I need an advice for a delicate matter

#1 14.12.2007, 22:26

Hi everybody, this story has 3 actors: me, company A, and company B. Basicly, it's this: Last summer I found a very good internship opportunity for a big IT company (company A) in Dublin. Unfortunately, because it was for 12 months, which was too long for me at that time, I had to decline the offer. After a few weeks, they called me and kindly told that there was the possibility of shortening it to 6 months, which was right for me. But unfortunately for me (and for them), another big IT company (company B) had contacted me in the meantime to offer another internship opportunity in Zurich. I had yet to do the phone interviews, but I was confident of my skills, also because the 2 roles were similar, so I refused this 2nd shortened offer. The problem is that, after company B made me wait almost 3 months for the final approval of my hiring, they kindly told me their final decision, which was....'No, we're sorry'. So now I'm here stuck at home, with nothing in my hands, thinking about the missed opportunity in Dublin... This whole situation may seem a bit strange for many of you, but at that damn moment it was like choosing between Legoland and Disneyland: I choose Disneyland (because of better working and living conditions), but later Mr. Disney turned out to be quite unreliable and kept me out of his park.

pocketreef · #2 14.12.2007, 22:49

Where I come from people say you counted with the egg that was still in the chicken ...

When you gave up A you should know it could happen. In your position I would forget A and B and look for a C. If you`re lucky someday B will call you and with C(Eurodisney) in hands you will refuse

Good luck,
Ack

Richard · #3 14.12.2007, 22:51

	Quote:	Tweener
	Hi everybody, this story has 3 actors: me, company A, and company B. Basicly, it's this: Last summer I found a very good internship opportunity for a big IT company (company A) in Dublin. Unfortunately, because it was for 12 months, which was too long for me at that time, I had to decline the offer. After a few weeks, they called me and kindly told that there was the possibility of shortening it to 6 months, which was right for me. But unfortunately for me (and for them), another big IT company (company B) had contacted me in the meantime to offer another internship opportunity in Zurich. I had yet to do the phone interviews, but I was confident of my skills, also because the 2 roles were similar, so I refused this 2nd shortened offer. The problem is that, after company B made me wait almost 3 months for the final approval of my hiring, they kindly told me their final decision, which was....'No, we're sorry'. They told me that they couldn't hire at the moment not because the interviews went bad (they explicitly said that they went 'very well'), but because they had already filled the vacant internship positions with other candidates, and that if in the future they'll need another intern, they'll definitely consider my application. So now I'm here stuck at home, with nothing in my hands, thinking about the missed opportunity in Dublin... I know that I have my big faults (I declined a secure offer in Dublin to try to go to Zurich, which has an higher quality of life; shame on me, life is like poker), but do you think that I should let company B know in what bad situation they put me in by making me wait so much? Or is it better to mantain a friendly relationship, in case of future needs? They can of course refuse to hire people, it's their right and this is out of discussion, but I think that the time they made me wait has been an exploitation of my rights, and that the promise of possible hiring in case of (their) need is a bit like a carrot. I can't stop thinking about this... This whole situation may seem a bit strange for many of you, but at that damn moment it was like choosing between Legoland and Disneyland: I choose Disneyland (because of better working and living conditions), but later Mr. Disney turned out to be quite unreliable and kept me out of his park. I can understand that this is life, but that doesn't mean that companies can treat potential employees like objects (it looks almost like they though they were doing me a favour by making me hope to be hired)! Thanks

While I understand your frustration, I can assure you that 2 or 3 months is perfectly normal for a recruitment process in Switzerland... I know looking in it might seem ridiculously long (And IMHO it is way too long) but that is just the way things are here...

Tenzin · #4 14.12.2007, 23:09

Hi,
I can imagine it's frustrating but I would take it a good lesson and look for C. I guess that's the best way. Who knows there's something better waiting for you!

#5 14.12.2007, 23:16

	Quote:	pocketreef
	Where I come from people say you counted with the egg that was still in the chicken ... When you gave up A you should know it could happen. In your position I would forget A and B and look for a C. If you`re lucky someday B will call you and with C(Eurodisney) in hands you will refuse Good luck, Ack

Yes, you're right, shame on me. At least I learned a lesson, even if the hard way... Incredible to say but maybe there will be a C, in Switzerland. The interview went quite good, now I'm waiting, as before, for the 'final decision' of the HR manager. If that will take another 3 months, I guess I'll hate Swiss companies and their letargic approach to hiring for the rest of my life....

#6 17.12.2007, 15:38

OK, company C wants to hire me. I just need to finish some bureaucracy for the work permit, but it looks like from March to September I'll be in Basel. Anyway, the hard lesson I learned from this experience will be difficult to forget...

Lob · #7 17.12.2007, 15:49

The time to have asked the question would have been before the process and you might have found out that that you would have timescale problems....

Good luck with C and welcome to company politics