By Xander Weddall
Leading up to this summer, I applied to roughly 15 internships and interviewed for five, and after what felt like years, I received my first email with the subject, “Congratulations!” The relief I had from securing summer employment however, quickly became overshadowed by another thought: What do I do with my other interviews?
Like many young people entering the workforce, I worried that staying quiet for too long, or stating that I needed time to think, would be a silent green light to rescind my offer. Ultimately, I think it is okay to interview for other positions, and essentially job hunt, after receiving an offer. Still, there are some considerations to make sure you do this correctly.
First, always read your offer carefully and slowly. While this may sound like common sense, employers often outright state how long you have to accept your offer. In my case, the employer gave me a month and a half, which is plenty of time to interview with other companies and maybe even enough time to receive a second offer.
Second, and finally, if you want to reach out to your prospective employer keep in mind you are communicating with someone who barely knows you. Communicating with a new potential supervisor in the way you communicate with people you are comfortable with may seem off-putting. Instead of, for instance, replying to an offer with no subject line or introduction, and saying, “Hi, I need a few more days before accepting because I’m interviewing with [insert major competitor] tomorrow, thanks!,” reads very differently from, “Dear [insert name], I appreciate and am excited about this offer from [company], however, due to certain circumstances I need a little more time to consider.” Honesty and respect are essential to succeeding in these tricky situations.
Always remember that the job search process should be exciting and a time for you to explore what interests you. If you find yourself in a situation where you want more time to explore your prospects, know that it is completely normal, and sometimes even encouraged to do so. By remaining open, professional, and detail oriented, you will be able to navigate interviews and offers with success, making the best decision for you.
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