Accepted a job offer, how to tactfully say I want some more time to consider?

[Howard]

I was interviewed for a job and I got a call yesterday that basically confirmed I got it, and they want me to come in again next week to discuss salary and the like. I told them I was available for work starting May and that I was interested in the position. Now I find out I have another interview at a different place, which is for a position that's much longer (16 months as opposed to only 4 months).

How should I request additional time to reconsider so that I can take the other job if possible? I don't want to mess this up.

 

[andylawcc]

how much more time you need before your interview with the second company?

 

[apac]

Be straightforward with them? Let them know that you're interested, but that due to the 4 month duration you're still considering other positions. That is very good leverage for salary, and gives you a good reason to delay any commitments.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
how much more time you need before your interview with the second company?

This would, IMO, determine what you do.

 

[dyn2nvu]

Originally posted by: apac
Be straightforward with them? Let them know that you're interested, but that due to the 4 month duration you're still considering other positions. That is very good leverage for salary, and gives you a good reason to delay any commitments.

:thumbsup:

 

[Howard]

The interview is on the same day (a few hours before) my meeting with the company that's interested.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Howard
I was interviewed for a job and I got a call yesterday that basically confirmed I got it, and they want me to come in again next week to discuss salary and the like. I told them I was available for work starting May and that I was interested in the position. Now I find out I have another interview at a different place, which is for a position that's much longer (16 months as opposed to only 4 months).

How should I request additional time to reconsider so that I can take the other job if possible? I don't want to mess this up.

There is no way to do it tactfully. The best advice is to take the job, start work, interview with the seconbd company and switch to them if you are more satisfied doing so.

 

[EKKC]

i did the same thing, in fact 2 years ago i accepted 3 job offers in one month and ended up rescinding two of the offers (one of them sent me my business cards already). but i'm a special case. I was an a-hole. but hey, it's my career.

to do this gracefully, simply tell them the truth, they may see you as a "hot piece of meat" and will up the bid to get you into the company. it should work out to your favor. but when you do tell them this, be careful and say that you are really excited to get the opportunity and offer but would just like to see if there are anything that would be a better fit than this already very good offer, and then you do not want to leave them hanging by taking the job and then regretting it later, at the expense of the employer, the team and your own reputation.

 

[Phoenix86]

Be upfront.

Most reasonable people will understand that it's only a 4 month position and that a longer term job would be much more valuable to you. If they aren't reasonable/understanding to this, do you really want to work there anyways?