Dilemma – I welcome advice

[BrilloPad]

Hi all,
A decision has been made. Job B made me an offer a couple of hours after the interview. I have accepted Job B and declined Job A.
I know I had a verbal agreement with Job A but I never signed a contract. I do feel bad and maybe shouldn’t have accepted Job A in the first place, but B came at a really fast pace late on. The money was the same, so it wasn’t a financial decision, but B really will be the best option.
Agent for A accused me of being unprofessional though. Feel bad but happy I got the job I was after.

Thanks for all your opinions. Might have to avoid applying for jobs with that agent next time, do you think?

I disagree! Agent knows you can get jobs - will be impressed and love to place you again. It is business not personal.

Personally I only ever accept jobs subject to signed contract anyway - to try to avoid any bad feelings if above situation arises. Agents are quick enough to offer jobs verbally than not follow up with paper contract - it is not worth the bother of litigation is it.

[EternalOptimist]

you could take A, ask B if you can do it in three months. (A sort of back to back AB, like an ABBA)

[Cheshire Cat]

As well as what's been said above, I would be honest with Job B and tell them you have an offer to start ASAP and hence need to know within a couple of days whether or not they want you.

The client will admire your honestly and also see that you are in-demand.

WHS

[Tiny Iota]

Thanks for the opinions!

Hi all,
A decision has been made. Job B made me an offer a couple of hours after the interview. I have accepted Job B and declined Job A.
I know I had a verbal agreement with Job A but I never signed a contract. I do feel bad and maybe shouldn’t have accepted Job A in the first place, but B came at a really fast pace late on. The money was the same, so it wasn’t a financial decision, but B really will be the best option.
Agent for A accused me of being unprofessional though. Feel bad but happy I got the job I was after.

Thanks for all your opinions. Might have to avoid applying for jobs with that agent next time, do you think?

[badger7579]

You have to get into business mode and start thinking of the needs of your customers. Be professional. I know other disagree with me and say follow the money.
If you take a contract be determined to finish it no matter what.
Consider how you would feel if you had agreed a contract with a builder for example and after two weeks they buggered off.

If you develope a reputation as unreliable you may struggle to get work at a later date. That does somewhat depend on your arena and skill set.

I totaly agree with LG. I've been in this situation a few times and the answer for me has always been the professional one. If you agree to Job A then stick with that decision. If you try to play devils advocate you are likely to end up loosing both.

Consider your situation, make a decision and stick to it.

[Integrity]

You have to get into business mode and start thinking of the needs of your customers. Be professional. I know other disagree with me and say follow the money.
If you take a contract be determined to finish it no matter what.
Consider how you would feel if you had agreed a contract with a builder for example and after two weeks they buggered off.

If you develope a reputation as unreliable you may struggle to get work at a later date. That does somewhat depend on your arena and skill set.

I agree!

[The Lone Gunman]

You have to get into business mode and start thinking of the needs of your customers. Be professional. I know other disagree with me and say follow the money.
If you take a contract be determined to finish it no matter what.
Consider how you would feel if you had agreed a contract with a builder for example and after two weeks they buggered off.

If you develope a reputation as unreliable you may struggle to get work at a later date. That does somewhat depend on your arena and skill set.

[ChimpMaster]

As well as what's been said above, I would be honest with Job B and tell them you have an offer to start ASAP and hence need to know within a couple of days whether or not they want you.

The client will admire your honestly and also see that you are in-demand.

[BrilloPad]

How long is job A for? How long is job B for?

[themistry]

Don't take A with the aim to quitting in a week. Thats very bad.

I'd leave things as late as I could with possible chance you may be left with nothing.

Safe bet, take Job A, risky bet, wait for B and time things wrong and end up with nothing.

Simple as that I would imagine.

TM

[Tiny Iota]

Hello All,
First time poster – been contracting for a year, about to start my third in London.

I have been offered Job A. I have an interview for Job B tomorrow. I would much prefer Job B for a number of reasons, but of course its just an interview, not an offer.

Job A wants me to start early next week. I might not hear back from Job B until mid next week. Last contract ended a couple of months ago, so I really want to get back into it and can’t afford to risk not taking Job A.

My question is, should I start Job A and quit after a week (if that’s my notice period) to take my preferred Job B (if offered, of course)

Sorry for the convoluted question. Just don’t know the etiquette of quitting/moving.

Thanks all!