Question

The scheduled presentation went off smoothly. Back in his cabin, Dipangshu read Mr. Patel’s e-mail once more and pondered over it. During the last meeting he tried hard to put forward his explanation but Mr. Patel had not allowed him to speak. Dipangshu was thinking of meeting Mr. Patel again but was doubtful that would help. Incidentally, he had a job offer from a start-up with a comparable salary. If Dipangshu was to join the new job, he had to accept the offer within the next two weeks. However, he cannot think of a life without a job. Which of the following options would be the best move for Dipangshu?

• A. Talk to Mr. Patel and highlight the initiatives he has taken but at the same time start applying for other jobs.
• B. Reject the offer from the start-up. Use the next three months to find a better job, but continue in the present job.
• C. Resign from this organization right now.
• D. Accept the offer, only if the start-up gives a salary hike, else keep prospecting.
• E. Accept the offer with a request to give him a 10% salary hike.

Hint:

When an acceptable offer has a deadline and the current environment is hostile, secure the offer first and negotiate sensibly; avoid strategies that risk ending up with no job.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Why (E) is best.
- The current boss (Mr. Patel) is unresponsive and has already denied Dipangshu a fair hearing, which makes near-term improvement unlikely.
- There is a firm offer from a start-up with comparable salary and a {deadline of two weeks}. Waiting longer risks losing a sure option, and Dipangshu “cannot think of a life without a job.”
- Accepting while {negotiating} a reasonable 10% hike balances risk (secure employment) and reward (better pay).
Why others are weaker.
(A) Talking again is unlikely to change the situation quickly; no action on the expiring offer.
(B) Rejecting the offer and searching for months is risky with an unsupportive boss and no guarantee of a better role.
(C) Resigning immediately without securing the new job contradicts his need for job security.
(D) Making acceptance conditional on a hike may jeopardize the only concrete offer under a tight deadline.
\[ \boxed{\text{Choose (E): accept the offer and request a 10% hike.}} \]