Employer said I didn't get the job, then 2 weeks later offers me the job?!

[mkpunk]

I had something similar where I put in for a job, interviewed and heard nothing for about two months, get called for another interview (I guess my application got kept,) interviewed again and then got it. Sadly in another two months I was out. I wonder if their training methods needs help...

[MidValleyDad]

I had a similar experince a few years back. I took the job but only found the details about six months later.

It turned out there was a dissent among the interviewers about who to hire. It was a pretty even split (I had met with two 'peers' and two managers) but the other person had won out because he claimed he had actually used the companies software product in the past.

Well on his second day it became obvious that he had never actually used the product. One of the managers called the company he used to wortk for (They dealt with the software team there regularly and could get 'unofficial' comments) Turns out the guy could barely use the software and had 'enhanced' his capabilities. They found a few other times he had stretched the truth on his resume and terminated him the next day. I got the call that afternoon. I ended up working there for almost 10 years until a merger and shuffling of sites got me laid off. One of the better jobs I ever had.

Take the job, and just don't worry about the why. You may find out eventually.

[ieee488]

Probably doesn't apply in your case, but one time I was told by the employer that with the first candidate wasn't able to obtain the necessary security clearance. Getting a security clearance takes time so it was after a few months that this problem presented itself.

In your case, since you mention being a new graduate, the other new graduate got a better offer and took it.

[Kayela]

I was offered a job where they originally hired someone over me. This was also a case where the managers were evenly split over who to hire. They went with the other person because they had more technical skills, even though I did better on the behavioral questions. In my case, they got funding for another person and so were able to call me back and offer me the job as well (after initially telling me they had hired someone else).

Well, I and candidate #1 started the same day, and it turned out, that although the other person had a better technical skillset - no one could work with them because they were an arrogant, whiney jerk. Whereas I will work anyone from the janitor to the CEO, was willing to learn anything, and jumped right in (as opposed to sitting around waiting to be told how to spend every minute of my day). It soon became apparent that this person could only be trusted with a small set of tasks while I kept taking on more and more responsibility. I know for a fact that there were some major 'I told you so's' going around.

I'd also say take the job if you want it. Then show them why you should have been their first choice.