How Long Between Job Offer and Acceptance?

[Total Refected Power]

I will be made an offer tomorrow (verbal) with the written offer in the mail. I am sure there will be a little negotiation but was curious how long the process lasts. What is a reasonable time to respond to the initial offer or direct acceptance?

 

[Nevo]

If you did the negotiations properly, the acceptance should be nothing more than a formality.

I don't see any reason to delay; it could send signals that you don't want your new employer to have.

 

[Isla]

Well, it depends on if you know you are going to accept or not.

If you know you are going to accept, just say you'll get back to them on Friday (roughly 48 hours).

If you have other potentials up in the air, then you may need to buy yourself more time.

Anyway, I think the second business day is a good rule because it shows consideration for them as well as a little time for your own deliberation.

Keep us posted!!!

 

[MichaelD]

"Reasonable time" is directly proportional to how pissed you'll be if they give it to someone else. I'm very happy for you that you got offered the job...but remember you're not the only one that applied. YOu are obviously their first choice...but don't be smug about it. Don't make them wait. If you want the job and are happy with what they're offering, call'em right up and say "you're my Daddy now!"

You've interviewed already, right? So now starts the negotiation. You've prolly done this a million times already but a little advice doesn't hurt.

*Ring-ring* ABC Company, Mr. Jones Speaking.

Mr. Jones, HI! This is Joe Blow, I just got your job offer in the mail and am absolutely elated!

That's great Joe, when can you start?

Well, Sir I really want to work at ABC, but I feel a little salary negotiation is in order.


He'll either say well, what did you have in mind? Or he'll say, look Joe, it's $5.15 an hour plus all the fries you can eat...take it or leave it...

Joking, but you get the idea. Just be polite about it all and GOOD LUCK!

 

[batgeek]

negotiating a salary should be done relatively quick. you WILL know when you hit their max...if you ask a salary and there is a pause...you prolly went to high. try to get a feel for how much they want you to work there. rate it on a 1-4 scale, 1 being least. at 1 go national avg for your position, education, etc...at 4 cap it at 10k over national avg.
after settling on salary, i wouldn't let more than 24 hours go by with out responding. i mean shoot, you've already haggled about a salary so that means a)THEY want you to work for them, and b) YOU want to work for them. dont ever say yer waiting on another offer unless you KNOW they want you BAD. that might get you an increase even over the salary settled on during haggling. hope this helps and Good Luck!!

 

[Total Refected Power]

So if I receive the written offer on Thursday than by Friday or Monday the latest would seem acceptable.
This is the first position where I have had to negotiate so forgive me if I am a dolt. I think it will all become clearer when I see the salary and # of stock options. Perhaps it will be amazing. The hardest part will be telling my mentor. We just had a meeting and I felt like Judas.

 

[bozo1]

I guess I always did it backwards. I always negotiated salary after the verbal offer and before the formal written offer. During the verbal phase is when we negotiated and agreed upon a start date. The written offer was just confirmation of my start date, bennies, and salary.

 

[Total Refected Power]

Salart and benefits have not been mentioned to date. Tomorrow will be the first time I get the numbers. So I have no choice but to negotiate after that. Most likely the first written offer will be obsolete before it is even mailed. The updated offer (if there is one) will be after I have verbally accepted.

 

[crystal]

You need the offer letter in hand before it is offical. They usually give you a week or so to make up your mind. Verbal promise has no binding power.

 

[MrBond]

My most recent job acception was a little hairy.

They interviewed me on monday, via the phone (those ROCK), and then called tuesday offering me the job. They asked me to let them know by Friday. I decided to call them friday from home, as then I wouldn't have to pay the 25cents/minute long distance charges from the dorms. Well, that friday also happened to be the day Tribes2 came out in the stores, so I ran to bestbuy in an hour between classes to buy it. As I was backing out of my parking spot, my car stalled, and wouldn't restart. By the time I got ahold of someone, it was like 4:30, and my future place of employment closed at 5:00. I flew back to school, called them, and talked to the HR people at 4:55. They understood though, and they said I could have called on Monday and it would have been fine.

Moral of the story, don't put it off any longer then you have to.