Part One - Advantages and Disadvantages of Telling a Company You Have Another Offer

It's been a while since I shared an article on this platform. I can only attribute this to how busy it has been at Sterling Bell, the business having just settled in Riyadh has been met with a lot of goodwill and positivity and with that comes more responsibility to better serve our clients and candidates. To sum it all up it's been a rollercoaster ... but a fun one, filled with new learnings. One of them being how candidates can effectively communicate to a company that they have received another job offer. Don't get me wrong this has been a common theme throughout my career, but over the last 7 months its been more of a recurring theme.

Navigating the job market can often be chaotic, quite literally, may feel like you are trying to find your way through a maze filled with twists and turns. One of those twists happens when you find yourself sitting with multiple job offers.

Don't get me wrong this is a good place to be (trust me I know) whilst this is a testament to your skills, market demand and skill it brings about a HUGE dilemma; Should you inform one of your current and/or prospective employers about the other job offers.

I'm going to weigh the pros and cons in a two-part series and hopefully, at the end of this, you'll be able to navigate a scenario like this with grace and professionalism that won't strain fruitful relationships.

Advantages of Disclosing That You Have Another Job Offers

The first thought for most candidates would often be keeping news of multiple offers to themselves, but there are a few advantages candidates often overlook;

1. Demonstrates Your Market Value: Sharing that you have another offer subtly indicates that you are a sought-after candidate in the industry. This can position you favourably in the eyes of the hiring manager.
2. Negotiation Leverage: Being transparent about receiving another offer can give you an edge in salary and benefit negotiations. Companies might be willing to present a more attractive package to secure your commitment.
3. Expedited Hiring Process: Knowing that they might lose a valuable candidate, companies often speed up their decision-making process (fact!), which can save you valuable time and reduce the anxiety of waiting.

Disadvantages of Disclosing That You Have Another Job Offer

I strongly believe that the benefits of disclosing you have another job offer strongly outweigh the disadvantages, as with most things there are cons. Here are some pitfalls if you do not approach this situation with care;

1. Company May Rescind The Offer: Upon disclosing another offer, the company might give you a 24-48 hour deadline to make a decision. If a decision is not made within this timeframe, the company could rescind its offer.
2. Strained Relations Sharing about another offer might put undue pressure on the hiring team, possibly straining your budding relationship with them.
3. Perception Issues If not communicated delicately, some employers might perceive the disclosure as a manipulative tactic rather than genuine communication, which could harm your reputation.

In the second instalment of this article, I will be sharing how to communicate that you have another offer and maintain the delicate balance between professional integrity and ensuring you have the best opportunity for your career.

If you or anyone in your hiring team is looking to engage in leadership advisory, executive search and or talent please feel free to reach out to me at; blessing.majome@sterlingbell.com or any of my colleagues tagged below.

Leon Ayo Mark Butler Amirah Alhaiti Jake Olds Abdullah Aboalsaud Sterling Bell

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