How to ask for extra time to consider when offered a role

[JobDilemma101]

Hi all,

I'm currently not working after a fixed term contract ended, and I've applied for a lot of roles as I need to work - unfortunately summer is a poor time to job hunt it seems, and Brexit is impacting recruitment. Anyway, I've had more luck recently and have had two really positive interviews for two different companies, with a third final interview to happen in 10 days time (earliest they could do due to annual leave). So 3 companies, 3 different roles. The third one I have yet to do, I am the only candidate they are considering (so if it's not me, it's back to the drawing board for them). I work in a slightly niche market.

I am really confident with the two interviews I've had, feedback has been great, and I have a strong feeling I'll be offered both roles. I hear back with decisions next week. Both roles are great, but they also both have their downsides:

Role A is a little junior for me based on experience, and is offering a salary which is on the low side (circa 25% drop from my last job), and flexibility for home working/adjusted hours is less than ideal.

Role B is a step into a different field, but with similar principles. The hiring manager and I hit it off very well and it would be a great challenge for me, coming in at a senior level to something I've done before as a concept but with an entirely new product line. But, it is a much longer commute, and could take me 1.5-2 hours to get there, though some flexibility to home work and adjust hours. Salary is around 10-15% under my last job).

Role C (not yet had final interview) is a 20 minute commute, money is spot on, flexibility with hours/home work is there and it's a senior role with lots of scope.

My dilemma is, that if I get offered jobs A and B, what do I do about C? I'd likely have about a week/week and a half between getting offers for A/B, and getting an offer for C (fingers crossed). So what would I say to A/B in the mean time?

Obviously C is my ideal, but if I'm not offered that one then I'd likely go for B (amazing opportunity but too much of a commute really when I have a young family). Opinions from friends and family range from being honest and asking for time to consider, to accepting A/B and then backing out, which I'd feel awful about as it would cost them to get checks done. And if I'm honest, that surely shows that I'm not that interested but holding out for something better (which is kind of true but I don't want to start off on the wrong foot if I don't get C).

Long and short of it is - I need a job, I'm potentially in a very lucky position, but how do I manage this and ask for time to get all offers in?

Sorry - that was long. Hopefully it's clear, but any advice is welcome!

Thanks

Also - I'm not usually this big headed, I've just been really lucky with my interviews and I've had a lot of practice recently so they went really really well!

If you accept one and then back out will this damage your reputation in the industry?

Thanks clouds, no I don't think so. The one I would accept if given the option is B, and that's a different sector so very unlikely.

are you dealing directly with the companies? If you’re using a recruiter then this is how they earn their fee. But I am guessing not.

So I would call C and ask them if they are in a position to bring the interview forward and explain your dilemma to them. Explain you’re on a timeline and you’re keen to be successful with them, and wondered if they could help you make it work?

If you’re offered a/b before c just stall them. Or ask them when they would like their answer by.

Ask a or b what their deadline is. The only thing is their second choice etc might have a deadline of their own so they might not be able to be endlessly flexible... Good luck

Atalune - thanks. I've tried everything with C to bring it forward, but the two interviewers are at different sites next week and apparently there are no common slots where we could even do a video conference with one and a face to face with the other. It's so frustrating, but I have been honest with them and they know the situation. A and B also know I have other things in the pipeline.

It's just a bit of a dilemma that they've all landed at once apart from C who are slightly out of step.

I think stalling is my best bet, but how do I stall them without giving the impression I'm waiting for something better. Could I use the excuse that I've got something going on personally that means my decision is delayed, or does that sound flakey?

Pope - true. The thing I have going for me is that I'm not working now so I can be an immediate start

Don’t give an excuse.

If you’re offered. Just say

Thank you, that’s great could you send me the details for me to read through?

Try not to say anything else. IF they ask you questions be polite and answer them but don’t give anything away.

