Applying and interviewing with other firms after signing an offer?

Question

I would like to seek your advice on: after signing an offer, can I still proceed with my interviews with other firms?

The reason is that I will still need to pass the background check. There's a bit of uncertainty as I have around 2 months of career gap that the company was not aware of. (Note: I started interviews with the firm when I was still in my previous role, but have left the role during the interview process with this firm and I did not update the employment situation. Experts on this platform advised me to avoid disclosing that I have left the role, and mentioned that a 2-month gap isn't something I should worry about).

My plan is to sign the offer and join the firm. However, I am planning to hedge the risk to have other offers on hand in case my offer is retrieved due to not disclosing the career gap. Is this something that might happen? Would interviewing with other firms after signing an offer cause any trouble?

Please share your wisdom and advice. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there!

You can still continue interviewing with other firms.

The signing of the offer is basically an agreement that you'll work for them. So basically, that you won't sign other offers. But you can still interview with other firms.

I honestly wouldn't worry about the 2 month gap you are mentioning. It sounds like you didn't intend to mislead them and that's what matters at the end of the day.

Best,
Cristian

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Answer 2

Hi,

Theoretically, each interview process should be discreet and confidential. You are also free to renege on a signed offer, people have done this before due to various reasons.

Are there risks of doing interviewing after signing an offer/eventually reneging? Yes - but IMO at the junior level these aren't ask high vs senior level.

If you already plan on joining the firm, why not just wait till the background check is over? If I were you that's what I'd do before trying to interview with other firms for peace of mind.

Answer 3

Hello,

I think you'll be fine. I don't think a 2 month gap is going to be an issue for your new employer, let alone an issue significant enough to terminate an offer.

If you want to, you can continue interviewing with other firms until your offer is fully signed and finalized, you've passed the background check, and so on. Of course, I wouldn't disclose to the firms you are interviewing with that you have already signed an offer, and definitely don't sign any additional offers that you get. I don't think this should cause any trouble.

Answer 4

Hi there,

Technically, if you have signed an offer you should not continue other interviews.

However, if you have serious concerns about the current contract (background check is one reason, but the current market environment is honestly another), then I see no reason not to continue with the other interviews - in fact I think it is prudent until you get official work from this role (i.e. start date, bonus paid into your bank account, etc.)

Good luck to you!

Here's some reading for succeeding on the job once you're there :)

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tips-for-consultans

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/pros-and-cons-of-working-at-a-top-consulting-firm

Answer 5

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offer. In terms of your question:

Q: After signing an offer, can I still proceed with my interviews with other firms?

It seems that in your case this would just be a backup plan in case there are any issues with the background check. I think the advice of Benjamin is correct: if possible, you could continue with the process at the other firms just in case there are issues with the background check. You can do this a few months after the background check is completed.

If that's not possible because you are already in the process with the other firms, I don't see any issues with continuing the interviews if there are risks that the offer will be withdrawn. I would just try to avoid signing other offers unless it is strictly necessary.

Best,

Francesco