Delaying job offer acceptance

maurice28

I’m coming to the end of a 12 month maternity leave cover contract, so I’m job hunting at the moment. I have two ‘irons in the fire’ currently. I had an interview with Company A last week and I’m just waiting for their decision on if I have the job today. I have a second interview with Company B on Friday.

My preference would be to work with Company B. However, if I was lucky enough that Company A offered me the job today, an offer in the hand is obviously worth more than just gambling on the second interview.

In an ideal world, I’d be offered the Company A job but would then ask to delay the decision until probably Monday next week, when I’d know if I was being offered a job with Company B too. What is people’s experience of doing this kind of thing? I know it’s hard to say, but do you think Company A would be happy with this approach, or do you think it would annoy them enough to withdraw the offer?

Both jobs are recruiting through agencies, so I could discuss with them, but just wanted to see if anyone had any experience of this kind of thing.

Poppie68

I would think Company A would be likely to rethink their choice and either withdraw their offer or mark your cards.
Maybe the best thing for you would to accept but keep stum then if Company B offer you the job you could inform Company A straight away that you will no longer be available and apologise. I'm sure their No 2 choice will be grateful for the chance.

LittleVoice

maurice28 wrote: »

I’m coming to the end of a 12 month maternity leave cover contract, so I’m job hunting at the moment. I have two ‘irons in the fire’ currently. I had an interview with Company A last week and I’m just waiting for their decision on if I have the job today. I have a second interview with Company B on Friday.

My preference would be to work with Company B. However, if I was lucky enough that Company A offered me the job today, an offer in the hand is obviously worth more than just gambling on the second interview.

In an ideal world, I’d be offered the Company A job but would then ask to delay the decision until probably Monday next week, when I’d know if I was being offered a job with Company B too. What is people’s experience of doing this kind of thing? I know it’s hard to say, but do you think Company A would be happy with this approach, or do you think it would annoy them enough to withdraw the offer?

Both jobs are recruiting through agencies, so I could discuss with them, but just wanted to see if anyone had any experience of this kind of thing.

I do not have experience of delaying acceptance but would not recommend trying it. If you receive an offer and you would actually be content to start in that job, accept it. If you get another offer you can withdraw your original acceptance.

Are both jobs through the same agency?

maurice28

Thanks both. The jobs are through different agencies.

I did think about accepting the first offer but then withdrawing if I get the second offer, but other things I have read advise against doing this and suggest honesty is the best policy!

It might all be academic anyway as I might not get offered either of course!

Sanne

I guess it depends on what kind of job you've applied for and how desperate the companies are to get you.

We've had people do this - they took a week to make a decision and the company quite happily waited for them.
That's obviously not for admin etc. jobs though but for jobs where there's less supply than demand for candidates.

Likewise, we've had interviews being held earlier than planned as the company knew that other interviews had been scheduled (say, in your case, they would have brought the interview forward from Friday to Wednesday). Again, this was the case when they sort of knew they wanted someone.

In all other (and probably the majority of cases) you can probably delay the decision by a day or two but longer is difficult.

LittleVoice

maurice28 wrote: »

Thanks both. The jobs are through different agencies.

I did think about accepting the first offer but then withdrawing if I get the second offer, but other things I have read advise against doing this and suggest honesty is the best policy!

It might all be academic anyway as I might not get offered either of course!

I agree that honest is best.
However you can honestly accept but make a later decision to accept a better offer.

Advice against doing that is only if you think you might upset the agency/consultant who could be useful in the future or you might want a job with Company A or have other professional contact with them.

Gavin83

I agree with the above, it depends on what the job is. The thing is, if you ask to delay your decision it'll be fairly obvious why your asking to do this, if there was no other offer you'd have already made a decision if you want to work there.

Therefore it does depend on what the job is. If your an expert in your field, of which their is a short supply of candidates they'll be prepared to wait. Actually they'd possibly increase their offer. Alternatively if your in the position of 99% of the workforce where they have a vast choice of candidates you'll likely lose your offer.

Although not exactly honest I'd probably take the offer, go for the other job and later decline this offer should you need/want to. You might upset a few people but you need to look after yourself at the end of the day.

maurice28

Thanks all. The role is a middle management level one in communications so I imagine there are several candidates for them to choose from. Definitely food for thought if I do get the offer so thanks for your help.

getmore4less

If they know it is the end of maternity cover they will know you are looking.


It is fairly easy to keep negotiations open for a while just ask a few questions to clarify, the particulars of employment, need a written unconditional offer, salary benefits etc.


bottom line is do you want to burn a bridge by messing people about with accept and not turn up, it's a small world the employment one.


it this interim to perm or another interim makes a difference on how far you can push things.

noelphobic

I would definitely accept the first offer and then go back to them if you get the second offer and turn it down. If you delay they may well withdraw the offer and if you don't get the second job then you're left with nothing.

My son was looking for a job for a long time but was then offered two on the same day. He accepted the first offer but then rang back and declined it when he was offered the second job.

If I am every fortunate enough to be in this position I would do the same. The difficulty would be if you weren't sure which job you preferred. It's a nice dilemma to have though!

IYKWIM

'The remuneration package isn't quite what I was looking for, I would like to take the weekend to talk it over with my spouse, I will get back to you on Monday'.

They aren't going to give up on you over a few days. If they do there will be warning signs when you tell them the above.


Or just accept and revoke acceptance next week.