backing out of a job offer
backing out of a job offer
(OP)
Here's my dilemma: I'm about to receive a second job offer from a company in which I have already accepted a first job offer.
The first offer at Division A is close to my family (I've been away for over 8 years, and I would like to go back if given the chance. I'm from a small town, so tech jobs are not easy to come by.). I have my reservations of moving back home after living in the city for a long period of time. My friends who have also moved away have also warned me of the reverse culture shock of moving home. It's a well paying job, and certainly there would be room to grow, but not as much since the work environment is quite small. I'm not planning on staying there forever, as I am not prepared to settle down yet; I just thought that it would be nice to go home for a little while.
I was told today that I would be receiving an offer by Division B, located in another metro city area. The location itself is not my main area of consideration, but the actual growth potential of the job. I have at least another good 25-30 years left of my career, and yes, I would like to know that I have lost of room to grow.
I can honestly say that I like the Division A people significantly more than those in B, but B will offer me the better long term growth for my career. Is it worth backing out of A for a comparable position with B?
The first offer at Division A is close to my family (I've been away for over 8 years, and I would like to go back if given the chance. I'm from a small town, so tech jobs are not easy to come by.). I have my reservations of moving back home after living in the city for a long period of time. My friends who have also moved away have also warned me of the reverse culture shock of moving home. It's a well paying job, and certainly there would be room to grow, but not as much since the work environment is quite small. I'm not planning on staying there forever, as I am not prepared to settle down yet; I just thought that it would be nice to go home for a little while.
I was told today that I would be receiving an offer by Division B, located in another metro city area. The location itself is not my main area of consideration, but the actual growth potential of the job. I have at least another good 25-30 years left of my career, and yes, I would like to know that I have lost of room to grow.
I can honestly say that I like the Division A people significantly more than those in B, but B will offer me the better long term growth for my career. Is it worth backing out of A for a comparable position with B?





RE: backing out of a job offer
If I had to make this choice, I'd ask myself:
1. Do I love being close to my family enough to sacrifice advancement?
2. Would my "less-likeable" relationships with Division B people eventually be enough to override the benefits of potential advancement?
3. Did I structure my acceptance agreement with Division A in such a way that if Division B ever caught news of my declination they might take action against me?
No simple answers, just stuff to get the wheels clicking.
RE: backing out of a job offer
If I were in your shoes, (and I have been before), I would go nearer home - Career can always be built.
Just, my opinion - I know that not many would agree.
HVAC68
RE: backing out of a job offer
I have been in that position and took Division A because when something drastic happens in you life Division B co-workers will go on business as normal with or without you but having family near is priceless. Best of luck and keep us posted
Heckler
RE: backing out of a job offer
You refer to these opportunities as "Division A" and "Division B". Are these divisions of the same company?
Based on your information, I would go with "Division A", mostly because I place a high value on the culture of a workplace. Still, if it's this early in your career, you want to be where you can take the biggest steps forward.
RE: backing out of a job offer
A technique I use for this kind of choices is: what if one of the two options is suddenly eliminated by whatever event, would you regret it a lot? And what about the other one?
Good luck
RE: backing out of a job offer
However, if I could go back and have a similar choice, I would go with "Division B". Take advantage of your youth, when you have more energy and are encumbered by fewer responsibilities, to take on greater challenges and opportunities for growth. You will find that you are in a position to choose from more and better options later in your career.
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RE: backing out of a job offer
RE: backing out of a job offer
B may not be an option a few years down the line when I'm thinking about leaving home (though it is likely that it might be). I'm quite worried that A may not open as many career options to be me later. It's a great job in great place, but I do think that it limits my options significantly down the road.
RE: backing out of a job offer
I currently work in a place thats equivalent to a morgue with people that are on a totally different plain than me. It makes it extremely difficult to be happy about coming to work, everyday, even if the work is somewhat interesting. I would put as much weight on the people you will be working with and around as the work you will be doing.
RE: backing out of a job offer
A healthy career is always a necessity, but squeezing every last drop out of your career potential at the expense of your family is not a good decision, in my opinion.
Most people have pictures of their family in their office and on their desk; not pictures of memos, reports and calculations because in the big picture view family is more important.
Is the preceived difference between offer A and offer B that big? Will accepting offer A be an irrevocable decision that will forever prevent you from taking a position similar to offer B? If not, go with offer A.
RE: backing out of a job offer
RE: backing out of a job offer
I suggest you look at the BLS.gov website.
RE: backing out of a job offer
Taking A may be more satisfying, but job satisfaction is for later in life. Get the resume built now. That is the only task at hand early in a career.
Remember: The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” is comprised of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.”
-Steve
RE: backing out of a job offer
With 30 years of my career behind me and work in over 20 different countries I have always opted for job satisfaction. However, working on a small site can often prove to be more rewarding and offer much greater job satisfaction than being a statistic in a large organisation. I recently moved from a US$ 26 billion project to a US$ 1.5 million project and it is the latter one that is more interesting.
The main lesson that I have learned is whichever decision you take whenever you analyse it later it invariably appears to be the wrong one. The grass always looks greener on the other side. My advice is to set down your pros and cons – then tear them up and follow your heart. Don't look back. Jobs are more often than not what you make them to be not what you anticipate them to be.
Best of luck
RE: backing out of a job offer
I'd go for the big city, if you go home now you'll either end up staying there forever or leaving in 5 years and not making it back.
RE: backing out of a job offer
I've decided, after a lot of thought and debate, that I will be moving to "the big city," with the blessing of my family back at home.
Maybe it's because I've always been the daughter who inherited the "workaholic" gene, but after spending two weeks at home, I realized that as much as I love my family that my life - and that includes my career - is something that I'm not ready to sacrifice at this point in my life. Perhaps when I'm older and settled I'll be able to appreciate family sacrifices. In the meantime, to the big city it is!
Once again - thanks everyone for the advice!