Author: Lavie Margolin, Career Coach
Not too many years ago, I was approached regarding a potential job offer. A large corporation found my profile on LinkedIn and wanted to speak with me regarding consulting opportunities. After exchanging emails to learn more about the opportunity and speaking to a company representative, I was very intrigued. I would have the freedom to consult when I saw fit and at a very reasonable rate (especially after negotiating a 12% increase from the initial offer). I was all set to go until I got a better sense of what was required of me. A consultant had to be available for regular telephone conference calls, trainings, online reporting, etc. All very fair demands but impossible for me to handle with my other professional obligations. I had made a verbal commitment but now had to back out. I wanted to maintain a good professional rapport with the company and perhaps even take advantage of the opportunity if the timing was right in the future. Here was my plan….
I mulled over the hours required of me to determine with 99% certainty that I could not meet their obligations. When I was fairly sure, I decided to email the people in the company who had taken so much of their time in assisting me. I was upfront and let them know that after learning more about the position, the additional required hours, while fair, were just not going to work right now. I expressed my true interest in the opportunity and desire to work for them at some point. I let them know that I have worked with several professionals who might be a fit for their needs and have the time to commit.
The company wished me well and let me know the door would be open if the timing was right in the future. Additionally, they were interested in having some of my colleagues contact them. In order to stay in contact in a formal sense, I sent a LinkedIn invitation to my main contact at the company, which was accepted. In thinking back on the situation, I learned for the future to get a better sense of all potential obligations related to an opportunity and to make a reasonable evaluation if it is something that I could commit to fully, as would be required of me.
About the Author: Lavie Margolin is a New York-based Career Coach and the author of Lion Cub Job Search: Practical Job Search Assistance for Practical Job Seekers. To learn more, go to Lavie’s website, Lion Cub Job Search:www.Lioncubjobsearch.com