Got a job offer, but still waiting to hear back from other jobs
I just got an offer and have 7 days to decide, meanwhile, I also just got contacted by other opportunities which I am way more interested. What would you do? Take the job and continue interviewing? I feel that being a little unethical, if I do so, will that be a bad look on me in my field?
http://www.careercast.com/career-news/dream-job-dilemma
I found this article online.
Q: Today I got a job offer that sounds interesting, but not as intriguing as another job that I'm currently interviewing for. I would rather have the second position, but I'm afraid to reject the solid offer I've already gotten, especially in today's job market. I want to be fair and honest with everyone involved. What should I do?
A: This is a classic dilemma, and one that doesn't just apply to the employment world – as anyone who's gotten asked to the Prom by the wrong person knows well. Fortunately, corporate egos don't bruise as easily as a teenager's does, and most employers want you to be truly enthusiastic about joining their team.
While in the past you may have been able to time your time in making a decision like this, given the heavy competition among job seekers today, dithering can be a costly mistake. That said, in these kinds of situations there are some factors that work in your favor. Keep in mind that once an organization has chosen its number one candidate, all competitors become distant seconds. Now the decision is made, you can be certain the leadership really wants you. As you haven't said yes yet, you can probably buy a little time. Just be careful not to come across like you're playing games.
To be fair to everyone, try the following process:
Call the company that offered you the job to find out its sense of urgency. If HR wants an answer in the next few weeks, you have some breathing room. If they expect a response ASAP, say you need time to make a well-considered choice, and you'll get back to them in three days. If they press you to move faster, be wary – people who want important decisions on the spot often have hidden agendas.
Contact the employer with the opening you really want. Be candid about your situation and ask them to be truthful as well. Find out how interested they are in you. If you know that you've already been eliminated from contention, your decision about the offer on the table is a no-brainer. But if the company does want you on board, you may be able to nudge them into speeding up the hiring process.
If you're lucky enough to get an offer for your preferred job (in writing if possible), you can graciously decline the other one. Depending on how serious things got with the original employer, when you reject their offer try to mention the good things about the job you aren't taking, so you can end the discussion on a positive note. No doubt they'll have a deep pool of other candidates to choose from, but it's important to make them feel like you weren't wasting their time.
If your preferred company doesn't give you an offer or is unwilling to condense its interview cycle, you'll have to decide whether or not to take the job offer that's a sure thing. To make an informed decision, compare your offer with your ideal job description. Consider how well the opportunity reflects your skills, interests, values and personality. If there's at least a 75% match with your dream position, it's safe to say that you'll find it satisfying.
Hi Weishen, First things first, congratulations on the offer! That's great to hear. If they gave you 7 days to make a decision, I would use all 7 days to continue checking out other opportunities. If you are really interested in them, be sure to disclose that you have an offer and would need to move quickly. See if they can meet with you right away and see if there would be a fit. Once you hit that 7th day, you may be able to ask for an extension, but try not to make them think that you don't want to work there. It's a tough spot to be in, but this is a good problem to deal with. Good luck and congratulations again. -Mark
Congrats. But you live in a great world my friend! 7 days to make a decision? Obviously that's no schlep job. But as the saying goes, you can't refuse a job you haven't been offered. I was out of work a long time. Couldn't get something comparable to the one I had for one reason or another. I had to take a crapola job just to have a job. Depending on what's left of your savings I say take the job unless you really don't want it. Then if you get an offer you Really want go for it. There's no loyalty to employees anymore. Do what's right for you!