How To Tell A Company You Have Another Offer (With Examples)

You’ve been juggling interviews with multiple companies, and boom! One of them extends a job offer. Suddenly, you’re on the hot seat, unsure of your next move. 

You’re torn between accepting the offer outright, using it as a bargaining chip to speed up the hiring process with other companies, or leveraging it for a better salary. And amidst all this, you’re grappling with how to communicate your situation professionally without burning any bridges.

Well, fret not, because we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to tell a company you have another offer. We’ll provide actionable advice, communication strategies, and even a few handy templates to help you handle this situation with confidence.

What To Do When You Get An Offer From Another Company?

You may have an urge to respond to a job offer as soon as you receive it. However, lack of careful consideration will cause you to make unwise decisions. Here’s what to do when you get an offer from another company:

Review the Offer

Upon receiving a job offer from another company, the first step is to review it carefully. Ensure that the offer is in written form, detailing not only the salary but also other benefits. If the offer is from a company that isn’t your top choice, avoid making an immediate decision.

“If you’re going to use one job offer as leverage to get another, make sure that you really have that job offer and that you understand the risks that go along with going down that path.”, says Don Georgevich, CEO of Job Interview Tools, Co.

Read More: I Accepted Job Offer But Haven’t Signed Contract – Should I Be Worried?

Ask Questions and Seek Clarification

If there are any aspects of the offer that are unclear, don’t hesitate to ask questions. This could relate to job responsibilities, company culture, or specific details about the benefits package.

Many workers do not ask questions about their offer, which can lead to misunderstandings down the line.

Request Time to Consider

Express your gratitude for the offer and request some time to consider it. According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers typically allow 14 days for candidates to accept a job offer. However, the time frame can vary depending on the employer and the industry.

If the offer doesn’t specify a timeline for your response, ask the employer to provide one. This allows you to make a well-informed decision without feeling rushed.

Decide on the Next Steps

Once you’ve thoroughly reviewed the offer and sought clarification where needed, it’s time to decide on the next steps.

You may choose to accept the offer, use it as leverage to negotiate with other potential employers, or to expedite the hiring process with other companies you’re interested in.

Should You Tell A Company You Have Another Offer?

The choice to disclose to a company that you’ve received another job offer is a strategic one, with potential implications for your career path. It is beneficial to share this information with a company under the following circumstances:

Speeding Up the Hiring Process

If you’re looking to expedite the hiring process, informing the interviewer about another job offer can be beneficial. The potential employer may worry about losing you to another company and act quickly.

They might schedule your interviews earlier or combine interview steps. This is particularly true if they’ve already invested significant time and resources in your hiring process.

Read More: Should You Rush the Hiring Process by Lying About Having Another Job Offer?  

Negotiating Better Benefits

Another advantage of disclosing another job offer is the potential to negotiate better benefits.

A survey by CareerBuilder in 2017 found that 56% of workers do not negotiate for better pay when they are offered a job. Don’t fall into this majority.

If you have multiple job offers and prefer one role over another, but the latter pays more, you can leverage this information to negotiate better pay.

Demonstrating Your Value

Informing recruiters about another job offer can also demonstrate your value as a candidate. It shows that you’re in demand and considered competent by other companies, which can increase their interest in you.

Accepting the Other Offer

If you decide to accept the other job offer, it’s crucial to inform the other interviewers as soon as possible. Most talent professionals appreciate being informed about a candidate’s decision to accept another offer. This allows them to focus their attention on other prospective employees.

Read More: Regret Accepting Job Offer? Here Are Common Reasons And How To Decline Accepted Job Offer

When Should You NOT Tell A Company You Have Another Offer?

You’re In The Early Stages Of The Hiring Process

It’s important to be strategic about when to mention another job offer. If you’re in the early stages of the interview process, it might not be beneficial to disclose this information. The potential employer might question whether to proceed with subsequent interviews, given that you already have an offer waiting.

You’re Not Interested In The Job Offer

If you’re not particularly interested in the job offer, there’s no need to mention it during interviews. However, if the interviewer asks about your job search status, it’s appropriate to inform them about the offer. 

