How Many Offers Do You Have?

Congratulations! Your second choice for a new employer has made you an offer!

But… you’re still holding out for your first choice. So how to handle things tactfully without risking losing both opportunities?

We’re definitely in a candidate’s market, so you don’t necessarily need to settle for second best, but you do have to handle things smartly and tactfully.

Asking for “time to think it over” is a good first tactic. You can sometimes ask for a week or even ten days without it seeming out of the ordinary (depending upon the level).

If there doesn’t seem like the right approach, or if you end up needing more time, you can also go with being direct:

“Thanks so much for this offer. I’m excited, but also interviewing with a few other organizations before I make my final decision.”

These are conversations you can often have via your recruiter, too. That’s our role, and one we typically know how to handle in each particular case.

As a Executive Recruiter, I’m always happy to help a job seeker navigate finding a new role in a way that’s both timely and feels right.