Receiving a job offer while actively interviewing for a preferred role presents a common professional quandary. This situation requires careful communication and strategic timing to avoid damaging relationships with potential employers. The goal is to successfully manage the timelines of both companies while maintaining a professional and ethical approach.
Immediate Professional Acknowledgment of the Offer
Once Job A extends an offer, the immediate response should focus on sincere gratitude and confirmation of the details. A prompt reply, ideally within a few hours, establishes a positive professional dynamic with the hiring manager or recruiter. The initial communication should confirm the specific deadline provided by Job A for acceptance or rejection. Before making any decisions, it is appropriate to ask clarifying questions about the role’s scope, compensation structure, or benefits package. Engaging in this manner demonstrates genuine interest in the position.
Calculating the Time You Need
Before contacting either organization, an internal assessment of the timeline for the pending company (Job B) is necessary. Evaluate the progress made with Job B, noting if you are awaiting a final interview, reference checks, or simply the final decision from the hiring committee. This self-assessment informs the length of the extension to request from Job A.
A professional extension request should aim for the minimum time required to move the process forward, generally between three to seven business days. Asking for a shorter, more precise extension signals decisiveness and respect for Job A’s timeline. Requesting more time than is reasonably needed can appear indecisive or suggest a lack of commitment to the process.
Requesting an Extension from the Offering Company (Job A)
The request for an extension from the offering company (Job A) is best initiated through a brief phone call, followed immediately by a confirming email. A direct conversation allows for a more personal appeal and makes it easier for the recruiter to agree to the request. The conversation should be brief, respectful, and focused on setting a firm, new decision date.
The most common and preferred approach is to use a generic explanation that does not disclose the existence of Job B. This involves simply stating a need for a few extra days to finalize personal considerations or obligations before committing to such a significant professional step. This framing maintains privacy while acknowledging the seriousness of the commitment.
Regardless of the phrasing, the request should clearly state the specific date and time you will provide your final answer. Setting a firm deadline demonstrates organization and prevents the timeline from becoming open-ended.
Informing the Pending Company to Expedite Their Process (Job B)
The most delicate communication involves informing the preferred company (Job B) of the external offer to accelerate their decision-making process. This strategy uses the external offer as leverage to prompt a final decision from Job B. The communication should be directed to the main recruiter or the hiring manager, depending on who has been the primary point of contact.
When contacting Job B, it is necessary to state clearly and professionally that you have received an offer with a firm deadline from another organization. The script must then pivot to explicitly naming Job B as your preferred choice for the next step in your career. Expressing this preference is paramount, as it validates the time Job B has invested in you and encourages them to act quickly.
The communication should then politely ask if, given the external deadline, they are able to expedite their final decision process. For example, if Job A’s new deadline is Wednesday, informing Job B that you need to hear from them by Tuesday afternoon gives them a buffer while still respecting the original extension. This approach puts the decision back in Job B’s court without issuing an ultimatum.
You should never disclose the name of the company that extended Job A, nor should you provide specific compensation details. The focus remains on the timeline and the sincere preference for Job B’s opportunity.
What To Do If the Extension is Denied
If the offering company (Job A) denies the requested extension, the applicant faces an immediate decision. One option is to accept Job A’s offer with the understanding that you might later withdraw or “renege” if Job B comes through with a preferred offer. Accepting an offer and later withdrawing carries professional risk, potentially damaging your reputation with the company and the recruiter, which is a factor to weigh carefully.
A second option involves declining Job A outright if the preferred company (Job B) is extremely close to extending an offer and the role is overwhelmingly desired. This choice is reserved for situations where the risk of losing Job A is outweighed by the certainty that Job B is the superior professional fit.
A final recourse is to ask Job A for a significantly shorter, non-negotiable extension, such as 24 hours, as a last attempt to buy time. This brief window might allow for one last communication with Job B to force their hand. Ultimately, the decision depends on the applicant’s risk tolerance and the perceived certainty of receiving the preferred offer.
Communicating Your Final Decision
Once the decision has been made, clear and professional communication with both companies is necessary to close the loop. When accepting the chosen offer, the communication should confirm the agreed-upon salary, start date, and any other relevant next steps, such as background checks or paperwork. A straightforward acceptance email provides a paper trail and confirms all the logistical details.
Declining the unselected offer requires maintaining a tone of appreciation and brevity to preserve the professional relationship. The refusal communication should express sincere gratitude for the offer and the time invested by the hiring team. It is important never to explain the reason for the decline or mention the company that extended the competing offer.
A simple statement that you have chosen to pursue another opportunity that aligns more closely with your immediate career objectives is sufficient. Keeping the rejection gracious and brief ensures that you leave a positive lasting impression. This maintains the possibility of working with that company or recruiter in the future, should circumstances change.