Juggling job offers

[TurbosSuck]

Hi,

What is the best way to deal with a scenario where by you are offered a good job two weeks before the interviews for a much better job? Assuming you stood a good chance of being offered both.

Thanks

[talksthetorque]

Say I'm going on holiday and I'll let you know when I get back. but don't sign anything.

I take it the first job is a standard 3 ball, and the two weeks away interview is either four knives or firesticks.

[Trailhead]

Accept the job and then turn it down (possibly) later down the line.

[Gargamel]

Trailhead said:

Accept the job and then turn it down (possibly) later down the line.

This is tempting, but not advice I would give.

Delay a little, ask for the offer letter etc.

Does the second company know you have an offer, can you bring the interview fwd. ?

[ReaperCushions]

Gargamel said:

This is tempting, but not advice I would give.

Delay a little, ask for the offer letter etc.

Does the second company know you have an offer, can you bring the interview fwd. ?

Agreed. I was in the exact same situation a few weeks ago and there is no easy answer. Best practice for me was to be honest with both parties.. that will often tell you a lot about how they deal with difficult situations.

In my case, the first company dragged their heels in actually producing the written offer, which bought me some time. I then let the second company know I was going to receive an offer from the first company and asked to bring forward my interview process with them.

The two process ended up meeting in the middle and I actually got both written offers on the same day. Luck for sure, but it told me a lot about how the first company was slow and unreactive compared to the second who was dynamic, fast acting and willing to adapt to the situation to bring me on. The money and packages were roughly the same, but it was very obvious which company to choose.

[TurbosSuck]

ReaperCushions said:

Agreed. I was in the exact same situation a few weeks ago and there is no easy answer. Best practice for me was to be honest with both parties.. that will often tell you a lot about how they deal with difficult situations.

In my case, the first company dragged their heels in actually producing the written offer, which bought me some time. I then let the second company know I was going to receive an offer from the first company and asked to bring forward my interview process with them.

The two process ended up meeting in the middle and I actually got both written offers on the same day. Luck for sure, but it told me a lot about how the first company was slow and unreactive compared to the second who was dynamic, fast acting and willing to adapt to the situation to bring me on. The money and packages were roughly the same, but it was very obvious which company to choose.

I'm thinking this might be the best option, and as you say, it will give me a good idea of how they deal with things. A few people have said just accept it and turn it down later, but this isn't how I like to do things and I don't want to burn bridges or make a bad name for myself.

Worse problems to have I suppose but It's proving rather stressful.

[The Beaver King]

TurbosSuck said:

ReaperCushions said:

Agreed. I was in the exact same situation a few weeks ago and there is no easy answer. Best practice for me was to be honest with both parties.. that will often tell you a lot about how they deal with difficult situations.

In my case, the first company dragged their heels in actually producing the written offer, which bought me some time. I then let the second company know I was going to receive an offer from the first company and asked to bring forward my interview process with them.

The two process ended up meeting in the middle and I actually got both written offers on the same day. Luck for sure, but it told me a lot about how the first company was slow and unreactive compared to the second who was dynamic, fast acting and willing to adapt to the situation to bring me on. The money and packages were roughly the same, but it was very obvious which company to choose.

I'm thinking this might be the best option, and as you say, it will give me a good idea of how they deal with things. A few people have said just accept it and turn it down later, but this isn't how I like to do things and I don't want to burn bridges or make a bad name for myself.

Worse problems to have I suppose but It's proving rather stressful.

Ignore those people that have told you to accept role 1 and then reject it later. It's poor form and a bad reflection on you. You've already sussed it, but ReaperCushion's answer is the right one. Ultimately, if you're top pick for both then they will move things about to accommodate and/or give you breathing space.

I probably wouldn't tell Company 1 that you're waiting on a better offer but certainly use non-committal delaying tactics. Good luck and I hope it pans out alright.