How to Botch A Job Offer

I read an interesting article the other day called Five Ways to Botch a Job Offer. As the name suggests, it outlines ways that you can blow it at the end of the hiring process.

It’s a pretty easy read. However, there is one example that warrants repeating here:

Playing games:

Negotiating salary is one thing; dragging your employer along is another. You have every right to think over an offer and review the terms and conditions, but people have better things to do than wait for you to twiddle your thumbs. Many job offers will come with a deadline that requires you to respond within a matter of days.

One reason you might be tempted to delay giving an answer is because you have another offer you’re waiting on. Choosing one over the other is hard when the situation is so uncertain, but you do need to pick one or you could end up losing both.

I’ve been in a situation before where I’ve had multiple offers and it is extremely stressful. When this happened to me, I eventually chose the larger company and politely rejected the smaller firm.

Well guess what? I hated the job at the big company. I woke up every morning with knots in my stomach because I hated my job so much. So what did I do? I called up the smaller company and asked if there were still any openings. While the original job had been filled, there was another opening and I was hired a week later.

This was only possible because I didn’t burn any bridges. I didn’t botch the job offer because I was honest and open with both parties. If you are ever faced with the same situation, treat both companies with the same amount of respect. You never know when you might need another job.

Check out the other four ways to botch a job offer.