Offers & Career Decisions
Is accepting an offer and later reneging still bad etiquette for an experienced hire?
My MBA programme discouraged accepting an offer and then backing out. I am now applying as an experienced hire, and the decision deadlines may not line up. I know HR would be unhappy and I could get blacklisted. Even if I accept that risk, is reneging still bad etiquette or simply a career decision?
Ian’s Answer
I'm sorry but how can you possibly think it's not bad etiquette?
You just said the MBA program said it was bad etiquette, that HR would not be happy (and you could get blacklisted), and I'm sure you understand what “making a verbal AND written promise” means…so in what world is that not bad etiquette?
You're making a promise and not sticking to it.
Now, does that mean you cannot do it? Well, that's for you to decide:)
Ultimately it is not a good thing to make a habit of, and you are screwing over the person to whom you agreed to work for (they said “no” to other candidates because you said yes), but, if you truly have no choice and an amazing firm comes along, well, of course that changes the calculus!
If you're going to renege, ok, but do so knowing that it is 100% bad etiquette!
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