How do you handle multiple offers?

**Sockpuppet** · 26 April 2012, 11:36

Originally posted by Rabotnik View Post

I had 2 interviews on Tuesday, and yesterday the one got back and basically said they want to get me in there, but the 2nd interview was at a larger, more interesting company, so I wanted that role. The problem is the 2nd role is taking ages to come back with a yes, apparently everything is waiting to be approved by the CTO.

So how long would you tell the agent with the offer on the table to wait? I told him yesterday to wait till this morning since I was waiting to hear back about another offer with a higher rate, but should I just tell him to wait til Friday?

Not sure what's considered a normal time to expect an answer back from a candidate. Do you say "give me til Friday to consider other offers.". Obviously I'm still a newb...

A chicken in hand is worth 2 in the bush etc. etc.

**Rabotnik** · 26 April 2012, 11:40

Originally posted by Sockpuppet View Post

A chicken in hand is worth 2 in the bush etc. etc.

Yeah that's exactly what I told the agent for the role who have been taking their time. I gave him til this morning to get an answer from them, but since I am new at this, I was wondering if I can just tell them to give me a week to go to other interviews or hear back about other interviews. I even had another agent email me a spec today and saying he'd get me an interview at a well known bank, and an answer by next Tuesday, but I thought I would be taking the pee if I asked these 2 agents to wait til then.

**oscarose** · 26 April 2012, 11:41

In this scenario, I would verbally accept the 1st offer but don’t sign the contract until a decision is reached on the 2nd contract, hence leaving your options open. If the 2nd contract comes to fruition then you’ll need to pull out of the 1st contract.

**Rabotnik** · 26 April 2012, 11:44

Originally posted by oscarose View Post

In this scenario, I would verbally accept the 1st offer but don’t sign the contract until a decision is reached on the 2nd contract, hence leaving your options open. If the 2nd contract comes to fruition then you’ll need to pull out of the 1st contract.

I thought about this too, I even told the 2nd agent that if he came back after I'd verbally accepted the 1st role with a higher rate, I would drop the 1st one. Seems a bit ungentlemanly, but it's all business right?

And he's just an agent after all, they don't have feelings...

**ChimpMaster** · 26 April 2012, 11:49

'How do you handle multiple offers?'

Well there's your answer : you only have 1 offer.

**oscarose** · 26 April 2012, 11:50

Originally posted by Rabotnik View Post

I thought about this too, I even told the 2nd agent that if he came back after I'd verbally accepted the 1st role with a higher rate, I would drop the 1st one. Seems a bit ungentlemanly, but it's all business right?

And he's just an agent after all, they don't have feelings...

Personally, I don’t have a problem with this approach as clients don’t have a problem dropping contractors at the drop of a hat or pulling out of verbal offers. I just ensure its conducted as professionally as possible. i.e. give the agent a plausible reason for pulling out and don’t ignore their calls.

Good luck.

**Rabotnik** · 26 April 2012, 11:55

Originally posted by ChimpMaster View Post

'How do you handle multiple offers?'

Well there's your answer : you only have 1 offer.

Yeah I know the wording isn't great, not sure how else to say it though. Just mean, how long to make people wait for a yes or no from you on a role. I think this is a power game the agents play - they always ask the candidate first if he would take the role - they never just come out and say the client wants you in, will you accept? So it's like I am asking him if I can have the job. They both said they want to know my feedback first so that when they speak to the client they can tell them straight away I want the role. Why not speak to the client first then ask me if I want it? Clients are far harder to get hold of anyway, so get on them as soon as possible!

**JamJarST** · 26 April 2012, 12:23

Originally posted by Rabotnik View Post

I had 2 interviews on Tuesday, and yesterday the one got back and basically said they want to get me in there, but the 2nd interview was at a larger, more interesting company, so I wanted that role. The problem is the 2nd role is taking ages to come back with a yes, apparently everything is waiting to be approved by the CTO.

So how long would you tell the agent with the offer on the table to wait? I told him yesterday to wait till this morning since I was waiting to hear back about another offer with a higher rate, but should I just tell him to wait til Friday?

Not sure what's considered a normal time to expect an answer back from a candidate. Do you say "give me til Friday to consider other offers.". Obviously I'm still a newb...

If the agent for the second role told you that, then I wouldn't believe it. He only told you that to stop you accepting the first role.

**northernladuk** · 26 April 2012, 12:27

Tell the first role you accept subject to contract review and get them to send the contract to you. It takes about 5-7 inc delays (cough) days for QDOS to review them which the agent will know (but won't be happy). If in that time the other gig appears you advise it didn't pass review so you will have to decline...

Agents do have feelings, particularly a feeling of extreme anger when you drop him in the doo doo. Expect handbags to fly and threats of legal action.

I think accepting verbally is a last resort. You have legally accepted and he will also continue on as a full blown acceptance so you won't be in any less crap than if you signed the thing in blood and handed it back. Hiding behind the 'it was only verbal' counts for nothing in the end.

How do you handle multiple offers?