After getting an offer, how long can I keep an employer hanging?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Ok, how would the truth work? I'm talking to another employer and I need a week. I've never been an employer or even an HR person so I have no idea how that sounds on the other end. It sounds reasonable to me but then again I could be rationalizing.

[William33 110]

Well, that will buy you at least one day!!!

I surmise this offer is in your city? If so, and you indicated that you need more time than that, I would suggest that you need to discuss it with your wife, who is currently out of the country? How's that?

Ok, what stall tactics would you use? I was thinking of asking them for detail of their medical/dental/vision plans down to yearly premiums and copay level. And 401k vesting schedule. Your thoughts?

Dude, that's brilliant!!

I think that might be a little weak. I mean, people do know that it would be pretty easy to discuss this with your wife if she were overseas. There are telephones.

Ah, come on Jenn! Everyone knows that a face-to-face is appropriate for a major life decision like this, no?

[BrownHorse 2]

Gupt or should I say Mr.MarriedMan, Two week notice is well recommended for almost any employers in the states! I suggest you should renew your US Citizenship Cert!

[Fandango 1,439]

Ok, what stall tactics would you use? I was thinking of asking them for detail of their medical/dental/vision plans down to yearly premiums and copay level. And 401k vesting schedule. Your thoughts?

Why not simply be honest? It will indicate a position of strength...ie..you know your worth, you are shopping around, highest offer wins. It will also up your value in the respect that each employer knows they are not the only game in town...so you might even start a bidding war situation.

I'd say that's more businesslike than fannying about with stall tactics, which tbh, don't convey anything more than indecision.

You could simply say 'I am entertaining offers until x day'

Edited December 29, 2006 by LisaD

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'd say that's more businesslike than fannying about with stall tactics...

And I guess telling them I am entertaining other offers after I waste a few days in stall tactics would look even worse.

[BrownHorse 2]

Ok, what stall tactics would you use? I was thinking of asking them for detail of their medical/dental/vision plans down to yearly premiums and copay level. And 401k vesting schedule. Your thoughts?

Why not simply be honest? It will indicate a position of strength...ie..you know your worth, you are shopping around, highest offer wins. It will also up your value in the respect that each employer knows they are not the only game in town...so you might even start a bidding war situation.

I'd say that's more businesslike than fannying about with stall tactics, which tbh, don't convey anything more than indecision.

You could simply say 'I am entertaining offers until x day'

I second that Lisa!

[William33 110]

I disagree LisaD.

Bidding wars rarely yeild positive results. For further affirmatation of this, query Paul Barada on Monster.com. He is an employment expert, and strongly recommends against this tactic.

Link: http://community.monster.com/Forums/ShowFo...aspx?ForumID=51

Gupt: Post an anonymous question there, you will see.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

William, thanks for the link, am reading it now!

[Fandango 1,439]

I disagree LisaD.

Bidding wars rarely yeild positive results. For further affirmatation of this, query Paul Barada on Monster.com. He is an employment expert, and strongly recommends against this tactic.

Link: http://community.monster.com/Forums/ShowFo...aspx?ForumID=51

Gupt: Post an anonymous question there, you will see.

Ok, a bidding war may NOT ensue, but at the end of the day, Gupt is a businessman, and taking the first offer, using stall tactics...'I need to speak with my wife'....looks weak.

It's all by the by, because I would have told them at the interview. A true businessman knows his worth, and would shop him/herself around to see where the best offer is. Moving firms is a big deal, so before one gets settled somewhere else, one normally would look around. Every employer should realize this, and there's no need for secrecy or stall tactics....that implies drama or weakness....and tbh won't help at all.

Gupt, how about saying summat like 'I will get back to you in 5 days' and then when you interview with the other place, tell them you have an offer on the table, and if they are interested, they should consider making an offer before your deadline for acceptance on the other firm?

That's what I'd do

[chri'stina 190]

Sorry I don't really have any advice..but hope you get the job you want!

[peezey 0]

How about asking them "when do you need to hear back from me on this offer?" I've done this before two different times, once they gave me the ambiguous "ASAP" and the second they responded with "how about by next Friday?" which ultimately gave me 5 additional working days.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Gupt, how about saying summat like 'I will get back to you in 5 days' and then when you interview with the other place, tell them you have an offer on the table, and if they are interested, they should consider making an offer before your deadline for acceptance on the other firm?

I've been browsing monster.com forums as suggested by William and the consensus there seems to be 2-3 days, not 5. I am really not sure how I am going to handle this. I have an interview with a third company the week after next so I suppose saying 'no' if they're not willing to give me the extra 2-3 days isn't totally out of the question. I have a job right now and it's not like I'm going to be unemployed if I don't grab the first offer that comes along.

[William33 110]

I disagree LisaD.

Bidding wars rarely yeild positive results. For further affirmatation of this, query Paul Barada on Monster.com. He is an employment expert, and strongly recommends against this tactic.

Link: http://community.monster.com/Forums/ShowFo...aspx?ForumID=51

Gupt: Post an anonymous question there, you will see.

Ok, a bidding war may NOT ensue, but at the end of the day, Gupt is a businessman, and taking the first offer, using stall tactics...'I need to speak with my wife'....looks weak.

It's all by the by, because I would have told them at the interview. A true businessman knows his worth, and would shop him/herself around to see where the best offer is. Moving firms is a big deal, so before one gets settled somewhere else, one normally would look around. Every employer should realize this, and there's no need for secrecy or stall tactics....that implies drama or weakness....and tbh won't help at all.

Gupt, how about saying summat like 'I will get back to you in 5 days' and then when you interview with the other place, tell them you have an offer on the table, and if they are interested, they should consider making an offer before your deadline for acceptance on the other firm?

That's what I'd do

Lisa,

Any self respecting company appreciates a family man or woman. This trait is indicative of stability, a highly desirable quality of an employee. Would you not agree?

Many people shoot opinions from the hip on VJ, without substantial backstopping of experience. I only react to issues that come from experience and success from it. Let the buyer beware.

Edited December 29, 2006 by William33

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

How about asking them "when do you need to hear back from me on this offer?" I've done this before two different times, once they gave me the ambiguous "ASAP" and the second they responded with "how about by next Friday?" which ultimately gave me 5 additional working days.

How did you handle 'ASAP'?

[peezey 0]

How about asking them "when do you need to hear back from me on this offer?" I've done this before two different times, once they gave me the ambiguous "ASAP" and the second they responded with "how about by next Friday?" which ultimately gave me 5 additional working days.

How did you handle 'ASAP'?

I felt too rushed and was in the same position as you....not hard up to change and take the 1st thing to come along, so I declined. Initially it was hard to do because I thought "how stupid to turn down a job offer!" but really it was the best thing to do in the situation, I didn't feel rushed, I had other options, I ended up somewhere I really liked, albeit a couple months later rather than ASAP.