Potential for Multiple Job Offers but timing challenge- How to handle?
I was laid off from my job, after an 8 year tenure, due to new leadership, restructuring and COVID. I have been hard at the job search for the past month and a half, and after a pretty busy interview schedule the past two week, I was offered a decent position. This offer came quicker than I anticipated(I was told there would likely be additional interviews), and they are asking for a quick turnaround for a decision so they can get me all set up to start at the beginning of the year. My challenge is that I am still in the mix for a few other roles, one of which I am far along in the process and more excited about.
The salary for the current offer is decent, and they bumped it up quite a bit from what they originally budgeted for the role to get me. I asked for additional time to sign, but even with it, it is unlikely the other company can make a decision within that timeframe. Do I just accept the first offer and continue along the process with the second company? If they offer me that role, and it is truly a better situation, be honest with the first company? This is not my style, nor something I am comfortable with, but I have a family and feel it would be irresponsible to pass up the first offer.
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5 Comments
5 Comments
Melissa
21
12/18/20 at 5:03PM UTC
I had this happen to me. I asked the first company for a few days time, then told the company I really wanted to work with I had another offer. That I really prefer this position but do not want to be left with neither job - was there anyway to accelerate the process? An HR person will appreciate your honesty and if they want you they will help.
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1 Reply
Anonymous
12/18/20 at 5:23PM UTC
Thank you for the reply Melissa! I did reach out to try to accelerate the second job and they did get me in with the next step asap. However, due to scheduling, the soonest I can get on the next person's schedule is the last day I should official accept the first offer.
User edited comment on 12/18/20 at 5:24PM UTC
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Melissa
21
12/18/20 at 5:38PM UTC
Thats better than a week after you should accept but still a tough one. Could you let this company know the last day to respond to your offer is the day of the interview as an FYI? Is the interview in the morning? Are you one of two finalist? What is your competition/odds?
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Anonymous
12/19/20 at 3:09AM UTC
It does seem that I am a finalist and high/top of list for all with whom I have already spoken as they were very quick to schedule me with the Hiring Manager once I shared my status. The interview is in the morning just not sure how quickly they can and will move.
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Stacey Champagne
26
Founder & CEO of Hacker in Heels
12/23/20 at 2:40AM UTC
In this market, with how employers are behaving, I would go with a sure thing than waiting for something that could be. If I had money for every time I got to the end of the process thinking I was going to be issued an offer based on a bunch of promising signs, and then wasn't, I'd have spent more on Christmas presents for people this year.
This is all up to your level of comfort, but the reality is that in most states you are an "at-will" employee and they can rescind your offer/job at any time they want. But the same goes for you. So, theoretically, you could accept this job and then rescind if the other offer does pan out. It's risky, but you might say that it's better to end up where you ultimately wanted to be, then settle and be continually distracted by what could have been.
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