Two job offers, how to handle it...

doyouquaxu · #1 05-20-2011, 03:07 AM

first, this is a long read.

second, a little background: i haven't worked since october of last year. i've been looking, and resourcing like a mother effer.

i ended up applying to a bike shop in my area through their website. it's a chain store, and they have shops in several neighboring cities. i got a call from one of the other stores for an interview about 3 weeks ago. the commute is about 20 miles/30 minutes without traffic. i go in, things go great. i have to do a background check which is mandatory from the company to be considered for employment. no big deal, it'll take a week. this job will just be a bicycle mechanic. pay is minimum wage for CA. i already know i got the job, i called them a few days ago and accepted their offer and am waiting to hear back from the guy who does the training/orientation who works at the shop in my city. the bike shop really wants me to work for them based on past experiences at other shops, teams, personal experience, basically.... i know a shit ton about bikes.

in that week i was waiting for the background check, i get a call from a friend that an off road shop that is closer, and pays more, needs help. i call the shop up, and interview. i find out the position pays almost double the bike shop, is full time, and will all and all be a better learning experience for me. i'd be essentially running the front of the shop, answering phones, doing sales, ordering materials, and keeping up with their builds (among many other things). it's a big shop in the particular part of the industry, with a great reputation, and i'd be able to learn a lot not only about how a business is run but also about fabrication and machine parts. i am a moderator on a different forum and am very familiar with the shop's product line, which is a big plus for the owner. i already know a lot of people in the industry they cater to, which is another big plus.

my dilemma: i had already accepted the job at the bike shop before i had heard from the off road shop. how would you tell the bike shop that you found a better job that pays more, and is closer to your home? before this, i worked 7 summers (i'm only 21 until mid-june) as a life guard, while doing bike stuff on the side, or in the off-season... especially before i got hurt. i had always gone to school during the normal year, then lifeguarded, no need to job hunt and i never had 2 job offers at once. the owner of the off road shop used to be a pro BMX rider, and i know a lot of the people that he used to live with, makes products for on his machines, or used to ride with.

thanks for the input

knightmare1015 · #2 05-20-2011, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyouquaxu

first, this is a long read.

second, a little background: i haven't worked since october of last year. i've been looking, and resourcing like a mother effer.

i ended up applying to a bike shop in my area through their website. it's a chain store, and they have shops in several neighboring cities. i got a call from one of the other stores for an interview about 3 weeks ago. the commute is about 20 miles/30 minutes without traffic. i go in, things go great. i have to do a background check which is mandatory from the company to be considered for employment. no big deal, it'll take a week. this job will just be a bicycle mechanic. pay is minimum wage for CA. i already know i got the job, i called them a few days ago and accepted their offer and am waiting to hear back from the guy who does the training/orientation who works at the shop in my city. the bike shop really wants me to work for them based on past experiences at other shops, teams, personal experience, basically.... i know a shit ton about bikes.

in that week i was waiting for the background check, i get a call from a friend that an off road shop that is closer, and pays more, needs help. i call the shop up, and interview. i find out the position pays almost double the bike shop, is full time, and will all and all be a better learning experience for me. i'd be essentially running the front of the shop, answering phones, doing sales, ordering materials, and keeping up with their builds (among many other things). it's a big shop in the particular part of the industry, with a great reputation, and i'd be able to learn a lot not only about how a business is run but also about fabrication and machine parts. i am a moderator on a different forum and am very familiar with the shop's product line, which is a big plus for the owner. i already know a lot of people in the industry they cater to, which is another big plus.

my dilemma: i had already accepted the job at the bike shop before i had heard from the off road shop. how would you tell the bike shop that you found a better job that pays more, and is closer to your home? before this, i worked 7 summers (i'm only 21 until mid-june) as a life guard, while doing bike stuff on the side, or in the off-season... especially before i got hurt. i had always gone to school during the normal year, then lifeguarded, no need to job hunt and i never had 2 job offers at once. the owner of the off road shop used to be a pro BMX rider, and i know a lot of the people that he used to live with, makes products for on his machines, or used to ride with.

