Albin Ahmetspahic ⋅ Chicago, IL Protiviti ⋅ 10 years experience

I believe John and Joe are spot on in terms of being open when communicating that you are sought after. Also, I can probably assume that you have done enough investigative work around these companies on sites such as Glassdoor to get a feel for the environment. From my experience, any time I had issues during the hiring phase and accepted the offer, I ended up regretting it because their internal structure was a mess as well. Best of luck!

Joe Paschall ⋅ Madison, AL nLogic, LLC ⋅ 26 years experience

Congratulations on your "problem". I had a similar issue when I retired in 2008 and I dropped a respectful email to my own "Companies B & C" to explain that I was making a final decision between competing offers and asking for as much extension as they were comfortable with. They gave 7-10 days each. I then dropped another respectful email to my own Company A and explained that I remained very interested in their company and did not want to put any pressure on them, but felt I needed to inform them that I had current offers and would need to make a final decision on one of them within 7-10 days. My Company A called me immediately and scrambled to put together and offer, which I took. My lesson learned was that honesty and communication works to your advantage.

Ted Mittelstaedt ⋅ Portland, OR Portlandia IT LLC ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Raymond,

We have this happen in high tech all the time and I can tell you exactly how I would handle it as a hiring manager. The candidate I have given an offer to comes back with a "company A" story - I would regard that as pure manufactured baloney, that there is no company A at all. I would regard that as a counteroffer for more money. Since the candidate hasn't accepted my offer yet, a counteroffer is perfectly acceptable, and if I wanted the person badly enough I might negotiate. But, if it was close between that candidate and another candidate I'd tell the first candidate to hang on while I put something together, then I'd make an offer to a second candidate. If that second candidate accepted, I'd tell the first one "sorry the offer has been withdrawn" and we would go our separate ways.

As the candidate you have no way of knowing if the hiring manager has a runner-up, so by contacting company B and attempting to negotiate you are taking a risk. Personally, when I have looked for a job in the past the ones I have negotiated on have sometimes worked, and sometimes not. That's fine with me I knew the risk of negotiating.

In your case, since you have offers from C and D you have nothing to lose by negotiating with B to stall for time. If you try it and it fails and B withdraws the offer, or forces you to make an instant decision, you have offers from C and D to fall back on. However, in my opinion, the kind-of-offer from A is not sincere. Company A went on a fishing expedition to test the waters - and a nice plump fish jumped out that they weren't ready to handle. If that fish doesn't immediately flop around and jump back into the water, but instead sits on the deck weakly flopping and hoping to be caught up and thrown in the cooler, they are going to start thinking that there's something wrong with it.

If I were you I would only consider offers from B, C, D to be real, and make my decision accordingly. If A gets it's sheet together a month from now and you still want to work for them, then just quit your job at B and have at it with A. But I think A is displaying stupidity and I think in the long run you would be a lot better off at B.

Phil Marcoux ⋅ Mountain View, CA PPM Associates ⋅ 40 years experience

I offer my congratulations as well. I'm not sure which is a worse problem - no job offers or too many.

I recommend you get access to what employees of those companies have to say. Glassdoor.com offers you some insight. Looking for current and past employees in similar positions at those companies using Linked-in is another source.

If these companies are newer start-ups then someone with your years of disciplined experience may find difficulties assimilating into their corporate culture.

You might even ask the hiring managers for a chance to either shadow or have lunch with some of the folks who would be your new co-workers.

Good Luck and remember to enjoy the journey.

Raymond Harris ⋅ Atlanta, GA AT&T ⋅ 33 years experience

First - be thankful for the dilemma!
To the point, I would agree with others that your best bet is to be strikingly honest. Do the research to be sure the tardy company is what you really want, and carefully consider your circumstances if you find the other two don't wait and the desired position never turns out. It may be worth the risk - only you can determine that. Asking for a reasonable amount of time is, well -- reasonable. But in a hiring situation, the assumption is you are ready to accept otherwise you wouldn't have applied. So do not make it too long.
Good luck.

martin kelly ⋅ Wilmington, DE ISM Insurance, Inc. ⋅ 30 years experience

Raymond, congrats! Nice "quandary" to be in!! You obviously are highly qualified.

So, first, thank you for your service!!!!

Ray, aside from your "money needs" and your financial position (both important) , go to where your passion lies. Company "A"?

Starting with C&D, assuming you are really not interested in either, just thank them for their interest and offer. Tell that that at this point in time, you are going in a different direction (personal/family, etc.). I doubt you will burn any bridges!

Re A&B; get a FIRM date from A as to when the decks will clear and a start date! If they have an "HR" issue, those are gnarly, and could take some time to sort out.

If it would not feel disingenuous, tell B you are interested and ask if you can have a bit more time to make this VERY important decision.

