Reneging on an Offer

Recently, there has been a disturbing trend of applicants formally accepting employment with one organisation, then later reneging on that agreement.

There are all kinds of rationalisations offered by job seekers for this unethical behaviour. None of them are satisfactory. Most applicants would be outraged if an employer offered them a position and then withdrew that offer. Therefore, job seekers need to hold themselves to a similar standard.

The best way to avoid reneging on a job offer is to spend time enhancing your self-awareness, reflecting on your needs and wants and researching various employers, so that you are able to critically evaluate any job offers that you receive.

If you think that you might be offered a preferable position by another organisation, ask the first company if you can have some time to think about the offer. Then contact your preferred employer to find out when they will notify the successful candidate or whether you are likely to receive an offer.

Additional Information

Additional information on job and informational interviews, as well as interview techniques, is available in the Essential Careers Resources section of the La Trobe University Careers Service website at www.latrobe.edu.au/careers/.