Explain to potential employers that I'm waiting on another offer?
February 1, 2023 5:30 AM Subscribe
At the end of last year I asked this question about interviewing with a large consulting firm. The good news: they passed me to the next round! The more complicated part: this process is clearly going to take *several* weeks, minimum, and I’m faced with the prospect of turning down other, decent offers in the meantime while waiting for the still very-uncertain outcome with BigFirm. What is the best approach for telling other prospective employers that I *am* interested, but am still waiting on another decision, without totally burning bridges?
So, thanks in part to the advice people offered on my last Ask, I was able to make a good enough impression on the senior partner I saw to be passed to the next round of interviews at BigFirm (B.F.). This upcoming one, which sounds like it will be the first of at least 3 rounds of case/fit interviews, is in about 2 weeks. Feedback from my interviewers thus far (recruiter, HR, senior partner) has been positive enough that, while this stuff is never a slam dunk, I think I have enough chance of succeeding that it is worth my time to continue the interview cycle. This process has also made me realize that regardless of the outcome with this particular firm, and despite being mostly fine where I am, I am ready to move on in my career, so I have begun applying/accepting interviews at a few other places.
My problem is this: I have been informed by a recruiter that I am likely to receive an offer this or next week from a specialized firm (so, not strategy consulting) that I interviewed with last month (before my interview with BigFirm). (I had told this recruiter I was also interviewing elsewhere, of which more below.) It would be a good opportunity, but not as attractive as a hypothetical position with B.F., and frankly this would be the case for any of the other jobs I am currently interviewing/applying for.
I can’t halt my wider job hunt just for B.F., but I’m realizing that this issue could continue to crop up as I potentially go through parallel hiring processes over the next couple months, since most companies have much shorter timelines than B3 consulting.
IS there a way to keep the door open when telling potential employers that I am interested in their offer, but still waiting on another, longer interview process? I wholly accept that, even if they aren’t offended (and I know some might be), the risk here is that they’ll offer the position to another candidate who can accept immediately. I don’t expect anyone to hold a position open for me; my goal would rather to be to keep the door open in case I should not be hired at B.F., in order to potentially reapply or get back in touch with those other companies at a later date to see if they might still have opportunities available.
Should I explain my motivations for waiting on B.F.? Stay vague? Simply decline immediately in order to show that I respect their time, and say I’d love to get back in touch at a later date?
Bonus question: I’m concerned that the recruiter for the specialized firm I mentioned either hasn’t told the hiring manager, or hasn’t checked whether they remembered, that I’m currently interviewing elsewhere. Should I get in touch to reiterate this in order to avoid frustration/confusion, or is that too pushy?
Thanks again in advance, Hivemind, for any input!
So, thanks in part to the advice people offered on my last Ask, I was able to make a good enough impression on the senior partner I saw to be passed to the next round of interviews at BigFirm (B.F.). This upcoming one, which sounds like it will be the first of at least 3 rounds of case/fit interviews, is in about 2 weeks. Feedback from my interviewers thus far (recruiter, HR, senior partner) has been positive enough that, while this stuff is never a slam dunk, I think I have enough chance of succeeding that it is worth my time to continue the interview cycle. This process has also made me realize that regardless of the outcome with this particular firm, and despite being mostly fine where I am, I am ready to move on in my career, so I have begun applying/accepting interviews at a few other places.
My problem is this: I have been informed by a recruiter that I am likely to receive an offer this or next week from a specialized firm (so, not strategy consulting) that I interviewed with last month (before my interview with BigFirm). (I had told this recruiter I was also interviewing elsewhere, of which more below.) It would be a good opportunity, but not as attractive as a hypothetical position with B.F., and frankly this would be the case for any of the other jobs I am currently interviewing/applying for.
I can’t halt my wider job hunt just for B.F., but I’m realizing that this issue could continue to crop up as I potentially go through parallel hiring processes over the next couple months, since most companies have much shorter timelines than B3 consulting.
IS there a way to keep the door open when telling potential employers that I am interested in their offer, but still waiting on another, longer interview process? I wholly accept that, even if they aren’t offended (and I know some might be), the risk here is that they’ll offer the position to another candidate who can accept immediately. I don’t expect anyone to hold a position open for me; my goal would rather to be to keep the door open in case I should not be hired at B.F., in order to potentially reapply or get back in touch with those other companies at a later date to see if they might still have opportunities available.
Should I explain my motivations for waiting on B.F.? Stay vague? Simply decline immediately in order to show that I respect their time, and say I’d love to get back in touch at a later date?
Bonus question: I’m concerned that the recruiter for the specialized firm I mentioned either hasn’t told the hiring manager, or hasn’t checked whether they remembered, that I’m currently interviewing elsewhere. Should I get in touch to reiterate this in order to avoid frustration/confusion, or is that too pushy?
