HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT FOR AN OFFER?

QUESTION:
What's an appropriate time frame to give an employer to make an offer 
or rejection before contacting them again?

After conducting a relatively lengthy interview, the company requested 
my references. The manager said she would talk to me soon afterward. I 
provided the references on Monday afternoon, and as of Thursday 
evening, I haven't heard from the company.

I have a couple of other job offers. Normally, I would shrug off this 
particular situation, but I love the position, it pays more, and it 
suits my schedule better than my current job.

Would it be appropriate to ignore the company in question and go ahead 
with the other offers? Or should I contact them? Or should I wait a 
couple more days?

REPLY:
Few companies make hiring decisions in a week or less. Don't rush if 
you don't have to.

I'd get one or two other acceptable offers in hand. This will make it 
easier for you to negotiate. Then, contact your target company and 
politely explain that you have given a lot of consideration to the job 
you discussed with them. Say something like this:

"I want the job, and I know I would be a profitable employee because I 
would do X, Y, and Z for you. However, I have two other offers and I 
need to make a decision. If you're still seriously interested, I'd like 
to know if you want me to come on board."

If they hem and haw, tell them you need a date for a decision. Let them 
choose the date. If it's too far out (because you need to decide on 
other offers), suggest an earlier date. If they can't meet it, tell 
them you're sorry, but you have given your word on decision dates on 
other offers. (Do not divulge those dates, or this employer might use 
that to squeeze you.)

I know this is a tough situation, but you want to make sure this 
employer is as serious as you are and that they're "take action" 
people. If they're not and they always delay decisions, imagine what it 
would be like to work for them. Remember: A week isn't too long to 
wait.

All this hinges on a couple of other good offers, of course, but having 
another offer in hand is the best way to manage any "pending" job 
offer.

Cheers, 
Nick Corcodilos 
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