Ask The Friendslist: Job Offers

[tcepsa]

This is currently a hypothetical situation, but it could become much less hypothetical in the next few days:

I've been interviewing for a new position and I've had a couple that have gone very well and that I got very positive feedback on. I suspect I may be getting an offer from at least one of them--which seemed like a pretty awesome place--by the end of this week. Problem is that I have another very shiny prospect lined up for an interview at the end of next week, and I really would like for that one to at least have a chance! What's the protocol (if any) for if I do get an offer letter and still want to give the sooper-shiny-seeming job an interview?

Comments

[tcepsa.livejournal.com]

Thank you--I'm working on some kind of synthesis of this idea into words that fit the current situation that I can either call or e-mail them, but that makes a lot of sense and while it's scary (my main concern is that they'd say "well, if you'd be willing to dump us if you got this other offer first then we don't want to even talk to you at all anyway" and cancel the interview regardless of whether I get the OTT or not... any thoughts on the probability of them actually doing something like that, or am I probably being overly anxious about that point?) it does seem to be the way to go (tell Very Shiny what's up, and see whether they can reschedule, and if I get the offer let them know that I need a day or two to consider it and that I'll get back to them on X day and let them know my decision)

[elkor.livejournal.com]

"well, if you'd be willing to dump us if you got this other offer first then we don't want to even talk to you at all anyway"

It is unlikely that a reasonable employer would take that stance. Most employers have a clear understanding that, when you are unemployed, you are looking at several different places. If anything, if they are really interested in you, they will jump at the chance of bringing you in sooner.

In a way, this is a reverse test. If they dump you because you are interviewing other places, it is because they:
a) Know they can't stand up to other employers from a benefits standpoint
b) Want employees that they can push around.

In either case, that isn't someone you want to be working for.

In the case of job offers, it is generally a good idea to have an idea of what you are looking for before the offer shows up. That way you can either accept the offer right away, or push back and negotiate.

My stance has been (the one time I had to think about it): "Thank you for the response." Then, depending on whether it meets my standard or not:
if it does: "This offer seems quite reasonable. I'd like to take a day just to make sure there isn't anything we've forgotten. Can I respond to you by COB tomorrow?"

If it doesn't: "This isn't quite what I was looking for. I'd like to take a day and evaluate your offer to see if I can be happy with it, or what it will take for us to both be happy."

In a way these are all tests. If they are willing to give you the time, it (to me) indicates a willingness to work with employees to make them happy/comfortable. If they try to hard ball you into an answer immediately, then they are going to try to hard ball you about other things (like mandatory overtime, lowball raises, etc) further down the line.