Is it okay to quit my new job after three weeks because I got a better offer?

Question

I just started working at my new job, as a mechanical engineer, three weeks ago. I was interviewing with two companies (A and B) and I didn't do so well on B's interview (I wouldn't say I flunked it, but I didn't ace it like I did with A) so I thought there would be no way I'd get an offer from B.

I got an offer from A and I accepted it. It was a pretty nice offer. Median compensation. Commute's pretty decent (45 minutes one way), benefits, etc. I'm still in my probation period and can be fired at any time.

I've been working at company A for three weeks now and really I don't have any complaints.

Here's the problem. Company B just reached out to me with an offer. I couldn't believe it. The pay's 50% higher, the position is permanently remote, and the company is much more prestigious than company A so it would look better on my resume and open more doors for me in the future. And I'd be saving almost 2 hours a day because I wouldn't have to commute. Not to mention how much higher the pay is. It would really improve my living situation because with company A and repaying student loans I'd practically be living paycheck to paycheck.

Is it bad to quit company A and go with company B in this situation? Did I screw up by accepting company A's job? Should I just do my year and then try to get into company B in the future?

Answer 1

I don't disagree with Joe Strazzere's answer. I just want to make an alternative, one that I would probably take, which mitigates the downsides

Go to you manager and tell them exactly what has happened. Say you didn't expect the offer. Tell them what the offer is. Say something like "I'm enjoying working here, but an offer like this is something I can't turn down financially. I'm intending to accept it, but if you can match the salary and conditions of this offer I'll stay." Make it clear they only have enough time until the offer runs out.

It's 99% likely that the company can't and won't match the offer, and you then accept Company B. But they have a chance, and they are likely to understand your motives. Your manager would probably do the same if he was offered a 50% pay raise.

In future resumes leave the 3 week employment off the resume. If you are forced to disclose it, and asked about the reason for leaving, say "I was offered a 50% pay raise.". Again, the interviewer would probably quit their job for a 50% raise too.

Answer 2

Is it bad to quit company A and go with company B in this situation?

You're in your probation period. Company A can fire you at any time, and I'm assuming your contract states that you can leave at any time during the probation period. The probation period is effectively a short-term trial to make sure both parties are happy with the situation before the role becomes permanent.

In most cases you also don't need to give a reason when leaving a role, so there's no need to tell them about company B.

Did I screw up by accepting company A's job?

You mentioned you felt you didn't do well in company B's interview, so there was no reason to assume they'd give you an offer. You accepted the first offer that came along, and now another one's come along. How is that screwing up?

Should I just do my year and then try to get into company B in the future?

Can you guarantee that you'll be able to get into company B in the future? "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

Answer 3

At the old company, they will hate you. On the other hand, it’s 50% more salary. An old saying slightly modified: If you stay, they are happy, you are unhappy. If you leave, you are happy, they are unhappy. Better if you are happy.

Answer 4

Probation works two ways. First, it gives the company the right to terminate the contract for whatever reason they like. To keep things fair you also then have the same right to terminate the contract as you like within your probation period.

It usually is not very useful for the employee to use this right, but you are now in a situation where it is. Therefore, you should have no compunction to do exactly that. The company wouldn't.

Answer 5

Is it bad to quit company A and go with company B in this situation?

It depends on what "bad" means to you in this context.

Clearly it would be good for you financially. But it's pretty bad for your professional reputation. It will burn bridges to Company A, and with anyone in A who remembers your name.

Did I screw up by accepting company A's job?

Apparently, you didn't have enough confidence in yourself to await B's response. These things happen.

Should I just do my year and then try to get into company B in the future?

That's something only you can decide for yourself. We each get to decide what our word and our reputation are worth.

It would be pretty hard to decline a 50% raise. Most wouldn't.

Answer 6

I have to disagree somewhat with a few of the other answers.

First, this answer depends on what exactly 50% higher salary means. Are you grossly underpaid now due to your negotiating prowess? Then I definitely agree with the other answers, you should really get to at least a market baseline for your pay.

However, if you are making a relatively acceptable pay at your new role, then things get a little more complicated. It goes without saying that you won't just be burning bridges, you'll be nuking them from orbit. You will be seen as a mercenary only interested in their next paycheck. I can't know exactly what your strategy is for your career at this phase (perhaps cash truly is king for circumstances you can't get into here), but you will need to obviously scrub this from your resume entirely and diligently hope you never run into anybody from this company in the future. With respect to DJClayworth's answer, "I was paid more" is a horrible answer to give to any recruiter, just say literally anything else--avoid even mentioning it, or say that you knew quickly that it wasn't the right fit.

As an aside, most people outside management won't even know why you left. It'll more likely seem like there was some kind of explosive event leading to your dismissal after a very short amount of time, like lying on your resume or some kind of criminal conduct.

Anyway, here's what I see your options as being:

1. Try to forget about the other offer, play it safe and remember how much more you could be making at your next performance review at the end of the year.
2. Explain the situation to the company making this other offer, maybe they can throw in an incentive to offset the nuclear bridge bomb and make it a no-brainer.
3. Leverage this offer to make more at your new role. I can't imagine this going well with your new manager.

If you are comfortable enough with your compensation, I'd recommend option 1. If you are desiring something more, try option 2, the worst they can do is push back. Option 3 is just not a good idea, in my opinion.