I have always been told that a company will wait for you to accept a position, if you are truly the right candidate for the job. Is this still true? After a few carrots have been dangled for the taking, I am trying my best not to make a snap decision for the pure sake of employment. However, it is a very competitive job market out there! I know others are chomping at the bit for opportunities that I have been offered… So, can you still afford to wait on accepting a position?
I want to choose the right direction for my next professional step in life. I want to have the ability to grow with the position and the company. However, this decision requires a fair amount of thought, research, and interviewing (which all take time!).
What happens when one of those cycles ends before another and you are stuck saying, “Mr. Employer, can I wait to respond to your offer? I really like this job and company, but want to make sure I am weighing all my options.” My hope is they respect your thoughtful consideration and will see this as a strength to be applied to your potential job.
This is only day 5 of my unemployment streak and I’m already antsy to get back out in the work force. I don’t want to lose a good thing, but also don’t want to pass up checking out other potential opportunities. Yikes! What to do…
Shout outs to:
1. @mjsearcher: for the career search tips!
2. My mom: for her constant support and encouragement. She’s great. 
3. CNN news: for their ridiculous coverage of the tea parties. They act like these things should be against the law because it’s FOX news supported. haha
If it were me, I would not wait too terribly long… but it all depends on your current financial situation. To some, taking too long to accept (or decline) can be indicative of indecisiveness, not a good quality in the business realm (at least in my opinion).
This is very true. You don’t want to look indecisive either, or should you?
I don’t think the employers are going to read too much into a request to postpone, in fact I think it’s cut and dry for them. They want you, but leave no doubt in your mind that they feel confident in their ability to find another qualified, and perhaps more quickly-willing candidate.
If you can figure out a way to leverage one against another without coming across as negatively opportunistic, do it and quickly.