Job offer help needed
September 21, 2011 10:41 AM Subscribe
Help with job offer question needed asap!
I had a final interview with a company yesterday, which I will call Company A. I also received a call yesterday with a company I interviewed with last week (I'll call them Company B) offering me the job.
The Company B job is great but the Company A job is better. Company B sent me some details to look over via email yesterday and said they would follow up with me today. My interview with Company A went very well and the manager said he would get back to me by Friday. There are two other candidates for the position other than me. Manager A told me that I was obviously very qualified for the job and he knew how badly I want it and that the decision really will come down to personalities i.e. who the team thinks they would like to work with the most. Manager A also knows that I have been interviewing for two other positions and said that if I hear back on any of these positions to let him know, though I think that he meant this in the context of me potentially accepting another position and no longer being available for this one. I did not get the impression that he was saying I should tell him so that he can speed up the decision making process though I could be mistaken.
Company B is going to contact me at some point today with my decision on the offer and I'm wondering how to handle this. I would like to wait until Friday to get back to Company B but how do I do this? I was thinking that the best way to stall them would be to tell them that I received a second offer today and I would like to mull them both over and let them know on Friday. Then I could wait to hear from Company A on Friday. I am afraid though that this will backfire with Company B and they may withdraw the offer.
I was also thinking of calling Manager A tonight after hours and leave a message saying I got another offer but that I am really excited about the possibility of working with their company and then hope he takes the hint and speeds things up? I know Company B is looking for an answer asap and I don't want to stall them without good reason and possibly put my job offer in jeopardy.
I would be grateful for any advice you could offer as soon as possible! Thank you.
I had a final interview with a company yesterday, which I will call Company A. I also received a call yesterday with a company I interviewed with last week (I'll call them Company B) offering me the job.
The Company B job is great but the Company A job is better. Company B sent me some details to look over via email yesterday and said they would follow up with me today. My interview with Company A went very well and the manager said he would get back to me by Friday. There are two other candidates for the position other than me. Manager A told me that I was obviously very qualified for the job and he knew how badly I want it and that the decision really will come down to personalities i.e. who the team thinks they would like to work with the most. Manager A also knows that I have been interviewing for two other positions and said that if I hear back on any of these positions to let him know, though I think that he meant this in the context of me potentially accepting another position and no longer being available for this one. I did not get the impression that he was saying I should tell him so that he can speed up the decision making process though I could be mistaken.
Company B is going to contact me at some point today with my decision on the offer and I'm wondering how to handle this. I would like to wait until Friday to get back to Company B but how do I do this? I was thinking that the best way to stall them would be to tell them that I received a second offer today and I would like to mull them both over and let them know on Friday. Then I could wait to hear from Company A on Friday. I am afraid though that this will backfire with Company B and they may withdraw the offer.
I was also thinking of calling Manager A tonight after hours and leave a message saying I got another offer but that I am really excited about the possibility of working with their company and then hope he takes the hint and speeds things up? I know Company B is looking for an answer asap and I don't want to stall them without good reason and possibly put my job offer in jeopardy.
I would be grateful for any advice you could offer as soon as possible! Thank you.
Best answer: I've been a hiring manager for many years. When Manager A tells you he wants to know if you hear back on the other jobs, that's so he can determine whether or not he wants to speed up the hiring process. If I were in your shoes, I'd call Manager A and tell him you need to give Company B an answer and ask him when he thinks Company A will have their decision made. Then when you talk to Company B, ask them to extend the offer by a few days.
This would be pretty standard behavior for a candidate.
If Company B can't extend it or Company A can't speed up their process, they'll let you know.
posted by elmay at 10:48 AM on September 21, 2011 [3 favorites]
This would be pretty standard behavior for a candidate.
If Company B can't extend it or Company A can't speed up their process, they'll let you know.
posted by elmay at 10:48 AM on September 21, 2011 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Don't tell them you have a second offer if you don't. This might come back to bite you later if you do end up at Company B. Instead, just ask for some extra time. (Politely) ask for an extension until Friday. If they give it to you, great! If not, well, they gave you two days to make a decision. Two days is not a lot of time. Consider it a warning for other deadlines with the company. You can also contact Company A and tell them that you received another job offer. Explain that you don't have a lot of time to make the decision and ask if they can get back to you before Friday.
posted by mewohu at 10:48 AM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mewohu at 10:48 AM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Why do you think Company B expects your decision today (within 24 hours?!). I'm not sure what industry you're in, but it's generally common and perfectly acceptable to take some time -- a week, two -- to consider an offer of employment. Is there a reason you can't just tell Company B you need some time (without lying and telling them you have another offer?).
Your suggestion of calling Manager A and telling him that you got another offer but that Company A is your first choice sounds good to me.
posted by eugenen at 10:50 AM on September 21, 2011
Your suggestion of calling Manager A and telling him that you got another offer but that Company A is your first choice sounds good to me.
posted by eugenen at 10:50 AM on September 21, 2011
Best answer: Does the offer from Company B not include a date on it? It's been a long time since I've seen an offer that didn't end with the sentence "This offer is valid until close of business on {date}."
