Why You Should Understand How Outsourcing Job Offers Really Work Before Resigning

Introduction: Why This Story Matters

Imagine this.

You go through multiple interviews, complete a test case, receive an offer letter, sign the contract, and resign from your current job.

Then, the day before onboarding, you get a message that says:

"Your placement is pending. We need new internal approval. Don’t come in tomorrow."

This actually happened to me.
And unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. It reflects how some outsourcing recruitment models truly operate behind the scenes.

This is not just a story. It is an important lesson for anyone navigating outsourced job offers.

My Story: When a Signed Contract Still Meant Nothing

Earlier this year, I was approached by an outsourcing firm. They were hiring for a well-known digital company in Cilandak, South Jakarta, Indonesia. Everything seemed to go smoothly. I passed two interviews, completed a test case, and received an official offer.

At that time, I was still working at a company that I would personally describe as a green flag. The team was warm, the work environment was great, and I felt supported. However, I was a contract employee. There were internal dynamics that made me uncertain about whether I would be re-contracted.

The new offer came with a 3 million IDR salary increase. I did my thing. I asked friends, checked online forums, and read reviews from former employees. Nothing looked suspicious.

After serious consideration, I made the decision to accept the offer. I signed the digital contract. I submitted my resignation. I completed my final tasks, handed over my work, and said goodbye to my team.

My official first day was supposed to be April 8.

But on the evening of April 7, I received a message from the person who was supposed to be my future manager.

"Your onboarding is currently pending. There’s a new internal policy that requires director-level approval before hiring can proceed."

I had already resigned. I could not take it back.

The HR from the outsourcing company was equally surprised. They told me they had no idea this would happen. One of them even asked if there was a chance I could go back to my previous company.

I waited for clarity. Days passed. Then weeks.

On May 8, 2025, I received the final update.
The job had been officially canceled.
I never started. Not even for a single day.

Fortunately, the outsourcing company decided to take responsibility and place me in their internal team. That is where I work now.

How Outsourcing Job Placement Really Works

To understand why this happened, you need to know how outsourcing companies operate.

When a client company needs talent, they often reach out to an outsourcing vendor to help fill that role.

Here is how the process typically unfolds:

1. The client sends a request for a new hire to the outsourcing firm.

2. The outsourcing firm immediately begins sourcing candidates, even before they receive formal documentation or full internal approval.

3. Promising candidates are interviewed and, in some cases, offered jobs based on a positive signal from the client.

4. The client’s formal approval process can take time, especially in large organizations with multiple levels of decision-making.

5. If the client changes priorities, freezes hiring, or delays sign-off, the outsourcing firm may be forced to cancel the placement.

Even if you already signed a contract, your start date depends entirely on the client’s internal process. If they change their mind, there may be nothing the outsourcing firm can do.

Why They Hire Before Approval Is Final

Outsourcing companies make money when they successfully place a candidate into a client’s team. To stay competitive, they often move quickly once they receive informal approval from the client, such as an email that says, “We’re good with this candidate.”

This is where things get risky.

To “secure” the candidate, the outsourcing company may issue an offer early while waiting for the client’s internal paperwork to catch up. They do this so the candidate is not hired by someone else.

This creates a situation where you, as the candidate, may sign a contract even though the client has not yet formally approved your placement.

It is technically legal. But for the person leaving a job to take this new opportunity, it can be devastating.

What You Should Know Before Accepting Outsourced Offers

This is what I wish I had known:

• Not all signed contracts mean your start date is locked in.

• Ask if the offer is dependent on further approval from the client.

• Always confirm onboarding details directly before you resign.

• Be aware that the outsourcing firm is not always in control of the timeline.

• Always have a contingency plan in place, just in case things fall through.

Final Reflection

I had done everything right.
I checked the company. I verified the offer. I made my decision carefully.

But sometimes, no matter how cautious you are, things can still go wrong.

You can create the best plan, but plans are fragile.
What matters more is your ability to adapt when that plan fails.

If this has happened to you too, you are not alone.
And if you are about to accept a job through outsourcing, I hope this helps you prepare better than I did.