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Should I disclose to a prospective employer that I’m interviewing with other companies?
Elaine Varelas provides guidance on whether to disclose to a potential employer that you are interviewing with other companies.
Q. I’m making headway in the interview process with a company, and I think I might get an offer soon. They have not asked me if I’m talking with other companies, which I am. Should I proactively tell them? I don’t have an offer from any of the other companies, but things are moving along swiftly with the two of them.
A. Congratulations on moving ahead in the interview process and for being proactive enough to consider what other kinds of questions you might be asked. In terms of telling them you’re interviewing with other companies, it’s not in your best interest at this point to do so. So, you might call it proactive, but they might think you are trying to exert some kind of pressure. You don’t need to go public unless they ask you the question or unless an offer is extended to you and you’d like them to move the process along to the offer stage.
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If you’re highly interested in this role and have concerns about the timing of other opportunities, proactively ask about the company’s hiring timeline. You could ask what the next step in the hiring process is, what the typical timeline is for filling this role, if there are any assessments that are part of the recruitment process, etc. That might encourage them to ask you if you are interviewing at other companies. If asked, be discreet with specific details, including the company name and role. You could just say that you are exploring multiple options, and this role is my greatest interest. At that point you could say, “I’m very interested in this position. Could you tell me a little bit more about your interview process and when you’d like to have someone start?”
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Their response should be an honest appraisal of their process and the return question of “tell us about your timing.” This brings the topic into the conversation. You’re in a better position if you have an offer in hand from another organization. That way you can go back to the company you are most interested in and let them know they are your first choice for a new role and company. That’s the best way to find out what the flexibility is in their process and timeline.
In terms of the other companies you are talking with, there’s not much you can do about slowing down the process other than choosing the later date of two options that they give you for interview dates or delaying any kind of decisions you that you might have in terms of the interview process or job offers. Stay clear of any companies that pressure you to make a decision quickly. There are times when you might feel the need to accept and then back out if the offer you really want comes through. Obviously, this isn’t the ideal and it can have a negative impact on your reputation. But it has been done, and the same can be said of companies reneging on offers. Try to operate with integrity and hope the organizations do as well. Make sure that you have sufficient time to evaluate all job opportunities before making any decisions. Having control of your job search will help ensure that you land the right role at the right time.
Be civil. Be kind.
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