Interview Questions: Expecting A Job Offer And Still Interviewing Elsewhere?

What if you are expecting a job offer with oneCompany B within the next week but Company A isn't
company and then get an interview with anotherplanning to hire someone for their job for another
company?month, the timings don't match up.
Specifically, you haven't yet accepted an offer but areAt this point, you should consider letting Company A
expecting one shortly.know you are interested in their position but are
I don't suggest accepting a job offer and then changingexpecting an offer from another company shortly and
your mind and accepting another company's offer.see if they won't speed up the interview process. If
That's unethical.they are really interested in you, they should try to
The reality though is that timing often plays a big part inaccommodate your schedule as best they can.
how we move forward in our career. You might beIt may or may not be possible for them to do so or
approaching a job offer with one company and arethey may simply choose not to accommodate you but
then invited to attend an interview with anotheryou won't know unless you ask.
company that you are also interested in working for.I'd only use this strategy when you have already been
What should you do?given a verbal offer from Company B and are waiting
Unless you've received the job offer in writing, it isn'tto receive it in writing or when you already have the
yet a job offer. In this case, your job search isn't overoffer in writing and have some time to make your
yet as far as I can tell.decision as to whether or you'll accept it. Simply
Until you have received a job offer in writing and have"thinking" that you're expecting an offer from
accepted it, I always think it's good to keep yourCompany B doesn't really hold much weight.
options open. I've seen verbal job offers retracted andOtherwise, you will have to decide yourself whether to
instances where a job offer was believed to beaccept Company B's offer or take your chances and
forthcoming only to get shot down by an unexpectedhope that Company A pans out for you in one month's
company hiring freeze.time. Chances are that Company B won't wait one
A good interviewer (and recruiter) will ask youmonth to see if you accept their offer while you're
specifically if you are interviewing with otheractually waiting for Company A to offer you a job.
companies and if you are expecting any job offersUnfortunately, sometimes timing just doesn't work out
shortly. They will ask you where you are specifically inin your favor during the job search process.
each stage of the interview process if they are reallyPart of managing your job search is managing
interested in you.timelines as best you can and ensuring that the people
If they don't ask, you might decide to bring it upyou are interviewing with understand where you are in
yourself in an interview. You should always leave anthe process.
interview understanding what the next step is.If you simply tell Company A you've accepted a job
Is there another interview and if so, when? Will a jobwith Company B without making them aware earlier
offer now be made to the successful applicant?that you had a job offer waiting, you may miss out on
Ask the interviewer just before you leave thea good job offer with Company A that might have
interview what happens next and when you will hearbeen made available to you had they known about it
back from them.earlier.
If you are interviewing with Company A and areI have seen instances where upon being told that a job
expecting a job offer with Company B shortly, youcandidate was expecting a job offer elsewhere, a
should close the interview with Company A byhiring manager sped up their company's hiring process
confirming the next step in the interview process andin order to successfully hire someone they were really
the timing. Afterall, if you're expecting an offer frominterested in.