate job hunting and I dream of being with a company for the long haul.
Sorry, I'm sure it sucks and I feel for you.
2) If I accept the new company's offer, am I going to look like a real tool for asking if I can come back to an old company?
I would wait until the old company presents their offer and then think carefully about all the aspects of both opportunities before you decide. If you go to your old company, be sure it's what you really want. You left for a reason (even if that didn't pan out) so maybe something new is what you really need? On that token, if you accept the new company's offer and things don't work out later, I say don't try to go back to your old company yet again. There have to be other companies out there for you. I think going there a third time is a bit too much.
3) Is it a good sign that the new company wants to wait on salary negotiations until the other offer comes in?
Sort of. I think it'd be better of them to give you at least a range to start, but companies always try to avoid this when they can. Hearing what the competition offers you first allows them to offer you just a smidge over that, but not too far over it. So it could also let them kind of low-ball you. However it does seem like a good sign in that they want you. Just be sure to negotiate if you think their offer is too low.
4) Salary isn't really my #1 priority, it's happiness. However, my old company says I'll have to start out again as a temp-to-hire. Should I be offended that I have to prove myself again after 7 years with the company and only a 14 month absence?
Not really. You're the one who left afterall. And you're the one who wants the job. You don't have a place for offense at this point.
Help?!
Good luck!
1. You've been unhappy career wise for 14 months and you've been gone from your old job for 14 months, that might mean something there.
2. No you will not look like a tool. But, if this doesn't pan out with the other company you will look like a tool if you approach them again.
3. It's good that they are giving you time to consider the other offer, whether it all pans out it's hard to tell.
4. You shouldn't be offended.