You’ve been interviewing for new jobs for months, and now you finally have an offer. You’re excited, but it’s not your first choice. You continue to interview for your ideal position as well as some others that you don’t know enough about yet. While you don’t want to lose the current offer, you also want to see how the hiring procedures at the competing companies work. Here are five strategies to manage an offer you already have when you don’t know if or when another will come.
Tips for handling a job offer while still interviewing
Examine the following advice to assist you in delaying a job offer while awaiting another:
Practice gratitude
When you receive a job offer while waiting for another, you might feel stressed, but you can alter your perspective to get a better understanding of how to handle the circumstance. Begin by expressing your gratitude to the employer for the job offer. This communicates to the employer that you value their business and what they can offer you.
Give a prompt response
Make sure to respond to job offers from employers within one business day of receiving them. Even if you aren’t prepared to respond, this demonstrates to them that you value their time and have good communication skills.
Make sure you have a written offer letter
Obtaining a written job offer is crucial regardless of the situation, but it’s especially crucial when deciding between several job offers. This is due to the fact that a written document provides evidence of consideration, whereas a verbal agreement raises questions about the nature of the position and who actually holds it. For instance, you might decide to accept a verbal job offer only to learn that they have decided not to hire you.
You must now look for additional opportunities because you initially declined a few offers from other businesses.
Communicate with the other company that they are your top choice
The way you approach an employer about a competing job offer can help them feel less rushed or overburdened if you need to contact one who hasn’t responded yet. By letting them know that they are your top choice, you make them feel appreciated and make it clear to them what your position is.
For instance, it’s not as cordial and respectful to say, “Since we last spoke, I received an impromptu job offer from another company, so I need an answer soon,” as opposed to, “Since we last spoke, I received another job offer from your competitor.” However, I am motivated by your company’s mission and values and would like to keep looking for a job there. If you could give me an update on my candidacy as soon as possible, I would be eternally grateful. “.
Responding to a job offer while waiting on other offers
Finding a way to delay accepting a job offer while keeping your candidacy open requires thinking through how to respond to a job offer while waiting for other opportunities. Instead of settling for the first job offer, you could potentially ensure that you get the position you want with the employer you want, the salary you need, and the benefits you need by doing this.
How to communicate your need to delay the job offer
In order to communicate your need to postpone a job offer from an employer while still being a top candidate and acting professionally, follow these six steps:
1. Be enthusiastic
Make sure you thank the employer for the job offer and respond to them enthusiastically. Even if you have other offers you’re awaiting, this helps you express your interest in the job and their company. It’s crucial to give yourself enough time to draft a more thorough statement explaining why you can’t accept the offer just yet.
2. Ask for a timeframe they need a decision by
Find out what the employer prefers before requesting a delay in accepting the job offer. They might not anticipate a confirmation until the following week or even month. If so, this is good news for you because they don’t anticipate a prompt response. Share your desire to think about the position more in your response, and then wait for the other company to respond for the following week.
3. Ask for additional time
Ask them if there is any way they can provide a few more days to consider if the employer needs a decision right away or if the deliberation period has ended and the employer needs an answer. Before you receive a response from another offer, decide if they can give you more time if they can’t.
4. Express interest in learning more about their company
Request more time to consider a job offer, inquire about the company, or even arrange to meet with them again to see the workspace while you are in the process of doing so. This helps you have time to find out whether the company is a good fit for you while also waiting to hear back from another job offer.
5. Compare what each company has to offer
The following details about each company should be taken into account to help you decide whether to accept a job offer or wait for another one.
Choose a company whose culture aligns with your personal beliefs and working habits. You might be able to identify the business that best fits your needs, for instance, if you prefer a relaxed work environment with a business casual dress code.
A company that emphasizes the value of work/life balance may be a better choice for you if you value your personal time and seek a strict balance between work and personal hours.
Your choice may also be heavily influenced by the salary ranges each employer offers. For instance, if you have a mortgage and a family, you might opt for the job that pays the most to support your lifestyle.
Review each companys benefits and weigh them against your needs. PTO, vacation days, 401K plans, gas cards, access to healthcare, and other benefits are a few examples.
6. Contact the other company and let them know you received an offer
By doing this, you might be able to elicit an answer from the competing company regarding the status of your application. This is advantageous for the company that is offering you a job because they can now determine for themselves whether they need to consider other candidates or not.
Frequently asked questions about responding to a job offer while waiting for other offers
To assist you in better understanding the subject, the following frequently asked queries and their responses are provided:
Should I tell an employer that I am still waiting for another offer?
You might wonder if you need to explain why you aren’t ready to accept a job offer right away when you get one because of your other applications. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t inform a potential employer that you’re awaiting a different offer because it shows that they aren’t your top choice.
An employer may select to proceed with additional candidates because they desire personnel who value their business. Try to base your decisions instead on other aspects such as learning more about the advantages or potential lifestyle adjustments such as a long commute or relocation.
How long should I wait for another offer before accepting the current offer?
The requested start date for the current offer or the employer’s preferences may dictate how long you must wait to accept it before accepting a different job offer. You can use this as a time frame to hear back from another employer because a candidate typically has a week to accept or reject an offer. There comes a time when you have to decide whether you want to accept your current offer or turn it down in the hopes that your top choice will contact you eventually.
What should I do if I have already accepted an offer when I receive an even better one?
Retracting your job acceptance after getting a better offer is acceptable. However, there are appropriate and inappropriate approaches to the situation. It costs the employer valuable time that they could be using to choose and start onboarding other candidates if you wait to tell them because you don’t want to let them down. Therefore, tell the employer as soon as you can. Although you can draft an email, a phone call might be more sincere at this point. Make the choice that is best for your overall happiness, your career development, and your lifestyle.
Got a job offer, still interviewing elsewhere – What now?!
FAQ
What to do if you have a job offer but waiting for another interview?
What to Do: Contact or email the person who has been in charge of scheduling your interviews with your top choice and let them know you have received an offer but believe their position is a perfect fit. Express your continued interest in seeing the process through. Ask what they can do to expedite the process.
Should I accept a job offer if I have another interview?
It’s acceptable to inform the second employer that you have a better offer and enquire as to whether they can make a decision soon. Don’t Make Snap Decisions Before the Interview: After meeting with the hiring managers for one or both employers, you might have a very different opinion.
Can I accept a job offer while waiting for another?
Inform your primary point of contact at the company—typically the hiring manager or the internal recruiter in charge of filling the position—that you have another offer on the table but would really prefer to work with Company B if you can reach an agreement.
Is it OK to tell a potential employer that you have another offer?
Yes. Definitely inform a company if you’ve recently received an offer from another employer. This can benefit you in two ways: First of all, it may speed up the procedure at this current company.
