Verbal acceptance of job offer

BrandNewGraduate

Thanks for all the advice. As I said, I'm learning fast.
I still think it's unethical to accept, then renege later, but I suppose this happens a lot. I'll make my final decision today.

BrandNewGraduate

Poppy, I emailed them instantly when I received the "assume you don't want the job" message. My letter was in the post at that time.
Okay, I've messed up, I'm the first to admit it.

Poppy9

I think I just find it hard to believe that you can get to the age of 21/22 via full time education that is supposed to be preparing you to work/earn a living and no one, be it family, school or college, has explained what you actually need to do to secure a job.

BrandNewGraduate

Point taken. I won't make the same mistake again.
Learning curve - steep.

PlutoinCapricorn

Oh, now I understand the situation. Yes, we live and learn.

Unfortunately there are people who will say anything and not mean it. Getting things in writing on both sides is very important now.

I know someone whose letter of acceptance went astray in the post, luckily it all got sorted out in the end.

Next time, if there is a next time, you could send an email immediately, accepting the job with the letter as an attachment and saying that the signed copy is in the post.

BrandNewGraduate

Thanks for the advice. I have now accepted the revised start date, as suggested, by email and with letter attachment, paper copy in envelope at the ready. I'm well aware of how lucky I am to have been given a second chance.
I'm grateful for all the comments, thanks again.

PlutoinCapricorn

I got the wrong impression at first: I thought that you had accepted the job then had second thoughts and wanted to call it off.

I agree that the fact that you received an email from the company is a good sign, they must have been disappointed not to hear from you.

So now you have an extra 2 months in the summer to fill.

BrandNewGraduate

Yes, I'll take any temporary post available. I'll go back "on the bins" as a Refuse Consultant.
Sorry my problem was unclear from my earlier posts. As I said, my biggest error was not replying in writing immediately. I received the revised start-date offer on Friday, and accepted today after pondering over the weekend - that, too, might have been too long a delay for the MD to accept. I have learned from this experience and hopefully will never commit the same errors.
The company may have written me off, I'll know soon enough. thanks again for the reply.