Thanks again in advance, Hivemind, for any input!
I'm not entirely clear what your plans are. Are you intending to turn down all non-BF offers until you get a firm no from BF? In which case, I question why you're applying to additional firms now (other than the potential next week offer, where the application predates your strong BF preference).
I'm not sure you can have it both ways. See what offer you're made, if any. Ask for as much time as is reasonable to think about it. Contact BF and see if they can speed up their process at all (although it might be early). And then decide whether this bird in the hand is worth more or less than two in the bush.
If you've got other potential options now, is there any reason to think there won't be potential options in 2 months time when you would know whether or not you've been successful at BF.
posted by plonkee at 5:42 AM on February 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure you can have it both ways. See what offer you're made, if any. Ask for as much time as is reasonable to think about it. Contact BF and see if they can speed up their process at all (although it might be early). And then decide whether this bird in the hand is worth more or less than two in the bush.
If you've got other potential options now, is there any reason to think there won't be potential options in 2 months time when you would know whether or not you've been successful at BF.
posted by plonkee at 5:42 AM on February 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Simply decline immediately in order to show that I respect their time
You are in no way obligated to show respect for their delays. It won't help your employment prospects and it will in no way show that you're a good doobie. There is every reason to believe that a "long hiring process" is a polite way of telling you that they're stringing you along while they realign budgets/priorites/etc. There might be an offer at the end of this, or there might not.
If you really want the job at Big Firm so much that you're willing to reject comparable offers from other companies, then that's what you have to do.
If you accept a job elsewhere and Big Firm eventually contacts you with an offer then you'll have leverage to negotiate a better offer from them and a chance to see how much they really want you.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:50 AM on February 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
You are in no way obligated to show respect for their delays. It won't help your employment prospects and it will in no way show that you're a good doobie. There is every reason to believe that a "long hiring process" is a polite way of telling you that they're stringing you along while they realign budgets/priorites/etc. There might be an offer at the end of this, or there might not.
If you really want the job at Big Firm so much that you're willing to reject comparable offers from other companies, then that's what you have to do.
If you accept a job elsewhere and Big Firm eventually contacts you with an offer then you'll have leverage to negotiate a better offer from them and a chance to see how much they really want you.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:50 AM on February 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's a company not a person, you don't owe it loyalty.
Accept the offer from Second Choice or whomever under the working assumption that you will not get an offer from Big Firm and then withdraw (or quit, if we're that far down the track) if you get a better offer at Big Firm.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:03 AM on February 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
Accept the offer from Second Choice or whomever under the working assumption that you will not get an offer from Big Firm and then withdraw (or quit, if we're that far down the track) if you get a better offer at Big Firm.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:03 AM on February 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
I was once strung along for a month and a half. All my interviews were positive. They showed me a desk, said I was a perfect fit and even told me that it was a "done deal" except for a "few formalities". Every week I'd email the hiring manager and he'd come up with some new excuse about reorganizations or budget stuff while assuring me that I'd be contacted "soon" and that if it were up to him, I'd start tomorrow.
And then I got an email one evening at 11pm from some no-replys@ company address informing me that the position was no longer available.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 6:07 AM on February 1, 2023 [14 favorites]
And then I got an email one evening at 11pm from some no-replys@ company address informing me that the position was no longer available.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 6:07 AM on February 1, 2023 [14 favorites]
Here's what I would do.
First, push a bit on B.F. Let your contact there know that B.F. is your first choice by a long shot, but you're starting to receive offers from other companies and you want to know whether they can speed up the interview process at all. This will light a fire under most recruiters. At the very least, they should be able to give you a date by which you can expect a final answer.
Once you receive an offer from another company, let them know that you're very interested, but you're still in the interview process for another company, you expect an answer by [date], and request that they extend their deadline until that date. This is very normal; most people prefer to have multiple job offers in hand before making a decision. They may not be able to honor your request, but they're unlikely to be offended.
Don't accept another offer and then withdraw later. I don't think there's anything morally wrong with doing so, and people do it all the time, but it's likely to burn bridges and make it difficult to reapply at that company later.
posted by mekily at 6:14 AM on February 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
First, push a bit on B.F. Let your contact there know that B.F. is your first choice by a long shot, but you're starting to receive offers from other companies and you want to know whether they can speed up the interview process at all. This will light a fire under most recruiters. At the very least, they should be able to give you a date by which you can expect a final answer.
Once you receive an offer from another company, let them know that you're very interested, but you're still in the interview process for another company, you expect an answer by [date], and request that they extend their deadline until that date. This is very normal; most people prefer to have multiple job offers in hand before making a decision. They may not be able to honor your request, but they're unlikely to be offended.
