Swift Staffing HR Files allows potential candidates to ask job related questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month’s question is: Can I get demoted before I even accept the offer?
QUESTION: I was offered a job on Friday by a great company. However, I couldn’t accept it right away. I had to make sure the hours were going to work with my childcare schedule. They said to take the weekend and give them an answer by Monday. When I called the following week, the hiring manager told me that the position had been filled, but they had a different job if I wanted it. This other job would be a demotion in rank with terrible hours but has growth opportunities.
The hiring manager said it’s my fault that I did not get the other job because I took the weekend to decide. In the meantime, they chose to move forward with another candidate that seemed more interested. My question is, can they do that? They were the ones that told me to take the weekend and now I feel like I’m being punished for it.
ANSWER: I have heard of this happening a few times in the past year. Unfortunately, right now we live in a world where the job market is very competitive. Taking the weekend very well may lose you the job, especially if there are other candidates equally as qualified. At this point they have made their choice and there’s not a lot you can do about it.
Your options at this point are to stay or go. If you see value in the lesser position, you may want to take that and move up. Otherwise, your option is to keep looking. Take this as a lesson learned and move forward. In the future, you may want to take an hour to check your schedule and speak with your family instead of the entire weekend. Even if they give you the time, it does not guarantee the job.
If you have a question you want answered, please CONTACT US HERE. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.
Swift Staffing HR Files allows potential candidates to ask job related questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month’s question is: Can I get demoted before I even accept the offer?
QUESTION: I was offered a job on Friday by a great company. However, I couldn’t accept it right away. I had to make sure the hours were going to work with my childcare schedule. They said to take the weekend and give them an answer by Monday. When I called the following week, the hiring manager told me that the position had been filled, but they had a different job if I wanted it. This other job would be a demotion in rank with terrible hours but has growth opportunities.
The hiring manager said it’s my fault that I did not get the other job because I took the weekend to decide. In the meantime, they chose to move forward with another candidate that seemed more interested. My question is, can they do that? They were the ones that told me to take the weekend and now I feel like I’m being punished for it.
ANSWER: I have heard of this happening a few times in the past year. Unfortunately, right now we live in a world where the job market is very competitive. Taking the weekend very well may lose you the job, especially if there are other candidates equally as qualified. At this point they have made their choice and there’s not a lot you can do about it.
Your options at this point are to stay or go. If you see value in the lesser position, you may want to take that and move up. Otherwise, your option is to keep looking. Take this as a lesson learned and move forward. In the future, you may want to take an hour to check your schedule and speak with your family instead of the entire weekend. Even if they give you the time, it does not guarantee the job.
If you have a question you want answered, please CONTACT US HERE. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.