Negotiating time for a Decision on Offer

Negotiating time for a Decision on Offer

gigi (guest) 24 Mar 2016 01:07

Dear All,

What is the best way to "buy more time" to make decision when an offer has been made? Can proposing a certain date and asking if they can wait to hear from you until then be a possibility? Does using family reasons or upcoming conferences (that are indeed happening) seem like reasonable excuses for an extension? Should you be transparent that you are interviewing elsewhere and that is why you need more time?

My situ is that I received an offer today that I do like due to location, however, have 3 more campus visits scheduled in the next 2 weeks with flights purchased and all. The rest of the places I'm interviewing at know I'm under time pressure and will let me know by mid-April about their decision. I'd like to have more time from Offer #1 to make a decision esp. to see if a 2nd offer may come through that could be used as leverage for negotiating.

I've read that decision making time can be extended by negotiating terms of an offer - going back and forth about a variety of issues etc. - any other tips to buy more time would be much appreciated!

tips (guest) 24 Mar 2016 03:29

First, tell the school that gave you the offer that you have other interviews and give the relevant dates. Say that you feel it wouldn't be right to cancel on short notice — they deserve a chance. Okay, that's bought you two weeks.

Next, go on the interviews. See if you like the places. If you don't, you're all set. If you do, for any school you like, tell them you need a decision fast because another school is waiting on you. If they can't move quickly, then decide whether you prefer the sure thing over the gamble. If they can, then tell the original school when you will hear from them by (and thus the time when you will tell them whether you accept).

Tada.

Re: Negotiating time for a Decision on Offer

DocJ 24 Mar 2016 12:00

During my years on the job market the two places I accepted offers at had exploding offers. Both wanted decisions within a week and one was particularly adamant about finalizing my decision. I don't regret making a go of either offer; both have proven excellent for my career.

Coming from someone who's been tenure-track for a number of years, my gut sense is that hiring schools will be more willing to wait during fall hiring. The later you go in the spring, the more pressure a department has to finalize a hire and line someone up for their fall semester. At most institutions, fall course schedules are already posted and students need to register for classes (or will register very soon). The potential that a search fails looms over the search committee's head. The smaller the department, the more devastating a failed search will be. I've been on a search committee for a smaller department during a spring term, and this fear is quite real.

Here are the factors I'd weigh…

1) Could you be very happy at the place providing the offer?
2) Is the place with a current offer one of the top two places you're a finalist at?
3) Is this your first tenure-track job? If so, you can always return to the market after 3 or 4 years & be a stronger applicant - move up.
4) Is this a SLAC or institution with a smaller department?

If your answer is yes to all four, I'd be hesitant at passing up the opportunity. My fourth question reflects reality that at many SLACs especially, faculty fear candidates using them as "backups". So late in the hiring cycle, I can envision a SLAC figuring someone with 3 other interviews might be using the place as a backup. Indeed, they might then start talking to other finalists to avoid a failed search.

The other thing to consider with your wanting a second offer for negotiating is that at many institutions salary and teaching loads are fixed. The exception tends to be R1s and perhaps R2s/elite SLACs. But, from my experiences and that of colleagues, faculty are on a similar pay scale with everyone doing their fair share of teaching unless they come in with grant money or have an all-star research record. So, there might not be a tremendous amount of negotiation possible.

I hope all of this helps!

asstprof (guest) 24 Mar 2016 14:04

You can be honest about having visits scheduled and flights bought and hopefully the first place can wait on that. And with the new places knowing about your situation they might be able to provide more information on your chances even if they have not already had all of the other interviews. They might say, "well you're only 3rd on paper" or "you're our first choice on paper, so if the interview goes well you'll get it, but we have to wait for the rest of the interviews to happen to make it official." Then that could be worth the gamble of passing up on the offer you already have if you like the other place better.

Worst case scenario this first place will say "no extension" and you'll just take it. Even though the flights are purchased at the other schools, they could still go back and invite someone else if you bail. They can't invite anyone else if you actually go. So you're not really harming them by bailing, but I agree it would be nice for you to see them out if you think you might like them more.

asstprof (guest) 24 Mar 2016 14:05

Also, family reasons are valid because you have to move your whole family. Conference travel is IMO a crappier excuse because you can still accept an offer while you're at a conference. But maybe that's just me. I think you should be honest about the other interviews and that they're scheduled.

gigi (guest) 25 Mar 2016 19:48

These are all excellent suggestions, even if they are inconsistent :)

I just had another thought and wanted to see what you think:
AT some institutions they booked my flights, while at others I booked my own and they will reimburse me.

If I cancel going on a visit, my assumption is I will not be reimbursed for the flights. Would using this as a "why I have to go and at least see the place" be too lame of an excuse? Two flights would cost me about $1000 if I cancel those interviews….

asstprof (guest) 26 Mar 2016 01:33

Yeah they will not want to reimburse. But that is a crappy excuse to the institution for whom you want more time. If you want to save yourself money you can always accept the first position and still go on the visit at the other place. But that sucks for the new place.

Assuming the first place is also a flight away and/or you fly for conferences, canceling two trips shouldn't cost you $1000. Rather, you'll probably get $700-800 in airline vouchers that you can easily use in the next year (related to your move or conferences or just general travel) and $200-300 down the drain.