Ask a Manager: 3. Candidates changing their mind after accepting an offer

[minoanmiss]

I’m a recruiter at a software company, and I’m hoping for a reality check on a new trend I’m seeing. Usually, a candidate signs their offer, works through their notice period of two to four weeks at their current employer, and then starts here on the planned date. I’ve been recruiting for about three years now, and that’s what happens 99% of the time. Until a few months ago, it was VERY rare for a candidate to sign an offer with us, and then back out to either stay where they are or go somewhere else. Like it only happened to me about twice over 2+ years.

In the past three or four months, however, I’ve had half a dozen candidates bail after signing an offer. I know it’s not a legally binding agreement, but it’s still poor form, unprofessional, and a great way to burn bridges — largely because it’s massively inconvenient for us to count on someone showing up, plan for their onboarding, and reject all our other candidates, only to have to start all over again (are candidates aware of this? I know it’s just the cost of doing business but it sucks). So I guess my question is: Am I wrong? Is this more normal than I thought? Or is something changing in ~the market~ and we should just start to expect this? What’s going on?

It’s the market. Most likely, people are getting a better offer in between when they accept yours and when they’re scheduled to start. (Alternately, it’s possible that it’s something about your company — how’s your reputation? are people hearing bad things and getting spooked? — but it’s much more likely that it’s just the market.)

I agree that it’s massively inconvenient, but you also can’t expect people to turn down better jobs/more money if they’re on offer … and it sounds like right now, they’re on offer for a lot of your candidates. If you haven’t already, it’s worth revisiting the current market to make sure your salaries and benefits are competitive. (Even when you’re competitive with the market, you can still run into this — but that’s the first thing I’d look at.)

Comments

[conuly]

LW, have you considered reaching out to them and asking them frankly what made them change their minds?

[ashbet]

^^^This!

Asking for it as an effort toward trying to improve their hiring practices,

My suspicion is that some people got better offers, AND that there is some kind of dealbreaker in the hiring documents (crappy insurance options, noncompete clauses, requirement to pay for training if you don’t stay on a year — SOMETHING) that is turning prospective employees off.

[ioplokon]

Also, is there anything misleading/ambiguous in the offer? So, eg, you have benefits, but are they good? Is your 401k matching actually competitive? I've definitely been places where the onboarding packet was... not in conflict with, but definitely different from the expectations laid out in the offer.

and do you give people adequate time to reflect on the offer, talk to their family, etc., before they commit?

[lassarina]

....my friend, you are recruiting for a software company. The only people more in demand than your target pool of recruits are in healthcare. Like. Alison is right as far as she goes, but tech hiring is ludicrously competitive. If I didn't like my job I could double my salary stumbling into the first place that would hire me (I'm in public sector so my pay is shit by tech standards.) Sweeten the pot.