Disclose your job offer in interview with other company?
Dear J.T. & Dale: I just got a decent job offer. My issue is that I have an interview scheduled with another company. Should I mention the offer to the company I am about to interview with? The jobs are basically
equal, so I would like the option to wait and take whichever job pays more. That being said, I’m pretty young in my career and don’t really have the resume to refuse any offers so close to the recruiting dead period of the summer months. How do I go about handling this? — Bret
DALE: First, as for that “recruiting dead period,” such times are opportunities for the hustling job seeker. Let other candidates sit it out while you benefit from greater access to those who are in the office.
J.T.: As for your question, Bret, you never mention other offers unless directly asked. If they bring it up, tell them, “Yes, I have an offer but I came on this interview because I love your company and wanted to see if this job is a better fit for my career goals, which I think it is.” That way, the conversation stays on them and they know you are interested. You can’t force the process. Companies don’t like that.
DALE: Maybe. But I hope that the other offer comes up, and perhaps you can even help it come up. This isn’t like the dark days of the dreary economy, when employers had their pick of candidates and could take offense if you sought a second offer. Rather, employers know that prospects have options, and it might pique their interest in you. Just be sure not to overplay that hand and come across as if you think you’re LeBron James and have an “I’m entertaining offers” mindset.
J.T.: However you play it, keep working both job opportunities and you’ll have to decide when the time comes which one to take. My advice: You can take the first one and change your mind if the second one makes you a better offer. But, rejecting the first one to wait on the second one and then not getting it is not a good ending! Do not let that happen.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I just found out that my co-worker is homeless! He admitted to me privately that he and his wife are getting a divorce and he’s bankrupt. He said he’s couch surfing at friends’ because he can’t afford a place of his own. I feel like my company would want to help him. We have a great HR department. Is it wrong of me to send
them an anonymous note? — Juliana
DALE: It’s nice that you want to help ... or, at least that you want someone else to help. But I’m not sure why it would be your employer. They don’t have housing or counseling or anything else that he really needs, and you might just create gossip that would be unhelpful. Perhaps you could do some research on homeless resources. I’ve volunteered at two such centers and have been much impressed by how much they have to offer in the way of physical
facilities, as well as moved by the compassion of the people who work at them.
J.T.: Dale has a point, but then again, perhaps you have reason to believe that your company would want to support him. In that case, if you send a note and HR reaches out to him, he will know it was you and likely take offense. So, start by suggesting he reach out to HR directly. Stress the reasons why you think the company would want to help. You could even ask him if he’d be OK with you saying something. It can be difficult for people to ask for help, and you may need to convince him of it. If he still says no, then you need to respect his wishes. It’s his life. Hard as that is to do, all you can offer is encouragement. It’s up to him to seek the help he needs! Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and the founder of the consulting firm jtodonnell. Dale Dauten resolves employment and other business disputes as a mediator with AgreementHouse.com. Please visit them at jtanddale. com, where you can send questions via email, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.