I Accepted a Job Offer But Got Another Interview | What Should I Do?

December 22, 2023 · 12 min read

You finally landed a job offer after months of searching and interviewing. You’re excited to start your new role and put an end to your job hunt. But then, you get a call from another company that you applied to, inviting you for an interview.

What should you do? Should you accept the interview and risk losing your current offer? Or should you decline the interview and settle for the job you have? This is a common dilemma that many job seekers face, and there is no easy answer.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both options and provide some tips on how to handle this situation gracefully and professionally.

Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Can You Back Out of a Job Offer After Accepting?
What Can be the Repercussions of Interviewing After Accepting a Job Offer?
What if You Decide to Stick with the Original Job Offer?
You have a Job Offer but are Waiting on Another Interview
Is it Possible to Avoid Such a Situation in the Future?
FAQs
Conclusion
References
Recommendations

Scenario 1

You have been searching for a job and going for interviews at different companies for the last few months. You want to wait for the best offer, but one of the companies gives you a deadline to accept their offer. Then, you decide to take the offer, even though it is not your dream job. However, two days before you start your new job, you get a call for an interview from a company that you have always wanted to work for!

Scenario 2

You just started working at a new company a week ago. You are still getting used to your new environment when you receive an interview invitation from your dream company.

Gosh! You feel torn. “I accepted a job offer but got another interview. What should I do now? Should I keep my current job and go for the interview? Or should I turn down the interview instead?

If you are facing a similar dilemma and don’t know what to do next, read on to find out how to handle this situation.

Can You Back Out of a Job Offer After Accepting?

You have the option to back out from a job offer at any time. But the question is, should you do it?

Interviewing after accepting a job offer is not ideal. But sometimes, it is necessary. There is no clear-cut answer to this, but you need to consider all the outcomes before you make the choice.

Think about your goals. You were looking for a job to advance your career. So, you need to determine which job is more beneficial for your professional development.

One job may pay you more, while the other job matches your skills. One may have a more positive work environment, while the other offers more work challenges. You need to decide what matters more to you in this stage of your career, money, title, skills, great work culture, or exciting opportunities.

What Can be the Repercussions of Interviewing After Accepting a Job Offer?

Suppose you accepted a job offer but got another interview from a different company, and you aced it too. Now you are wondering how to turn down the job offer that you already accepted.

This is not a decision that you should make lightly. Before you send that email or resignation letter, you should think about the implications it might have.

For one thing, turning down an offer after accepting it will reduce your chances of working with that company in the future. Also, if you used a recruitment agency or an internal hiring manager to get your current job, turning down the offer will damage your relationship with them.

Plus, don’t forget that the world is small and the business world is even smaller and people tend to share negative experiences more than positive ones. So yes, the recruiter, managers, or employees who were involved in your hiring process might tell others about your withdrawal which can affect your reputation.

What if You Decide to Stick with the Original Job Offer?

If you think that the current offer or job is the best option for you, then you should decline the new interview politely. Tell them that you are very keen on working with them, but you can’t do that right now out of honesty.

You have made a commitment to the new employer and you don’t want to break it. By demonstrating your honesty, you will leave a positive impression on the company whose offer or interview you are turning down.

They might consider you for a similar role in the future. To make sure that happens, keep in touch with them, network, and build a good rapport with some employees or the hiring team to learn about any opportunities.

You have a Job Offer but are Waiting on Another Interview

#1. Express Gratitude to the Employer for the Offer

The first thing you should do when you get a job offer is to express your gratitude to the employer as soon as you can.

Tell them how excited you are about the opportunity and how much you appreciate that they think you are a good fit for the role. Try to reply within a day to show the employer that you respect the company’s offer.

#2. Ask for a Formal Offer in Writing

If the offer is informal, such as a phone call or a chat, ask for it in writing. A written offer confirms that the job is yours and clears any confusion or uncertainty from previous conversations about the position.

It’s important to get a formal offer to help you assess various aspects of the job, such as salary, benefits, job responsibilities, and the start date. This can help you choose whether to take this offer or wait for the other interview.

#3. Find Out When the Company Needs a Decision

Ask the employer when they need a decision before asking for more time. They may give you a longer period to accept the offer. This gives you extra time to learn more about the other company you’re waiting for an interview from and allows you to compare your options.

#4. Think About Asking for More Time

If the employer wants an immediate answer or you run out of time before you have all the information you need, think about asking for more time to make your final choice.

You can say that you are interested in finding out more about the company during this time and ask for another visit to their office. This shows your passion for the job and gives you more time to make a wise decision.

