Im not sure if anyone has advice on what I should do, but I have been offered my dream job here in the UK with one of the Big 4. This has come at the worst timing as a family member has fallen ill and I have to go back to Australia. Do you think the company will maybe provide me with a transfer? If I tell them my situation, do you think they would be willing to find a role for me back home? Im so devastated, but family comes first.

Just tell them the truth.If they then go and withdraw the offer despite the circumstances, they weren't worth working for in the first place.

Thanks for the response....you are right, but I know HR usually take a harder approach. Does anyone have any idea what HR would do if I asked them for a role in another city in another country!?

If by Big 4 you mean Deloitte, forget about it. It's a separate company in each country. It's hard enough to get a "transfer" (=new contract) as an existing employee, never mind as a new hire, and it certainly isn't within the gift of HR. In any case, they really just administer, rather than make the hiring decision - after all, it's not money going out of their cost centre.Some or possibly all of the above is likely to apply to other firms, too.

Ask for a six month/one year deferal of the offer, otherewise you'll be back to square one when you return.Be honest about the problem and how gutted you are. If you are a good candidate, they should provide the deferal. I've seen this occur in the past, although in that case there was no international aspect to the case.Do you intend to return to the UK? That's what they will want to know.

I would return in maybe a year or so....I have to tell them tomorrow! I will take your advice and ask for a deferal. Thanks so much.

Good luck - let us all know how it goes. And you're - right family first - you wont regret that no matter what the outcome of the job discussion.