Again, you're in a great spot - follow your heart!

Best,

Martin

Jack Hollis ⋅ Tucson, AZ Writer & life coach ⋅ 31 years experience

Hello, I would ask company A to give a time frame for solving their problem and if they can't do that I would move on. Ask company B how much time you have to decide. I would certainly be aware that company A may take weeks or months and I would not want lose all my other prospects while waiting for something that may not happen.
Good luck.

Jack Hollis

Beth Oneill ⋅ Lombard, IL DuPage Workforce ⋅ 15 years experience

Hello Raymond,

Such a dilemma. I would make a pro con list. Yet you seem to know that you want A. I have seen many job seekers thinking they have an offer the bag only to be disappointed. So I would accept your second choice, buy some time like two weeks start date and go about taking this job. If the A offer comes in, then just tell the employer that you have another offer that more fits you. Do this even if you started the job. I think you need to turn down the other two. I have com to believe that everything happens for a reason. You probably will land where you were meant to be. it is truly an exciting time for you. Thank you for your service. Beth

Jennifer Polhemus ⋅ Santa Monica, CA Precision Research (self-employed) ⋅ 25 years experience

Just an idea -- get a better photo, clean-shaven and with some personality. I bet you are a lot more interesting than you appear in the photo :)

robert castillo ⋅ Huntsville, AL Northrop Grumman ⋅ 6 years experience

I was in the same boat when I retired, actually went with the lower offer, because they offered me a chance to stay in Oklahoma. I always ask the same three questions when I talked to veterans:
Where do you want to live?
What do you want to do?
Have you research the company your applying to?
Please feel free to email me at robert.castillo@ngc.com, we can talk more if you want

GERRY KIRKLAND ⋅ Fort Mill, SC CGK Associates LLC ⋅ 49 years experience

First, thank you for your service.
Drop Company A until they get their act together. Their approach seems to be a fishing exercise.
Make a decision on Company B but don't play games. If there is the slightest hint of insincerity, you will have burned a bridge.
Companies C & D, send a brief thank you note and advise them that you have accepted a different position.
Remember that you are not necessarily making a life long decision on any of these companies. You may change your mind in 6 months from now.

John (Casey) Roach ⋅ Greenwich, CT Merrill Lynch ⋅ 45 years experience

Sgt. Malcolm,

You have a high class problem. If you would like to communicate your dilemma, I would be happy to listen and endeavor to help you reach a constructive conclusion. There is a high ranking Sgt married to a family relative who could probably help you reach a decision. You can reach me on my cell: 203-273-3629.

Casey Roach

Bruce Freedman ⋅ Warwick, NY AIG ⋅ 13 years experience

Raymond,

Congratulations on your multiple opportunities! All of the previous advice looks good; I would just add: interviews are a chance for you to learn about the company as well as vice versa. In addition to whatever reason makes this your preferred option (salary, coworkers, location, work opportunity, etc.), their HR is stringing you along, which may indicate...something. Maybe their management is not as organized as other companies. Regardless, keep in mind that if this is your experience with the company up to now, it may happen in the future as well.

If that does not dissuade you from Company A, then it seems like you will need to request some additional time from Company B before making a decision. I'd suggest giving them a deadline for when you'll let them know, and then let Company A know that's your deadline for an offer. Then let Companies C & D off the hook with an email to the effect of "Thank you for the offer, but I have decided to pursue another opportunity." Again, just my suggestion.

You can always apply for a job with Company A in the future as well. Good luck with whichever job you decide to accept!

todd moore ⋅ Terre Haute, IN U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 4 years served

Congrats on getting a position so soon. I'm not sure what your MOS is, but it is cool that it did not take you long to find something. Other than that, you should provide more details about the positions you were offered. After one interview, I was pretty much offered a position that turned out to be nothing more than sales. I have a feeling that has not happened to you.

When it comes to burning bridges, you will burn some bridges because you turned down their offers. Companies are a bit childish because they expect you to jump onboard as soon as they hand you a job offer.

J.J. Stakem ⋅ Falls Church, VA U.S. Marine Corps, Captain ⋅ 9 years served

One consideration when talking with the companies is that the offer you decline today MAY be an offer you take in the future. I was in a similar situation last year with two companies. I took Company A and respectfully declined Company B. The hiring manager for Company B said to "stay in touch" because they were growing. I was delighted by that response but thought she was probably just being polite.

Less than a year later I realized I made a mistake with my selection. I had managed to lightly stay in touch with Company B. When I contacted them and said I was thinking about making a move they welcomed me in with open arms. Today I work for Company B.

These situations tend to be much more fluid in the private sector, what seems like a "final" decision point often times is not. It can be an opportunity to continue to build the network.

