Mutiple Job Offers/Interviews Etiquette

[bax]

Hey there,

Looking for some professional advice here. I applied with two very different companies, but both roles appeal to me equally. At company A I have been offered the position and they indicated that they would like an answer from me before the end of the week.

However, things at company B have been a little slow moving. They have invited me back for a second interview on Monday.

As you can tell I am in quite the pickle and just looking for some advice on what would be the best way to go about this. I want to cover all my bases, but don't want to seem disinterested in Company A.

Any advice/experience is welcome!

[nik-]

If they're equally appealing and one is already being offered, and one is not, this seems like a pretty easy choice.

[Canehdianman]

Talk to B first, explain you have another offer and ask to move the interview to tomorrow.

If they say no, then take A.

[skudr248]

nm

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

Talk to B first, explain you have another offer and ask to move the interview to tomorrow.

If they say no, then take A.

Agreed.

I had a job offer that needed responding while interviewing for my current job. They were interested in me and changed the interview and made quick the offer so I could take it and turn the other one down in a timely fashion.

Now I wanted the job I took but would have took the other one in the mean time. If both jobs are appealing I would probably take the one that is offered and politely pull out of the other interview process.

[Coach]

Yeah, agreed with Canehdianman. Let B know you have another offer and have to answer soon so would like to move your interview up. It tells them you're still interested in the position, even though you have something else. If they say no, they've answered it for you.

[CaptainCrunch]

Agreed, I've done it in the past, when I've had multiple offers with deadlines.

I've also done it on occasion when its not quite true to increase the tempo of the company that I'm interested in.

[darklord700]

The closest thing I can relate to is when yours truly was being courted by two broads at the same time. You have to ask yourself is broad B really more virtuous than broad A who has promised herself to me. Or is it just so because I haven't gotten a yes from broad B yet.

The only thing I can say is do not mention anything about A or B to A or B. One broad on hand is better than two on your facebok friend list.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by darklord700

The closest thing I can relate to is when yours truly was being courted by two broads at the same time. You have to ask yourself is broad B really more virtuous than broad A who has promised herself to me. Or is it just so because I haven't gotten a yes from broad B yet.

The only thing I can say is do not mention anything about A or B to A or B. One broad on hand is better than two on your facebok friend list.

Decent example. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with mentioning to A you have an offer from B to speed things up.

[CaptainCrunch]

Or that A and B should fight over you, preferably in this pool full of jello.

[GGG]

As others have said it be honest with B. Let them know they are on the clock and you will see if they really want you or your the back up plan. Your in a good place right now so don't screw it up.

What you don't want to do is to ask A for more time to make a decision as a week is a reasonable length of time to do it and if you do ask they will know you are either shopping there offer for more money or looking elsewhere which isn't the best first impression.

If B wants you they will have an answer to you in your timeline.

[MacDaddy77]

If you have been invited back for a 2nd interview you have already been shortlisted and may already be the preferred candidate.

already having an offer that you are willing to take for a job your interested in is a strength - use it to you advantage.

All thigs being equal you should be willing to accept job from company A and try to negotiate perhaps a higher salary, better bonus structure.

Shoot for the moon with Company B since you already have an acceptable offer

[bax]

Appreciate all the feedback so far! The company A job has a significant lower salary so that is my main dilemma right now. Both positions would be a nice, fresh challenge for me though

[shermanator]

Given the state of the economy right now, I would take the job in front of you.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by bax

Appreciate all the feedback so far! The company A job has a significant lower salary so that is my main dilemma right now. Both positions would be a nice, fresh challenge for me though

If company A is at a significant lower salary, why are both jobs equally appealing to you?

What does company A offer you to make up the salary difference that results in both jobs being equally desirable?

[bax]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

If company A is at a significant lower salary, why are both jobs equally appealing to you?

What does company A offer you to make up the salary difference that results in both jobs being equally desirable?

Role, culture, opportunity to grow and learn. Truth be told I've had my eye on this company for a while, however the job is very entry level.

[FlamesAddiction]

Just off the cuff, I say take the bird in hand. Maybe after testing the water, you won't like it as much and then you can go with plan B assuming you are offered that position.

It would suck that you would take the first job and possibly have to bail on them. That part would be hard.

I have never been in that exact position, but one time I took a job and about a week later was offered a better job in a better city. I stayed with the first employer out of loyalty, but in hindsight, it might have not been the best professional decision I ever made.

[ken0042]

Personally I'd take job A and see how it goes with B. I've had it happen to me before where we offer a position, it gets accepted, and then the person lets us know they have taken a different offer. Especially if you are in a position to tell A that you need to give your current employer two weeks notice.

It would be different if you already worked at A and were accepting an internal promotion; and then bailed at the last moment. You would have an expectation of some loyalty. However applying for a new position, you have to do what is best for you; for compensation, career, as well as resume. Even if you have to work a week or two and then quit to take B, there's nothing saying you have to put a 2 week stint at A on your resume.

[darklord700]

I have seen it a few times a new guy came in to a job, only to quit after two weeks because he got a better offer elsewhere. If handled properly it's no big deal. You do burn the bridge with the first company but the market is big enough for one company to matter to you.

I have also seen that a new guy quit after six month and went elsewhere. That gig didn't work out so he came back to us again.

[iggyntangs]

Sort of in a similar situation that I wouldn't mind getting people's opinion on:

Currently work at A and things are okay and I've been a year and has been quite a bit slow to my liking which is why I've taken multiple interviews the last quarter of last year to see what else is out there.

Company B and C and I are getting closer to the offer stage as I've done a few round of interviews with them and they're likely (hopefully) to put something in front of me by end of Jan.

Company A where I currently am recently signed an agreement to do a project for 2 months starting Feb where I would be "the" guy and I'm just wondering what I should do if I get an offer from one of B or C.

Job wise it's something I'd want to move into, but I don't want to burn any bridges by leaving right when a project I'm supposed to be leading is coming up, but it came so last second so there's no way I could have planned for this.

I was thinking about potentially asking one of B or C if I get an offer if I can push the start date a month or something, but not sure how that would look.

Any thoughts or ideas?