How to Tactfully Postpone a Job Offer
What do you do when you're waiting on a job offer from Dream Job, Inc., and an offer comes in from Runner Up Co.? This is a pleasant problem to have, to be sure, but you can't accept the offer from RU Co. and then turn it down again when DJ, Inc. finally calls you with a job offer. There are tactful ways to put off accepting a job offer that won't negatively impact your reputation or cause the second company to withdraw the offer.
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Instructions
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Contact your preferred company as soon as you've been offered the job by the runner up and ask when they might be willing to make a decision. Let them know you've had an offer and must accept or decline by a certain date, but would like to know if they want to hire you, too, because you would prefer to work for them.
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Contact the runner-up company and thank them for offering the position to you, but you would like some extra time to research your decision. Try not to ask for more than an extra week -- the company is, after all, trying to fill an empty position -- but if you ask politely they might be willing to give you a few extra days.
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Ask for more time on the basis of personal reasons. If you have any personal obligations upcoming that will take your time, such as an impending visit from family or a trip out of town, you can ask for more time on the basis of distraction and being unable to give the decision your full attention.
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Tips & Warnings
If you ask for more time on the basis of personal events, don't lie or fabricate a story --- always be sure your reason for asking has a basis in fact.
When the economy is tight and good jobs are hard to come by, you don't have a lot of leverage, so don't push too hard for the extension, and don't ask for too much time.
References
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