How to Manage Competing Job Offers

Sean Ahern
Posted by in Career Advice


Not only did you nail your interviews, but you’ve also received multiple job offers. Let’s discuss what you need to consider before making your big decision.

Before picking the job with the highest salary, perform further research. You may have already learned a bit about each employer prior to your interview, and you may also remember the general outline of the job requirements, but you’ll need to revisit this information for each role that’s been offered to you. Upon a second look, you may notice a certain responsibility that is not ideal to you within the requirements of the highest paying job. Alternatively, you may learn something about one company that makes them more valuable than another, such as a particular cause that you believe. This may all seem like borderline common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to simply take a second look before making the decision.

Once you’ve finished your comparative analysis, you’ll need to compare and weigh a few other factors as well, one of which being potential job offers that have not been extended to you yet. Accepting one offer now obviously eliminates the potential future offer, which also could have been an even more ideal position. If you’re still waiting on that particular offer, ask each employer when their deadline is for you to accept the position. You shouldn’t wait too long to accept a position, but if you think that your potential offer will arrive in the next day or two, then you can at least wait that long. Additionally, you can also contact the employer that you’re waiting on and explain the situation. If they mention that they won’t know for several weeks, then you’ll know that it’s probably a wiser financial decision to accept one of the jobs already offered to you.

Once you accept one of the positions, it’s wise to preserve your relationships with the other employers who granted you offers just in case you cross paths with them again. They probably won’t beat you up on the street upon seeing you, but putting a bad taste in their mouth could compromise future employment with them. Be sure to make them feel valuable to you. Try to word your response to them similar to the following:

Dear XYZ,

I appreciate your offer for the role of communications director, and I was ecstatic upon receiving it, but unfortunately, I’ve already accepted a position at another firm. It was wonderful to meet you, and I sincerely hope we can work together in the future.

Best regards,

(Signature)

Your Name

Finally, don’t be afraid to utilize leverage in order to get a slightly higher salary or better benefits. You’re in a position where you’re able to negotiate with an employer, especially if the jobs have similar or nearly identical compensation. Just be careful not to push it, or to decline a job simply because they won’t budge on a higher salary.

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  • James Greene Sr
    James Greene Sr

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  • Dionna H.
    Dionna H.

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  • Harry H.
    Harry H.

    I haven't worked since 2001; due due to health matters. I know the fact that there are applicants younger, with more current work activity, who may be selected than me. Most of my work history has been in the field of Social Work. Most jobs were in city and state government; salary compansated, and some volunteer roles. Since I'm severely visually impaired, I won't be sending handwritten letters to prospective employers. Presently I'm keeping my options open; just exploring related career moves. I hope my comments are helpful to applicants, who are older towards persuing their employment objectives.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Richard D C. thanks for your comments. I'm with you. I feel that one interview should be enough to make the decision. But, having said that, I can see why a hiring manager might need more than one interview to decide - especially when he has several candidates whose skills and background are all the same. Maybe he decides that a "working" interview might be the best way to decide. It's one thing to write your skills down on a piece of paper but it's different when it's hands-on. As for salary - I have been in bidding wars before. I just had two offers with different salaries and benefits. I had to weigh one against the other. In the end, I accepted the position that I REALLY wanted - even if it meant moving and being on the road. The two companies competed with each other for salary and I sort of became an observer. I do agree that you should know ahead of time what the salary range is and if it's acceptable. If not, why apply? As for thank you letters - it certainly can make a difference as to whether or not you get that job offer. A hand-written thank you note, sent by regular mail, was my "in" for a position. When I asked why I was chosen, the manager held up my thank you note. So sometimes they can make all the difference. It showed that I appreciated their time and that I really wanted the job!! Personally I would err on the side of sending the thank you note. It only takes a few minutes to write it up so what do you have to lose?

  • RICHARD C.
    RICHARD C.

    I believe the interview process should have included these important areas so when the offers were made there would not be these underlying potential issues.
    As for pitting salaries from multiple offers...not professional at all.
    Professional thank you letters are ok but be cautious and depending on level of position used infrequently.

  • RICHARD C.
    RICHARD C.

    During 2nd, 3rd? interview one should review all the timelines to bring the right candidate onboard. One should have reviewed salary ranges for the specific position before offering of the position?

  • anthony harrison
    anthony harrison

    Is there any other tips on this topic maybe the best way to make contact with them is that they can get to work

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