Candidate with 4 job offers! John Grisham style…

It was late evening on a Friday. Jack sat in his cubicle staring at his computer screen. Jack had been quite disturbed last few days. The monster had come back to haunt his mind. Jack couldn’t sleep well last few days too. Finally the monster took over best of Jack and compelled him to commit the cardinal sin yet again. Jack stood up from his chair and looked around; nobody in sight…the isles look deserted…Jack with a firm resolve and with trembling fingers on the keyboard, typed “www.monster.com”!

It was just over 5:30 pm and yet Jack got a call instantly. “Hey Jack can I speak to you about a job opportunity?” said Recruiter1. Jack knew; none of his colleagues were around…he said “Sure”. After about 15 mins of discussion, Jack got scheduled for the next round of interview. After 3 days, Jack emerged out of the interview with a job offer in hand. Jack had said his notice period was 90 days, but he can do 45 days. All agreed and all set.

After 2 more days, a Recruiter2 called. “Hey Jack, can I speak to you about a job opportunity?”. Jack said “Hmmm, yeah Ok, but I have a job offer already”. Recruiter2 saw an opportunity and said “No problem, there is no harm is exploring what I have to offer”. After 10 minutes of discussion, Jack liked what he heard. Although the location was a bit too far, Recruiter2 was open to offer better salary than the 1st offer. He said his notice period was 90 days, but he can do 30 days.

Some more days passed and Jack had another discussion; this time with Recruiter3. The role was Ok, salary was equal to offer2, but what attracted Jack was the employer brand name! He started fancying himself working in this mammoth campus, with choice for having breakfast, lunch, snacks in four different office canteens with different cuisines…He said yes rightaway and eventually managed to crack the interview too…Job offer 3 was now in Jack’s inbox!

Some more days passed and although Jack was bored of securing more offers, he reluctantly heard Recruiter4. Now this recruiter was smart. She knew he had offers, because he was on the job board for over 30 days. She instantly told Jack that she was not only willing to improve upon his best offer, but even offer 3 months’ salary as joining bonus, if was ready to join within 15 days! Jack was excited. He had no clue how he would manage 90 days notice to 15 day…. “I’ll figure out something” his mind said. He had been wanting to get rid of his 150cc Yamaha bike and get a brand new 350 cc Enfield bullet. Jack managed to do the interview and emerge winner with an offer in hand, yet again! “Yipee” he shouted with joy.

Now the painful period started. Jack had not anticipated this. Recruiters started following up with Jack and checking if he was all set to join. Jack’s conscience started poking him…

“Yeah yeah, I am joining, but maybe I will have to take 15 days more, because some work has come in and my boss requested if I can stay 15 days more” he said to Recruiter1. In the next few days, he gave similar believable excuse to Recruiter2. Jack was happy that he did not have to lie to Recruiter3; because she never called! Recruiter3 actually believed all was hunky-dory and everything was set with Jack. She did however had put in a note in her calendar to call Jack; but it happened to be one of the festival holidays and nobody dare come in between her and her binge Netflix time.

But all was not well with Jack. His condition worsened with every passing day. His conscience did not allow him peace of mind. Fact that he had not told the recruiters that he was not yet sure which company he will eventually join, kept eating at him internally. After all he was a human with conscience; Indian human.

Jack kept wondering whether he should talk to his friend, ex-boss, or his family. Finally he settled for seeking suggestions from his family. Jack first spoke to his Mom about how he was confused about the 4 job offers. Mom instantly suggested he should take his Dads advise.

Dad said “Why do you want to change your job in the first place? you have been there less than 2 years” Jack’s Dad continued further, “In our days, we would not change a job for at least 15 years”. To this Jack responded “Dad, I want to change because I am not learning much and the salary is also not that good. My friends are getting almost 50% more than me”.

Jack’s Dad finally agreed on the job change aspect and said “Take the job that is closest to our home, so you won’t get exhausted with long travel”. But Jack refuted “That offer is giving me least salary Dad!”….

After a detailed pow-wow with his Dad and dissecting all his offers, Jack ultimately decided that it did not make sense to change his current job for another year or so. It was settled.

But Jack, with a troubled expression on his face, asked “But, what do I tell the Recruiters when they ask for an update?”. 

Jack’s Dad said instantly “If they call you asking why you did not join, tell them your existing company offered you a raise so you decided to take that”. Jack’s instantly rejected that suggestion and with more fear on his face said “No, no…they will question me why I didn’t update them earlier? What will I say then?”.

Finally, Mom came to Jack’s rescue and said “Don’t go through all that pain. I can’t see you stressed like this son” and then she said “Simply don’t answer their calls!”.

Amen.

The events, characters depicted in this article are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons or characters are purely coincidental and are only presented to dramatize the story.

Callify is soon launching its ‘Post Acceptance-Pre-Joining’ Engagement solution that will periodically reach-out to candidates post-acceptance till their joining date and based on the engagement make predictions on the likelihood of joining….Red & Orange flags.