5 Tips To Handle A Job Offer On The Spot

Posted by • November 26th, 2012 • 4 Comments

In this era of instant everything and employers are offering instant job offers, too. They make the offer before the interview is over.

If this happens to you: congratulations. You should be flattered, since it means you’ve really impressed the hiring manager. Still, you may want to take a breath and consider the job carefully, said David Janowsky, a partner at WinterWyman, who focuses on accounting and financial jobs. This is especially true if you have a partner to consult or another possible job in which you are a contender.

“Because of the timing and urgency of need, we have candidates who get offers on the spot, regularly,” said Janowsky, who works mostly with temporary and contract assignments. About four in 10 of the candidates for contract work get instant offers, during the interview or within hours of it, he estimates, and perhaps 10 percent of those seeking permanent jobs with WinterWyman.

Sometimes it makes sense to say yes immediately – especially if you’ve been unemployed for a while and really need the money, or if it’s your first full-time position, and you’re jazzed about the job. For others who want to take some time to consider it, Janowsky has five tips for those instant, on-the-spot offers:

1. Express appreciation. Thank the hiring manager for the offer. “Say you’re very excited…” and if it’s true, note that the employer is your top choice. Your enthusiasm is important, so muster it even if you are not clear whether the job is right for you.

2. Ask for a little time.  You want to review your notes or talk to your partner or your mom before deciding. “Give yourself a moment to process it and call back” with your answer, he said. This gives you overnight or perhaps 24 hours to consider the job. Don’t wait too long, because the employer may decide to interview others and you could lose the offer.

3. Ask for an offer package. The offer letter will spell out the key details of what’s included in the benefits and more. “Get it in writing. It does make it more official and a solid offer,” said Janowsky.

4. Explain the other prospect. When you have another job interview scheduled the next day, you may want to mention that, Janowsky said, adding: “you want to be honest and forthright.”  You also want to be fair to yourself and make the right choice. If you mention another company, a smart hiring manager may ask “the next layer of questions” about who the employer is and what the other opportunity is like. You should share enough to be honest and credible.

5. Find out about follow-up. Set an expectation that some questions are likely to bubble up, and arrange a time or connection on how those will be handled. This will show that you’re treating the offer seriously, and want to go into it understanding it thoroughly. Also, find out who in HR could answer benefit questions.

Sometimes employers will gauge your interest by asking: “If I were to offer you this job now, what would you say?”  Recruiters also will do this. This is something you may want to consider before the interview, and come up with a clear, enthusiastic yet honest answer. Perhaps you’d say something like: “I could very much see myself in this position. It’s a great opportunity. I just need a day or two to weigh everything I’ve heard today, and to discuss it all with my career mentor and my husband.” Then consult and deliberate quickly because instant offers often demand quick responses.

Vickie Elmer writes about consumer issues, careers and workplace subjects for the New York Times, Fortune magazine, the Washington Post and other top tier media outlets. Her articles are filled with actionable insights, compelling stories and inspiring people. The mother of three also co-owns Mity Nice LLC, a small social cart business based in Ann Arbor, Mich., which donates to more than a dozen charities each summer and fall. Her motto changes regularly, but her concentration on careers, kindness, creativity and high quality writing remains constant.

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  • http://twitter.com/Careerleaf Careerleaf

    Thanks for the tips, Vickie! There are many job seekers who might immediately accept an offer without consideration, due to their need for employment. Asking for a little time certainly won’t ruin your chances. It’s important to weigh all of your options before coming to a final decision.

  • Vickie Elmer

    Thanks for your comment and for reading our blog.
    I think employers appreciate an employee who thinks things through – provided they don’t wait too long on a response!

  • top it job

    Job Offer is what every one looks for in the service industry , to get good job

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1029833190 Elaine Pappagiorgio

    I was laid off February 2012. I took a job working part-time a month after getting laid off. Working part-time for a small company enabled me to travel and basically rediscover the joys of life. I only started my full-time job search October 2012. During the holidays it was a bit slow, but once January 2013 started I have been getting tons of callbacks regarding jobs, and yes I am in a position to be selective. I have turned down a couple of job offers that I did not feel were right. I’m still young, I live within my means, and I will wait for the job that is the right fit for both me as a potential employee and the employer themselves. The advice about the unemployed accepting right away only applies to those who are desperate, and just on that basis alone it’s not a good thing for the employer nor the employee. Rather than accepting on the spot, all job candidates should actually think about what factors in that position will satisfy them. For example, if a desperate person is offered a lower salary than market rate and is even low-balled on the salary, but just took the job for “a paycheck”, the employee is going to just going to work for the sake of a paycheck, probably not work to full potential because the employee doesn’t feel values, and will work there while looking for the next job that will pay them what he/she is worth. Employers should realize this, especially since there are costs associated with hiring a new employee, and in the end, it’s the employers who lose out. Definitely know your worth in in this economy and what you want- don’t let people tell you that in this economy, you should take any job. Know your worth and have the strength to walk away from an offer if it doesn’t meet your needs.