If it doesn't have that, I'd call or email whomever you've been working with, and let them know you need to crunch some numbers and think things over, and you'd like to know if you can get back to them at the end of the week.
Also, if they say no, they probably aren't people you want to work for anyway.
posted by colin_l at 11:40 AM on September 21, 2011
If it doesn't have that, I'd call or email whomever you've been working with, and let them know you need to crunch some numbers and think things over, and you'd like to know if you can get back to them at the end of the week.
Also, if they say no, they probably aren't people you want to work for anyway.
posted by colin_l at 11:40 AM on September 21, 2011
Best answer: If you expect Company B to make an offer to you today, via phone, your script is:
"Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. Can you please send your offer in writing? I'd like to be able to give your offer the fullest consideration, and I can get back to you within four days of receipt of the formal written offer.
If you're lucky, they'll send you the offer snail-mail, giving you even more time. They may email it, though. In that case, you have four days for Company A to make a better offer. Otherwise, take it! You're in an enviable position.
Go back to Company A with your offer in hand, and say, "I have an offer from another company, for $X/yr and YZ benefits. If you're still interested in my candidacy, please make an offer in writing that I'll want to say yes to before Monday."
posted by juniperesque at 11:53 AM on September 21, 2011
"Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. Can you please send your offer in writing? I'd like to be able to give your offer the fullest consideration, and I can get back to you within four days of receipt of the formal written offer.
If you're lucky, they'll send you the offer snail-mail, giving you even more time. They may email it, though. In that case, you have four days for Company A to make a better offer. Otherwise, take it! You're in an enviable position.
Go back to Company A with your offer in hand, and say, "I have an offer from another company, for $X/yr and YZ benefits. If you're still interested in my candidacy, please make an offer in writing that I'll want to say yes to before Monday."
posted by juniperesque at 11:53 AM on September 21, 2011
Best answer: Seconding what elmay said upthread. But keep in mind that, just because Company A said they would decide by Friday, it doesn't mean they actually will decide by Friday. In other words, don't take them at their word about when they'll have a final decision on your candidacy. These things have a tendency to slip from the initial target, even in very well-run companies. If you're going to push off Company B on when you'll respond to their offer, shoot for the middle (or even end) of next week if you really want to give Company A enough time to make a decision.
posted by DrGail at 12:05 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by DrGail at 12:05 PM on September 21, 2011
Best answer: Most definately what everyone has said.
Also, before you turn down Company B on a verbal from company A, make sure you have a written offer from company A. Do Not turn down company B without a written offer from Company A. (and make sure to have the written offer from B, as well)
posted by rich at 12:12 PM on September 21, 2011
Also, before you turn down Company B on a verbal from company A, make sure you have a written offer from company A. Do Not turn down company B without a written offer from Company A. (and make sure to have the written offer from B, as well)
posted by rich at 12:12 PM on September 21, 2011
Best answer: Yeah, just ask for a few days to make a decision.
posted by jander03 at 1:07 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by jander03 at 1:07 PM on September 21, 2011
Response by poster: Okay so I've called the recruiter from Company B and left a message saying I haven't really had a chance to look at her email yet in detail (This is true -she's across the country and only gave me a verbal offer, the email outlines the company benefits) and that I would like to have a chance to look at it and a few days to think it through.
I'm a little nervous calling the guy from Company A and saying I've received an offer but I would prefer to work there. I feel really pushy, like I'm trying to force him to make a decision. I'm thinking of basically leaving a message for him saying - I've received a job offer from one of the other companies I've interviewed with but I wanted to let you know that your company is my first choice. I have a few days to think it through and am wondering when you might be looking to make a final decision - do you think it might be longer than that?
He will have left the office by now which is why I need to leave a message. Plus, I think it puts less pressure on him to give me a response off the cuff. Does this sound okay?
posted by and hey Charlie at 3:00 PM on September 21, 2011
I'm a little nervous calling the guy from Company A and saying I've received an offer but I would prefer to work there. I feel really pushy, like I'm trying to force him to make a decision. I'm thinking of basically leaving a message for him saying - I've received a job offer from one of the other companies I've interviewed with but I wanted to let you know that your company is my first choice. I have a few days to think it through and am wondering when you might be looking to make a final decision - do you think it might be longer than that?
He will have left the office by now which is why I need to leave a message. Plus, I think it puts less pressure on him to give me a response off the cuff. Does this sound okay?
posted by and hey Charlie at 3:00 PM on September 21, 2011
Best answer: I think your script sounds fine. Remember, they're obviously interested in hiring you and they asked you to alert them if anything in your situation changes. That says they don't want to potentially lose out on hiring you just because someone beat them to it.
posted by DrGail at 3:14 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by DrGail at 3:14 PM on September 21, 2011
Response by poster: Okay, I left a message with Manager A saying what I outlined above. He's not even in tomorrow, which makes it even more down to the wire (and makes me much more nervous).
