For those who have never had more than one job offer in hand simultaneously (or an offer and an interview process rolling), this topic alone may make you roll your eyes. Because, come on, who doesn’t want to have multiple suitors clamoring for you? Please.
However, for anyone who’s been in this boat (or who’s currently in this boat), the challenge is real. It’s overwhelming, and the stakes can seem quite high. How do you manage the process? How do you keep one company at bay while you finalize exploration of that other thing? Do you tell the companies about one another? When? How?
Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
It’s only insanely complicated if you allow it to be. Let’s break it down into a straightforward, humane process that will give you your best shot at your favorite opportunity and keep you rolling forward in a professional, ethical manner.
Let’s assume our scenario looks something like this: You’re interviewing with two companies that you like, ABC Company and XYZ Unlimited. XYZ Unlimited, which is your second choice, comes forward with an offer first, and wants an answer within 48 hours.
You have a final interview with ABC Company in 72 hours. What to do?
1. Make Sure You Have a Written Offer Before You Make a Move
Verbal offers are not offers. So before you get all in a twitter over any of this, make sure you have the real thing in hand. If you don’t, this actually could work in your favor by buying you a day or two. Simply go back to the HR person or recruiter who presented the verbal offer with something like, “This all sounds fantastic. I’m eager to sit down and review all of the details. When should I expect to receive the written offer?”
2. Make Sure You’re Only Negotiating With Offers in Hand
You’re heading to ABC Company in 72 hours, right? This means that you do not have a written offer in hand from them, yet. Thus, you don’t have endless leverage with XYZ Unlimited. However, this does not mean you should sit silently and do nothing right now. Just realize it’s not tangible until it’s literally printable, no matter who has promised what.
3. Be Honest and Ask for a Bit More Time
Unless you strongly suspect that the company that wants to hire you is going to freak if you divulge you’re in conversation with another potential employer, I always recommend being honest with the HR person or recruiter who made the first offer.
I suggest something like this: “I am so grateful for the offer and excited about the possibility of joining XYZ Unlimited. I know you want my response by Thursday. I have one final conversation booked this week with another company, and I’d like to see it through. Would it be possible to have one to three extra days to firm up my decision?”
In the worst case, they’ll likely say, “No, sorry. We really need your answer by Thursday,” in which instance you can decide if you want to accept (knowing that you don’t have the other offer in hand) or spin the wheel that you’ll land the role at ABC Company. Note: I’d only go with the latter if you truly don’t want to work at XYZ Unlimited.
More than likely, they will appreciate that you were honest—and, even if they’re antsy to get your offer acceptance, will honor your request for a small extension.
4. Alert the Other Suitor, But Time it Right
OK, so let’s say you’ve bought yourself a bit of time with the first offer. Now, what do you do about that second opportunity? Should you keep your lips zipped entirely? Can you use the one as leverage? And, if you are going to alert them, how and when do you do it?
I’m a proponent of alerting the other party, but you must use extreme care that you don’t look like you’re looking to pit one employer against the other in some kind of bidding war. And you want to time it right. I typically recommend that a job seeker wait until the end of the final interview. By that point, you’ll have a strong hunch about how you stack up in the race, and hopefully a feel for their decision-making timing.
Assuming you’re a front-runner, now is the time to bust out something like this:
“I’m so excited about the possibility of working for ABC Company. Thank you so much for considering me. I think I will really be able to make a quick impact on [insert thing you know they care about a lot]. I wanted to make you aware of something that’s developed this week and see if you have a recommendation for me. I’ve unexpectedly received another job offer. While ABC is by far my top pick, there are aspects of the other role that appeal to me. They would like a response within the next couple of days. Do you anticipate that ABC Company will be firming up a decision shortly?”
At the least, the person with whom you’re interviewing will likely appreciate your honesty. And in the best case (assuming they really want you), ABC Company will accelerate their decision so that they don’t lose you to a competitor or other opportunity.
5. Wrap it Up With a Big Round of Thank-Yous
When it’s all said and done, there’s going to be two winners (among them, you!) and one loser. While it may be difficult to do (because no one likes interacting with people who are disappointed in us), you absolutely must close out the process with a genuine, heartfelt round of thank yous to everyone involved, including the company whose offer you decline, and especially if you decline it after they give you extra time and consideration.
Handle it directly. Handle it elegantly. And then sashay your way off to that great new opportunity.
Photo of juggler courtesy of Shutterstock.
A decade ago, in the wake of the Great Recession, job seekers were struggling to find open opportunities. Things have turned around significantly since then — in today’s environment, candidates in many industries are often faced with the choice between multiple job offers.
If you’re in the enviable position of considering two or more offers, you know that the pressure of choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. You know you must choose quickly, but you also don’t want to accept an offer for a job you won’t be truly satisfied with. Below, Forbes Human Resources Council members shared their advice on weighing your options and ultimately choosing the best path for your career.
