I have a vacant role in my team for a … let’s say … tightrope walker. Our previous tightrope walker left suddenly before Xmas after only being with us for a month – after experiencing a litany of quite horrendous personal issues.

The tightrope walker market is, well, tight right now – it’s very hard to find good people and salaries reflect that. My budget is good, but not stellar superstar tightrope walker good.

So I was thrilled when the recruitment agency I work with sent me a brilliant CV on Xmas Eve and we moved fast to organise an interview for the first week back this year.

The candidate is excellent, personable and seasoned and we all loved her – and all thought she was likely way too good for us and could get something much more sparkling.

It’s a contract role, so I quickly made a verbal offer via the agency as soon as the second interview was complete – and formalised after receiving the stellar reference checks.

This was on Thursday.

Agency: “she has a second round interview for another role on Friday which she wants to go through with because she was referred from a contact”

Me: “oh god. of course, I understand”

Friday afternoon

Agency: “she’s been offered the other role and would like the weekend to consider”

Me: “oh god”

Friday night

Don: “you’re screwed”
Me: “yep”

And when I hadn’t heard anything this morning we all felt certain we were firmly on the reject pile.

Lunchtime

Agency: “she will have an answer for us this afternoon”

Me (and team): “we’re screwed”

Afternoon

Agency: “she’s accepted!”

Me: “OMG WHAT!?”

What a roller coaster.

She apparently rejected the more secure permanent role because her heart was with us. Awwww.