Contingent Decisions

The seductive fallacy of binary options

Many, many years ago…. before paved roads and and electricity … a beautiful Fall had wrapped Blacksburg in glorious colors … it was my senior year in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech and, while the end was in sight, I was quite nervous … reality was setting in fast…..I had to find a job.

I had racked up a massive $11,000 in loans for school from my Mom and Dad – I was expected to start paying it back right after graduation to help pay for my five younger siblings to go to college. On top of that, I was engaged to be married in July. I was feeling the heat – I really, really needed a job.

The market for new engineering graduates was strong, but I was unsure about my job prospects because, well……how do I say this delicately……I had not exactly distinguished myself academically.

I could not change my grades in Calculus or Thermodynamics…so I focused on my job search.

I signed up for the usual campus interviews – but after 6 interviews I was disappointed. I only received 2 invitations for plant site interviews.

My first visit in West Virginia did not go well. A week later I received The Letter – Thanks,  but No Thanks ..…dinged!!   

I was quite upset, feeling a bit sick … and getting very nervous. I attended a “how to interview” session at the career center, where I learned I needed to “sell myself” in the interviews ….. and I was told I needed to be confident…..

My interviews at “Acme Chemical” in early November seemed to go much better. I was not that crazy about the company, or the job, or the people, or the location….but (I may have mentioned this) I really needed a job after graduation. In the meantime, I had two more offers for site interviews.

The Letter arrived from Acme…I opened it with caution – it was an offer! A very good offer – $17,800 a year! I was so excited…. until I read further…….

It was a “contingent offer” – contingent upon a position still being open at the time I decided to accept it. Huh??? I was quite confused. I called HR – they were going to hire 4 engineers and they made 7 offers. The first 4 to accept the offer got the jobs –and the other 3 would no longer have offers.

What?!! I had 2 upcoming interview trips with companies and locations I liked better than Acme. I did not want to accept this early offer and miss out on other potential choices. At the same time I really needed a job and $17,800 was a good offer. I was quickly convincing myself the job was OK and the location was not that bad…a bird in the hand; it was a real dilemma.

I decided to call Dad. At this point I had just emerged from my “independent and confrontational teenage years.” Dad and I were not close; it was the first time that I remember asking for his advice.

I explained my predicament.

Without hesitation Dad answered, “Accept the job.”

When I started to explain that would preclude other options, he interrupted me.

 “No – it doesn’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“Accept the job – a contingent acceptance – contingent upon you not accepting another job someplace else before you start.”

“Can I do that?”

“I don’t see why the hell not!”

“But what if they get angry and withdraw the offer?”

“Then I am not sure it is a place you want to work anyway.”

It was brilliant – my Dad was becoming smarter every day.

First thing Monday morning I called up Acme and told them “I accept…” But when I added my condition they were not happy. They said I was being “impertinent.” (I realized later that was not a compliment.)

They explained they did not accept my acceptance….they had been hiring from the Engineering School for 10 years, and they were going to let the Dean know about my little stunt.

My cute plan had backfired; I was feeling sick again.

The next day I was summoned to the Dean’s office.

The Dean was a scary man – very formal, no smiles, all business… and he carried a permanent scowl on his face like Miss Gulch (Wicked Witch) in the Wizard of Oz.

“Mr. Shill – I had a call from the Head of the Engineering Department at Acme Chemical this morning. He was not happy. They have been recruiting here for years.”

“Yes Sir”

“I understand you accepted their offer- but it was not a real acceptance – it was contingent upon you not accepting a job someplace else?”

“Yes sir, I did. I did not mean to be disrespectful, but their offer was contingent and I was not sure what to do.”

Yes, I understand that” ….. very long pause…. “Your response was perfect. They have no right pressuring my students like that. I let them know that either all 7 offers stand or they won’t be interviewing here again.”

I walked out relieved …..and with a small measure of renewed confidence.

I am struck by how many times I have faced a tough decision – and I simply accepted the options presented…..or I accepted the limited choices I generated myself. In many cases the choices were framed as binary – yes or no. And frequently the choices were framed in a way that both options were disadvantageous.

Intellectually I know creating new options for critical decisions is best – but time pressure, emotions, laziness and proximity to the issues make reframing tough. And the simplicity and efficiency of choosing yes or no is seductive….. But it seems when I do pause ….and push myself to create new options, the outcome is almost always better.

I ultimately had 4 job offers and accepted a fantastic job with great people in a wonderful location …..and I started calling my Dad more often.

Thoughts for a Friday….

Walt