#5. Tell the Other Company that you Got an Offer

Let the other company know that you got a job offer to try to get a response from them. Tell them that they are your top choice to make them feel more valued and show them that you are likely to say yes if they offer you a job.

Make sure that you keep a polite tone in your message. Highlight your interest in the company and explain how its vision and goals match with yours. Include a call to action in this message, telling them that you are eager to hear more about your application for the role.

#6. Compare Each Company’s Offer

Once you have enough time to decide, compare each company’s offering. This helps you to see how well it fits you. Here are some tips to help you compare each offer:

Make a comparison chart. You can write the pros and cons of working for each company in a comparison chart. This can help you see which job gives you the best chances to grow your career and has disadvantages that you can tolerate.
Evaluate your goals. Think about where you want to be in five and ten years and how each company can help you reach these goals. Your factors can include promotions, salary increases, and leadership roles.
Contrast each company’s salary offer. You can use the national average salary to see if each company is offering a fair amount and contrast offers to see which one can support your lifestyle. If you have family or other financial obligations, include them in your choice.
Review the benefits. Look at each company’s offer and check their benefits, such as paid leave, vacation days, insurance, and other forms of cost coverage. Pick the job that offers the best benefits for your needs.
Assess your possible work-life balance. Compare each role’s working hours and the chance of working during weekends and public holidays. Choose an offer that lets you have a work-life balance that suits your values.
Follow your instinct. Pick the position that feels right to you. Take time to think about each offer and use your gut feeling to see which one best helps you achieve your career and personal goals.

#7. Ask Questions to Help You Make a Decision

Think about asking the company more questions. This can help you make a smart decision about the job offer. Examples of questions you can ask are:

What benefits does the company give to employees?
How many days of paid leave does the company offer?
Does the company cover relocation costs?
Are there key performance indicators that managers use to evaluate success?
What does the onboarding process involve?
What are the company’s expectations regarding communication about work tasks?

Is it Possible to Avoid Such a Situation in the Future?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent getting an interview call or an offer letter after accepting a job offer, but the following tips can help you reduce them to some extent:

Don’t accept a job just because you need a job. This often leads to disappointment. Sometimes, we take a job out of necessity such as financial needs but regret it later. If you can, avoid accepting roles unless they are suitable for you.
Always ask for more time to think about a job offer. This allows you to follow up with companies where you have applied to inform them that you have an offer and want to continue with them before making a final choice. Many companies will consider you if they are interested in your profile.
Always be specific about what you need and want in your next job. This will stop you from compromising for less or choosing a role that is not right for you.
You need to think about all the factors before you decide whether to stick with the current offer or go with the new one. If you choose the new offer, then make sure to thank the employer for the chance they gave you. If there was something that you appreciated about the company, say that too.
Also, it is wise to thank the people who were involved in your hiring process. Because you never know when you might meet them again. If you keep the current offer, do your best at the job without any doubts.

FAQs

What if I accept a job offer and still interviewing?

If you continue interviewing with other companies after accepting an offer, you must manage your risks immediately as you sort out all your options. In the longer term, you must be more proactive when working on your career. Ask yourself why you felt the need to accept a less-than-ideal offer.

Is it OK to accept a job offer while waiting for another?

It’s important to remember that time is of the essence. Try not to delay any job offers for too long, as you don’t want to hurt your candidacy or burn bridges. If you’re only interviewing for jobs that you really want, you should have little trouble deciding whether or not to accept an offer.

Should you tell the interviewer you have other interviews?

And if you’re still in the early stages of the interview process, it is a bad idea to blab about all your interviews. But sometimes, hiring managers ask about your job search multiple times. And if you’ve been asked in a final interview, go ahead and give them an update.

How do I decline a second interview after accepting?

“I appreciate your time and consideration, but I have re-evaluated my career path and need to decline the offer.” “I appreciate the offer, but I have accepted a position with another company, making it necessary to pass on this opportunity to interview.”

How do you tell a recruiter you accepted another offer?

It’s sufficient to say you’ve accepted a job offer elsewhere or simply that this job offer isn’t the right fit for you. For example: Thank you for offering me this position—it’s a great opportunity. However, after careful consideration, I have decided to accept another role with another company.

Conclusion

Accepting a job offer but getting another interview is a tricky situation that requires careful consideration. You should weigh the pros and cons of both options and be honest and respectful to both employers.

Ultimately, you should choose the option that aligns best with your career goals and personal values.

References

Hackertrail.com – I Accepted a Job Offer But Got Another Interview
Uk.indeed.com – How to answer a job offer while waiting on another interview