How to put job offer on hold while considering others?

86toronado, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2009

That's a tough one... I don't know if I would do anything to make an employer think that I wasn't completely enthusiastic about a job offer in this type of an economic climate. I guess you could try and be as cautiously optimistic as possible, by saying something like:

"Wow, that sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I would love to discuss it with my (husband/wife/parents/significant other/etc) before making up my mind. Can I get back to you by (specific date and time)"

That way you're giving them a definite time frame, and you can use that deadline as a negotiation point with others that you may be interviewing with, by saying:

"I really would like to come work for you, but I have a job offer from someone else, so I would need to know by (specific date and time) if you are interested in hiring me."

It's a tough market though, I just heard that the biggest hospital near me is on hiring freeze, and they may not even be following through on job offers already made! I'm glad that's not where I wanted to work, the hospital I got an offer at seems to be doing pretty well financially (keeping my fingers crossed anyway).

june2009 · Apr 5, 2009

I don't think I would risk losing a job offer to wait for another. The economy is too bad. I am interviewing for a position on a medical floor sometime soon. I would like to hold out for the ICU or CTICU floors I applied for but i get an offer for the medical floor, I'm taking it. I figure it will at least get me my experience that a lot of ICUs require and I can always transfer to the ICU after 6 mos to a year

nakeia · Apr 5, 2009

when I was offered a job the nurse recruiter told me to think about it and that I had until May 1 (a month) to accept (but accepted right off the bat anyway since it was what I really really wanted)... maybe those employers will give you that option

caliotter3 · Apr 5, 2009

Since you should be applying to prospective employers that you would seriously consider working for, I would not pass up an offer. With today's job market, you never know that the offer you get first may be the only offer. You don't want to lose that offer. Keeping myself from any dilemma with multiplie job offers, I only apply to one employer at a time. That way I deal with one only, and move on to another employer if I don't hire on with the present one.

UVA Grad Nursing · Apr 7, 2009

I think asking for 1 month to formally accept the offer would be OK. But in this present job market, that would be all that is fair to ask for.

For that one position that you are "iffy" about, there are likely dozens of other graduates who want it. A prompt and responsible answer from you to the employer would be respectful of the other new grads who have applied for it.

Music in My Heart · Apr 12, 2009

Asking for one month to think it over is wayyyyy too much... even in a better economy. A week might be reasonable if you've got a good reason (relocation, child care conflicts, etc) to wait. Realistically, though, you're playing with fire and you could come to regret not immediately saying "yes".

Ask yourself this: "What motivation do they have to wait on an answer from me?" If you are super-nurse and you know that they really want YOU, not somebody else, then you might consider it. As a new grad, though, what do you really have to offer that they might not be able to easily find in someone else during the time that you're trying to hedge your bets?

My advice is, get yourself in the door anyway you can, in any job you can. Negotiating anything at a time like this is not wise. New grads are basically a commodity and they just need to fill the slot.

On the other hand, you and I might be competing for jobs... Scratch all that stuff above... Ask 'em to wait for a month... or even two.

johnst10 · Apr 12, 2009

I have been in this position during good economic times. I said something to the effect that I had another position to interview at. I wanted to give Hosp B the opportunity to interview me before telling hosp B "no" since I had already set up the interview. That way I could sneak out the back door to B if B really was a better opportunity.

Today there is not way I would ever say that. I would say thank you sooooo very much for the opportunity to work at your wonderful faculty (I can always think of something wonderful about it, like the color of the walls). :coollook:

Spill, RN · Apr 18, 2009

I
Today there is not way I would ever say that. I would say thank you sooooo very much for the opportunity to work at your wonderful faculty (I can always think of something wonderful about it, like the color of the walls).

So funny! :lol2:

I'll keep that in mind if I ever get a job offer, especially if its a crappy graduate nurse one! (but really in this economy any job is one to be thankful for, even if the wall color is dookie green)

caliotter3 · Apr 18, 2009

Asking for one month to think it over is wayyyyy too much... even in a better economy. A week might be reasonable if you've got a good reason (relocation, child care conflicts, etc) to wait. Realistically, though, you're playing with fire and you could come to regret not immediately saying "yes".
Ask yourself this: "What motivation do they have to wait on an answer from me?" If you are super-nurse and you know that they really want YOU, not somebody else, then you might consider it. As a new grad, though, what do you really have to offer that they might not be able to easily find in someone else during the time that you're trying to hedge your bets?
My advice is, get yourself in the door anyway you can, in any job you can. Negotiating anything at a time like this is not wise. New grads are basically a commodity and they just need to fill the slot.
On the other hand, you and I might be competing for jobs... Scratch all that stuff above... Ask 'em to wait for a month... or even two.

Excellent post. Hits the nail on the head. In the seven days you want them to wait around on you, 14 better candidates might walk through the doors.

sbyramRN · Apr 19, 2009

Don't put an offer on "hold".....Accept every offer you receive, then go through and start making the calls to decline. That is what I ended up doing, and it worked out to be perfect.

AtomicWoman · Apr 19, 2009

You accept Job A immediately. In the interim week or so between acceptance and actually starting the job, IF (AND THAT'S A BIG IF!) Job B is handed to you and you really prefer Job B, you call Job A and say, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I am unable to start working for you because [fill in the reason]". They probably won't be too thrilled, but you won't be the first person to back out of a job there. In this economy, when you get a job offer, take it! Of course, you probably won't ever be able to apply to Job A again... :rolleyes: I know some people would not feel comfortable accepting a job and then backing out, but you need to do what's best for you.