thanks for the input

Well I've had this problem myself within the trucking industry and I've got to tell you, I don't envy you in this situation. On one hand in today's economy it's better to take the higher paying job that's closer to home and has a bigger and better grasp on what the industry that you're interested in is about. On the other hand if something goes wrong over there and you have to leave for any reason, you've screwed yourself royally because you accepted a job and then turned them down because you got a better offer that's closer to home. That place you've accepted already will give you a bad reputation and can screw up your job search later on. I'd take the better offer because of the fact that you've already accepted the job and can't get a hold of anybody over there to go ahead and get started. That tells me that their communication within that group is not good and can lead to other problems which is what happened to me at Swift Transportation. I left for a better organized company and made alot more money until things chnaged over there for the worse.

merlin215 · #3 05-20-2011, 05:07 AM

Contact the Lower offer and explain the situation to them . Tell them that you had applied to multiple places and got a call back after you accepted with them . It is closer to home and more money . Be honest and up front with them and tell them you are sorry but need to take the better offer . You need to think of yourself but be professional as well . People just want to be treated fairly so if you explain it to them , they may not like it but they will understand . Its business ... You need the more money as well .who knows , maybe they will make you an offer close to the other job . Don't burn any bridges and you will do fine ... Congrats on 2 offers as well !! Shows people want you for your ability !!! Take the higher learning and the money and go forward !!!

Craftsman · #4 05-20-2011, 05:39 AM

Your first obligation is to yourself, your future, and what opportunities you are offered in life. It's obvious that the second job offers you more in all respects. As been said be honest with the bike shop and explain the situation, tell them how much you appreciate the offer to work for them but that you have an offer that you can't turn down. I think people are generally understanding if your honest with them. This way you don't burn bridges or have people that you know having a bad impression of you. They may not be happy but at least they"ll respect you.

knightmare1015 · #5 05-20-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craftsman

Your first obligation is to yourself, your future, and what opportunities you are offered in life. It's obvious that the second job offers you more in all respects. As been said be honest with the bike shop and explain the situation, tell them how much you appreciate the offer to work for them but that you have an offer that you can't turn down. I think people are generally understanding if your honest with them. This way you don't burn bridges or have people that you know having a bad impression of you. They may not be happy but at least they"ll respect you.

X2. If you're honest and explain what happened they should be reasonable.

Clinton · #6 05-20-2011, 10:37 AM

Just explain to the bike shop the other offer pays more and is closer. In this economy people can appreciate that. Ask if they can match it (which I am sure they wont) then just explain you need to do this for your sake, and it makes more sense.

richarddhoward · #7 05-20-2011, 11:38 AM

Honestly my opinion, take the one that will take you further in life, which sounds like the off road shop. I am an avid bicyclist (ok was till beer and women hit my train of thought) but min wage is no way to make a living. And honestly how long are you going to be able to stay a bicycle mechanic. You've already played that field. Go on and get yourself a pay raise and a better sounding job. Make money, and enjoy life.

But in the end it's all what you want. Go with your gut. If you are worried about hurting feelings, well sorry it happens to the best of us. The bike shop will live on with or without you.

doyouquaxu · #8 05-20-2011, 02:04 PM

thanks for the help guys. i go in for a bit of training at the off road shop on sunday, then i'm gonna call the bike shop manager on monday, or possibly go in there in person to talk to him.

Tom · #9 05-20-2011, 03:42 PM

You should let them know how much you appreciate the opportunity they offered you, and brown nose them a little bit about it (appreciated their time, really looked forward to working there, etc.).

Who knows, if something goes wrong at the offroad shop they might remember how you were such a good guy, and hire you again. They obviously liked you enough to hire you once, you want to keep that status just in case.