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You need to work now. It’s a good offer. But that dream job may be offered within a week. So you probably need more than one day.

You just received the call and the offer’s been made . . .

Oliver: I know you were waiting to hear from us. We’d like you to start on Monday.

You: The offer sounds good. I’d like until this Thursday to get back to you.

Oliver: What? I thought we’d get this wrapped up today! We’ve got the Constellation program coming in here within the next week, and we need to staff your department.

You: I understand, and I’m almost certain I’ll accept. But I have another offer in the works, and I owe it to that company to let them complete it. (Good! You didn’t say, “I’ll have to talk it over with my wife.” You used a professional reason.)

Oliver: Who is it? Are they offering more?

You: I’d rather keep its identity private. (Perfect! Classy, in control, mysterious.) I really don’t know what they’ll offer, and would like to accept yours now. But as a matter of professional courtesy, I’d like to give them the opportunity to extend an offer too.

Oliver: Let’s see . . . this is Monday. Are you sure you’ll know by Thursday?

You: Whether I hear from them or not, I’ll let you know by the close of business this Thursday. Does that sound fair? (Good again! You’re still in control. Nobody revokes an offer because someone wants a few days to reply. When you ask whether it sounds fair, it forces the offeror to admit that it does.)

Oliver: Sure. Considering it took us almost a week to sign off on your offer, how can I really object?

You: I’m looking forward to a long and productive relationship at Offset Office Outlet, Oliver. Thanks for your patience. I’ll call you by 4 P.M. this Thursday. Sooner if I’ve made my decision.

Oliver: Sounds good. If I’m in a meeting, just leave me a voice mail and I’ll call you back.

You: Fine. Have a good week.

Oliver: You too.

Call the Other Offeror(s) Immediately

You need to move instantly—just like you did when you interviewed.

In our fact pattern, the dream job offer was nowhere in sight.

You simply call the dream job offeror and say, “I haven’t heard from you and I have another offer. The company wants an answer immediately and I asked the hiring manager for time to consider it. When will you make a decision?”

You can give the offeror until Wednesday, so you can stall one day for a reply.

This call will accelerate a pending offer or let you know the offeror wasn’t ready.

You can still pursue the gig—but you’ll be working.

Ask for an Offer Letter

I didn’t use this device in our fact pattern because it was too easy.

If an offer letter hasn’t been discussed, it usually takes at least a few days to crank one out, obtain the approvals, get a signature, and mail it to you.

So you automatically buy enough time to call the other offerors, decide, and accept or reject.

Aside from the negotiating benefit, asking for offer letters is a good practice to clarify and document the deal. It’s no longer considered a sign of mistrust.

Evaluate Each Offer Objectively and Thoroughly

We’ve experimented with all kinds of ways to evaluate offers—grades, point systems, percentages.

This simple but comprehensive checklist has consistently been the fastest and most objective way to make the decision. It forces you to ask the right questions before accepting too, since you wouldn’t have thought about (or remembered) them at the interview stage. For salary, vacation, or any other item that’s a comparison, write in the amount.

Many I.I.’s use the checklist as a guide while the offeror is extending the offer too. Some use it to negotiate further as well.

Here it is:

Offer Comparison Checklist

Decisions, decisions! Always between better and best.

As one I.I. remarked, “I feel sorry for anyone who isn’t me!”

Congratulations on your new livelihood, your new life, and your new future.

Best wishes for success—Instantly and always!