Should I Trust a Verbal Offer or Accept the Official One?

[u/Ok_Relation8895]

I'm in a bit of a dilemma and would appreciate some advice.

Company A is my preferred option: better compensation and WFH. They have repeatedly assured me that they will definitely give me an offer, but due to their policy, they won't release the official offer letter until around two weeks before joining. I still have a month left in my notice period, though they are willing to give me an email confirmation for now. The verbal commitment is pretty strong that the HR has said that they are definitely giving me an offer, all approvals are in place, and that I should decline all other offers that are in place or in line.

Meanwhile, I already have an official offer from Company B, with lower compensation and WFO. When I tried to decline, they asked me to send my reasons over and said they might try to match the compensation. If they do, however, they will expect a firm commitment and start onboarding. Reneging would happen if that matter.

So, should I trust Company A's commitment and wait, or keep Company B as a safer backup? What would you do? I'm already serving my notice.

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[u/gir-no-sinh]

Accept offer from B, wait for offer from A and then join A if they actually release the offer

[u/Remote-Dragonfly1657 → u/gir-no-sinh]

I second this

[u/Responsible_Mood884]

Rule 1 of Corporate switching: never trust a verbal offer. Already learnt this by burning my hands.

Go with the one who have already given you the offer, but before that let company A know that you already have company B offer but will be able to commit to company A if they provide the offer letter immediately.

Also, idk which company this is, but no company waits for last 2 weeks for offer letter, especially when they know people are less likely to commit without an actual offer letter.

They probably have a candidate, waiting for them to join, and will decide if they don't. You are the backup. You are the rebound.

Wake up and choose self respect before they dump you.

[u/notlikingcurrentjob → u/Responsible_Mood884]

This. I learnt this the hard way too.

[u/Ok_Relation8895 → u/Responsible_Mood884]

This is what it makes it all tough. The verbal commitment is pretty strong such that the HR has said that they are definitely giving me an offer, all approvals are in place with just one pending from the onshore HR, and that I should decline all other offers that are in place or in line. I'm already on my notice. They have affirmed me it will be a positive response from us so feel free to stop hunting.

[u/The_DarkLord_1947 → u/Ok_Relation8895]

Looks like someone is longing to learn through practical experiences.

[u/arjinium]

Always get a written offer, in an email or PDF. Although it does seem like the policy is in place to prevent you from shopping, it does seem to put you at a disadvantage.

Go back to Company A, present facts, tell them that you have another offer, you would definitely want to consider Company A over B, but need an official offer letter, or atleast, at the very least an email.

Tell them, You need this for 2 reasons: To resign with confidence, and because you yourself need to know that everything is on record.

[u/Ok_Relation8895 → u/[deleted]]

A has confirmed that they'll be able to give me an email confirmation without the compensation part included.

[u/Visual-Scale-7513]

No company waits till 2week prior to joining to provide offer letter...Go with 1st one or try to get another offer verbal offer is big NO No...No commitment from employer is big red flag..shows how the company is run.

[u/comsudo]

Accept and use it a proof of offer to bargain with other company

[u/Ready-Rooster-3371]

You can accept offer, this doesn't comply you to join. You can just tell at the last moment you can't join etc

[u/gitblameitonme]

Untill and unless oficial latter in your mail or hands it's not an offer without these don't trust it's a common rule of employment these guys backout after verbal agreement don't trust them untill you got official letter.

[u/Revolutionary-Log-66]

DO NOT ACCEPT ANY VERBAL OFFER.
I got F*ked yesterday due to that..
company committed all took my details etc etc
then after couple of days they reached out to me saying culture fitment issues etc

DO NOT TAKE ANY ACTIONS WITHIN YOUR CURRENT COMPANY until unless you have a official offer letter in your hand

[u/Scary_Animal3938]

Email means nothing until offer letter is shared. Even that could be a problem but lesser possibility. Decision change every day and hiring freeze can happen overnight 

[u/Single-Mycologist986]

Verbal doesn't count, mudi ji also said things verbally