STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

pinky · BCBG

Job offer question

Kelly · Hermes

I usually think about a day or two at the most. My brother, however, just got a good job at GE....and he had something crazy like two weeks to think it over. That might have been because they were still trying to decide on benefits, etc., though...

Suasoria · Chanel

ASAP would be best. As an employer, I'm putting all my eggs in one basket: that's you.

This has happened to me before. By the time my #1 choice got back to me with a 'no, thanks,' my #2 had accepted something else and my #3 thought I was a flake because so much time had gone by. I had to do another ad, another round of interviews, and it set me back several weeks and some money.

Better to accept and then leave if you get a better offer within a few days. Either say it just isn't for you after all, or lie and say your husband has to transfer to London.

If you need to stall for some reason, don't say you're waiting for a better offers. Ask for 2-3 days at most to discuss it with your husband, your tax attorney, your astrologer, your shrink. But don't be surprised if the offer isn't there anymore when you're ready to get off the dime.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I think it depends on the employer. I've seen anything from a day to a few weeks. I would be honest when they contact you and just say that you appreciate the offer and would like to think it over before making a final decision and see what they say to that. Most should understand and give you a few days maybe longer. It just depends on the position and the company.

jacks435 · Kenneth Cole

It depends. I've had companies tell me I could take a week to think about it, but I've also been told to get back to them within 24 hours! I think 2-3 days is fine, though. Accepting a job offer a really big decision, and they should respect that.