Would you accept a job position knowing that you were second choice?

[kingsrings]

This came up last week where I worked, and I thought I'd bring it up here for discussion. Let's say that you were offered a job position, but that you were the second choice because the first choice person turned it down. Would you still accept it or turn it down on principle, thinking that if they didn't want you as first choice, then forget it? Let's assume that all the job responsibilities, money and benefits would be the exact same for you as they would of been for the first choice person.

[ShadesOfGrey]

second choice makes no difference at all - at least it shouldnt, IMHO.  The fact that you were a choice at all should be considered.  There will always be better suited people out there, as well as worse suited people. 

[Betsy]

Sometimes the choice between two canidates is so close that managers just have to flip a coin so to speak about which canidate to offer. If I was #2 choice with the same money/benefits/responsibilities then I would assume it was that case and thank my lucky stars that #1 turned it down. However if it was a job that I wasnt sure about wanting anyway or the pay was lower than I wanted I might turn it down for those reasons but not just because I was #2.

[DottyG]

Depends on whether I wanted to work there or not.  It's kind of a weird question to ask!

[kingsrings]

Depends on whether I wanted to work there or not.  It's kind of a weird question to ask!

How is it a weird question?

[amiboo]

I was the second choice for the job I have now and I was thrilled when they called me.  The first choice had actually taken the offer and worked here about 6 weeks, then another job that she had interviewed for called her.  It was more what she was looking for and so she took it.  Rather than go thru the whole selection process again they went back to the interviews they had done when they hired her and called me.  Yippee!!  I really, really like it here.  I think second out of the 150 or so apps they had is pretty dang good!

[hobish]

Heck, yeah, i'd take it. I'm sure the situation occurs all the time without people even realizing it. You take the job & do your best & that's that. I would find it odd, though, that the company let me know that i was second choice; usually they try to prevent that sort of thing.
Someone from my old department & i both interviewed for the position i have now. I jumped at the chance to work the odd schedule that was needed, she was unsure if she could do it. Was that a factor in my getting it over her, or did they really want me to begin with? We'll never know, but i got the job & that's what is important to me.

modified for ttypo

[DottyG]

Depends on whether I wanted to work there or not.  It's kind of a weird question to ask!

How is it a weird question?

Maybe not "weird" but "odd" at the very least.

Because if you want to work somewhere, and they offer you a job, you take the job.  Whether someone else was in the running for it doesn't matter.  Do you want the job?  If yes, accept.  If no, decline.  Not really that much of a problem there!

[kingsrings]

Depends on whether I wanted to work there or not.  It's kind of a weird question to ask!

How is it a weird question?

Maybe not "weird" but "odd" at the very least.

Because if you want to work somewhere, and they offer you a job, you take the job.  Whether someone else was in the running for it doesn't matter.  Do you want the job?  If yes, accept.  If no, decline.  Not really that much of a problem there!

In the incident I am referring to, the person refused to take the job because they were very offended that they were 'second choice'. They figured if they weren't wanted the first time, then they'd just rather not be there at all. That is why I thought I'd open it for discussion here, to see if that attitude was prevalent or not. I feel the exact same way as you. I have been in the situation before and didn't mind at all being second choice. Artistically, one time I was second choice in casting for a lead role in a play, and it ended up being the best work I'd ever done and scored me a local theater award nomination. If I'd been offended and turned it down, that never would of happened.

[Lisbeth]

If I really wanted and needed the job, I'd accept it knowing I was last choice!

But, I'd be interested in knowing why those ahead of me turned it down.  Then again, I'm not likely to find out.

[CocoCamm]

I would find it odd, though, that the company let me know that i was second choice; usually they try to prevent that sort of thing.

Thats what I was thinking!

[Cellardoor14]

Mr Cellardoor was second choice for three positions in row when we re-located back to the UK.


His current company called him to say their first choice went with another position, so he accepted the role.

This all happened within a few weeks, and he did turn down an position just after that.

I think that may be why the first choice refuses the role, they may have been in the running/ were offered for other jobs. 

Mr Cellardoor, though his company wasn't his first choice either, likes where he is now.

[MineralDiva]

I would accept the position with the belief that it was always supposed to be "mine" in the first place...which is why I ended up with it, in the second place!

[caranfin]

Sometimes the choice between two canidates is so close that managers just have to flip a coin so to speak about which canidate to offer.

True. And sometimes the first choice is first for political reasons, when everyone involved knows the second choice would actually be a better hire. Not that I've ever been on an interview team where that happened... 

[melodrama]

I think turning down a job offer because you weren't the first choice is such a drama queen move.  I suppose the applicant wanted you to call her back and stroke her ego? 
"No, no, we really do love you best!" 
To heck with that, you're better off without that attitude at your workplace.   

Can you imagine, each time a plum assignment went to someone else,she'd be throwing a tantrum?  Ugh.