How long is appropriate to consider a job offer

And if a company is not willing to budge on the timeline, that can give you insight into their company culture. For some people, one week is too long.

Gavins said anything up to a week is a reasonable timeframe to make a decision, citing caregiving responsibilities, relocation considerations, being married with children or having other job offers you want time to consider as factors that could prompt you to request a full week. Be matter-of-fact about what date you will respond by. Are you about to ghost me? News U. Politics Joe Biden Congress Extremism. Special Projects Highline. Every interaction throughout the interviewing and offer process is setting the stage for your career with that firm.

Prepare, plan and practice your responses at each stage! Related: How to Negotiate a Salary Offer. Timothy G. Wiedman, D.

Associate Prof. And nearly every time that I was offered a new position, I asked for a bit more time to consider the job offer by using the method described below. This was not a so-called negotiating tactic but was simply a way to get enough time to discuss the ramifications of accepting the new position with one or more significant others.

Thus, when I received a job offer that appeared to require an immediate response, I always replied:. Since most of the offers that I received involved a move to another location, these were significant decisions. In most instances, the combination of salary, location and job opportunities for her were acceptable, but twice they were not. And on those two occasions, after we closely considered the offer, I had to decline.

After a tentative job offer, I never had a potential employer say that they had to have an immediate decision. Holly Knoll. I hope this timing is agreeable to you, I am happy to discuss further if you have any questions or concerns. Once you request this time, use it! It is completely acceptable to ask for time to consider a job offer but as always, these situations should always be handled in a professional manner to avoid causing any red flags. Thank the company for the offer and let them know you will need some time to think about the offer they have presented.

Work with the hiring manager to figure out an appropriate time frame for you to return with your decision. If you start to push the frame back, it can make it look like you are stalling or trying to get a counteroffer from your current company.

When asking for more time to consider a job offer you must tread lightly. Say too much and you risk insulting your potential new employer and having the offer rescinded. Say too little, and their imagination starts to create all sorts of nasty scenarios. Keep in mind, their interview process is on hold and the vacancy remains unfilled until they have your decision. But, if you need a little extra time the solutions above should work just fine!

From there, you have a couple of options to extend your time. The first and probably best is to be upfront and tell the hiring manager that you need a little time to think about the offer. Most hiring managers understand that there are personal circumstances that candidates need to consider, and anticipate that not all candidates will accept on the spot.

However, when you ask for time to consider the offer, make sure you establish a deadline so that the hiring manager knows when to expect your final decision. This is likely your best bet if you need to maximize the amount of time you have before making your final decision.

Especially at larger companies, any negotiations or counter-offers will have to be discussed internally between HR and management, so this deliberation process will buy you some time until the company reaches back out to you.

Ultimately, most employers understand that candidates may need some time to consider an offer. In order to avoid this, be honest with them, set specific dates, and express gratitude for the offer. As a good rule of thumb, I think candidates need to have a good reason for why they need additional time. Either way, goodwill, and momentum are lost with the potential employer if a candidate provides a poor excuse for needing more time.

Personal issues can play a significant role in delaying a decision, such as the birth of a child or family illness that requires an extension of time to focus on family. Sometimes, a spouse travels and a face-to-face discussion is necessary before undertaking a very important, life-changing decision and, because of scheduling issues, the candidate requires an extension of time.

Occasionally, a candidate will need more time because of work-related interruptions at their existing employer. If this is the stated reason, it shows dedication to their clients, loyalty to their colleagues, and general conscientiousness by doing right by their current employer.

The job offer, while certainly exciting, can also add stress to the already challenging job search process. Nothing sets you off on the wrong foot faster than putting off the simple courtesy of confirming receipt. Whether or not the offer is exactly what you had hoped, there has been a considerable amount of effort exerted by each party to get here.

Asking for 3 to 4 days max is a good rule of thumb. Our AI resume builder helps you write a compelling and relevant resume for the jobs you want. Typically, most hiring managers will give you a few extra days to a week to decide. Build a professional resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Thank the employer. This courtesy is especially important if you still want the job opportunity to be available to you going forward.

Inquire about a deadline. Asking about a deadline will not only give you a clear picture of how much time you have to decide but also give the employer the opportunity to choose a timeframe that works for them. Give an honest reason. If anything, stating these reasons will not only give you a higher chance of receiving the extension but also open the door for negotiation with the employer.

Respectfully ask for what you need. With these tips in mind, here are a few examples of professional messages to send to your potential employer:. While I look forward to putting my skills to good use at your company, I see that I would need to move states in order to pursue this career. I look forward to working with your company. Can you tell me about the deadline for this offer? I want to understand the position fully before making this decision.

Thanks again! I look forward to offering my skills and expertise to your company. Thanks again for this opportunity! These include:. Mentioning disappointment in certain aspects of the job, such as salary or hours. Any of these statements might cause you to come across as nonchalant and ungrateful, which will risk the employer declining your extension request and throwing away the opportunity altogether.

Always do your best to keep the conversation positive and negotiable so your window of opportunity stays open.