<p>I am a newly graduated attorney, entering the job market in what will hopefully be the worst job market in my career.</p>
<p>I was lucky enough to get an offer from a firm two weeks ago. The offer was not ideal (salary barely enough to cover rent of a modest apartment, and my student loan payment), no health insurance or other benefits, etc. But it was good work, with nice people, and in this market, how could I not accept? So I accepted the offer (verbally, the job wouldn’t start until August).</p>
<p>Then, yesterday, I got an offer from a firm that I thought I wouldn’t have a chance with. The salary is double, the work is just as good, all expenses covered (parking, insurance, etc.). </p>
<p>I really want to take the second job, but I don’t want to burn bridges, or get a reputation as a quiter. I want to be honest, loyal, etc., but I feel like the first firm would cut me if the situations were reversed. </p>
<p>I understand that legally, I can quit or be fired at any time. I just don’t want to burn bridges, since the legal community is so small. Would it be absolutely horrible to just rescind my acceptance? </p>
<p>How would you handle this situation? Thanks!</p>
<p>I would approach the first firm and simply tell them the truth. That you have a better offer and that while you really appreciate their offer and looked forward to working with them, this better package is simply something you can’t turn down.</p>
<p>I would tell them RIGHT away. They may match the offer or they may just realize they can’t compete with the other firm and that’s life. There are PLENTY of lawyers who need jobs and they will find someone to fill that spot.</p>
<p>LSNY, First of all, congratulations! I will be eager to hear what the sages on this board, whose opinions I trust, advise you. My son is going through a similar situation with his summer internship decision and I’ve told him that anyone who has something to offer will experience this conflict at some point in his/her career.</p>
<p>Congratulations! This does happen all the time! No worries at all - take the job you want. Just call the first firm back and explain to them the situation. Be gracious and thank them profusely for the offer they made to you. Apologize sincerely for “the situation you have put them in”. Then don’t look back… off you go!</p>
<p>This isn’t unusual so just tell the first firm that you apologize for any hassles it’ll cause but you received a much more attractive offer at another firm and thus will not be able to work at the first firm. It’s not unethical since most people work ‘at will’ and need to watch out for themselves and you had no fraudulent ideas in miind.</p>
<p>I agree it is not unethical. Bullet went through this about 4 months ago (although did not sign the contract, but gvae verbal). He went back and said, financially I need to take the other job. The company came back and offered him more money. He is with the original company b/c they met the other offer. Sometimes that does occur. Companies may try low balling, and few people know you can negotiate. </p>
<p>Go to Company A first to tell them you have the offer from Company B. That way, if Company A sweetens the offer and you decide to stay with them, you don’t have to back out with Company B.</p>
<p>The first of many ethical issues you will be facing. Hopefully they will be just as easy.</p>
<p>It really does happen all the time. The best phrase is “I’ve been offered a position that I simply cannot pass up.”</p>
<p>I had actually started a job when the “best job offer ever” came in. Double the salary, amazing perks, etc. When I gave my notice to firm 1 (where I had been for 1 week), they asked me if they were to mach the offer (including perks) would I stay. Heck yes. They did. I did. I stayed for 5 years happy and contented.</p>
<p>Agree wtih all of the others. It is okay for you to accept the second job. You can accept it and then explain to the first firm that you just couldn’t turn it down. Or, you can tell the first term you have been offered another job that you just can’t turn down. See if they improve the offer from their own company. Either one is okay.</p>
<p>The only thing that is not okay is to accept the second job; then, if the first firm improves their offer, decide to stay with first firm. That would not be a good idea.</p>
<p>Firm 1, has two strikes on them. First they offered you less than market. Second they offered you a something in August. In the next 4 months they could renege and you would out a better job and a job promised. Do not let them give you a third strike. </p>
<p>I’d investigate Firm #2 more fully. They seem to be more ethical. </p>
<p>As a lawyer, can you see the morality and ethics?</p>
<p>I agree that you should immediately inform the first firm that although you would like to work with them, you simply cannot pass up a position that offers not only twice the salary, but health insurance and other benefits. If they are decent people, they will understand. (Moreover I would be VERY concerned about tying myself down to a commitment that far in advance with no contract and such a sketchy compensation package. Who knows whether the job will indeed be there in August. The situation sounds marginal, at best.)</p>
<p>This is not like ditching a prom date for a “better” one who comes along later. THAT would indeed be unethical. :)</p>
<p>Edit: I would be very, very wary of appearing to be holding them up for more money or benefits. That can indeed lead to bad feelings. If they offer it spontaneously, fine–although then I would really wonder why they low-balled you in the first place!</p>
<p>If you are newly graduated, aren’t you looking for work right NOW? Why would you accept a position that begins four months from now? And I agree with the above posters that the job with Firm 1 is a little sketchy – no insurance, no bennies, and not very well paid? Vs a “real job”? No contest as far as I am concerned. Be on the up and up, tell Firm 1 that you have an offer you cannot turn down and will be starting this month (or whenever). Thank them for their consideration and wish them well.</p>
<p>cnp55, it is not at all unusual for a job to begin in August. When my son graduated college last May, he and many, many of his friends received job offers that began in August. That’s pretty typical.</p>
<p>As a WOW – that’s Wise Old Woman – I must say I recognize a syndrome here. </p>
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<p>The OP never identifies whether he/she is male or female – but I guarantee you the OP is female. Why? Because a male wouldn’t think twice about this situation. The answer is totally obvious to a man: You take the better job. For a woman, the dilemma is: I accepted! I gave my word! They’ll be angry with me!!</p>
<p>Don’t be a fool. Take the better job. Your entire career is built on your first job.</p>
<p>The OP idenitifies him/herself as recently graduatED … past tense. And it’s the first of April. If he/she were to be graduating two months from now, I understand August. But that doesn’t appear to be the case.</p>
<p>I know several recent law school grads. They all seem to graduate in May, spend the summer studying for the bar exam, and begin their careers in August/Sept after they have passed the bar. </p>
<p>Perhaps law firms follow the “schedule” and offer positions in August, even for winter graduates (if the op is a winter grad.)</p>
<p>I guess I wasn’t entirely clear… I have employment through July, and was looking for something to start in July/August. I don’t particularly want to leave my current job early, though I’ve been open to that idea throughout this process. It’s such a harsh job market that I’m leary of leaving an open offer. I feel like it would be much easier for someone to rescind an offer than it would be to fire someone that’s actually working in the office. I am definitely going to take the second offer, and back out of the first.</p>
<p>I agree that I should have had more confidence, and held out for a more stable job with more agreeable terms, but in this market, I didn’t feel comfortable holding out. Hindsight is always 20/20…</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice! It’s reassuring to see that everyone is in agreement.</p>