How to Tell an Interviewer You’re Still Interviewing with Other Companies

You’re in the middle of a great interview when suddenly the recruiter asks, “Are you interviewing with other companies?” Cue the internal debate: Should you be honest? Vague? Drop a competitor’s name to create urgency?

Interviewers want to gauge how in-demand you are, understand your timeline for making a decision, and assess whether they need to speed up their hiring process. It can be a tricky question, and your answer can impact how they perceive you as a candidate.

Should you tell an interviewer that you're interviewing with other companies?

First let’s get this out of the way: If you're wondering, “Is it OK to interview with multiple companies?” the answer is yes. There’s nothing wrong with job hunting at multiple places—and employers expect it. The key is handling this conversation with the right strategy so you don’t overshare or accidentally weaken your position.

“If you are asked directly, it's fine to acknowledge that you're interviewing elsewhere—just keep it professional,” says Lauren Wethers, a career coach at The Muse. “If an interviewer asks for your availability, you can give them just that—the hours that you're available—without providing additional context.”

How to answer “Are you interviewing with other companies?”

So, how to tell an interviewer that you’re still interviewing with other companies? The best approach is to be honest without giving away too much detail. A simple response like this works well:

Yes, I am currently exploring a few opportunities that align with my skills and career goals to make sure I find the role that's the best fit for me. I’m very interested in this role at [Company Name] and excited to continue the conversation.

“You answer honestly, show enthusiasm for the current interview, and also demonstrate that other employers are noticing your skills,” Wethers says. 

Should you mention anything beyond “yes”?

You might wonder whether you should name-drop the companies you're interviewing with. Generally, it’s best to keep things vague. You don't want to expose yourself too much. 

If they push for details, you can say:

I’d prefer to keep the details private, but I’m considering opportunities in [industry/role] that align with my career growth.

Does it matter if you're interviewing for competitors or a different field?

It can. If you’re interviewing with direct competitors, be mindful of how you present it. Companies may have policies about hiring candidates who have been in recent talks with rivals. “There are some industries or fields where interviewing with competitors is unavoidable and therefore a moot point—in others, it could be a red flag for the interviewer,” Wethers says. “It's good to do your research ahead of time about company culture and industry trends.”

On the other hand, if your other opportunities are in a different industry, it could signal that you’re aiming too broadly and are not specialized in that field.

Here's the deal: “You don't need to say who you're interviewing with,” she says. “It's smart to keep that information close to the chest.” 

Read this next: How to Research a Company for an Interview: Smart Steps to Take

If they don’t ask whether you’re interviewing elsewhere, should you bring it up? 

Short answer: No. “There's no need to offer that you're interviewing with other companies, especially if you're in an early interview stage,” Wethers says. Hiring managers assume you might be exploring other options, so bringing it up unprompted doesn’t add much value.

However, if the topic naturally comes up (for example, if they ask about your job search timeline), you can briefly acknowledge it:

I’m currently in conversations with a few companies, but my focus is on finding the best fit. This role at [Company Name] is particularly exciting to me because [specific reason].

This reinforces your interest while subtly signaling that they aren’t the only company considering you.

How do you tell an interviewer you are taking another job? Handling competing offers

What if you receive another offer while still interviewing? This can actually work to your advantage if handled correctly.

If you want to speed up this company’s process:

You can mention it as a gentle nudge. Try saying:

I wanted to share that I’ve received another offer and have a deadline to respond. However, I’m very interested in this role and wanted to check if there’s a timeline for the next steps.

If you’ve accepted another job:

It’s courteous to let the recruiter know. You could say:

I really appreciate the opportunity to interview for this role. I wanted to inform you that I’ve accepted another offer, but I truly enjoyed learning about [Company Name] and hope we can stay in touch.

This keeps the door open for future opportunities.

Are you interviewing with other companies? If so, good for you!

It’s completely normal to interview with multiple companies, and hiring managers expect it. If asked, acknowledge it professionally while keeping the focus on your interest in their role. If they don’t bring it up, there’s no need to volunteer the information. And if you receive another offer, handle it with transparency and tact.

Read this next: Multiple Job Offers? Here Are 4 Steps to Help You Decide Which One to Go For