Tastefully Delay Job Acceptance

[chillychin]

Been trying to read around and google in regards to the art of the "delaying the job offer" and havent been able to find anything conclusive.

What are some good delay tactics people use when they have more then one offer in hand? Or if someone has an offer in hand and wanting another job offer and waiting for the other company to make a decision?

Its a good, but tough situation to be in when you have a job offer but then you sort of still have that yearning to find out if the other job offer will come in, if at all.

Some people have mentioned how to just give it serious thought, and if job A is acceptable to take it. But if job B happens to come through (and was the job that was more wanted) then to drop A and jump on B.

I dont think that this would reflect well on the individual from the company perspective if an employee accepts a job offer and after a month jumps and goes to another company.

Does this scenario happen often?

I know the "proper" thing to do would be to decline A and hold out for B but honestly A is a pretty decent place.

Advice appreciated!

[ddhx]

You know, the debate between McDonalds and Wendys is one that is unlikely to ends soon.

But in all seriousness, I would contact the other place and let them know of your interest and let them know you have another offer. That may get them to move a bit quicker in giving you a decision and it prevents you from quitting job A after a few days.

One bird in hand is better than ten in the bush!

[Coke355mL]

There is no good tactic to delay a job offer. The most you can do is to ask them to give you a week to consider the details of the offer. Other then that, there's very little you can do to delay it. You should also be aware, even though an offer has been made to you, until you sign it, that job is not secured. So you'll be running a risk while you wait for another another offer.

The fact is, HR at companies see this more often than you realize - until the job offer is signed, it's not secured. Until you actually show up on Day 1, it's not guaranteed that you will end up working for that company. Many things can happen until Day 1. Family matters, injuries, illness, or a better job offer turned up. Because it's very possible that you are interviewing with other companies whil you are on the final stages of interviewing/negotiating with another company, so people turning down a job offer after accepting it is actually more common than you think. Businesses just view it as a business ordeal that did not end in a mutually beneficial outcome. Does it leave a bad taste? Not quite. It's life, it's business, nothing personal. HR sees it a lot, especially in higher level positions. It's definately a lot worst to START at a company only to leave after a week or 2, or after 1 month because the job you really wanted came up. Then you may leave a bad taste behind. You can come up with the explanation that the job was not what you had expected and quit... because the probation period is not just for the employer, it's also for you as well to try out.

At the end of the day, you have to look out for yourself, you shouldn't have to feel bad about it - it's just you who feels this way.

[Jesouhaite777]

In this economy holding out for the perfect job is a fatal mistake , job seekers are numerous and employers need to fill out positions fast , you know it's like the story of the Dog and the Bone , if you have a bite on a bone and try to grab the bigger bone you might end up losing both ...... better to take the job that you are offered first and then leave if something better comes along but don't be surprised if that takes months longer than you expected.