Renege is a word that you may or may not be familiar with. If you have ever played a serious game of Spades, then you already know how bad it is for a player to renege — to break the rules and play a card out of order. Reneging is not just a taboo in card games, it is also becoming a problem in the world of recruitment. A survey found that 64% of students consider offers from another company after they’ve already accepted a full-time job offer. Let’s review what it means to renege, the consequences, and how you can avoid making a choice that could negatively impact your career.
Renege Definition
In the workplace, reneging is when a person accepts a job or internship offer (through email, a signed contract, verbal agreement, or otherwise) but declines the offer later. For example, a student receives an internship offer from Company A and accepts it. Later, Company B also offers the student an internship and they decide to take it and pull out of the offer from Company A. The student reneged on Company A.
You might be wondering if this is really an issue. The student got the internship they wanted, and Company A can just hire someone else, right? Well, it’s a little more complicated than that.
The Consequences of Reneging
If you decide to renege on an offer, your choice can impact many more people than you think in ways you may not have considered.
Impact on You
Although it is not illegal to renege on an offer, it is unethical. Making a commitment to a job is a big deal and going back on that commitment should be carefully considered. Recruiters talk to each other and may work for multiple companies in the same industry, so you don’t want to develop a negative reputation. Similarly, if you were referred to the job by a mentor or someone in your network, it may impact your relationship with them and their willingness to assist you in the future.
Impact on Employers
Companies spend a good deal of time, energy, and money to recruit and hire the best candidates. On average, it takes 1-2 months to hire for a full-time job and costs around $6,000. Employers hiring for internships do so up to 8 months in advance, so if they have to start the process over because of a renege, it may not be possible to find a replacement in time. To lessen the impact of reneges companies may limit the number of openings or build up the application process (i.e. more rounds of interviewing), which makes applying to jobs more competitive and time-consuming for candidates.
Impact on Career Services & Other Students
Your campus community is also affected in unseen ways. The career services office works directly with employers to provide internship and job opportunities to their students. When multiple students renege, it sets a bad precedent and discourages companies from recruiting at the school in the future. This may mean fewer employers attending career fairs and fewer opportunities for current and future students.
Although there may be valid reasons that a student changes their mind about a job offer, going back on an offer can affect your professional reputation and make it harder for other students around you. Take time to consider the impact and keep reading about how you can avoid this messy situation.
How to Avoid Reneging
When you are searching for a job or internship, it can be hard to know when you will receive an offer, and even harder to know whether or not to accept it. Before you find yourself on the verge of a renege, consider these tips from Scholars.
Ask for more time. No matter how excited you are, or how perfect the offer seems, take time to review it before saying yes. Always ask for job offers in writing and a deadline for when you need to respond. Ask for an extension to the deadline if you need it, but be reasonable — an employer may wait another week, but they probably won’t wait another month.
Communicate. If you are interviewing with multiple companies, it is ok to let recruiters and interviewers know that. This allows them the chance to make adjustments to the recruiting timeline, and get you an offer sooner. Keep in mind that some timelines are set far in advance and an employer may not be able to adjust deadlines regardless of other offers you may receive.
Ask for help. Reach out to the career services team for support in thinking through your decision. A career coach can help you review the offer, craft a message to ask for more time and assist you with decision-making. It is much better to reach out for help before you renege than to have an uncomfortable conversation afterward.
Once you accept an offer, stop the search. Do not continue filling out applications or going on interviews after you accept an offer. Immediately alert any companies that you are in the recruitment process with that you have made a decision. You can respectfully decline and keep the door open for future possibilities:
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- I have accepted an offer from another company, but I would love to be considered in the future for other opportunities.
- I have decided to accept an internship with another company, but I would like to keep in touch about any full-time roles after I graduate in DATE.
Hopefully, with a better understanding of reneging and tips for avoiding it, you will feel more confident about managing the job offers you receive.
