Scenario #1: A bird in the hand is better than two that you’ll get later; I’ll take it!
The urgency of the situation may justify accepting the first job that comes along, without waiting for other offers.
The fear of ending up with nothing is often the driving force behind such a decision: Does this job sufficiently meet your aspirations, or is it just a fallback option?
The risk of accepting a job that isn’t right for you is that you’ll get stuck in it, with no chance of finding your footing in the long run
Scenario #2: I accept the offer, even if it means withdrawing my application when the time comes To avoid keeping the recruiter waiting, you accept a job while waiting for a response from another company—in case you receive a positive response for a position that appeals to you more…
You tell yourself you’ll simply back out of your commitment, but this is viewed quite negatively by companies, which—by choosing you—will have passed over other candidates and will have to restart the recruitment process. “Standing up” the company is the worst thing you can do.
Scenario #3: I give myself time to respond, even if it means making the recruiter wait
The company sent me its offer by email, I’d rather have the recruiter wait a bit and give myself time to respond, counting on another offer to arrive within three days at most. Ideally, you should respond within 24 hours
. If you wait two or three days †—any longer than that, your silence may be perceived as a lack of interest in the position.
Scenario #4: I follow up with the company from which I’m awaiting a response
If you’ve had an initial interview, you can certainly call the company to update them on the status of your application and ask about the next steps they plan to take regarding your application—while, of course, expressing your enthusiasm for the position they’re offering
Recruiters aren’t aware of your timeline; following up with the recruiter may be enough to speed up the process.
Scenario #5: I’m transparent; I explain the situation tactfully
Rather than keeping the recruiter waiting, be transparent and honest to reassure them. Don’t hesitate to let them know you prefer their company, but ask for some time to think over their job offer, so you can analyze their offer and explore your other opportunities
. The fact that your application is attracting interest from other companies can be flattering to the recruiter and confirm that they made the right choice!
. This helps rebalance the power dynamic.
Scenario #6: I Decline the Offer
Is the position you’re waiting to hear back on your dream job, while the one you’ve been promised only appeals to you somewhat?
When the gap is so great that you genuinely fear you’ll regret it, it’s better to hold back—it’s better to turn down the job offer, even if it means risking feeling trapped. Accept that any career change involves some risk; moving forward also means allowing yourself to try new things.
inspired by " Welcome to the Jungle"