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I think it’s super bad form to accept a job and then immediately quit, so you’d have to consider what you’re gaining in exchange to decide if it’s worth it.
If you’re willing to make that choice, then probably don’t disclose that you already accepted an offer. Of course that’s assuming they are unlikely to find out otherwise, like if they’re big firms or in different practice areas. Smaller firms who interact with each other often are likely to eventually find out. People talk.
The first choice firm is likely to not want to interview you if they know you already took another offer. Even though they’re truly your first choice, they sure look like a second choice at that point. Nobody is excited about being an afterthought.
Don’t say anything until after you get an offer. Is it in bad taste to leave/back out of a job? Sure. But they will move on. I’m also wondering why people who you thought had “ghosted you” is still your top choice? They don’t sound ideal.
I just went through this. I was laid off from an in-house position due to a RIF. Applied widely but it took me 6 months to find a job. I wasn’t thrilled about the new role but I have to pay for housing, food, childcare etc. I heard from a company the Wednesday before my start date for a role that was full remote, better pay/benefits, and more in line with my career goals. I pursued the opportunity and got an offer. I am leaving job #1 after 7 weeks but I have to do what’s best for me and my family.
That’s great, I’m really happy for you! If I end up in a similar position, I may ask you for tips on how you broke the news without burning the bridge haha. Congrats on your new role!
Agree with SR 1. Don’t say anything and wait until you receive an offer from the top choice before worrying.
It's your life you have to live it, even if that means a moment of discomfort. You don't share you have another offer (awkward for everybody), but do say you have interviewed elsewhere and need to make a decision by X date, so if they want you, they do need to get on it.
Sorry, I mean don't share you've *accepted* another offer
During OCI for summer associate roles in law school, I interviewed at a biglaw firm I really liked but as my deadline approached with no word I didn’t think I was getting the offer. I jumped the gun a little bit and verbally accepted an offer from a midsize firm, and an hour later I got the call that I had actually received an offer from my top choice. I let the biglaw firm know what had happened, and they advised me to call the other firm back and rescind my acceptance. I did that, it was uncomfortable for a minute, but now I can’t imagine my life or career trajectory had I not gone with my top choice.
Thank you for sharing! For now I’m proceeding with the interview and trying to move the process along as fast as I can, but due to delays on their end I am starting to get concerned at this rate I won’t get an offer (if one is coming at all) before I have to start at my new job. Best case scenario, it will definitely be an uncomfortable situation and each passing day makes things worse. 😞
Thanks everyone for your input! Some additional details / to answer Q’s:
These are both actually in-house positions in different industries. One is at a small startup and the other is a nationally recognized and established company. The reason I thought they had ghosted was because during the initial interview I had mentioned I was interviewing at other places and then later told them I had got an offer, and was told I’d definitely hear back by x date. That new date got pushed back, and then came and went, and after I followed up asking for updates, I didn’t hear back until several days afterward. I had previously already told them they were my top choice so I needed the process to move along as fast as possible (which they said they would do), so I took the delays (after I used to hear back within hours/ 1 day) to mean they weren’t sufficiently interested.
The only reason I was contemplating bringing up the other offer was to stress the importance of moving things along as fast as possible (again), because if I were to back out of my other position, I’d like to do so asap before the other company invested too much time/ resources into my arrival (I haven’t started at the new position yet). If asked about my timeline, it sounds like I’m better off pretending I’m still contemplating the offer (even though that might be unrealistic as more time passes?).
If you tell them you accepted an offer but will back out for them, they probably won’t hire you. Keep it to yourself.
I would stay with that company who wanted me. Stay with the job you were offered.