How to get an employer to make a quicker decision

September 30, 2009 2:54 PM

I have an offer for one internship. I'm also waiting to hear from another one, a trainee program. I don't want to keep the internship offer waiting for too long, so how can I speed up the decision process for the trainee program?

The internship was offered to me on Friday and I told them I'd get back to them asap, hopefully this week. But I'm more interested in the trainee program that I applied for. I submitted the application and all of my other info late Wednesday afternoon. I know it's barely been a week but I'd like to get a decision from them asap.

I called the trainee place on Monday and I didn't get a chance to speak with anyone but I did leave a voice message (I left no mention of another offer but just that I'm interested in the status of my application). I called them again yesterday and still didn't get a chance to speak to anyone in HR (no message this time). I have a feeling they're screening my calls.

What can I do to speed up the process?

Thanks for your help.

posted by AngryTypingGuy to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Call the appropriate person (I'd skip voicemails--but I'd resort to email in the interest of time): "Hi, this is VeryFriendlyTypingGuy. I remain very interested in the trainee position I interviewed for on X/X/2009. However, I was offered a position with XYZ and have been given a deadline of this Friday to accept the offer. I would accept your offer over theirs, as I believe work as a trainee with you would be more enriching and rewarding. Will you be in a position to give me a definitive answer on my application by Friday? If not, I will reluctantly need to withdraw myself from consideration to pursue this other opportunity."
posted by Admiral Haddock at 3:16 PM on September 30, 2009

Usually letting them know that you have another offer, so long as you're not trying to strongarm them into more money or anything, wouldn't be viewed as a bad thing, especially if you're saying "I want to go with you first, but I have another opportunity." If anything, it means you're a more competitive candidate and they should jump on you if they do indeed want you. I would try and speak with someone, and barring that, pull a haddock.
posted by CharlesV42 at 4:13 PM on September 30, 2009

I agree but wouldn't say who the other offer is from. Who knows what opinion they might hold about that other place?
posted by salvia at 11:59 PM on September 30, 2009

Salvia's got a good point. Probably best to leave that off (unless they ask), unless it is something really great.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:54 AM on October 1, 2009