OK, I accepted an offer for a summer internship in November, contingent on passing a drug test, etc. Prior to this I interviewed with about 6 other firms. My major is accounting, and I want to work as a CPA, but I accepted this offer from a manufacturing firm. I believed I had until May 20th to pass the drug test, but was recently contacted and told I had to take it withing 6 days from now. I won’t pass.
At the same time, coincidentally, one of the CPA firms I interviewed with, offered me a summer internship at a 30% raise over my existing offer. Do I take and fail the drug test at my first firm? Or simply email them indicating I will be unable to fulfill the prior agreement? Any advice is appreciated.
If you want to accept the second offer, I would accept the second offer and then tell the first firm that unfortunately your plans have changed and you are not able to accept the internship. However, what if the second firm suddenly asks you to take a drug test and doesn’t give you the notice you think you need. You could end up with no internship. Even Target makes employees submit a urine sample.
@cadteach I work as a financial analyst for a major company. I seriously recommended changing your life habits so that you would have a clean drug test at any time. If you are drug addicted, getting in the door is not the largest hurdle you face (although clearly that is also a challenge, given your predicament)–your long-term employment prospects will be seriously hindered if you can’t get clean and stay that way. You should pass on the manufacturing company without taking the test; stop taking drugs; and apply for the other position. I don’t believe there is any benefit to taking–and failing–a drug test.
Some companies even require their applicants to take the test within 3 days after the offer is made. I’ve had hiring manager tell me that they wouldn’t make the offer until I was available to take the test - they didn’t care if I wasn’t available because of business trips, family situation, etc. They said if I didn’t take the test within that time frame they would rescind the offer and I couldn’t be hired by them in X number of years.
OP - do not take the drug test if you think you will fail because it may preclude you from being hired in the future.
Agreed with saga9497 - change your lifestyle.
Was the internship arranged through your college’s career placement office? Some schools have policies barring you from any further assistance if you bail on an internship you accepted through them.