Juggling job offers

Illustration by Jock Alexander.

While it sounds ideal, many candidates struggle to figure out what to do when there is more than one job possibility on offer.

IOA has two curly questions: How do you turn down a job offer? What do you do when you are offered one job while waiting to hear about another?

If you've been offered a job you want, be polite but straight. Make a phone call or, if you are a big chicken, write an email. Thank the organisation for the opportunity to meet with them and learn about the role and then inform them that it is not what you're looking for. If they press for a reason, be honest: It wasn't enough money; not the right challenge; you've received a better offer or whatever.

Remember, an organisation would not hesitate to cut you from the short list if you were not right for the role and that's sensible. It's also rare for an unsuccessful candidate to receive any feedback. Companies are worried their comments could come back to bite them legally and so say nothing.

As to the second question, stall for time. Tell Company A that you wish to think about their offer and or that there's another job on the table. You then jump on the phone to Company B to suss out their hiring timetable. Don't play the heavy but be honest about the offer from Company A and the fact you're still keen to work for Company B.

Some companies take forever to make a decision and others never get back to unsuccessful candidates at all so you are taking a risk.

Also, don't expect a soothing: "We understand" from Company A. Organisations are finding recruitment tough going and their reaction will probably be frosty. However, you need to make the best decision for you. You can't please everyone.   

Be courteous at all times. You never know when you might run into the relevant recruiter or hiring manager again.

By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au

For more useful tips read the other stories in the Job hunting advice section as well as Ask Kate Archives , Kate's Blog and Kate's Resource Library.