BEFORE THE OFFER

Discuss The Opportunity BEFORE THE OFFER

So you have gone through a five step interview process, the offer comes, it is fair, it is what you have been expecting and you say, “Let me think about it and discuss it with my spouse.”  Say what?  Now come on, you have been in this process for over a month, you have done tons of research, prepared a business plan, talked with your recruiter, discussed terms, salary, start date, etc., and after all this, you mean to say that you have not thought about it nor discussed this with your other key decision maker?  What is there to think about?  What possible good does this accomplish?  Not much.  But I CAN tell you what you have done:

1.) You have forced the manager into thinking that you are not committed to this position

2.)  You have put your recruiter in an embarrassing position because he/ she already told the hiring manager that you would accept the offer. (At this point, I am teeing up the #2 candidate)

3.)  You have now potentially strained your relationship with your new boss even if you do eventually accept the offer

4.)  You have potentially put the hiring manager in a tenuous situation with his / her boss

5.) You have run the risk of getting the offer pulled

Look, I get it.  I know how the game is played.  Many people use this stall tactic because they either want to negotiate the terms or are waiting to hear about another offer.  We will discuss that strategy later.  But if this offer is what you are looking for, and you have no other offers, just accept the offer and start your new career.  There is absolutely no reason to delay things if the terms are acceptable.  Do your thinking and discussing beforehand!

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