How do you ethically and professionally deal with accepting a job and starting it, only to have a better offer arrive a week or two later? I know I personally feel like I have to jump on the first solid offer in this brutal job market, which could lead to this exact problem. What's your thinking about this?

There really is no room to not take an offer in this market so that’s understandable. If the other offer is for sure and it’s in your better interest to take it, just be honest with the current. An unforeseen opportunity came to me that is a perfect fit and apologize for the inconvenience. It’s not the best but neither is staying in a job if you have a better one right there.

It’s not a contractual obligation so just say bye and accept the other offer. Don’t be gullible enough to think an employer wouldn’t do the same to you if they needed to

I did this with a job in college and texted the manager the morning I was supposed to start. They took it well, actually.

Just let them know that another offer came in that is better for you and let them know why (better comp, better growth opportunity, more flexibility, etc).

You can let them know that you’re making the decision to take it and apologize for the inconvenience. That you wish them well and whatever else you wanna say to show some respect. Or, if you believe that they have some wiggle room, you can ask them to improve their offer financially or offer whatever additional flexibility you’re leaving for.

Whatever you do, just show some respect to them and they’ll hopefully do the same.

Don’t feel bad for wanting the best for yourself. If a better offer comes after you’ve already started, it’s all about honesty. Have an open convo with your current employer about the situation. If you’re genuinely thinking about leaving, don’t drag it out. Respect them by being transparent.

I have learned the hard way that loyalty doesn’t always go both ways. If the roles were reversed, most companies wouldn’t hesitate to cut costs or restructure. I always try to act with integrity, but I also don’t feel guilty for making the best move for my future.

Look out for number one. A company will replace you in a heartbeat. They have no loyalty to you and you have none to them.

Scenarios like that are intrinsically awkward, and you may feel weird bailing out of a job that quickly. But, if you're absolutely certain the other offer will work out better for you, that's it, you have to do it. As Tessio says in The Godfather, it's strictly business.

For the background check for the company with better offer, do you have to disclose your current firm as your current employer given it's a short stint? I'm curious if background checks (exception for government roles) can determine all your past employers if you didn't explicitly added them on the form.