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Asking for more time to decide on an offer

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:46 pm
by Anonymous User
Is it common to ask a potential employer for more time to decide whether or not you accept an offer?

What's the best way to do this? How much time is okay to ask for?

Re: Asking for more time to decide on an offer

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:19 am
by addicted
one or two weeks

Re: Asking for more time to decide on an offer

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:29 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Is it common to ask a potential employer for more time to decide whether or not you accept an offer?

What's the best way to do this?
How much time is okay to ask for?
Yes, this is fairly common, especially for 1L employment offers. When I had this situation come up, I said something along the lines of "Thanks so much for the offer - I am very excited about the possibility of working with you. Would it be possible to get back to you with an answer by xyz date?"

If pressed (and they know/suspect you're interviewing elsewhere or waiting on other offers), you could say, "I want to be sure to give due, fair consideration to all of my options, and I want to be respectful of every organization's process. Unfortunately, I realize that presents some issues for your initial timeline. How can we reach an agreeable compromise?"

Re: Asking for more time to decide on an offer

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:34 am
by saltoftheearth
Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Is it common to ask a potential employer for more time to decide whether or not you accept an offer?

What's the best way to do this?
How much time is okay to ask for?
Yes, this is fairly common, especially for 1L employment offers. When I had this situation come up, I said something along the lines of "Thanks so much for the offer - I am very excited about the possibility of working with you. Would it be possible to get back to you with an answer by xyz date?"

If pressed (and they know/suspect you're interviewing elsewhere or waiting on other offers), you could say, "I want to be sure to give due, fair consideration to all of my options, and I want to be respectful of every organization's process. Unfortunately, I realize that presents some issues for your initial timeline. How can we reach an agreeable compromise?"
well put