Fired Before Your Hired

Many job seekers fall victim to a trend that's becoming more common as the economy continues to stagnate. While companies downsize and institute hiring freezes, job seekers are finding start dates pushed back and job offers withdrawn completely.

Job offers are rescinded for a variety of reasons. Some are external, such as the overall economy, some are internal such as a department's funding is cut. There are also times when it's determined that a person is needed but it would be more cost-effective to hire one person to work in two or more departments and spread the costs.

No matter the reason your job offer is repealed, experts agree that you should respond to the situation in a professional manner and get to the bottom of what happened.

If your offer has been rescinded, you must find out what the exact reasons behind the decision were. Were they economically based or due to a background, drug or reference check? As hard as it is, gather the facts. Try to separate the people you interviewed with from the organization's decision, and keep all of your interactions professional.

So, the jobs is no longer a sure thing...Now what?
Unfortunately, you don't have many legal rights in this situation. Most states have employment-at-will policies, which means employees can be terminated at any time, for any reason. You should think long and hard before pursuing legal action if a job offer is revoked -- litigation costs will be extensive and you will undoubtedly burn bridges with your would-be employer. Consult an HR expert or lawyer in your area about your options.

It's important to handle the situation professionally if you find yourself with a rescinded job offer. Here are six steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. Find out why
Find out the exact reason behind the withdrawn offer. Ask the potential employer if it was something revealed in a reference check or if it had something to do with the economy.
Let the hiring manager know you are interested in working at the company if there are a change of circumstances. If you really are the best candidate, the hiring manager will contact you when the circumstances change.

2. Be open and honest
Once you've got a company that wants to hire you, you've cleared the tallest hurdle. How you react to a rescinded job offer can determine if that offer might return. Be open and honest with the employer about your situation. If you are still interested in the job, let them know your finances. Can you wait six months to start? Or, if you can find a way to earn some money in the interim, let the employer know you will wait for the full-time position.

If you simply can't wait for the position to re-open, don't be shy about it. You came looking for a job because you needed one. Respectively tell them so that if you are looking for a job again in the future, they will still have a high opinion of you.

3. Prepare yourself
In this economy, expect anything. Do not stop looking for work until your first day at a new job. Graham says the biggest lesson she learned was that nothing is a done deal until you are sitting in your new office or cubicle.

4. Do your homework
Before accepting a job offer, it's important to evaluate what's been offered. Ask about the employer's financial health and find out if the position is approved. Ask if the company has ever withdrawn an offer and if so, what the company has done in the past. If the withdrawal of a vacant position is a real threat, ask if your offer letter can state what the company will do if the job offer is withdrawn.

5. Negotiate
If you left an old job to work for a new company and your offer was retracted due to the economy, you can try to negotiate unemployment benefits or a severance package from the employer. Or, if you really want this job, you can try negotiating for a lower salary or position. Some companies may opt to help you out as the right thing to do.

6. Move on
If nothing comes from negotiating with your would-be employer, it's time to move on. Contact companies who have expressed interest in the past and let them know you are still available. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to badmouth the organization that pulled back your offer.

It is important to maintain your positivity in spite of the circumstances. Know that something viable will eventually come your way if you don't give up.