How to tactfully ask for a faster post-interview decision?

GoToGal

Evening

I'm at the tail end of an existing contract due to finish in 2 weeks. Had 2 interviews yesterday and firm A have offered me a job to start ASAP. I prefer firm B but firm A need to a decision by end of play tomorrow. Firm B have said decision will be next week (I was the first to interview).

I'd like to tactfully ask firm B for a decision but not sure how to phrase it without sounding impatient or like I'm pressuring them with "ooh look, I have another offer, it's make your mind up time!" type thing. Any ideas?

Muchos gracias

Zazen999

Say yes to A and if you get an offer, then you can accept B

Savvy_Sue

The ONLY way to find out if you could get a faster decision is to ask them! But unless you know that there is more than one position OR that they will have finished interviewing, then you are unlikely to get your decision.

Although they may tell you that you haven't got it, which I guess would help ...

Personally I'd also try flanneling company A along the lines of "I really need the weekend to think about this for personal reasons, is there any chance of an extension?"

patman99

Try telling Company A that your current employer has asked you to stay-on 1 more week.

crackerberry

Has company A provided you with the offer formally in writing yet? If not you just say you accept subject to receiving a satisfactory offer in writing. You wouldn't ordinarily hand in your notice with a current employer until that point anyway.

pjread

absolutely, accept A then withdraw if you get an offer from B before you start.

NGlady

I think it would be awfully pushy to be asking firm B to be going out of their way to please you - unless of course you have VERY unique skills and atributes to add to the company. Also, I don't think you should start asking for favours from firm A yet "can I have this weekend to think it over" im sure theres lots of people dying for your position!
Would you be commiting yourself to anything, if you accepted firm A and then if firm B offer you the position changing your mind and going for the other?
I think you always need to be careful because you may leave firm A in the lurch, and go to firm B - but what about if firm B hits the fan and you need a new job... firm A would be less keen to employ you as it would go on your record...
just a few pondering thoughts

Evilm

Zazen999 wrote: »

Say yes to A and if you get an offer, then you can accept B

I would be reticent to do the above... personally I would ask A for an extension to make my mind up and then let them down if I got B. If not you still have A to go back to.

However, each to their own.

I would consider letting B know that you have another offer but would prefer theirs and ask them for interview feedback but this does raise the possibility of B turning you down if they don't like that kind of pressure.

Zazen999

Evilm wrote: »

I would be reticent to do the above... personally I would ask A for an extension to make my mind up and then let them down if I got B. If not you still have A to go back to.

However, each to their own.

I would consider letting B know that you have another offer but would prefer theirs and ask them for interview feedback but this does raise the possibility of B turning you down if they don't like that kind of pressure.

I personally wouldn't let a job go without another offer....but each to their own.

Being an ex manager, if you tell B that - they might well as you say take you out of the running.

The best way is to play it day by day - what you know on one day is the basis for a decision, not what you hope comes through the door on another day.

jimbms

Say yes to A and if B coms back also say yes to them, then sit down have a good think and ring the one you don't want to reject them, remember they cannot force you to work for them even if you accept the offer.

GoToGal

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Ethically, I wouldnt want to let them down. As fate would have it, due to companies house delays, they can't draw the contract up till Monday. I wrote a very polite note to firm B last night but not reply. I told firm A today I would be reviewing the contract and then providing a firm answer. So now, we wait.

@NGlady Yes, my skills are unique enough for me to be in demand but you are only as reputable as your last job, so it never pays to put people's noses out if you can avoid it.