The Time to Give an Answer to a Job Offer
Evaluating a job offer often requires careful thought and consideration, especially if the job candidate has more than one offer. Middlebury College in Vermont asks companies to give graduating seniors at least three full weeks to decide on a job offer -- the standard set by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. That guideline may be acceptable to employers recruiting on campus, but job candidates already in the workplace aren’t likely to receive such a generous deadline.
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Competition
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An employer with veteran workers competing for the same position is likely to insist on the top candidate making a fairly quick decision -- probably within one week. Some employers in a hurry to fill a position may insist on an answer sooner. An employer who has interviewed the candidate multiple times in person and over the phone and has negotiated terms of the offer may expect an answer within a day or two. By negotiating terms such as start date and salary, the candidate indicates that a quick decision is possible.
Process
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All situations are different, and a candidate should accept or decline an offer as quickly as reasonably possible. However, candidates should not accept job offers on the spot but should ask for at least a week or so to think it over. This is not unreasonable, given that hiring managers may string out the hiring process for weeks or even months as they review resumes and conduct rounds of interviews by phone before scheduling candidates for face-to-face visits.
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Decisions
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There is a lot more to a job offer than just the salary. During the time spent reviewing the offer, the candidate must evaluate the relocation package if the job requires a move and consider the benefits package, including vacation time and possible perks such as permission to telecommute or work from home a few days a month. The candidate may also need time to review the job offer with an experienced mentor who can offer advice.
Ethics
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Taking the proper amount of time to answer a job offer is important because the candidate is expected to immediately end his job search after accepting. It is highly unethical for a candidate to accept a position and then renege on the job a few days later after receiving a better offer. The candidate should not entertain other offers after accepting the position. Candidates who are considering other offers or having trouble deciding on the offer should request more time, if necessary. Asking for an extra day or two to think about an offer is acceptable.
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