Reply to: Would you still interview after you get an offer?

[stek]

To be honest I don't actually stop looking until I've raised the first invoice on a gig and it's been paid.

I don't stop looking until the gig is over and the last invoice has been paid. Then I start looking.....

[DaveB]

To be honest I don't actually stop looking until I've raised the first invoice on a gig and it's been paid.

[quackhandle]

Sometimes (or quite often) the client does not help themselves, as in: You interview, you like each other, you get the gig. It's all good.

Then they say start date is in two weeks' time. What? Sorry no. You want me, I'm ready now (if on the bench).

qh

[northernladuk]

Yep. Agreed why wouldnt you? If something else comes in as well you've got a choice and more bargaining power.

Clients do this. Ever been for an interview and not been able to get any feedback then 2 weeks later you get a no back?

Its usually because you're 2nd choice, and client is keeping you in reserve in case 1st choice bails or doesnt turn up. If they tell you no then you'll deffo look for something else - if they keep you in the dark then theres a chance they've got you hanging on a string.

Personally, I think this sort of behaviour is a bit naughty but it happens all the time. Honesty and integrity is sometimes lacking from both clients and agents at times.

And you wouldn't do this if you were a client? And you say it's naughty but you advise to do exactly the same from a contractors perspective. It's not naughty, it's business.

[jmo21]

It's not a moral grey area at all IMO. It is simply the harsh reality of business. Until you are inside the client's four walls and billing......

This.

[psychocandy]

Yep. Agreed why wouldnt you? If something else comes in as well you've got a choice and more bargaining power.

Clients do this. Ever been for an interview and not been able to get any feedback then 2 weeks later you get a no back?

Its usually because you're 2nd choice, and client is keeping you in reserve in case 1st choice bails or doesnt turn up. If they tell you no then you'll deffo look for something else - if they keep you in the dark then theres a chance they've got you hanging on a string.

Personally, I think this sort of behaviour is a bit naughty but it happens all the time. Honesty and integrity is sometimes lacking from both clients and agents at times.

[Scrag Meister]

Absolutely, keep interviewing until everything is in place, signed sealed and delivered on the offered role.

[Oh Come On Not Again]

Or you can attend the interview and say: "I'm not really looking for a job, just doing a market research."

[KayMan]

It's just semantics but when you accept verbally, or by email for that matter, tell them it is subject to satisfactory contract. This at least gives you an out when you pull out. It should just set the expectation it is not a blanket agreement and there are conditions that, if not met, mean nothing is in place.

As I say it's semantics and probably won't make much difference when the agent kicks off but might help.

Haha yeah, especially if you've given that agent a pretty hard time negotiating the date rate up after constantly implying you have other better offers on the table, and him trying everything to get the day rate up. Then, once contract arrives, you make his life so much harder by nitpicking every single contentious clause and refusing to sign until its addressed.

Yeah --- id imagine him doing this:

But yes, I am going ahead with other interview. All is fair in love and war indeed.

[northernladuk]

It's just semantics but when you accept verbally, or by email for that matter, tell them it is subject to satisfactory contract. This at least gives you an out when you pull out. It should just set the expectation it is not a blanket agreement and there are conditions that, if not met, mean nothing is in place.

As I say it's semantics and probably won't make much difference when the agent kicks off but might help.

[TheDandy]

It's not a moral grey area at all IMO. It is simply the harsh reality of business. Until you are inside the client's four walls and billing......

[BrilloPad]

How would you feel if the offer was pulled? Happened to a few on here.

You have to protect yourself and your family. If you feel uneasy after that you you need to consider if contracting is for you. You need to man up.

[oscarose]

Not tricky at all. An offer means nothing until contract is signed.

Depends if you like the sound of opportunity #2.

[TykeMerc]

A bit tricky this, but if there's not a clear, quick and easy route to concluding negotiations on a contract then there's every chance it will not crystallise. In that situation I'd have no qualms about talking to other clients.

An acceptance has to be subject to satisfactory contract, until that's in place there's no agreement.

[Old Greg]

Yes, until you have a signed written contact you have nothing (and even then it can go pear shaped), continue until you are actually sat at your desk invoicing.

+1. It can also be handy to have something else in the pipeline if the first lot try to pull a fast one on you rate-wise.