Don't accept another offer and then withdraw later. I don't think there's anything morally wrong with doing so, and people do it all the time, but it's likely to burn bridges and make it difficult to reapply at that company later.
posted by mekily at 6:14 AM on February 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
If I am reading this correctly, you are at a midway point with BF, and while things seem positive, there is the expectation there will be some number of weeks more before you get an offer or a denial (or, as often happens, things just sort of fizzle out without any kind of formal denial). And, you have applied at other places and have been told that an offer is likely in the next couple of weeks; you are also expecting to have more interviews (and hopefully more offers) as time goes on.
In this case, I don't thing there is anything you need to say to anyone just yet. If the other company does give you an offer (which isn't real until it is actual, and also might not be an attractive offer), then that is when you would reach out to BF and tell them that while they are your first choice, you have an attractive offer in hand and can they please provide clarity on your status and timeline. There are things you can do to drag out the process at the other company, too, if you think that is helpful -- be slow to schedule calls, push meetings and acceptance decisions out as much as possible, tell them you need X days more to make a decision. But the most important is finding out if BF is willing to accelerate their process, or if their response is basically "sorry, our process moves slow, we'll be in touch," which would tell you a lot about your priority there.
While acknowledging that every one of these companies would drop you without the least bit if loyalty, I'd try to avoid the situation of accepting a job and then ditching it a week later for a better offer. Most industries are pretty small and word gets around, and it will leave a lot of people pretty upset.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:54 AM on February 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
In this case, I don't thing there is anything you need to say to anyone just yet. If the other company does give you an offer (which isn't real until it is actual, and also might not be an attractive offer), then that is when you would reach out to BF and tell them that while they are your first choice, you have an attractive offer in hand and can they please provide clarity on your status and timeline. There are things you can do to drag out the process at the other company, too, if you think that is helpful -- be slow to schedule calls, push meetings and acceptance decisions out as much as possible, tell them you need X days more to make a decision. But the most important is finding out if BF is willing to accelerate their process, or if their response is basically "sorry, our process moves slow, we'll be in touch," which would tell you a lot about your priority there.
While acknowledging that every one of these companies would drop you without the least bit if loyalty, I'd try to avoid the situation of accepting a job and then ditching it a week later for a better offer. Most industries are pretty small and word gets around, and it will leave a lot of people pretty upset.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:54 AM on February 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Keep in mind that any and every company will lay people off with no loyalty or respect for their needs. Use the situation to get the best outcome. When you get offer(s), tell them, factually, that you are interviewing with several companies, that you are very interested, and need time to consider their offer. Tell BigF that you have other offers, they they are at the top of your list, and ask them to speed up their interviews. I'd probably call BigF today, tell them the recruiters expects you to have offers shortly.
I'd do some reading at Ask a Manager too, for more ideas.
posted by theora55 at 7:34 AM on February 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'd do some reading at Ask a Manager too, for more ideas.
posted by theora55 at 7:34 AM on February 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just want to reiterate the other comments to not count on that preferred offer, despite how well things are going or what you have been told.
I've been part of several hiring committees where the lead candidate was dropped after several rounds of interviews, lunch etc. for a variety of reasons, including decisions to repurpose the position and the emergence of a late internal/personally connected candidate. We full intended to hire and not waste any one's time or string them along, but I am sure that is how the candidate felt when they didn't get the position after dealing with the organization for months.
posted by fies at 8:02 AM on February 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I've been part of several hiring committees where the lead candidate was dropped after several rounds of interviews, lunch etc. for a variety of reasons, including decisions to repurpose the position and the emergence of a late internal/personally connected candidate. We full intended to hire and not waste any one's time or string them along, but I am sure that is how the candidate felt when they didn't get the position after dealing with the organization for months.
posted by fies at 8:02 AM on February 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Bonus question: I’m concerned that the recruiter for the specialized firm I mentioned either hasn’t told the hiring manager, or hasn’t checked whether they remembered, that I’m currently interviewing elsewhere. Should I get in touch to reiterate this in order to avoid frustration/confusion, or is that too pushy?
Just touching on this part: The hiring manager may know this and it might have pushed them to make you an offer sooner. I don't see any benefit to reiterating this before you have gotten an offer.
However, I would decline any offer I wouldn't actually consider otherwise, especially if I was already employed and not desperate to make a move (which it sounds like is your situation).
posted by sm1tten at 11:46 AM on February 1, 2023
Just touching on this part: The hiring manager may know this and it might have pushed them to make you an offer sooner. I don't see any benefit to reiterating this before you have gotten an offer.
However, I would decline any offer I wouldn't actually consider otherwise, especially if I was already employed and not desperate to make a move (which it sounds like is your situation).
posted by sm1tten at 11:46 AM on February 1, 2023
I don't see why you need to give them any notice, given you don't have an offer in hand, merely you are STILL in contention. If they gave you an offer, THEN you'd worry about how to hold them off while you wait to hear from this other application.
posted by kschang at 5:07 PM on February 1, 2023
posted by kschang at 5:07 PM on February 1, 2023
I also would not do anything. If I got an offer and it was acceptable I would take it, but try to push out starting date to give BF time to make their offer.
