Job Interview Tip: What To Do If You Got the Offer, But It's Not From the Company You Wanted

It's a little rough-and-tumble right now in the job search,Here's how:  You tell the manager you still need an
and it's not uncommon for a candidate to receive aoffer from, "I'm super excited about this job…when will
job offer that's not quite the one they wanted.  Often,I expect to see the written offer?"  If he says, "We'll
the candidate then feels like there's a decision to behave it to you on Wednesday," you can say, "Great. 
made, but it's not the decision they think.I'll look it over on Thursday.  Will it be alright if I get
Candidates weighing a job offer aren't weighing itback to you on Friday?"
against the offer from the company they really wantMeanwhile, you tell the manager who has extended
to work for—because it's not there.  Even if youyou the offer, "I'm very excited about this opportunity,
think it's a done deal because of your verbalbut I do have another company who has extended a
discussions with the hiring manager, it's never over tillvery good offer that I also need to take very
the written offer is extended.seriously.  I'd like to compare the offers and consider
The real decision to make is not whether to work foremployment with your organization based on that and
this company or that one, because you can't know ifthe conversations we've had."
that other company is going to come through for youYou're telling both parties that you're in love with them
or not.  The only decision you have is whether or notuntil you make a decision about which one you're going
you want to work for this one.  Do you want to workto go with.  At that point, you accept the one before
for that organization or not?you decline the other.
The good news:If you can handle this situation in this manner, you'll
There are things you can do to slow down theavoid what could become a very sticky situation for
process involving the current offer, and speed up theyourself in the job search.
process on the one you want.