So they might say- are you accepting the role? And you can say- I’m really delighted with the offer and I’ll read the paper work and come back with my formal response.
So you’re not saying no or yes. But remaining positive.
If they press you, you can say....
I am going to review the offer and discuss it with my partner. I’m really delighted to be offered, I had a good feeling about this! (Or something equally vague but positive)

Thanks Atalune - really helpful

I'm probably overthinking everything, never been in this situation before and it's sparked my anxiety

I agree with being positive but vague. Presumably B know that the commute is the issue? So if pushed you could always stall by saying you're looking into how to best make the commute work and you'll come back to them ASAP.

I've stalled a week before on a job offer. I asked for contracts and waited for that, asked a few questions about the benefits package etc. I did ultimately accept (and it was a similar situation, I was the only candidate being considered) and the delay didn't cause any issues.

you cannot make a decision with no decision to make.

you get offered one job. You then accept.

you get offered another, you have a decision to make.

you decide on the second job, you tell the first one that a more suitable offer has come in, and you are accepting that.

Honestly job B’s commute is not going to suit you with your young family commitments long term.

Job A is underpaying you.

If either thought you were the one candidate they are hoping for, they would increase their offer and/or allow you the flexibility of working from home if it’s logistically possible.

Stall them. Accept if you have to and then back out if offered C.

Don’t undersell yourself. You will get other jobs that underpay and whose t&c don’t suit you.

Oops pressed send too soon.

You might not get offered your ideal job but you are obviously employable and will be offered other jobs.

Thanks all, it's helpful to know there is hope without accepting jobs and backing out.

It's a long story but I never expected to be unemployed - even though it was an FTC, I wasn't given the whole truth about post FTC. Not something to go into now. But the whole situation has affected my confidence and it's nice to hear other views.

If it won't damage your reputation I'd accept B if you really can handle the commute and swap to C if offered. But the commute sounds brutal, could you not reject a and b, hope for c but wait it out for better role if don't get it?

I’d agree. I wouldn’t accept either A or B tbh. Neither are what you are looking for and I know, unless I was getting a salary 20% ABOVE market rate, if I had a 90-120 minutes commute, I’d be looking to change jobs again as soon as possible, which I’d then feel awful about leaving because they had spent the time training me in.

Job C know you are interested and that others are interested in you.

I honestly think you are underselling yourself. If job C does not make an offer or you get a bad opinion of them during the interview, it really sounds like there will be other jobs and other offers, that will suit you either salary wise, commute wise or flexibility wise. Neither job a or job b offer you any of those things.

I've learned the hard way not to rush it and take the first thing that comes along... unless you are in dire financial straights in which case I'd recommend temping and yo stay on the market

Thanks all,

My confidence has taken such a knock recently because the company I was contracted to were awful and it wasn't a good fit at all, that I think I might be underselling myself. Financially I cannot be out of work too long. My only concern with dropping A and B would be that if C doesn't work out, I need to start from scratch, and it takes a good 6 weeks to interview and offer in my profession.

If they both offer, ask for a few days to consider, based on lower salary/commuting time. They may well come back during that stalling period with a better offer.

How much time until your current contract ends?

Neither Job A or B sound attractive.

I'd keep looking and consider temporary work (not FTC) - if Job C comes good in the meantime, then happy days.

Daisychain - my contract ended mid sept, so I'm not working currently. I have been looking for work for the last 4 months but everything seems to shut down in my industry over summer so not much luck. I've never left a job without another job to go to, so this is all new to me.

I've looked at temping but it's rare in my line of work due to the technical side, and other temp jobs (admin etc) don't pay enough for me to pay for childcare.

In your situation I would accept whatever job offer is viable as stalling isn't a good tactic if the risk is they sense you have second thoughts. They would be within their rights to withdraw a job offer if they have someone in the wings who grabs the job with both hands and convinces them they want it more than you.

My concern is that your Job 2 has a long commute and paying less than you want but if it's the only offer on the table and you have no way of knowing if Job 3 will work out, a bird in the hand and all that.

Let us know how you get on!

Thanks all,

I think problem solved - job B called today and said that for various reasons they won't be able to get me an answer until next week. Hopefully this will align with job C, and I'll not have to put anyone off for more than 24/48 hours which seems much more reasonable.

I'll update when I know more

That’s great!