What is what to do when you get a job offer while waiting for another?

Here's how to navigate receiving a job offer while waiting to hear back about another opportunity you're more interested in:

• Acknowledge the Offer & Express Gratitude: Immediately thank the hiring manager for the offer. Express your sincere appreciation for their belief in your abilities. This sets a professional tone.

• Request Time to Consider: Politely ask for a reasonable amount of time to consider the offer. A standard timeframe is typically 2-3 business days, but you can try negotiating for a little longer if needed. Be upfront and honest about needing the time to weigh your options, without necessarily disclosing you are waiting on another offer. This gives you crucial breathing room.

• Evaluate the Offer: Carefully review the offer's details, including salary, benefits, job responsibilities, location, company culture, and opportunities for growth. Compare it to your personal and professional goals. Is it a good fit even if your preferred opportunity falls through?

• Contact Your Preferred Company: Reach out to the hiring manager or point of contact at the company you're more interested in. Explain that you have received another job offer and are facing a deadline to make a decision. Express your continued strong interest in their position and inquire about the timeline for their decision-making process. Be professional and enthusiastic.

• Assess Your Risk Tolerance: Consider the potential risks of turning down the first offer while waiting for the second. There's no guarantee you'll receive an offer from your preferred company. Decide if you're comfortable potentially losing both opportunities.

• Negotiate (if appropriate): Depending on how interested you are in the first offer, you might consider negotiating. However, be very cautious, especially if it's not a job you're enthusiastic about. You don't want to negotiate in bad faith. If you do negotiate, focus on areas like salary, benefits, or start date.

• Make Your Decision: Once you have all the necessary information, weigh the pros and cons of each option. Consider your priorities and what's most important to you in a job.

• Communicate Your Decision Promptly: Inform both companies of your decision as soon as possible. If you accept the first offer, do so in writing, reiterating your enthusiasm. If you decline, do so politely and professionally, thanking them for their time and consideration.

Here's the important subjects with links:

• Acknowledge the Offer & Express Gratitude
• Request Time to Consider
• Evaluate the Offer
• Contact Your Preferred Company
• Assess Your Risk Tolerance
• Negotiate (if appropriate)
• Make Your Decision
• Communicate Your Decision Promptly