What is the proper way to....
Hi,
I was just wondering what is the best/proper way to tell an interviewer you are still interviewing with other companies should they make you an offer before you have had your other interviews? Example: you interview with company A this week & they make an offer, but you still have another interview scheduled with company B next week.
I don't want company A to think I am not interested or serious, but I still want to complete my interviews and see my options should I have any.
Thanks.
I'd ask company A when they need an answer by.
You need to decide though which is more important to you. A guaranteed job with company A, or the possibility of working with company B.
You may also consider accepting company A, have a start date in two weeks, giving you time to interview with company B and then potentially leave company A if you get a better offer.
I wouldnt tell company A your reasoning for delaying a response. Simply ask when they need an answer and give it to them by then.
Hello ddrock,
Don't tell them (company #1), unless you have a SOLID offer from another company (#2 or 3) that would directly conflict with #1's offer.
Obviously , if company #is the perfect job for you AND they've made a solid written offer to you, there is no reason to reveal that you are interviewing with other companies.
Having multiple offers to leverage against one another is great if you can keep them confidential until the right moment and use them to generate a higher salary or benefits, but this is an advanced technique that must be used VERY carefully.
Good luck!
Marky Stein, Institute for Career Development
The Interview Expert
Whatever you do, don't jeopardize your offer with A by somehow trying to insist on completing the interview process with B. If you're made an offer, say you would like some time to review it and think it over, and when would they need your answer? If it's before you interview with B, then you give them your answer. Don't try to hold out for B, thinking/hoping to get an offer from them. It may never happen.
If you get an offer from A, and it is everything you want, or close to it, really, why bother trying to fend them off till you visit with B? Of course, you can always still go to the interview, and if you're made an even better offer (not just more $$), you can rescind your acceptance of A's offer, though it's best to only do so in an extraordinary situation. OTH, if it lacks sorely in several areas, then it's worth trying to play the scenario out as far as you can.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your input, it really helped to clarify the situation for me.
Thanks again.
That's a great question and an important one. When you receive a definite offer from Company A, you can simply ask them for some time to think it over. That's not uncommon, nor unreasonable because you want to make sure they're the right one for you. And asking for a few days to a week to do so is reasonable. That will allow you to interview with Company B, and you can say to B that you are being considered by another but you'd rather work for them. This shows you're in demand and might get B to make you an offer too. Now if A says no, then that's another story because you'll have to decide whether to accept and pass on B, or pass on A and not have another offer.