Job Interviews/Offer Stage Advice

[packattack425]

Needed some advice on my situation so I decided to turn to the experts....

I am current unemployed by my own decision, recently relocated to Des Moines and am looking to switch careers. It has been 10 years since I last looked for a job and have little to no experience with HR, recruiters or the job hiring process. I have been interviewing with multiple companies and am currently in a different stage of the interview process with each company. The two companies below are the two main players.

Company A - This company/position is my number one choice. I completed the initial HR screening and first round of interviews with the hiring manager/team lead. They said there is one more interview left in the process which will most likely be scheduled for the end of this week/early next week. They hoped to make a final decision within the next two weeks.

Company B - This is my backup company. I have completed all interviews with this company and things went well. I played phone tag with their HR department late this afternoon and fully expect a verbal offer to come tomorrow. Company B is still a good option and I would have no problems working here.

My question is what is the best way to slow play Company B to let Company A opportunity fully develop and get to an offer stage? Two weeks seems like a long time to not accept/decline an offer. If company A falls though and an offer is not extended, I do intend to become employed by company B. Company A is just my first choice. Is it typical to accept an offer, continue to interview with the intent to accept a different offer if presented? My thought process would be try to slow play company B for a few days but still accept their offer. I would try to ask for a start date that would allow me time to fully complete the interview process with company A. I wouldn't let company B know I am continuing to interview with other companies. If offer from company A comes through, I would inform company B that I no longer intend to be employed by company B. I understand this would most likely close the door on any further opportunities with Company B.

Any thoughts?

 

[CyCrazy]

I would slow play company B, and say others are interested, might get you a pay bump.

 

[PineClone]

Any chance of contacting Company A to inform them of your situation? See if they would speed things up a little? I think they would respect that you aren't interested in misleading Company B.

 

[Yellow Snow]

I guess, my advice would be that the best time to be looking for a job is when you already have one.

Take the B offer, but slow play if you can.

 

[packattack425]

I would slow play company B, and say others are interested, might get you a pay bump.

Any chance they call your bluff and pull the offer?

 

[cloneatlaw]

When company B offers, ask them for a week to decide. Then, call company A and let them know you're considering another offer and tell them you have until the following week. I would guess that the two weeks company A quoted is the time is takes to wait on the person they offer first to say yes and then inform everybody else, so if you're their first choice they should be able to let you know in time.

 

[Yellow Snow]

Any chance they call your bluff and pull the offer?

Always that chance.

 

[cyfanatic13]

When company B offers, ask them for a week to decide. Then, call company A and let them know you're considering another offer and tell them you have until the following week. I would guess that the two weeks company A quoted is the time is takes to wait on the person they offer first to say yes and then inform everybody else, so if you're their first choice they should be able to let you know in time.

I don't have much experience with this, but this is probably what I'd do

 

[Rabbuk]

Take offer b but say you have commitments that don't allow you to start until x date.

 

[dosry5]

Is ISU company B? And KU is company A? That you Tyrese?

 

[Yellow Snow]

Take offer b but say you have commitments that don't allow you to start until x date.

Bingo. What I would do.

 

[peteypie]

Its ok to ask for an extension to your offer if you get one. Explain that you want to make sure you are fully committed if you are to accept and just be honest that you are waiting on other opportunities. I recently did this and worked out fine.

 

[Mr Janny]

Take offer b but say you have commitments that don't allow you to start until x date.

This is the correct answer. Although, don't ever accept their first salary offer. They're expecting a negotiation. Ask for a higher salary, and then if they can't meet it, ask if they do signing bonuses. Or see if they can throw in more PTO. Those are all things that shouldn't come as a surprise to the employer, maybe not for every job candidate, but certainly some of them. Might allow you to slow play things a bit, as well. Just be respectful when you ask.

Instead of saying "I need more money" ask "Is there room for additional consideration regarding compensation?" Or something to that effect.

Just keep it professional and they should keep the dialogue going.

 

[aeroclone]

Take offer b but say you have commitments that don't allow you to start until x date.

Is this with the intent that you would then bail on company B if A comes through later? While that would cover your bases for now it could become a blocker to future opportunities if you ever did want to go to B later. And if it is a small industry where everyone talks that could come around again. If you don't see risk of those types of scenarios, then I agree that could work.

 

[brianhos]

Slow play B, but tell A you have an offer on the table once you get it. That will force their hand to hurry the process along.

 

[Rabbuk]

Is this with the intent that you would then bail on company B if A comes through later? While that would cover your bases for now it could become a blocker to future opportunities if you ever did want to go to B later. And if it is a small industry where everyone talks that could come around again. If you don't see risk of those types of scenarios, then I agree that could work.

I'm of the mindset that burning bridges is pretty much a myth in most large industries. It's one of those things companies play up to keep workers passive. I can't speak on niche industries I guess, but in 5 or 10 years the chances of getting the same recruiter or them having a record of you declining an offer at company b seems unlikely. Feels a bit like the whole permanent record thing.

 

[packattack425]

Take offer b but say you have commitments that don't allow you to start until x date.

Do you still let company A know that you have a pending offer to try to expedite that process?

 

[Rabbuk]

Do you still let company A know that you have a pending offer to try to expedite that process?

If you only need to buy like 5 business days until you think you'll have an answer for A I wouldn't think it would matter much. Not sure what hiring managers in here might think. I've only hired a handful of people and I pretty much just moved the process along at the speed I was comfortable with as all the candidates had pros and cons.

 

[CyCrazy]

Any chance they call your bluff and pull the offer?

Ya sure, its a gamble. I did this once and it paid off.

 

[aeroclone]

I'm of the mindset that burning bridges is pretty much a myth in most large industries. It's one of those things companies play up to keep workers passive. I can't speak on niche industries I guess, but in 5 or 10 years the chances of getting the same recruiter or them having a record of you declining an offer at company b seems unlikely. Feels a bit like the whole permanent record thing.

I would agree if you are in some generic position in a large industry, probably not a big deal. Something small and specialized though and I may be a little more cautious.