End Interview Stage

Creme fraiche

Currently actively interviewing in two companies, company X (a huge corporation, with a smaller startup-y company within the corporation) and company Y an American company that's on the verge of IPOing.

The interview for company X went really well, in fact I'll be getting an offer today and would have had it on Wednesday if it wasn't for HR dragging heels or probably just snowed under (I have a contact on the inside that told me as much).

Interview with company Y, didn't go to well, there was a company get together outside, loud Skype call and clinking of beer bottles whilst i was being interviewed. But ultimately company Y would be the company I'd truly like to work for. I won't know until Monday if I'll have the job or not.

My problem lies in that I'll be getting an email offer today from company X. But I'd like to stall them a little to know the outcome of the company Y.

Both companies look and seem great to work for so I guess this is a nice position to be in but not sure how to handle the next step.

Anyone have any advice?

sullivlo

Creme fraiche wrote: »

Currently actively interviewing in two companies, company X (a huge corporation, with a smaller startup-y company within the corporation) and company Y an American company that's on the verge of IPOing.

The interview for company X went really well, in fact I'll be getting an offer today and would have had it on Wednesday if it wasn't for HR dragging heels or probably just snowed under (I have a contact on the inside that told me as much).

Interview with company Y, didn't go to well, there was a company get together outside, loud Skype call and clinking of beer bottles whilst i was being interviewed. But ultimately company Y would be the company I'd truly like to work for. I won't know until Monday if I'll have the job or not.

My problem lies in that I'll be getting an email offer today from company X. But I'd like to stall them a little to know the outcome of the company Y.

Both companies look and seem great to work for so I guess this is a nice position to be in but not sure how to handle the next step.

Anyone have any advice?

Respond to company X saying "thank you very much for your offer. I would like to take a few days to consider my options - perhaps we could talk early next week?" Most companies factor this into offers.

seamus

You don't have to make a decision today.

You'll get an offer in principle from company X today. You tell them that's great, you're delighted to have received the offer, you will think about it over the weekend and come back to them on Monday with an answer.

Then you get in touch with your contact at company Y - preferably the HR person or an external recruiter. You tell them you have an offer on the table from another company (don't tell them who it is or how much they're offering), but you really want to work for company Y, and need to know if they're planning on taking your application further.
You might get lucky, they might plan on making you an offer, but are stalling on their side for another reason. Or forcing their hand might make them exclude you from the process. Or they might be honest - "We want to call you back for a second interview, but you're not the strongest candidate we have". The latter is another way of saying that they know who they're giving the job to, but they're doing extra interviews to be extra sure.

If company Y are still dragging their feet, you can buy yourself an extra 24-48 hours by accepting the offer from company X, waiting for them to send over copies of the contract and then taking 24 hours to review the contracts before signing them.

Tbh though, if you tell a company that you have another offer on the table and they don't rush things through, then they're not that interested in you.

Creme fraiche

Thanks all,

Sounds like good approach to stalling.

Gerry T

Tell x your very happy with the offer and can they send you the contract of employment. Don't stall x as y may not happen and you don't Want to put x off. If y comes trough it's no harm then telling x you have decided on another offer.

seamus

Gerry T wrote: »

Tell x your very happy with the offer and can they send you the contract of employment.

You see, many won't send over a contract without a verbal acceptance.

Don't stall x as y may not happen and you don't Want to put x off.

Stalling is fine, so long as it's not unreasonable. So if you tell them you'll have an answer on Monday, don't ignore their phone calls till Tuesday. Especially as it's a big company, they're not expecting anything to move at lightning speed.

If y comes trough it's no harm then telling x you have decided on another offer.

Yes, it is important to remember that for you this is all quite personal, for everyone else it's just business. Until you've signed a contract with X and sent it back to them, nothing is binding. If you come back to them before signing and tell them that you've accepted an offer with someone else, they're not going to be annoyed, they'll just make an offer to the next guy.