Louis Schwarz ⋅ Somerville, NJ AIG ⋅ 43 years experience

I agree with all and John Green.o into a possible problem. Strike company A, do not go into a possible problem. If the offers and close, go with what you feel. Donot put off. If I were hiring an individual who asked for more time, I would offer the job to someone else, because if the first individual declines, I am now late to fill my open position. I a person cannot make a decision about my job, they will not be a decision maker for me.

Bob Molluro ⋅ Wilmington, DE Benchmark Consulting Services ltd. ⋅ 30 years experience

You have a problem that most people would love to have. Faced with a similar situation here is what I did. Company A made me the highest paying offer by more than 25%. Company B was my first choice if I could get a higher offer. Steps:
1) Be open and honest
2) I told Company B of my better offer and asked what they might be able to do. The manager took my situation to his boss and came back with a counter offer immediately that was about 10% less than my best offer. I took the position which in the long run was clearly in my best interest.
3) As far as burning bridges-no one will remember you three weeks from now. Just be professional and thank them. Indicate that you found a position that was more in line with what you were looking for. End of statement.

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward, CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

Raymond,
Great position to be in and I concur; thank and decline the offers you don't want to clear the deck for what you do want.
If you can get a date from A or a tentative offer, you have something to go back to B with. Let them know you are truly interested and can they give you that time for A to respond.
If you have any questions for either A or B now is the perfect time to clarify the offers.
If A can't give you specifics, go with B.
Good luck,

John Green ⋅ Cary, NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

Strike company A. They don't seem to manage cash flow or requirements flow very well. It may be 'ideal' until CFO decides to lay off 30 percent of the workforce due to cash flow issues.

Don't ask for more time from company B. This is a go-no go decision. Accept or decline.

A thank you email is a nice way to say thanks but you have accepted another offer. Hopefully you can send that AFTER your first day at company B.

Doug Hill ⋅ Kearneysville, WV PC Construction ⋅ 20 years experience

Lucky you! All I can offer is it isn't a hobby...go with the money.

Adam Roosevelt ⋅ Arlington, VA Department of Justice National Security Division ⋅ 6 years experience

Raymond,

When balancing multiple job offers i would advise of comparing the career path of each job, benefit packages, distance from your home and financial compensation. Additionally if you are going into contracting here are some more tips at a granular level.
-Ask when the contract was awarded and when it will go up for re-compete. This will provide you the information regarding job security when it comes to time.Some companies have published the contract amount and individual salary compensation for each job.
-Ask about methods to work such as: telework and if that is an option.
-Ask about education compensation for the Fiscal year meaning if you certify or take college courses is there a compensation package.

I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

V/r

Adam Roosevelt

Marc Stenzel ⋅ Campbell, CA Enhanced Vision ⋅ 40 years experience

In my opinion there are three primary considerations when deciding to accept a job:
1. Compensation
2. Location
3. Challenge and opportunity for advancement

If the job offers at least two of the above it will be a good choice.

Cornelia Sproat ⋅ Delaware, OH Nationwide ⋅ 15 years experience

I agree with most everyone, honesty is the best policy.
I was in a similar situation recently, with one offer and another offer on the way. I was torn initially between the 2 jobs, but the negotiation process was like night and day between the 2 companies....and that made my decision very easy.
Here is some info that I just discovered last week about how some companies view potential candidates: they can keep records of "Active" "Potential" and "Inactive" candidates..... So if they like you, but the offer doesn't work out.... They may put you in an "inactive" or "potential" category..... Which means they are still interested in you.... And might be interested in hiring you in the future.

Teri Graves ⋅ Littleton, CO Lockheed Martin ⋅ 20 years experience

Raymond, congratulations on such spectacular success; that is terrific!

I would advise that you might want to do a quick comparative analysis so as not to add time to the process. Put together a rough matrix comparing and contrasting each offer. I recommend putting as much emphasis on the elements of your ideal position and how it matches or aligns with your values. The monetary offer is important however, happiness in the role will be weighted heavily with respect to how the work you will be doing matches your personality and values.

I suggest doing this rather quickly so that you do not add time to the valuable hiring process of the employer, which also demonstrates your savvy relative to the rhythm of business.

Good luck to you!
Teri

Paul Salniker ⋅ Englewood, CO Wellington Management Company LLP ⋅ 20 years experience

I agree with most of the thoughtful comments posted. And I'm left wondering why Company A interviewed you if they didn't have an opening - hedging their bets in case the current employee works out?

This may say something about the culture of the firm. And hopefully you know that there are multiple factors to consider beyond the salary. Cultural fit is extremely important and will have an impact on how you progress at the firm. Yet it can be hard to assess before you work "on the inside." If possible, it helps to chat with current and former employees about what keeps them there or why they left, management styles, business priorities, collaboration, etc.