Read More: “I Turned Down A Job Offer And Regret It”: Here’s What You Should Do

Key Considerations When Disclosing Another Job Offer

You might be eager to learn how to inform a company about another job offer, whether your goal is to expedite the hiring process, negotiate a higher salary, or conclude your job search. But before we delve into the specifics of each scenario, let’s first review some essential guidelines to keep in mind when revealing another job offer.

Maintain Professionalism

First and foremost, keep your communication clear and professional. Even if you’re leaning towards accepting the other offer, it’s crucial to respect the time and effort the company has invested in you. Avoid sounding rude or arrogant. Remember, the world is small and your paths may cross again in the future.

If you have come so far in the hiring process, make sure to give hiring managers a call first to let them know the status. “You have to call them on the phone. You can’t just email it.”, says Georgevich. “And it’s important that you talk to them on the phone, so that you can hear their response and you can adjust accordingly.”

You can say something like “Hi, this is [Your Name]. I wanted to talk to you about the position that you have. I’m really interested in it. This is the company that I want to be at. The problem is I got a job offer from a different company and it’s not exactly the place I want.“

Be Transparent

Honesty is the best policy. Be upfront about having another offer, but avoid using it as a manipulation tool. Your goal isn’t to create a bidding war, but to inform the company about your situation.

Avoid Oversharing

While transparency is important, there’s no need to divulge all the details of your other offer. You don’t have to disclose who made the offer, the position, or the specifics of the compensation package.

How To Tell A Company You Have Another Offer To Speed Up Hiring Process

Here are few things you need to take note when you want to speed up the hiring process by telling a company about another job offer:

• Timing is Key: Only mention another job offer when you’re in the final stages of the hiring process. This is when your value to the company is established and they’re more likely to expedite the process to secure you as a candidate.

• Express Your Interest: Clearly communicate your enthusiasm for the company and the role. This shows that your intention is not to pressure them, but to keep the lines of communication open.

• Provide a Timeline: Give the timeline you need to respond to the other job offer. Ask if they can complete the remaining interview process within that timeline.

• Be Understanding: Recognize that not all companies will be able to speed up the interview process, even when they know you have another job offer. This is often the case with larger companies or organizations with strict hiring processes. Nonetheless, it’s beneficial to keep them informed about your competing job offers.

How To Tell A Company You Have Another Offer To Negotiate

If you have a preferred employer but they offer a lower pay, you can leverage another job offer to negotiate better pay. Here’s how to approach this without coming across as manipulative:

• Decide Your Acceptable Salary: Before initiating the negotiation, decide the salary you’re willing to accept. This preparation prevents making hasty decisions during the negotiation process.

• Be Prepared for Counterarguments: The hiring manager may highlight other strong points in their offer, such as benefits or growth opportunities. Be ready to address these points in your negotiation.

• Express Your Interest: Let the employer know that they are your preferred choice. While this may seem like you’re giving up bargaining power, it often leads to more productive negotiations as the employer appreciates your transparency and willingness to negotiate.

• Plan for Different Outcomes: Not all companies will have the budget to increase their offer. Be prepared for this and consider other factors such as learning new skills, career progression, flexible working opportunities and company culture that might make a lower-paying job worthwhile.

• Communicate Professionally: You can communicate this matter via email to avoid making quick decisions on the phone. However, it’s best to give a hiring manager a call first as a courtesy. They likely can’t give you any answer on your first call, so make sure to send them an email right after your call.

• Ensure the Offer is in Writing: Only a written job offer is considered official and can be used for negotiation. It should detail not only the salary but also other benefits.

Read More: How To Accept a Job Offer After Failed Negotiations (With Email Sample)

Example Emails

Example 1: How to tell a company you have another offer to speed up hiring process

Example 2: How to tell a company you have another offer to negotiate

If you’re hesitant to directly ask a potential employer to match a competing salary, you can subtly communicate the salary from the other offer so they know what their position is and what type of offer they will need to provide to be competitive. Here’s a sample email you can use:

Example 3: How to tell a company you have another offer to conclude the interview process

If you decide to accept the job offer and would like to inform other companies about this, it’s crucial to learn how to tell recruiter you accepted another offer professionally to avoid burning bridges. Here’s an email template you can use:

Conclusion

So now you know how to tell a company you have another offer. It’s not as daunting as it seems, right? Remember, this is your career journey. With honesty and professionalism, you can handle this situation smoothly. In fact, this could be a golden chance to boost your career. Good luck!