Have 1 offer but should I wait for more?

[Guest]

I just recvd a job offer which is ok but not great. I've been on some other interviews and hope to get another offer in the next few days or so. How long can I wait on the 1st offer before I have to decide? I would like to wait but I don't want to lose it either.

[ArunH]

Did you receive a written offer - or was it verbal? I suggest always ask for the offer in writing to avoid any misunderstandings down the road. It's only fair that you be given atleast 1 week (5 days) to carefully consider the offer - esp. if it's for a full-time job. If it's any shorter than that, explain to the company that you'd like the extra days so that you can make the proper decision and commitment. If they're pushing you for a quick decision then you may not have a choice. Also if this is for a consulting project, it's typical that those offers must be decided upon immediately because consultants are brought in to get a specific project done.

[James760]

I would tend to agree with Arun. If this is for a fulltime position, the company should give you 5 business days to consider the offer, but on the consulting side, it usually moves faster. I think you should also use your gut feeling. Depending on your financial situation and how long you have been out of work, you may not want to take the chance to wait for other things to materialize.

[JavaRUs]

Bird in hand is worth two in the bush. In this economy I would take it.

[late74C]

I was almost in this situation a few years back, the company I'm with now was much quicker to do second interviews and make an offer, the first company had a slower process where I was strictly working through an out-of-town recruiter, still very good interviews in the first round, just longer to get decision makers. I simply didn't have enough time (with the written offer in hand) to 'push' the first company any faster to see if I were to get something better or more interesting. I did contact the recruiter and lay out the time frame I had to respond (always be honest with these guys, even though they may not do the same for you!) -- the company with the slower process wouldn't budge (all I was asking for was to move up the interview schedule) so I took the offer -- you always think about 'what if's' of course as the other company offered a company car, etc. but the end of the story is ... a few years later I interviewed and hired a BA from the company who had the slower hiring process, I found out more specifics about the role (the person I hired worked for the actual manager position I would have had!) and I made the best choice by far. Of course, this is hind sight as I didn't really have a true choice but it was nice to know when all was said and done. As one other has said, and you didn't explain further in your post, if you're out of work in this economy I would take it -- I've seen it written that typical IT posts are around 18 months so you could take it and ride out the storm until more opportunites are available.

[ArunH]

Hey late74C - good for you... glad it worked out!
Besides lack of jobs out there, I'm finding a major SLOWDOWN in companies making hiring decisions. It's taking forever to schedule interviews. In the past I'd get hired after 1 or 2 interviews over a week or two. Now it's more like 3-5 interviews over a month or longer! Plus I've had a few situations where the managers - including HR, go AWOL! Either companies are second-guessing spending money, looking for people with technical skills that don't exist or just afraid to pull the trigger. Go figure!

[bmarks]

while it's true clients are taking longer to make a decision, the fact of the matter is...they are going with the candidate that has the best skills for that spot. If they have to wait a bit longer to find that person they will.

[Cabana Boy]

If the comapny is a good one and you go to work there, there will likely be more opportunities in the future (remember the next job you take is only a step in a career, it is not the end!). If the job you take today is a way into a good organization, and they want you, I say go for it.

If some other company might want you, but can not commit, then how good is it going to be? I know this is over simplifying what can be tough decisions, but that is the way I see it in this economy. Things are tough, a sure thing is preferred today because of all the unemployment problems. On the other hand, if you are wealthy, you could be more picky and wait.

It's a bit like dating if you think about it.