How to push a job offer from a second company after getting your first offer?

December 9th, 2008 | by Rick |
VGP asked:


I had interviewed with my first choice company about a month ago. My gut feeling is that I will get it. But during the wait, I got a chance to interview with another small company and they gave me the offer within a week. I have asked for 4 days time to get back with my decision.The second company is good but I have to somehow get an official offer from my first choice company to decide judiciously. Do I tell about this offer to the 1st company and expedite their decision? Who do I contact, my prospective manager or the HR manager? I do not want to turn them off by coming off as a big shot with other offers in hand. However a months’ time is long and they promised to get back last week.
Please respond ASAP of you have any thoughts on this.

RANDAL
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  1. 8 Responses to “How to push a job offer from a second company after getting your first offer?”

  2. By IGNACIO on Dec 12, 2008 | Reply

    ROBERT

    I would just take the offer…before you loose both! This isn’t Deal or No Deal!

  3. By JIMMY on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply

    GARTH

    Yes, you politely call the HR department from the 1st company and tell them that you would really like to work for them but you have received another offer. Ask them if they can get back to you in 24 hours.

    Companies know that candidates are interviewing for other jobs. There is nothing wrong with being honest with them. If they ask, tell them who the other company is and why you still want to work for them (company #1).

  4. By IAN on Dec 16, 2008 | Reply

    JERRY

    I’d contact the company number 1 and say that I have an official offer from another organization. I’d stress that they are my first choice and so i’m reluctant to accept without having heard about this job prospective. And just ask for feedback on your application. THey will then know that you are very interested in them, and you may then find out that you are a strong candidate. I did this and it worked in my favour.

  5. By MOSES on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply

    STEPHAN

    Hi there,
    You should contact your #1 choice. Let them know that you are really keen to join their Team.

    Unfortunately - you need to put food on the table for your family, too. Waiting is not an option for you.

    Request their help by telling you their intentions towards your application.

    If they keep stalling - go with the smaller company. You might find your #1 choice (sitting there on that big pedestal you built for them) may be an inflexible place to work…..A smaller company might give you more and better experience.

    Good Luck.

  6. By WADE on Dec 20, 2008 | Reply

    KIRBY

    Wow, I guess that happens. If you decide to tell the 1st potential job about your 2nd offer, I guess I would just tell them what you stated here. I think they can tell if you’re being straightforward. I would contact your prospective manager though, not the HR manager. If you decide not to contact them, then I guess you have 4 days to turn down or take the second offer. What would I do? I’d wait 4 days and then call the 1st job and tell them you’ve accepted another job. If they say okay, fine, then they probably weren’t going to hire you anyway. If they say, well, we were going to call you with a job offer, then, great. Win-win.

  7. By CAMERON on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply

    DONNELL

    Just accept the new offer. If the first company comes back, find out the offer and then you can see if it is better and decide at that point. Normally you should give 2 weeks notice to your current employer. This will buy you two more weeks. If the first offer is better, you can then switch to them and tell the other company that you will not be joining them. If they ask why, tell them you had another offer that turned out to be better. If they really want you they’ll counter-offer. I’ve been there and it worked fine and they understood.

  8. By ELLIS on Dec 24, 2008 | Reply

    RODRIGO

    I would follow up with the interviewing manager on the status of your application. Tell him during the conversation you are still very interested and at the same time you are still searching for a position. If he’s adverse to speaking with you, I’d accept the second position at this point. I was a hiring supervisor for awhile–we were never late answering the applicants we wanted to hire–we were only late getting back to the ones we decided not to hire–it’s human nature to avoid the hard discussion not to hire someone. Last thought: it’s not unheard of someone being in this position and accepting the second job, getting the phone call from the first job and leaving the second choice for the first choice. If you get in this position, be open and honest with the second position–they may make it worthwhile to stay.

  9. By MITCHEL on Dec 24, 2008 | Reply

    CHARLEY

    Bigger isn’t always better! Do you really want to work for a company that keeps you waiting and doesn’t keep their word?? There is absolutely nothing wrong with contacting the first companies manager (I would NOT contact HR simply because they probably haven’t met you face to face, and you are probably just another resume or another one of those “calling to check my status calls”) Speak THE MANAGER THAT INTERVIEWED YOU putting emphasis on how much you would enjoy working for their company but would like to make the best decision possible for your situation. Explain your other offer and give them no longer than 48 hours. No response means they aren’t the company for you. Small companies are awesome because you have a greater opportunity to be notice for outstanding performance. Search your heart, but don’t stall too long or you could end up looking for a 3rd opportunity.

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