If BF made a better offer and I hadn’t started other job yet I would take it. I think there will be less hard feelings if you haven’t actually started.
posted by MadMadam at 6:46 PM on February 1, 2023
If BF made a better offer and I hadn’t started other job yet I would take it. I think there will be less hard feelings if you haven’t actually started.
posted by MadMadam at 6:46 PM on February 1, 2023
Response by poster: Hi all--
Thanks for your responses. A couple made me realize I hadn't been clear about some of my constraints/assumptions, namely:
- In the country where I live, to accept a job offer I have to actually sign said offer, which then begins the process of drawing up and signing an actual employment contract (i.e., at-will is not a thing here). So accepting and then dropping an offer should B.F. come through later is a bigger deal than it might be in some other jurisdictions, and is really better avoided. (Though if I were in an at-will situation that route could indeed have made sense.)
- Even if it were workable from a contractual point of view, I'm assuming that leaving my current job for a second one while still in process with BF would look weird, if not downright suspect, and would likely result in BF halting the interview process or withdrawing an offer when they learned of it.
- My sector is relatively small, so word would indeed get around if I pulled out of a new job at the last minute, and would indeed burn some bridges.
- Should I receive offers for any of the other places I'm interviewing, they would not
be equivalent to BF's, especially in terms of compensation and potential for growth. Hence my willingness to consider missing out on them should they require an answer from me before I have one (negative or otherwise) from BF.
My question was really just, "I've decided to risk missing out on any offers I might receive before getting a decision from Big Firm, is there a way I can explain what's going on to other companies so that I can try and keep the door open to reapply if/when BF doesn't work out?" And this thread now contains lots of good advice on that front, so thank you again!! (For people asking why I would apply to other jobs if I know I want to wait to hear from BF: I seriously had no idea the interview process would be so short for mid-career managerial positions, and so wasn't expecting to run into this issue quite so early. In light of this I've put my other applications on hold til I get past at least the next BF interview.)
FWIW I spoke today with the company I mentioned in my original post. The hiring manager did express their intention to make me an offer; I explained I was still in interviews with a company with a much slower recruitment process, and that while I'd be interested in working for Company 2 I preferred to wait until I had a final decision from both. The HM was very understanding and said that, while they prefer to know my decision ASAP, they intend to continue hiring for some time and would be fine with my getting back in touch at a later date. So at least there's that.
posted by blessmycottonsocks at 6:38 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Thanks for your responses. A couple made me realize I hadn't been clear about some of my constraints/assumptions, namely:
- In the country where I live, to accept a job offer I have to actually sign said offer, which then begins the process of drawing up and signing an actual employment contract (i.e., at-will is not a thing here). So accepting and then dropping an offer should B.F. come through later is a bigger deal than it might be in some other jurisdictions, and is really better avoided. (Though if I were in an at-will situation that route could indeed have made sense.)
- Even if it were workable from a contractual point of view, I'm assuming that leaving my current job for a second one while still in process with BF would look weird, if not downright suspect, and would likely result in BF halting the interview process or withdrawing an offer when they learned of it.
- My sector is relatively small, so word would indeed get around if I pulled out of a new job at the last minute, and would indeed burn some bridges.
- Should I receive offers for any of the other places I'm interviewing, they would not
be equivalent to BF's, especially in terms of compensation and potential for growth. Hence my willingness to consider missing out on them should they require an answer from me before I have one (negative or otherwise) from BF.
My question was really just, "I've decided to risk missing out on any offers I might receive before getting a decision from Big Firm, is there a way I can explain what's going on to other companies so that I can try and keep the door open to reapply if/when BF doesn't work out?" And this thread now contains lots of good advice on that front, so thank you again!! (For people asking why I would apply to other jobs if I know I want to wait to hear from BF: I seriously had no idea the interview process would be so short for mid-career managerial positions, and so wasn't expecting to run into this issue quite so early. In light of this I've put my other applications on hold til I get past at least the next BF interview.)
FWIW I spoke today with the company I mentioned in my original post. The hiring manager did express their intention to make me an offer; I explained I was still in interviews with a company with a much slower recruitment process, and that while I'd be interested in working for Company 2 I preferred to wait until I had a final decision from both. The HM was very understanding and said that, while they prefer to know my decision ASAP, they intend to continue hiring for some time and would be fine with my getting back in touch at a later date. So at least there's that.
posted by blessmycottonsocks at 6:38 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by emd3737 at 5:38 AM on February 1, 2023 [7 favorites]