The following scenario may seem out of the ordinary, especially during the current job market, but how do you buy yourself some time during a job offer if you received an offer and another interview is lined up which you feel might be a better opportunity or you are waiting to hear from another employer's interview?

First, the candidate should have a prioritized list of criteria to evaluate what the job offer is providing in relation to what he/she wants and needs. Then, there are several options to consider that can buy time during a job offer.

When speaking to the employer, always act very excited about the offer, but explain that you need more time or information to consider their offer. An employer might put pressure on you for a decision, but providing a date or specific time frame, for example a week, to think about the offer is perfectly acceptable. Request to have a package of benefits sent to you, if the employer did not provide one, so you can read and review the entire offer/package. Explain to them that the offer is not just about the money, but the benefits as well, which include vacation time, medical, etc. Also think about whether you have enough information about the job. Consider asking to speak to a peer, the head of the department or a client of one of the departments your role will be providing a service to. Questions about expectations, the office culture, the team environment or clarification about your role are all good questions to ask about. Any of these options can buy a week or more time for you to go on another interview or wait to see if another offer comes in from a previous interview.

Additional information about “Evaluating and Negotiating The Job Offer” can be found under the “Job Search" tab in Virtual Career Center.