Select your next great job with these expert tips.
All photos courtesy of Forbes Councils members.1. Don't Dwell On It For Too Long
Job seekers who are torn between two offers want reassurance they are making the right decision. They should compare benefits, compensation, environment and how those align with their personal values. It is important they don't spend too much time on it to avoid overthinking and trust their "gut feeling." This is a timely decision and the potential employer's time is just as important. - Tiffany Jensen, Pure Grips
2. Evaluate Each Offer Using The Same Criteria
Create a personal scorecard against which to evaluate the offers. Start with a list of the top 10 attributes that are most important to you (compensation, travel opportunities, work from home, location, opportunities over time, etc.). Weigh them according to a "must have" versus a "nice to have" scale. Then score your competing opportunities against these same criteria. - Joyce Maroney, Kronos Incorporated
3. Put Your Happiness First
When candidates have multiple opportunities, money, career progression and work-life balance are often all the same. The one thing that can't be negotiated is company culture and the people around you. Your team and manager will have the most impact on your success, but also your day-to-day well being. Make that the primary focus, as money can only compensate for so much. - Karla Reffold, BeecherMadden
4. Remember Why You Are Looking
It's important to remember why you are looking at new job offers in the first place. Based on what you have learned about the company during the interview process, review how each company shared a better experience to address your unique job needs. If you struggle with your "why," invest in a career coach or mentor to help you audit your previous job experiences. - Betsy Johnson, Cludo
5. Apply Data-Informed Decision-Making
Juggling multiple offers can be tough, especially when coming from employers of choice. Consider using a decision matrix to weigh components of each offer by ranking available data found in their employee value propositions. These include total compensation, benefits, work environment, career path and, most importantly, culture. Leverage the results to pick the offer that most fits your needs. - Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Cantata Health
6. Choose The Company You Could See Yourself Staying With
When considering multiple offers, job seekers should ask themselves which job they would be happiest doing for the next several years. While they may be looking to advance, opportunities may take longer than expected. Beyond that, they should try to speak with a few employees at each company, either at the interview or online, to get an insider’s view on what it’s like to work for each employer. - John Feldmann, Insperity
7. Ask The Right Questions During The Interview
If a job is misaligned with your values, it is unlikely you will be happy. Do your homework and ask questions about the values and how the company is demonstrating them. Have your list of must-haves and compare it to the various positions. If flexibility is important to you, then you should ask for examples of how the company is supporting flexibility at work. You should know upfront what exists. - Geline Midouin, McCann Health
8. Understand Your Growth Potential
When you have multiple offers, think about where you see growth for yourself. I don't just mean upward promotional opportunities — where will you be challenged, where will you learn and where will you be able to step out of your comfort zone? Choosing the obvious or comfortable path may not always be the best decision. Take a risk! - Lotus Buckner, NCH
9. Ask Yourself Probing Questions
The two biggest questions to ask are, “What will I learn at this company to get me to the next stage of my career?” and “What difference will I make in the organization to ‘move the dial’?” The path to better pay and higher titles rests on what skills and expertise you can share with future employers, demonstrating that you achieved some type of goal-oriented business success. - Genine Wilson, Kelly Services
10. Choose The Opportunity That's Best Aligned Your Personal Core Values
What attracts you to an opportunity will likely be different from what keeps you engaged. Focus on opportunities that align to your personal core values. Core values guide our behaviors, decisions and actions. If core values align from a personal and organizational perspective you will experience a greater sense of internal fulfillment, which stands to be more important to you long-term. - Suzanne Hyatt, Hyatt Human Capital Solutions
11. Gauge Your Excitement
While it's important to make sure the offer is fair for both parties, many job seekers let emotion prevail and focus on the fine print and minutiae. Instead of worrying about an extra 5% salary, ask yourself, "Is this opportunity exciting?" If the opportunity is not attractive at the core, you are unlikely to succeed or be happy. Prioritize the opportunity, then let everything else fall in place. - Ken Kanara, Ex-Consultants Agency
12. Know Your Priorities In Life
When trying to decide which offer to take, think about all the pros and cons of each workplace and ask yourself what your priorities are. Are you looking to grow professionally? If so, you might choose the job that has more opportunity over salary. Do you value stability most? Perhaps the job with good pay, benefits and a retirement plan is for you. Be as honest with yourself as possible. - Angela Nguyen, Ad Exchange Group
13. Look To The End Game
Research the company culture and financial stability. Does the company have a viable product and/or service for continual economic performance? Business goes in cycles. You perform your due diligence to see where the company will be in five years. In addition, how will the company add value to your brand? Remember, the company should work for you, just as you work for the company. - Patricia Sharkey, Sharkey HR Advisors