How to hold off on accepting a job offer...?

[Meowster]

Hey guys, here's my predicament:

I've been interviewing for jobs recently. Tomorrow I'm due to hear back about a job that pays very well at Company A, with great prospects etc. I've been told that they have to decide between me and one other guy, so I have a good chance of being offered this job. That's great. I am excited.

However, another company (company B) is so interested in hiring me that they're in the process of hastily putting together a position for me. They're doing this very quickly because they know I'm interviewing for other jobs, and on Thursday I'm going in to talk to them about what I could do for them.

As you can see, both roles are exciting and awesome, and I am excited.

But, I can't make my mind up about which to take before I've spoken to the people at Company B. So in the meantime, when company A calls up (IF they call up to tell me I have the job), how do I politely hold off from accepting the position until thursday? I don't want to seem rude or ungrateful, or as though I'm not excited about their position that they're offering. What is the polite and socially winsome way of doing this, or isn't there one?

[Radiant]

Getting a job is a two-way trade. YOU want the job, but THEY want somebody capable of doing that job. That means that you're in a bargaining position as much as they are.

It is, at least in my country, quite acceptable to say that you'll consider their offer and call them back in a day or two, three. It is also quite acceptable to be honest and say you also have a second offer (heck, they might even increase their bid if they hear that).

[Tuomas]

That or hire the other candidate. In places where there's enough workers to choose from 1 from 5 doesn't make the rules. You're in a tough situation Can't help though, I'm not very good with these.

[Oliwerko]

This is a risky gamble.
As Radiant said, it may be good to tell them that you have to consider it and you will call them in two days, or even tell them that you have other offers. But if you do that, you are on a thin ice. If there are more people for the job, the company may choose someone from them. Its not easy to make a decision.

If I were in your situation, I would tell them that I have also other offers and that I will call them in two days like Radiant said. I made this twice and it worked. But I might just had luck...

[EldKatt]

I agree with Radiant. It doesn't seem to be much of a big deal to me.

[ildu]

That or hire the other candidate.

That's what Radiant was saying, that they're in as much of a bargaining position as you are. It depends on the situation, but I would definately ask for a couple of days to think it over, before I accept it. If they are already offering the position to you, over the other guy, a few days won't make a difference to them. Though, if they want someone quickly, those few days might make all the difference.

You probably shouldn't tell them about your other interview, unless you're specifically trying to create competition. If they're basically headhunting you, that's a completely necessary step sometimes. There always might be some kind of backlash from telling them. You could always just mention it and ask for some thinking time because of the other interview. Usually, I try to be as honest as possible in these kinds of situations. If you're at ease with both employers and you stay confident and professional, you'll do fine.

[Stupot]

You're in the enviable position of having a choice, though.  If Company A turned around and said 'you're taking too long, bye bye', then at least you still have Company B... and it sounds as though you're not too fussed which of the two you end up with.  So either way you've got a decent job.

[Indie Boy]

Or you could lie and say that you have had a death in the family or something, and ask if you can be given a few days to sort your head out e.t.c.

It sounds a bit like counting your chickens. And the way you have made it sound, as Stupot said, you don't seem bothered for either job. So basically why don't you accept the first job. Also if you hear from the second company and they offer you a job too, and it seems a better in anyway, well accept that too and just call the first company. You haven't signed any contract, so nothing is holding you down so you could just quit.

But as I say, a bit of counting chickens

[RickJ]

Hehe, It's a good problem to have.   I would consider telling company B what's going on.  Tell them that you like their company and would very much like to work for them and give a few reasons.  Then tell them that another company is also in the process of making you an offer and that in fairness to the other company and to yourself that you would like an opportunity to at least see the other offer before rejecting it.  Tell them that it wouldn't be professional or ethical to reject the forth coming offer without even seeing it.  Tell them that you could have easily kept them in the dark and delayed making a decision but you wouldn't feel right about doing that either, even though being honest could potentionally kill the offer.  Ask them what they consider to be a reasonable amount of time for you to make up your mind, negotiate a little longer if you want or think it necessary., and agree to a date certain.   

Tell them they are your first choice and that you expect to accept their offer unless the other company makes an offer that's impossible to refuse.  Explain that you understand that they have to look after the best interests of their company just as you and they as individuals have to look after your best interests.   Thank them for accomodating you and tell them that you are looking forward to work with them in the very near future.

If this company is worth working for they will respond positively to your honest and sense of right/wrong.  Also pay attention during the conversation for opportunities to negociate.   They may ask you for example in what you ways do you expect the other offer may be superior (i.e. $$$, responsibility, etc...).   I would dempansize the money aspect as much as possible.   I always say "Where you start isn't nearly as important as where you end up!" to people when they ask what salary level I expect.   This puts the emphasis on what kind of position, how much responsibility, opportunity for advancement, etc...  If the opportunity presents itself then negociate, let them know what it would take to hire you that day! 

Good luck and let us know how it turns out....     

[paolo]

I was in a similar situation a few months ago. Company A were very keen to have me, but I wasn't sure whether the job was right for me. I had a few more interviews coming up in the next day or two (I had several agents looking out for work for me), so I did what RickJ is suggesting - I told Company A that I had other potential offers coming up and that I would let them know. They were happy to give me a few days to make up my mind, which I think is reasonable for any company to do. After all, if they really want you and you are better than the next-best candidate, they would probably rather hold out to see if they can get you before considering an inferior candidate. I think it's unlikely that Company A, if they want you, will give up on you just because you take a day or two to make up your mind. (Of course, if you wait for more than, say, a week, they might think you weren't bothered, so don't leave it too long.)

In the end, Company B made me an offer too, and, as the offer was much better, I accepted it. Company A were fine with it. Of course, no doubt they would much rather I had gone with them, but just as you don't always get the job you want, employers don't always get the employees they want.

I would advise against Indie Boy's suggestion, even though I think it might be made in jest... if you joined that company after supposedly being bereaved and were all smiles at getting the job, they might smell a rat. If they think you've lied to them before you've even started, it could make them feel they can't trust you and question whether you were telling the truth at your interview.

EDIT: I forgot to mention... when Company A heard I was accepting the other job, they offered me more money, so like Rick says, it pays to be honest and to negotiate. In the end, though, it was about which job I felt I would be happier in rather than just the money.

[SSH]

Honesty is the best policy. Interviews, etc. are hard work and "waste" time for a company. If they're interested (which they are, since they made an offer), they'll wait. When I joined my current job I asked them for another £1000 a year and they came back in a day with a Yes...

I also asked for more money at the previous job, but they said no. However, their original offer still stood, so I took it.