How to Handle Multiple Job Offers
 After
your hard work pays off and you secure and accept a job offer, what do
you do if another, more attractive offer is made by another company?
The second offer might be particularly attractive, but do you
want to risk the possible damage to your professional reputation by
turning down the offer you’ve already accepted?
If
you end up with multiple job offers, your best bet is to delay a final
decision for as long as possible—but don’t extend the delay for so long
that your potential employers become impatient and irritated.
Tell employers that you need some time to think about their offer, or
ask for another meeting for further discussion about the position, or to
meet key employees. This gives you time to evaluate your job offers and
decide what course of action to take.
It’s
important to think very carefully before refusing an offer that you’ve
already accepted. Your professional integrity might be at
stake here, and because of that, in most situations taking the offer
you’ve already accepted is the best—and most ethical—thing to do. If
you really want to take the second offer, make sure that the benefits
outweigh the possible disadvantages by a significant margin. The job
offer you take should be the one that best fits your career goals and
job priorities.
Once
you’ve made a decision, it’s best to tell the employer as soon as
possible. If you’re refusing an offer
you’ve already accepted in favor of another job, politely explain that
the second offer is a better fit for your requirements. Be honest, and
offer an apology. If you’re lucky, they will understand. Note, however,
that doesn’t mean they will forget. When you’re job hunting
in the future, you’ll be unlikely to receive another offer from that
company—so be sure that you’re prepared to permanently forgo the
opportunity to work there.
Of
course, the best way of solving this problem is
to avoid it happening in the first place. Before you even
start looking, decide what you want in a job, and keep that focus in
mind—prioritize the different elements of a position, such as the
workplace environment, the chance for advancement, or the compensation
package, and decide what’s most important to you. By deciding in advance
what your priorities are you’re less likely to end up in a position
where you’re torn between two jobs.
How to Handle Multiple Job Offers-By
Kevin Donlin
Multiple job offers now there’s a problem most of us would like to
have. But … if you don't handle them right, you could miss out on your
ideal job AND put your career in jeopardy.
Fortunately, with a little advance planning, you can deal with multiple
job offers and land your dream job at the salary you deserve.
Handling multiple job offers all boils down
to three things. Here they are …
1) Know what your ideal job looks like
Start by writing a detailed description of what you really want in your
next job. Because, when you know what the right position will look like,
it’s easier to say no to the wrong job, company or salary.
Carole Martin, an interview coach with 20+ years of experience advises,
"First, take time to evaluate your options and determine what criteria
are most important to you in your job search."
Martin suggests you consider the following factors:
Compensation salary, benefits, stock options, bonuses
Content the type of work, preferred industry, preferred company
Career Progression chances for promotion, relocation, working
conditions, professional development
Quality of Life travel requirements, corporate culture, vacation time
Location preferred city or state, transportation costs, taxes.
If you get two job offers, simply rate each opportunity based on how
they meet your criteria. Divide a sheet of paper in two, add up the
scores in each column and let that guide your decision.
2) Know how to ask for time to decide
Let's say you get a job offer on Monday from Company A, but you expect a
better offer on Thursday from Company B. How do you stall for time
without alienating that first suitor?
Tell them you want to talk it over with your family, suggests John
Whitmore, a recruiting professional from Edina, Minn.-based Princeton
Search.
"Simply say that you appreciate the job offer, you're excited by it,
and you want to discuss it with your significant other to make sure
they're on board, so there’s no second guessing. That ought to buy you
two or three days to consider another offer," says Whitmore.
You can buy time with other delay tactics, such as asking to meet with
key managers and co-workers who haven't interviewed you yet.
3) Know how to say no
If you get a better offer from Company B and accept it, your work isn't
done. You still have to say no to Company A in a way that won't burn
bridges. Because you never know when you may have to reactivate your job
search and call those people again!
When turning down a job offer, you can never be too diplomatic. Try
language like this: "I really appreciate the offer, and although I've
been offered another position that's a better fit for my goals, I want
to say how impressed I was with your company and the people I had a
chance to meet. Thanks again."
It takes courage and deep thinking to pick one job offer from among
several. The best way is to list the pros and cons of each opportunity
on paper this will crystallize your thinking. Then talk it over with
your family. Trust your gut. And be diplomatic in all your dealings with
every employer, even those you turn down.
Now that you know how to handle it, here's hoping you'll run into this
"nice problem" of multiple job offers soon!
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