How do you handle multiple offers?

[psychocandy]

Rabotnik,

Yes, go for the interview anyway. What if the 1st role you've accepted falls through - it does happen.

As you can see, never under any circumstances trust an agent. They'll say anything to get you into a role if they can smell cash.

As for the verbal agreement thing - personally I'd say stuff them - theyd to the same to you if it suited them.

[Rabotnik]

Rabotnik,

Yes, go for the interview anyway. What if the 1st role you've accepted falls through - it does happen.

As you can see, never under any circumstances trust an agent. They'll say anything to get you into a role if they can smell cash.

As for the verbal agreement thing - personally I'd say stuff them - theyd to the same to you if it suited them.

Yeah I have to think about number 1. If I'd signed the contract, obviously that would be it, but I just said yeah I will accept but I need to send it to QDOS first to check if it passes IR35. This is beside the fact that I told the bank agent I already verbally accepted an offer so I wasn't interested. He just went behind my back and set up an interview anyway, but if he's set it up, and the rate is £80 more, I really think I need to have the balls to tell the previous agent I will be taking a better offer.

All assuming the bank wants me of course, the agent there wants me to sign his contract straight after the interview if I get it! I told him it won't be happening since I need a QDOS review, but he obviously wants me to sign his before I can sign the previous agent's contract.

[psychocandy]

Yeah I have to think about number 1. If I'd signed the contract, obviously that would be it, but I just said yeah I will accept but I need to send it to QDOS first to check if it passes IR35. This is beside the fact that I told the bank agent I already verbally accepted an offer so I wasn't interested. He just went behind my back and set up an interview anyway, but if he's set it up, and the rate is £80 more, I really think I need to have the balls to tell the previous agent I will be taking a better offer.

All assuming the bank wants me of course, the agent there wants me to sign his contract straight after the interview if I get it! I told him it won't be happening since I need a QDOS review, but he obviously wants me to sign his before I can sign the previous agent's contract.

Rabotnik,

Not having a go like mate but I think agent no2 has got you down as a pushover. After all he conned you into going for the interview when you said no first off, and now it looks like hes trying to get the deal done and dusted because he thinks he can push you around.

Even if you're deffo going to take it, I'd be tempted to stall him for a bit anyway (although get the contract reviewed anyway). And ask for more money. Even if its just to prove to the agent that your balls are as big as his. Otherwise, I fear he could also see you as an ideal candidate to give his company a huge margin on this.

As for the 1st one, yeh **** him. But make sure no 2 is signed sealed and delivered before you burn your bridges. He'll be upset but so what.

[Scoobos]

good advice, this forum shines sometimes..

Is it just me, or do you ALWAYS find yourself in this situation? Looking for what seems like ages, then multiple offers all at once..

[northernladuk]

good advice, this forum shines sometimes..

Good to hear, hope your taking it all on board.....

[Rabotnik]

Just an update for everyone who gave me advice. I still haven't got feedback from interview number 2, the agent reckons they are messing him about making a decision, so I've completely ruled that one out. The bank interview I had yesterday was a bit silly, the agent guaranteed me a decision on the day as to whether they would go with me or not, but in the interview the interviewer said I was the first candidate and he wanted to see some more to compare my CV against!

I think from now on I will always give myself a week to answer an agent on whether I will accept an offer, I will just say I have other interviews lined up (even if I don't). I had no legitimate roles offered the whole of April, and then I suddenly had 3 interviews in 1 week with an offer straight away for the first one I went to!

On a side note, the agency with the role I accepted have no clue about IR35 - I told them I won't start til I have had the contract reviewed and they had no idea who QDOS were or why I needed it reviewed. I also saw it would fail straight away due to needing client approval for substitutes.

[Wanderer]

the agent guaranteed me a decision on the day as to whether they would go with me or not, but in the interview the interviewer said I was the first candidate and he wanted to see some more to compare my CV against!

What??? The agent LIED to you!!! That's never happened before.

On a side note, the agency with the role I accepted have no clue about IR35 - they had no idea who QDOS were or why I needed it reviewed.

These agents are real comedians aren't they. Next they will tell you that you're the first contractor who ever refused to opt out and that 3 month payment terms are standard in the business and no one has EVER complained about that before.