When I wrote this question I couldn't really give any background because I dashed it off very quickly earlier while I was at work. So, for some clarity I would like to say I know this is a GREAT situation to be in. I've had a really really difficult year with being unemployed and not being able to find a job to save my life - even very low level minimum wage jobs. After nine months unemployment and getting close to real poverty, I got a job offer in June for a job that while not minimum wage, is still pretty low pay, very high pressure and high stress. This job has gotten so bad that I almost feel like I am at the breaking point and have seriously considered applying at McDonalds and leaving this place - I just cannot take it for much longer.
Anyway, both of these jobs are both in my field (broadly, finance) and at the professional level I worked in previously. Job A is basically my dream job. So that's great news and I am VERY excited! BUT I am also terrified that I'll do something to screw it up. I've been so desparate for so long I was ready to just take pretty much any job that was offered to me but given that I may have a choice, I would obviously like to wait to see about my dream job. But even just leaving a message for the hiring manager at Company B earlier - where I asked for more time to consider their offer - has stressed me out to the max. I'm just scared that they'll withdraw the offer and then, worst-case scenario, Company A offers that job to someone else. I've had enough close calls and disappointments over the past year that I know I just can't be cavalier about these things.
Anyway, if I seem stressed and slightly crazy, that's why. I'm marking all the answers as best because all the responses have been helpful to me. All I can do now is wait and keep my fingers crossed! Thanks again.
posted by and hey Charlie at 4:45 PM on September 21, 2011
When I wrote this question I couldn't really give any background because I dashed it off very quickly earlier while I was at work. So, for some clarity I would like to say I know this is a GREAT situation to be in. I've had a really really difficult year with being unemployed and not being able to find a job to save my life - even very low level minimum wage jobs. After nine months unemployment and getting close to real poverty, I got a job offer in June for a job that while not minimum wage, is still pretty low pay, very high pressure and high stress. This job has gotten so bad that I almost feel like I am at the breaking point and have seriously considered applying at McDonalds and leaving this place - I just cannot take it for much longer.
Anyway, both of these jobs are both in my field (broadly, finance) and at the professional level I worked in previously. Job A is basically my dream job. So that's great news and I am VERY excited! BUT I am also terrified that I'll do something to screw it up. I've been so desparate for so long I was ready to just take pretty much any job that was offered to me but given that I may have a choice, I would obviously like to wait to see about my dream job. But even just leaving a message for the hiring manager at Company B earlier - where I asked for more time to consider their offer - has stressed me out to the max. I'm just scared that they'll withdraw the offer and then, worst-case scenario, Company A offers that job to someone else. I've had enough close calls and disappointments over the past year that I know I just can't be cavalier about these things.
Anyway, if I seem stressed and slightly crazy, that's why. I'm marking all the answers as best because all the responses have been helpful to me. All I can do now is wait and keep my fingers crossed! Thanks again.
posted by and hey Charlie at 4:45 PM on September 21, 2011
Best answer: You did the right thing. A couple of years ago, in a similar situation, I called up my Company A and left a message saying I had an offer on the table that expired on $DATE (soon) and that I'd enjoyed what I'd seen during the interview.
You do not need to reveal details of Company B's offer unless it's good and you want to push up Company A's offer. Then again, as long as both of them are "good enough", you should consider the whole situation - benefits (incl. "dream job" status), salary, location, promotion potential, etc.
Company B will not withdraw the offer without telling you when they would do so by, first. 1-2 weeks is a normal period of time to consider offers (more for students, fyi, I had more than a month).
posted by bookdragoness at 8:57 AM on September 22, 2011
You do not need to reveal details of Company B's offer unless it's good and you want to push up Company A's offer. Then again, as long as both of them are "good enough", you should consider the whole situation - benefits (incl. "dream job" status), salary, location, promotion potential, etc.
Company B will not withdraw the offer without telling you when they would do so by, first. 1-2 weeks is a normal period of time to consider offers (more for students, fyi, I had more than a month).
posted by bookdragoness at 8:57 AM on September 22, 2011
Response by poster: To follow-up: I was able to hold off Company B for a few days and I ended up receiving an offer from Company A on the Friday of that week (the day I expected). I let the recruiter at Company B know the following Monday that I had received another job offer and that while they were both great opportunities I was taking the other job strictly because there was a clearer path for advancement. She seemed okay about it in the sense that I don't think I burned any bridges there. I started the other job a few weeks ago and love it so far. I'm really happy with my decision. Thanks for your help!
posted by and hey Charlie at 6:08 PM on October 25, 2011
posted by and hey Charlie at 6:08 PM on October 25, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by divisjm at 10:47 AM on September 21, 2011