How long should I wait before accepting a new position?

Question

I maybe in the fortunate position of being in the running for two jobs and would be keen to delay the desicion to allow me to make a proper desicion

Answer 1

As a recruiter, I have experience with this from the perspective of the employer.

And it really depends on several factors...

If they have a lot of people to choose from and they have made you an offer, I would take it as soon as possible. Don't make them wait if they have other people that want the job. They can take back their offer and go with someone else. I have seen this happen many times.

Also, don't try to play them for more money when they have a lot of people that want the job. We all want to be paid fairly, but if you don't have the advantage of being one in a million they will drop you like a hot potato and move on.
And if you don't like the salary they are offering, then move on. Make sure your salary requirement is reasonable with your years of experience, etc. Some companies pay better than others, anyway. It varies.

Depending on the type of recruiting methods, contract or perm...some contract jobs with LARGE companies...i mean big guys like AT&T, etc...have specific time limits of about 2 days for someone to accept an offer...and they WILL recind it if the person does not accept within that time frame. I don't know why, but that's the rule of the game with certian firms.

If you have been made an offer by company 1 and you are still waiting to hear from company 2, just simply ask company 1 how much time they need before they need your decision. Be honest with them that you are waiting to hear about company 2. From their responce you will know when they need to know, then you can go from there. If you want job 1 more, then the outcome of job 2 is moot. If you want job 2 more, then call company 2 and say..."hey, I have an offer from 1, but would prefer to work for you. Do you know when you are making your decision?"


If the client is not in a hurry and you have a very specialised skill set, I would say you could take your time a bit. But that would really be only a week at the longest. If they feel like you are making them wait, they may being to start their recruiting efforts again.

Look at the benefits offered, your commute distance, the company culture, the skills you will learn while there....also, are you a good fit for them and is it good for both you and your potential employer. What are you bringing to the table?

If you've been offered one job, but not sure if you will get an offer on the second...i would play that carefully. You can't count on the second job, and you don't want to blow your first offer out of the water.

I have made offers to people many times on these contract positions I recruit for, and they turn me down before hearing from the perm job they think they will get. A week or two later they call back and ask if the job is still available, and by then we've already hired someone else. Most of the time companies won't consider you for "something else" if you've turned them down for one job already. So be carefull.

That's my take. Hope it helps.

Answer 2

I somewhat recommend calling them up and asking them your self. you do not should be worry-free about it. i'd call and tell them "i'm nevertheless fascinated interior the activity. i wish that you're nevertheless pondering me as a call candidate for the area." or some thing alongside those lines. they'd have only forgotten to inform you that you probably did not get it. in the experience that they have not employed everyone yet, they could like that you took some action. both way, you should make certain with the decision.

Answer 3

Until you are desperate. Else just drop the employer. Must be wise. Hard up people will do anything. Non hardup will do nothing. Simple.

Answer 4

ask yourself some commom questions,then make a decision rght away.