What should you do if you receive a job offer but are still waiting to hear back from another company that you recently interviewed with and would be your first choice?

Tips for handling a job offer while still interviewing

• Practice gratitude.
• Give a prompt response.
• Make sure you have a written offer letter.
• Communicate with the other company that they are your top choice.
• Be enthusiastic.
• Ask for a timeframe they need a decision by.
• Ask for additional time.

How long after a job offer should you hear back?

You can generally expect to hear back about a job offer within one to four weeks of the interview. Most fall within the two week mark but factors such as industry and job type all play a role in when an offer is made.

Can you interview after accepting offer?

In general, it is a terrible idea to accept an offer and continue to interview. While most work agreements are employment-at-will so you can quit at any time, you don’t want to be someone who quits shortly after accepting an offer.

How long can you sit on a job offer?

Companies offer prospective employees varying amounts of time to accept a job offer. Oftentimes, the offer letter or email gives you a specific timeframe. Typically, two to three days provide you with enough time to consider the job offer. If you plan to ask for time, you can request for no more than a week.

How long should I wait for another job offer before accepting?

The amount of time you wait for another job offer before accepting a current offer may be determined by the current offer’s requested start date or the employer’s preferences. Typically, a candidate has a week to accept or decline an offer, so you can use this as a timeline to hear back from another employer.

What should you say when you’re offered a different job?

“Be brutally honest, yet polite, about why the other offer is more attractive to you,” Murray said on her advice for others in a similar situation. “Let them know if it is the title, role, scope of responsibility, decrease or increase in travel, salary, incentives, commute or a combination of benefits and other decision points.”

What to do if you haven’t heard back from a job offer?

If you need to reach out to an employer you still haven’t heard back from, the way you approach them about a competing job offer can prevent them from feeling rushed or overwhelmed. By telling them that they’re your top choice, you help them feel valued and help them understand your stance on the matter.

Do I have to give notice before accepting a job offer?

Until the contingencies are released, you should not give notice. The new employer is setting the conditions they won’t finalize the offer until after the background check clears. Make clear to HR and the hiring manager that you will give professional notice once the offer is finalized.