Ask the Experts: Okay to Accept a Job While Pursuing a Better One

Question:

I am graduating in a few months. In a few weeks, I will attend a career fair that includes the company for which I am currently interning. I
would prefer to move to a different geographic location, but would be
willing to stay with my current employer if I can’t find a position
elsewhere. This job fair isn’t great as many of the employers are
sports-related so offer only low-paying jobs, but at least I am very
interested in the industry. I have been talking to some other prominent
companies about full-time job offers that I would be much happier at
that are in geographic regions that I would like. If I get one of the
low paying jobs at the career fair, it would start in a few months. Can
I ethically accept it while continuing to explore other opportunities?

First Answer:

Yes, of course you can ethically accept a job while continuing to explore other opportunities. In my opinion, everyone should be continually exploring other opportunities, even if they don’t ultimately choose to change jobs for years. The job market is constantly changing, so it’s wise to network and gather information – just in case.

As you move forward in your career, be very clear in each and every interview as to the type of career progression you are seeking, and learn how that compares with the normal career track in the company. Be honest about other important factors in your decision, such as strong geographic preferences or an impending relocation. This should give the employer a clear picture of whether to make the investment in hiring you.

The bottom line is this: an employee owes their employer nothing other than an honest day’s work and compliance to any written agreement regarding the nature of that work. The employer owes their employees nothing other than the promised compensation and a working environment that complies with all applicable laws.

I’m sure you’ve noticed how often companies in all industries dismiss long-term, loyal employees without notice or severance. The company acts in the best interests of the company. You, the employee, should act in your own best interests as well. So don’t misplace your loyalty, and don’t believe any job will last for any specific period of time. Whenever you can, however, do give your employer appropriate notice when you plan to leave, which they may or may not utilize.

— Tracy Laswell Williams, certified job and career transition coach, accredited resume writer and founder of CAREER-Magic.com

Second Answer:

This is a dicey situation, faced by quite a few about-to-be college graduates and, in many cases, the college/university career services professionals who work with them. There is no one “Right Answer” to your question, but here are some thoughts for you to consider.

There are two people/entities to think about here: One is you, the other is your school. If you were to accept a job from an employer, then continue looking for other opportunities and, eventually, renege on the offer from the first employer and accept a job with a second employer instead, there is the POTENTIAL that YOU would look bad, of course. But there is also the POTENTIAL that you would make your school and perhaps even your academic department look bad as well (because what you do as a “representative” of your school/department — i.e., as a new graduate of that school/program — could leave a bad taste in the first employer’s mouth, and perhaps compel him/her to think twice before hiring another person from your school/program).

So … on the one hand, there is more than just yourself to think about here.

All of that being said, there’s another side to all of this: You’ll be seeking jobs throughout your working life, and you need to look out for your best interests — because if you don’t, who will? (Some would argue that the COMPANY you sign on with will always look out for ITS best interests — even if it comes at your expense — and so why shouldn’t you do the same?) Do people keep their eyes on the job market even when they have jobs currently? Of course, and employers know that. If you were to accept a job with one of the job fair companies and then renege on it later to take a job elsewhere, would the first company be angry with you? Perhaps. But at the same time, you would be FAR from the first person (or the last) to find yourself in such a situation, so I HIGHLY doubt that you would be viewed as the pariah you might imagine you’d be viewed as. The company would likely be disappointed, obviously, and maybe a little perturbed at you. But the people there would quickly get over it and find someone else for the job.

So … what to do? Follow your instincts. Make a good-faith effort to live up to the commitments you might make to certain companies/organizations, but know that even THEY understand that most people are ALWAYS keeping their ear to the ground where job opportunities are concerned — and so it likely wouldn’t be the end of the world for them if they were to lose you shortly after you’ve said “yes” to their offer.

— Peter Vogt, college career counselor, President of Career Planning Resources, and a Personal Career Coach with College to Career

Third Answer:

Absolutely not. What are you going to say, “Please hold this spot for me, but if I find something better, you can’t count on me to actually take it”? This is the only way you can accept it, which tells the employer they are your last choice.

If you accept the job but keep looking, and then accept another position, you are going back on your word. To renege and it is considered unethical conduct by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Colleges are held responsible for student behavior towards employers, and employers are expected not to withdraw offers made to students. The consequences for your university include embarrassment for your career services office, possible withdrawal from future career fairs by the employer whose offer you accepted, and a stain on the university itself, because you are their product, apparently insufficiently educated in what constitutes ethical behavior.

The response to a tough job market should not be a lapse in integrity.

— Carol Anderson, Career Development and Placement Office, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at New School University in New York City

Fourth Answer:

The situation you find yourself in is similar to that faced by many job seekers.

If you feel that you are close to finding that more desirable position, then I would put all my efforts into the quest and be patient, while improving my
interview skills to be sure I am prepared when the opportunity arrives.

If you have financial or other reasons for needing an interim position, then you should accept the job. After all, you may find it to be more
satisfying and may want to stay.

Pursue your dream – but a “bird in the hand” in this economy might be worth looking at as well. Decide what you “need” to live on and
then make decisions based on your “needs” and your life values.

— Carole Martin, The Interview Coach

Fifth Answer:

Let me see if I’ve understood what you’ve said.

• You are an out-of-state college senior who will graduate this June.
• Your school is putting on a career fair in a few weeks.
• You gained your current internship either through one of these school career fairs or else through your school’s Career Center listings.
• Your state is a high-density sports industry location, thus, most of the jobs offer low pay.
• You have a passive interest in sports as a career but want job opportunities that offer higher pay.
• * You have not been offered a full-time position by your present employer.

Okay. Given all of what I translated is correct, it would not only be ethical to continue your job search, it would be prudent to do so.

Your stated question being answered, there are a couple of other questions you have not yet asked that should be. One of them is, “What am I interested in doing that really excites me?” The other is, “How should I determine whether I have the aptitude to do that?”

In order to answer those questions, you should either take some self assessment tests to determine where your interests, abilities and aptitudes are or else see a career counselor at your school and schedule a time to take these assessments. The counselor will be able to give you far more guidance with the test results and you’ll be able to make a better, more focused job search that should lead to a much happier result for you.

— Yvonne LaRose, career and professional development coach, Career and Executive Recruiting Advice

Originally posted by alwin