Waiting for an Offer?

By Jo Miller

Q: I have been offered a senior level position in a two year old company. I am excited about the job as they are about me. I have put off salary talks until I set the hook and ensured that they want me. When we last talked, I was told they would make a formal

Did I go wrong by not suggesting I have other suitors and need a more immediate offer? Have I positioned myself as someone who wants the job by giving them so much time to get a solid offer in place? Have I lost my bargaining edge? I would like to increase my leverage in the situation and I am not quite sure how to do it.

A: My philosophy is that once the final round is taking place there's not much you can bring to the table other than just being yourself. In my experience the final stage of the hiring cycle ALWAYS takes employers longer than they anticipate. Give them twice as much time to respond as they initially indicated. At this stage of the game, suggesting other suitors may either help, harm, or have no impact on your chances. Why do anything that could cause potential harm? Tell them up front if you need to know sooner (you don't need to say why).

Q: I was downsized in the name of growth for the business! After actively seeking employment for 10 months, I am about at my wits end. I must be either over qualified or not experienced enough, too old or probably want too much money. My friends tell me I should be a wedding planner; they say I would be great at it. I know I would, but I am afraid I can not make enough money to take care of my household. How can I get started making money in a timely manner?

A: It is challenging starting out in a new business or career, and even more so when you're under financial stress. The best advice I can offer is get a job to pay the bills (anything!) while you plan your transition into wedding planning. Take the pressure off yourself to succeed immediately and create a safety net while you make your transition. Be fair on yourself.

Q: I have now had three interviews with a management consulting firm. They interviewed several hundred people with group interviews, a conventional one-on-one interview, and a practicum.

I have made it through all phases, learning last week that I am one three candidates they are considering for the primo position. The last face-to-face meeting concluded with an executive with the firm saying that they would have a decision by Tuesday (yesterday!) and that they would call me one way or the other.

Some of my closest family and friends are coaching me to call them, but my intuition says that would not be appropriate — would seem desperate and/or impatient. If I do not hear from them today, what would you advise?

A: There's a reason your intuition is telling you what to do now – I say honor that. During the hiring process it's important to be yourself, so if you think calling would make you look pushy, don't do it – it would be out of character for you. If you do call, don't do it from a place of desperation or frustration: get clear with yourself before you call that you are a proactive, professional candidate closing a deal, then call them from that mindset. During any hiring process, you should allow a hiring company double the response time they promise. These things just take more time than they usually estimate.

Executive Coach Jo Miller coaches leaders, executives, and business owners. Jo is a senior coach and instructor with Results Life Coaching, and President of Silicon Valley Coach Federation. She is known as a dynamic, results-focused coach.

For more information or to book a sample coaching session visit jomiller.net.