How to Manage a Job Offer While Interviewing Another?

It’s fairly common for an individual seeking a job to receive interview calls from multiple companies. That being said, the mental turmoil begins the moment you receive a job offer while you are still waiting for a response from other companies. While most companies choose not to wait more than 4-5 days from the date of extending the offer, some are kind enough to accommodate.

Commonly known as ‘stalling,’ it involves tactfully delaying an action to take more thinking time before finalizing something.

Wondering how to pull off stalling? Relax; we’ve got the tips for you!

Managing a Job Offer While Still Interviewing

Let’s see some tips that can help you manage in-hand job offers with prudence without risking losing out on other potential job positions.

1. Be Quick with Your Response

When you receive a job offer from a company, make sure to respond to them within a day. It will highlight professionalism and reliability on your part, creating a positive impression on the hiring panel. Moreover, a prompt response indicates that you value their time, irrespective of your final decision. 

2. Frame an Interesting Response 

If you are really enthusiastic about your selection, show it in your response. Regardless of your in-line job proposals, communicate gratitude and interest in the position to the employers. It is imperative to convey an impression of willingness and excitement from your side. Even so, do not go overboard expressing so much that you use too much slang. Maintain professionalism while showing your interest. 

3. Respond with Honesty

It should be one of the most important factors to consider while responding. Hiring managers are quick to catch a poorly executed stalling activity, which may even result in the withdrawal of the job offer. Assuming that you have an offer in hand and you are waiting for another, the response should clearly state your expectations from the manager. A sample response could be:

I am glad to have received a job offer from your esteemed company. I am certain that the opportunity will open many doors of professional growth for me. However, I wanted to inform you that I am expecting another job offer at the moment. I would want to assess both options before committing. When can I write my final decision to you? 

4. Connect with Existing Employees

If you feel that you are incapable of managing solely with your honesty, try to extend the decision timeline by connecting with the present employees in the company. You can ask for a week to dig deeper into the office culture, roles, and responsibilities. Get an office tour if you can, meet other employees, and clarify your apprehensions about the position. However, do not exceed more than a week to pull this off. 

5. Contact Your Potential Recruiter 

What if you have an interview in your dream company and now waiting for a decision? Well, it’s time to send a follow-up email. Since you are in the middle of stalling a job offer, you should not delay in contacting your preferred hiring manager. Write to them inquiring about the progress of the hiring process. 

Mention that they are your top preference and also that you already have a job offer in hand. As for the response, if they truly want you to join the company, they may respond, “We are starting with the recruitment process” or “We will communicate the decision in a few days.”

6. Compare Both Job Offers

While waiting for another job response, you can utilize your time and asses both job offers. Whether you make it to your dream job or not, it is always a good idea to have your research about the companies beforehand. For a comprehensive comparison, you may consider the following: 

• Workplace Culture– Positive workplace culture plays a key role in employee management and business success. With mental health discussions garnering more responses, prospective employees must not settle for anything less than a healthy environment. A positive workplace culture encompasses meaningful work, open communication, and core values. It must also provide psychological safety and emotional fitness to its employees, plus follow humanitarian principles. Consider all these factors before making a decision. 
  
• Salary Expectations– The salary expectations that the job offers might be a vital factor affecting your decision. After all, these are the core benefits that motivate people to work. Make sure to compare the salaries being offered to you on various job sites available online. Even in general, you must stay aware of the standard industry wage so that you aren’t ‘hire-baited.’
  
• Employee Benefit– Employee benefits are an essential part of a company’s overall compensation package. They have a positive effect on employee engagement and productivity. Moreover, they also work in the company’s favor by promoting growth, increasing employee retention rates, and establishing a healthy company culture. While comparing the employee benefits, you must check with the company policies on paid leaves, health insurance, wellness programs, training, and employee discounts. 
  
• Work-Life Balance– A conducive work environment adds to a company’s reputation and work culture. Consider whether the companies you are targeting value your time as much as you do theirs. A sound work-life balance gives you significant time to socialize with your friends and family and segregate your professional and personal life. Wisely check for all the factors before you proceed with the decision.

7. Accept the Offer

Scenario 1: If you haven’t heard from your preferred company, chances are that you have not made it to the final selection. You must not worry and feel defeated. Instead, celebrate the success that you have in your hand- the current job offer. Share an enthusiastic acceptance letter and zero in on your joining date together with other formalities. Start afresh and give your 100 percent to the responsibilities assigned to you. 

Scenario 2: Take the risk and ask them for a delayed start. Usually, fresh hires take about 2-3 weeks to start a job. In the meantime, you can interview for other companies and determine a better fit. If you can land a better job, you can send an apology letter to the company where you have accepted the offer. However, this is not a desirable option unless the current job gives you a significantly lower satisfaction compared to the offer you are eyeing. 

Furthermore, refusing after a week or two of accepting the offer will label you as an unprofessional individual, as a result of which you might not be able to work in the company again ever. 

Wrapping Up!

Landing a job has never been easy. The rigorous selection and onboarding process leaves you mentally drained for weeks. After this, receiving a job offer is no less than a blessing, and you must be grateful for every bit of it. Nonetheless, authenticity and proactive communication may help you successfully stall the current offer while you wait to hear from your dream company. Whatever you do, always weigh the pros and cons of each scenario and choose wisely.