It may seem as if the worst part of your search is over – you’ve tweaked your resume to perfection, completed a countless number of applications, and made it through a series of grueling interviews. But, like most people, you’ve met with several companies and there is the possibility you could receive multiple offers. In a candidate driven market where there are more jobs than qualified job seekers, it’s a situation where many have found themselves. This is an exciting yet stressful situation to be in. Which one should you accept? How do you know if you’re making the best decision?
First off, stay calm and realize that this is a good thing. You get to make a choice between great companies and have a chance to compare and contrast the opportunities to determine which is the best fit.
Show interest without saying “yes.”
Once you receive an attractive offer, you’ll want to express your level excitement and appreciation. Find out when the employer needs to make their decision and let them know when you will get back to them. This will show the company that you value the time and effort the hiring process takes. Just don’t take too long or you’ll run the risk of one company going with another candidate.
Gather all the information about the roles.
If you have received multiple offers around the same time, your task now is to decide what position will be the best for you. Make sure you have all of the necessary information to make a rational decision. If not, reach out to the employer to seek clarification about anything you are unsure of like bonus potential, benefits, working conditions, opportunities for advancement, company culture etc.
Don’t retract!
Whatever you do, don’t retract an offer because a better one came along. Retracting your acceptance will damage your reputation with the company and everyone that was involved in the process. When you accept an offer a chain of events is set in motion – the other applicants are notified and the job posting is taken down. If you withdraw at this stage, you are costing the company. Burning professional bridges is never a good idea since you may encounter them again on your career path. Be honest and upfront: most employers and recruitment agencies will ask about your job search activity.
Consult with a professional
Enlisting the help of a recruitment agency would not only put you in touch with employers you may not have found on your own but provide you with a personal consultant. An agency recruiter would be able to shed some light on how well an organization fits into what you’re looking for in a new opportunity as compared to others in the market.
Remember that verbal offers are not official and you shouldn’t act until you have an offer in writing. Once you’ve made your decision and accepted an offer with the company of your choosing, make the others aware that you have gone in a different direction and that you were grateful for the opportunity. When turning down an offer be prepared to accept that the company may never offer you another position again. Considering these things, it’s important that you make the right choice the first time around.
CFS Colorado 