Job Offer

[Borkil]

So I have an offer from one company and I need to make a decision on it by the end of this week. I had an interview with another company and they mentioned that I am a good fit and would like to get another onsite interview. I am excited for this second offer. I feel like it has more room for opportunity and the work may be more enjoyable. The first offer I wouldn't mind doing, but I don't believe it is something that I would want to do for several years. Should I take the first offer and keep talking to the second company. If I get the second offer then rescind the first one and take that? Is that legal/acceptable? This is for my first position after graduation.

Forgot to mention that I already asked for a couple weeks extension for the first offer.

Update: Had second interview, seemed to go very well. I asked when I could hear about a decision made. He said probably 2-4 weeks. I need to decide on my first offer this weekend. Do you think I could ask for another 4 week extension? I've already asked for a 2 week extension 2 weeks ago.

 

[masteryoda34]

This is a common situation without a great solution.

It would be considered unprofessional to rescind an offer after you have already accepted it, except in extenuating circumstances. It would damage your reputation, and you never really know when it might come back to hurt you. If you are in a specialized industry, people are connected more than you think.

Your first option is to ask for more time from company A. You may even tell them you have a second offer that you are considering. They may extend the deadline if you ask.

Another option is to tell company B you have another offer, and try to get the interview moved up. If they really want you, they might try to accommodate you.

Depending on how much you think company A wants you, you could decline the offer citing some reason, e.g. salary. They might come back with a better offer (win) and would also buy you more time (win) or they might never call back (lose).

You have to use your own judgement of the situation. But don't be afraid of asking for what you want. Obviously the more desirable of a candidate you are, the more likely these things are to work. The safe choice is to take offer A and decline company B. Safe choices don't always get you the best results.

 

[Schfifty Five]

So I have an offer from one company and I need to make a decision on it by the end of this week. I had an interview with another company and they mentioned that I am a good fit and would like to get another onsite interview. I am excited for this second offer. I feel like it has more room for opportunity and the work may be more enjoyable. The first offer I wouldn't mind doing, but I don't believe it is something that I would want to do for several years. Should I take the first offer and keep talking to the second company. If I get the second offer then rescind the first one and take that? Is that legal/acceptable? This is for my first position after graduation.

First thing you should do is call the first company's HR or whoever was your contact and ask if it would be ok to have additional time to consider the offer. If they say yes, then that will give you more time to work with the second company.

If they say no, it's perfectly legal to take a job and quit within a week. Is it acceptable? Yes and No...just depends. It may burn some bridges, but it's a risk you will have to take since you can't make everyone happy all the time.

And if the company asks why you need more time or if are interviewing with any other companies, I think it's ok to mention that you are in the process of interviewing with other companies and that you want to thoroughly explore you options. This can make you more attractive as an employee since other companies want to hire you as well. Others folks may think differently about this though so if anyone else wants to chime in about this, please do.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Definitely ask for more time if you need more time. They made you an offer; they want you onboard. Asking for another two weeks is not outrageous.

 

[Borkil]

Well another issue is that I already pushed the first offer back another 2 weeks. I feel like asking for another 2 weeks would be a bad impression. Emailed the second company and again mentioned the deadline. They said they would call me in a couple days.

 

[silverpig]

1. Ask for more time. You want to honour the process with the other firm, want to consider all of your options, and want them to be sure that if you do choose them, it will be because it's the best choice for you and the job you really want.

2. Ask the other company to move the interview up.

 

[Borkil]

Update: Had second interview, seemed to go very well. I asked when I could hear about a decision made. He said probably 2-4 weeks. I need to decide on my first offer this weekend. Do you think I could ask for another 4 week extension? I've already asked for a 2 week extension 2 weeks ago.

 

[onza]

Update: Had second interview, seemed to go very well. I asked when I could hear about a decision made. He said probably 2-4 weeks. I need to decide on my first offer this weekend. Do you think I could ask for another 4 week extension? I've already asked for a 2 week extension 2 weeks ago.

lol.. if i was doing the hiring and you asked for another 2 weeks, I would say sorry next candidate!

 

[EagleKeeper]

lol.. if i was doing the hiring and you asked for another 2 weeks, I would say sorry next candidate!

This ^^

 

[reallyscrued]

lol.. if i was doing the hiring and you asked for another 2 weeks, I would say sorry next candidate!

lol.. if you do that for many years and filter out all the people worth a damn, you'll be sorry cuz you'll have no talent!

 

[Ruptga]

lol.. if you do that for many years and filter out all the people worth a damn, you'll be sorry cuz you'll have no talent!

Who gives a shit about talent as long as they still fill their quota with people who don't smell like weed? Unemployment is still high-ish, and a lot of those unemployed are experienced, so who cares about one prospect or even one employee? They're expendable. They were going to leave after two years for double the pay, anyway.

OP, I was being facetious, but there are a ton of people who really do think that way. It's something to keep in mind as you deal with all this. Make sure you're holding a good hand before you ask for anything, or you're liable to be passed over. Granted, you probably don't want to work someplace where management is shortsighted and snobby, but having a mediocre-bad job is generally better than unemployment.

 

[RaistlinZ]

What's that saying... one in the hand is worth two in the bush?

If you ask for yet another 2 weeks I bet Job A will just say "screw it" and move on. Your best bet is to take Job A and see if Job B makes an offer, then quit A and go to B.

It's a dick move, but this is business and you have to do what's in your own best interest.

 

[MustISO]

If you ask for yet another 2 weeks I bet Job A will just say "screw it" and move on. Your best bet is to take Job A and see if Job B makes an offer, then quit A and go to B.

It's a dick move, but this is business and you have to do what's in your own best interest.

Another vote for this move. Take the job you have an offer for and see what happens.