Is it ok to ask for some time to decide whether i'l take the job offer??

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone,

I recently moved to this city and have been looking for a job for a couple of months now. I recently landed a few interviews :yeah:: The one I am MOST interested in is in 2 weeks however the rest are scheduled from tomorrow on out. My question is, if I were to get a job offer from another unit or hospital (which are second on my preference list ) before that interview is it ok to ask for sometime to make that decision? If so how much time should I ask for? I don't want to risk them thinking I am not interested but I would hate to accept the offer (If and when I do get one) and then find out I could have worked at the place that was first on my preferred places to work. Let me know! Thanks:redbeathe

Specializes in Telemetry, ICU.

Yes, its perfectly OK to ask for some time to consider the offer. I wouldn't ask for more than 3-4 days though, or you risk seeming like you're waiting for other opportunities and just want to have a fall-back option (which you are, but you don't really want an employer to know it)...

One in the hand is better than two in the bush.

But it really depends on your priorities and area. I would say more than a week to 'consider' may be too long, and you risk burning a bridge with the two hospitals which may offer. If jobs are in short demand I would really consider this one.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

You can ask, but in this job market you can expect the most they will give you is 24 to 48 hours.They very likely will not be willing to hold the position for you for longer given how many will be in line behind you happy to accept the position.

Nobody likes to feel they are being strung along just in case something better should present itself. You need to be prepared to accept or reject an offer within a professional timeframe and if you aren't, you need to cancel the interview and wait to see if the dream job you are hoping for pans out. Not the answer you want I know, but those are the facts of the current economy.

Yes it is ok to ask. It is also ok for them to say, "Nope, never mind, where's the phone number of the other 100 nurses applying for this job?"

Yes it is ok to ask. It is also ok for them to say, "Nope, never mind, where's the phone number of the other 100 nurses applying for this job?"

Wow OP, in this market you very well might even lose just for asking for a delay of more than a few hours. I know a few people who tried to delay the second interview in order to get in at least one interview with another place down because they wanted choice. For all of these people, it seemed OK with the facility. None got any job. Two I know of were called and the second interview cancelled because those who came in when the place wanted them to were all the facilitiy needed to choose from. Like everybody else has said, you have to remember there are 100s applying for every decent job opportunity.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Is their any way to reschedule those early interviews? Sometimes, that is possible.

Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

Do you need a job now or can you wait another few months?

Well, I'm done with the interview and they offered me the position on the spot! She told me I had until the end of the day to decide but at the end said well you have a week, I'm guessing since I didn't jump on it?? It may not be my preferred department to work in but I was impressed by the pay and the offer for a day position. I think I'm going to take it. My interview scheduled for the 13th of this month is in pedi ER, I'm afraid as a new grad someone else with experience will blow me out of the water and I'l be left with nothing. If I were to get hired at any of the other interviews I would be taking a $5 difference and working nights...I think my best bet would be to take this offer while I can, Thabks everyone!!!

Congratulations~!!! Best wishes on your new job!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
You can ask, but in this job market you can expect the most they will give you is 24 to 48 hours.They very likely will not be willing to hold the position for you for longer given how many will be in line behind you happy to accept the position.

This. I would not ask for more than a day or two. Or, if the offer was given on a Friday, asking until Monday AM.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

My ex-husband, who is a land surveyor who was out of work for a YEAR, had a couple job interviews. He was offered one job and actually said "Can I let you know after I hear from this other job?" Needless to say, they basically told him to go **** himself.

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