What do you say if you get an offer, but have more interviews?

jobseeker · #1 10-03-2006, 10:50 AM

Hey there everyone,

My week's packed full of interviews for companies that I'm all interested in, but what I"m concerned about is if some of them offer me a position on the spot, and I still have companies to interview for.

Am I supposed to be honest and tell them that I've got other options that I'm looking at? Or should I beat around the bush and just say that I need time to think it over (I feel like this kind of makes it sound obvious that the job they're offering is not my top choice...).

psu1ski17 · #2 10-03-2006, 11:30 AM

Atleast in my field (engineering), most companies will understand, and probably expect, you to be looking at more than just them. I have never heard of an offer that is "now-or-never" so to speak. The ones i've had or my friends had gave a length of time (about 2 weeks) which, if asked, was extendable.

If for some reason they did give you on on the spot, my advice would be to ask for time to weigh your options. Be honest and don't beat around the bush, however you don't need to reveal all the information to them. I personally would be hesistant to any job that is now-or-never because it sounds like they are trying to lock you down before you know better.

WorkInProgress · #3 10-03-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psu1ski17

If for some reason they did give you on on the spot, my advice would be to ask for time to weigh your options. Be honest and don't beat around the bush, however you don't need to reveal all the information to them. I personally would be hesistant to any job that is now-or-never because it sounds like they are trying to lock you down before you know better.

I agree. I always need time to think about it (and make sure that the pay, benefits, office, etc. fit my needs.)

CTGirl · #4 10-03-2006, 11:36 AM

We have candidates tell us all the time about other interviews and offers they have, so it's prolly best just to be honest, and tell them that you need to weigh all your options.

jobseeker · #5 10-03-2006, 03:47 PM

Good to know. Thanks!

dddork · #6 10-03-2006, 03:53 PM

just worry about the interviews for now.. things get tricky and sometimes when you think I nailed the interview.. you might just have not...

#7 10-03-2006, 04:11 PM

yeah, I think this is one of those things when you just have to cross the bridge when you come to it.

jrwilheim · #8 10-03-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobseeker

Hey there everyone,

My week's packed full of interviews for companies that I'm all interested in, but what I"m concerned about is if some of them offer me a position on the spot, and I still have companies to interview for.

Am I supposed to be honest and tell them that I've got other options that I'm looking at? Or should I beat around the bush and just say that I need time to think it over (I feel like this kind of makes it sound obvious that the job they're offering is not my top choice...).

I've never heard of someone being offered a job on the spot with the expectation that they have to make a decision right there and then. Usually, it's common job hunting etiquette to give someone at least a full 24 hours to make a decision. I think I would ask upfront, "how long can you give me to consider it?"

My question is--would you even want a job where they force you to make a decision that quickly? If they're that high-pressure about that, how high-pressure would they be about other things?

LaFille · #9 10-03-2006, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrwilheim

My question is--would you even want a job where they force you to make a decision that quickly? If they're that high-pressure about that, how high-pressure would they be about other things?

good point... i went to an interview and the guy told me that they needed someone to start in 6 days. it was totally off-putting to me, because i felt like they just had a ton of work they were going to slam the new person with, and didn't really give a shit. i wouldn't have even had time to tell my boss at the restaurant to reduce my hours to weekends with that kind of time crunch. also, if they didn't have to foresight to get someone earlier, when it wasn't an emergency, it's probably not a good company to work for.

sundaycomics · #10 10-06-2006, 12:44 PM

Tell them that you need to think about it until the end of the week (or now, through the weekend).

MrNCG23 · #11 10-06-2006, 09:50 PM

Be careful, there ARE some employers that ask you to decide on the spot, and there ARE employers who don't like it if considering other employers. Speaking from experience.