Whether you consider yourself an athlete or not, the job search is a test of endurance and strength just like a race. Everyone knows that at the very end of a race, when the finish line is in sight, you give everything you've got to get there, and you don't slow down. The job search process is difficult, and when you get an offer (or two) things go INCREDIBLY fast and you MUST be prepared and conditioned for what's transpiring.
I was on the phone with my friend Megan the other day, whom I've mentioned in a few posts previously as being a fellow brilliant job searcher in the Boston area (hire her, she's incredible - Megan) and I jokingly said to her that no one is ever really lucky enough to time it perfectly to get two job offers at once. Sure, people get another offer while working in order to leverage more from their current situation, but when you're completely unemployed? There's just so much that has to go right before you can get TWO offers at once. Right?
Well, first, the trick to timing it right is to keep applying. Apply to a set number of jobs each day. Interact with a set number of people in your network everyday. When you get an interview, DO NOT STOP YOUR JOB SEARCH. I cannot stress this enough. You may think, "FINALLY I have an interview, I can slow down and catch my breath." Which, this may be what you want, but you have to keep in mind that this interview might not go well and then you'll be 1 week, or 2 weeks behind your schedule and that can be detrimental. A good job search gains momentum as it goes along.
We all know in life that things come in 3s and 7s - and job searching is no exception. Try your hardest to line up a few interviews at once, and since most companies love the two week turnaround time, you can keep the schedules together a bit easier for a second interview, and a potential offer.
Lets fast forward and say you have been given two offers, or you've been given one offer knowing that a potential second is right around the corner. What should you do?
If you receive an offer, always tell them thank you, and that you will need some time to think about it. This will give you time to wait for the second offer.
Do not put off any employer with an offer for more than 2-3 days, as it is considered unprofessional.
During these 2-3 days consider your needs and wants, and refer to my "Weighing a Job Offer" post to help. Create a list of things that are most important to you.
If you decide you want this offer, now start the negotiation. You've done your research and you know the salary they offered you is below, average, or higher than most. If you need them to come up in salary, explain to them how you will earn this money, not why you need it. Explaining your years of experience, past accomplishments, and FUTURE ideas will get this done. Do not say, "I have student loans, car payments, an expensive apartment" - as they just don't care.
Hopefully by this time, your second offer has come in. Now you are in the envious position of deciding what you want to do. Choose one, and gun for it.
If you like both positions equally, tell them honestly that you have received another offer from a great company. Tell them this other offer includes a higher salary, more vacation, or better benefits and ask if they can come up in some or all areas.
The waiting WILL BE the hardest part. They do have the option to not hire you, but use the words, "Flexible" and "Willing to Negotiate" to keep the ball bouncing back and forth. Know your worth, don't settle. You've got the offer - so they want you.
After ALL verbal discussions, make sure everything you get is in writing. A formal job offer, a letter of agreement, or a contract will be fine. Once you have this, and it is signed, you have officially accepted your position.
A few things to keep in mind: Do not tell the names of the companies to each other in the case of multiple job offers. Use words like, "A new start-up", "A competitor", "Another company" etc. Also, do NOT tell one company exactly how much the other offer is if you can avoid it. Do not mention ANY numbers until they have mentioned one first. The general rule of thumb - if you mention a number first, you will lose.
Congratulations. You've won the race. Now the hard part really starts - putting your money where your mouth is and doing the job! Good Luck
I was on the phone with my friend Megan the other day, whom I've mentioned in a few posts previously as being a fellow brilliant job searcher in the Boston area (hire her, she's incredible - Megan) and I jokingly said to her that no one is ever really lucky enough to time it perfectly to get two job offers at once. Sure, people get another offer while working in order to leverage more from their current situation, but when you're completely unemployed? There's just so much that has to go right before you can get TWO offers at once. Right?
Well, first, the trick to timing it right is to keep applying. Apply to a set number of jobs each day. Interact with a set number of people in your network everyday. When you get an interview, DO NOT STOP YOUR JOB SEARCH. I cannot stress this enough. You may think, "FINALLY I have an interview, I can slow down and catch my breath." Which, this may be what you want, but you have to keep in mind that this interview might not go well and then you'll be 1 week, or 2 weeks behind your schedule and that can be detrimental. A good job search gains momentum as it goes along.
We all know in life that things come in 3s and 7s - and job searching is no exception. Try your hardest to line up a few interviews at once, and since most companies love the two week turnaround time, you can keep the schedules together a bit easier for a second interview, and a potential offer.
Lets fast forward and say you have been given two offers, or you've been given one offer knowing that a potential second is right around the corner. What should you do?
If you receive an offer, always tell them thank you, and that you will need some time to think about it. This will give you time to wait for the second offer.
Do not put off any employer with an offer for more than 2-3 days, as it is considered unprofessional.
During these 2-3 days consider your needs and wants, and refer to my "Weighing a Job Offer" post to help. Create a list of things that are most important to you.
If you decide you want this offer, now start the negotiation. You've done your research and you know the salary they offered you is below, average, or higher than most. If you need them to come up in salary, explain to them how you will earn this money, not why you need it. Explaining your years of experience, past accomplishments, and FUTURE ideas will get this done. Do not say, "I have student loans, car payments, an expensive apartment" - as they just don't care.
Hopefully by this time, your second offer has come in. Now you are in the envious position of deciding what you want to do. Choose one, and gun for it.
If you like both positions equally, tell them honestly that you have received another offer from a great company. Tell them this other offer includes a higher salary, more vacation, or better benefits and ask if they can come up in some or all areas.
The waiting WILL BE the hardest part. They do have the option to not hire you, but use the words, "Flexible" and "Willing to Negotiate" to keep the ball bouncing back and forth. Know your worth, don't settle. You've got the offer - so they want you.
After ALL verbal discussions, make sure everything you get is in writing. A formal job offer, a letter of agreement, or a contract will be fine. Once you have this, and it is signed, you have officially accepted your position.
A few things to keep in mind: Do not tell the names of the companies to each other in the case of multiple job offers. Use words like, "A new start-up", "A competitor", "Another company" etc. Also, do NOT tell one company exactly how much the other offer is if you can avoid it. Do not mention ANY numbers until they have mentioned one first. The general rule of thumb - if you mention a number first, you will lose.
Congratulations. You've won the race. Now the hard part really starts - putting your money where your mouth is and doing the job! Good Luck