How To Handle Multiple Job Offers

Receiving more than one job offer at the same time is an exciting prospect when you're job hunting. However, this scenario can also be challenging and stressful for candidates. What to do? Which one should you take? How can you be sure you're making the best decision?

First of all, stay calm and realize that this is a good thing. You have a choice to make, and you'll be able to compare the jobs to determine which is the best fit.

Get the Facts About Each Job

Ideally, you will want to learn all there is to know about each opportunity so that you can conduct a comparative analysis with full information. You will also want to be careful not to turn off any of the employers or lead them to believe that you don't place a high value on their offer.

Whether you're looking for more money, a flexible schedule or a different set of responsibilities you can contrast offers to help with your decision-making.

Options for Handling Multiple Job Offers

The following strategies will help you to make the best of this challenging and exciting situation:

Express Enthusiasm Without Saying “Yes.”
Any time you receive an attractive offer, express your high level of excitement and appreciation for the offer. Clarify when the employer needs to know your decision. Resist the impulse to accept on the spot if you have other attractive options to consider.

Get All the Information
If you receive multiple offers within the same deadline period for acceptance, your task will simply be to decide which option is preferable. Make sure you have all the information necessary about both options to make a rational choice. If not, reach out to the employer and seek clarification about any lingering uncertainties regarding benefits, advancement, working conditions, job content, supervision or any other questions you may have.

Develop a Decision Matrix
A decision matrix can help you to weigh each job option.

• List the 7 - 10 factors that you most value in a job, such as salary, benefits, stress level, learning potential, advancement opportunity, flexibility, work/life balance, etc.
• Then assign a weight on a scale of 1 - 10 reflecting the importance of each factor to you.
• Finally, assign a value from 1 - 10 indicating how much of that factor each job gives you.

Do the same for all your decision factors and compare the totals for the jobs in contention. Use this information in conjunction with your gut or intuitive feeling to make an informed choice. Remember that your gut can sometimes be the best indicator of whether you should or shouldn't take a job.

When You Are Waiting for Another Offer

A more challenging scenario is when you have an offer from one employer, and you believe that another equally or more attractive offer might be forthcoming from another organization. In these cases, if you aren't comfortable accepting the firm offer, you should attempt to bring the time windows for decision-making together.

One way to line up the time frames is to create a reasonable delay with the first employer who has made the offer. For example, you might ask for the opportunity to meet with staff at your level if you weren't able to do so during the screening process.

However, be careful how you frame a request for extra time so that you don't create doubt about your degree of interest.

Mention the Other Offer
Another approach is to level with the employer who has made the offer and mention that you have another offer pending. There is some risk with this approach, but if handled delicately, most employers will only view a candidate more favorably if they are in high demand.

Be prepared to respond if they deny your request. You can say that you appreciate the consideration and will get back to them by the agreed upon response date.

Try To Get a Second Offer
Another way to bring the time window together is to approach the employer that hasn't issued an offer yet. In this case, you might ask if they are in a position to expedite the process since you have received another offer. Again, you would need to word your request carefully.

If you employ this approach, then you should be ready to respond if they say no. In this case, you might say that you will attempt to get an extension on the other offer.

What To Do After You Decide on a Job

Whatever decision you make, it’s important to act promptly and graciously. Get back to the hiring manager as soon as possible and thank them for the opportunity – even if you must decline. Then, observe these tips:

• If You Accept the Job Offer: Send a job offer acceptance letter, including your written acceptance, thanks, and specifics about the job, including start date.
• If You Turn Down the Job Offer: Send a job rejection letter expressing your appreciation and a brief reason why you’re declining the opportunity.
• If You Receive a Conditional Job Offer: Respond as quickly as possible. Thank them for the offer and include your acceptance (or a request to weigh other offers).