I’ve been looking for a new job for a while, and hope to have an offer soon. It’s got to happen some day, whether it’s tomorrow, next week, or a few months down the road. During my search I have kept my options open and have found several jobs I would be interested in.
Of course, I’ve told them all how much I would love to work for them and that they are my absolute favorite people in the world, but that I also have had interviews with other companies.
If an offer comes in while I am still interviewing for another promising position, I wouldn’t necessarily want to accept immediately. I want to at least give all parties a chance at my awesomeness and have time to allow them to make a decision.
What is the time frame for considering and accepting? Is a few days reasonable? a week?
I think normally an offer is good for two weeks.
No more than a day or two. When I hire - I’m on the team for my area - if you don’t actively want to work for us then we don’t want you. So a day or so for us. Others may be more patient.
I agree. Overnight is ideal, and maybe one extra day to allow for other offers.
I rarely wait more than one day. A couple of times I asked someone to wait because I was expecting an answer from somebody else: the first someone waited, the second someone never bothered. So now it’s first-come, first-serve, and I make that clear while I’m interviewing.
It is of no value to someone making an offer to wait around while you get other, later offers. So we generally want an answer in a few days. We might have a good second choice lined up also. And it is good to take real offers, not wait for maybe offers.
If I’ve gotten an offer on Thursday or Friday I’ve asked for and gotten the weekend to consider it over. Otherwise it’s usually 2 days to respond. In exceptional circumstances I’ve asked for a few extra days.
Industry specific, I would say.
I’ve asked for an gotten 2 weeks plenty of times in my industry (software). In fact, if a company gives you an “exploding offer” of the “tell us in 48 hours or the deal’s off!”, it’s usually a sign you don’t want to work there.
No, an offer is good for as long as the offerer makes it. Ask them when they would like to have an answer back. If you think you need more time, then ask for it. Don’t assume anything. Make sure that you and the hiring manager are agreed on the amount of time you have.
Thanks, all. This is not my area of expertise so I appreciate the polite feedback.
I would never just leave them hanging for a “maybe” and realize a secure offer is a valuable thing these days. I’d never forgive myself for losing a job by waiting for something better.
In this case, I’m legitimately thinking there could be a large difference in the commute, benefits, or salary between the first and second offers.
What is the etiquette with regard to company B? If I am fortunate enough to end up in this situation, fingers crossed, is it unacceptable to reach out to them and tell them I have an offer in hand but would much rather work for them?
I feel like maybe that wasn’t clear. Sorry for the double post.
Can I call company B, where interviews are also done and I’m waiting to hear, and tell them some version of “company A made an offer, but I would rather work for you and since we are in discussions, I want to let you know my time frame has been compressed. Would appreciate if you could let me know if I am being seriously considered.”
If that is the worst idea ever, please be kind.
My take is that you’d be at some risk making that call to Company B. But nothing ventured nothing gained. If they were going to take too long to offer, then you’d already have accepted A’s offer by then, and would have to turn them down anyhow.
Some companies are total jerks about all things related to hiring. Others are pretty enlightened and understand the dance requires both sides to cooperate and also that good candidates are often being looked at by multiple employers.
Ultimately your task is to decide which companies are going to be jerks & play meek with them, while playing reasonable with the more realistic ones. Think win-win negotiations, not accept our ultimatum or else.
Last of all, depending on your industry, there’s might not be nothing terribly wrong with accepting A’s offer and then accepting B’s offer when it comes in a week or 3 later. Yes, A is going to be pissed. But if they’re grown-ups (no guarantee of that) they’ll get over it gracefully. In other industries that’d be a kiss of death maneuver.
I would, and have, called companies and said “I’m considering an offer from another firm (no names, ever) that I need to make a decision on very soon. If you are considering making me an offer, please take that into consideration.”
In my industry, you don’t take a position and leave it three weeks later, so when I accept a job I plan to be there a minimum of 18 months.
Yep. That is exactly what I am trying to avoid.
I would honestly be thrilled and very grateful to have any of them, but I don’t want to be told after accepting something that they want me elsewhere, where I’d make 20% more or drive an hour less per day.
This whole thing is uncomfortable and stressful enough.
“That’s great! I need to sleep on it tonight and will give you the good news tomorrow.” Is what I have used.
It validates the offerer in that it makes their company look desired, and it lets them know you are not hasty, even though you can make good decisions right away.
Unless you don’t want to work there. Then say no, the interview was not a good fit for you.
I would tend to agree. You don’t want to string an employer along, but if they pressure you to give an answer in an unreasonable amount of time (more than a week), it’s usually a red flag that it might not be that great a place to work.
Good companies spend a significant amount of time looking for quality candidates. Once they find one, they want that candidate to accept their offer because the candidate wants to be there. Not because they pressure or trick them.
Honestly, if you take an offer and another firm makes you an offer for 20% more, an hour less commute or some other major perk, why wouldn’t you take it?
Some companies have an informal or formal trial period where they can fire you. Although technically they can fire you at any time,
I guess my attitude is “who cares?” There are basically no rules. Even with companies that have rules, they will selective ignore or ruthlessly enforce them on a whim. If you aren’t important enough to have a contract (like a real one where you agree to work for a time and they agree to pay out your salary if they get rid of you. Not to be confused with a non-compete) then chances are no one will ever remember you even worked there for 3 weeks 2 years ago. Meanwhile, you’ll have spent those 2 years at the job you really wanted, not making yourself miserable wondering what if you had taken that other job.
What industries tend to take it gracefully and which ones not so much?
How is it a kiss of death?
True, I meant not to assume anything, just give an estimate of what is typical in a professional setting. At any rate, I totally agree with LSLguy in trying to frame all negotiations as win-win, disclosing just enough information to keep the relevant HR people keeping the paperwork flowing though the machine to everyone’s satisfaction. Simultaneously to this I also agree with msmith537 that if your preferred company makes you an offer that is significantly better that the more timely company, go with the more desirable choice, 100%. No one will hold that against you.
My industry (software) relies a lot on personal connections and networking. If I burned a company by taking a position, then leaving in short order I would be writing off all of my connections at that firm, and they would probably talk to others over time. Industries that don’t rely heavily on connections would be less affected, I assume. Also, industries with lots of turnover.
There were times in the software industry during the dot com boom where people changed jobs every 6 months and no one batted an eye. It may still be that way in some markets.
Telemark nailed it. Although software is white-hot and get a new job is not that hard, getting a new job in your area can mean a small community. I remember an interview where the director that hired me looked at the resume and said “Hey, Initech! Did you know Ryan that worked there” “Hey, yea I did, he was always helpful. Great guy”. Next day I got an email from Ryan “Hey, heard you interviewed at Initrode! Good choice, Don is a great manager”. Because Don had followed up to make sure I wasn’t lying and to get the opinion of someone he knew.
People in different companies talk. If your name starts getting passed around as a “Can you believe what this joker did?” in a small market, it might mean you need to change markets. If you have an enormous market, that might be fine (for instance, if I didn’t mind a 60 minute commute, I could probably burn all the bridges I wanted). But most of us don’t want a huge commute or need to move across the country to change jobs. So we avoid burning bridges.
Some bridges should be burned (like if you went from a job that paid 20% under market value to one that paid 20% over market value, or the boss is a toolbag, or the company is doing illegal stuff). But most bridges you probably want to maintain.