What to Say When You Have Two Job Offers

What should you say when you have two job offers in hand? It’s a fortunate situation to be in, but also a challenging one. Having to decide between two jobs can feel overwhelming, but what you say at each step matters just as much as the final choice you make. This guide will walk you through exactly what to say and do, ensuring that you maintain a professional tone, preserve relationships, and make the best decision for your career.

First, let’s create a scenario: You’ve applied to several jobs, and now two companies have made you offers. Congratulations! But the feeling of excitement can quickly turn to anxiety. Which company do you choose? How do you tell the other company that you're declining their offer? Or, even more crucial, how can you leverage this situation to negotiate a better offer with one or both employers?

Let’s break down the best ways to handle this delicate situation—starting from receiving the offers, negotiating the terms, and finally, how to craft the perfect response.

1. Express Gratitude and Buy Time

As soon as you receive the first offer, your initial response should be one of gratitude. This is a key moment to ensure you leave a good impression, regardless of the outcome. Here’s an example of what you can say:

“Thank you so much for the offer. I’m very excited about the opportunity to join your team. I’d like to take a few days to review everything and ensure I can make the most informed decision. Could I let you know my final decision by [insert date]?”

It’s critical to be appreciative, but don’t rush. Buying time is important for weighing both offers. You should request at least 3-5 business days to consider your options. If the company offers a longer window, take it. However, if the offer comes with a short deadline (less than 48 hours), it is perfectly okay to ask for an extension. In most cases, companies are willing to grant you additional time if you explain that you’re evaluating multiple offers.

If you’ve already received both offers by the time you are responding, this same gratitude-filled message applies to both companies. In the case where you receive one offer but are still waiting on another, you can still use this time to your advantage by subtly informing the first company that you’re considering multiple opportunities.

Here’s an example of how you can phrase that:

“Thank you again for this incredible offer. I am genuinely excited about the position. I am currently considering a few other opportunities as well, and I want to make sure I give this the proper time and thought it deserves. Would it be possible to confirm my decision by [insert date]?”

2. Evaluate the Offers and Ask Questions

Once you have both offers in hand, it’s time to evaluate them closely. It’s not always about the salary. While compensation is a huge factor, other benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, company culture, growth opportunities, and work-life balance may weigh more heavily in your decision.

Create a table to compare the two offers. For example:

Criteria	Company A	Company B
Salary	$75,000	$78,000
Health Benefits	100% coverage, dental/vision	90% coverage, dental included
Remote Work Option	Yes	No
PTO	20 days	15 days
Promotion Potential	High	Moderate

This visual comparison allows you to assess what’s truly valuable to you. Once you’ve done that, you may still have a few questions about each offer. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the HR representative or hiring manager for clarification. It shows that you are carefully considering their offer and will make an informed decision.

Here’s how you could frame your questions:

“Thank you again for the offer. I’m reviewing everything in detail and wanted to clarify one aspect of the benefits package. Could you provide more details on the health coverage? Specifically, I’d like to know if dental and vision are fully covered or if there’s an employee contribution.”

3. Negotiate (If Appropriate)

Having two job offers in hand gives you leverage. If one offer is clearly better than the other, you might want to use that as leverage to negotiate with the other employer. However, negotiation must be done tactfully and respectfully. Avoid turning it into a bidding war, as this could damage your relationship with one or both companies.

Here’s how to approach it:

“Thank you for the offer. After reviewing both offers, I am excited about the opportunity at [Company A]. However, the offer from [Company B] includes a higher salary and additional PTO. Is there any flexibility in terms of salary or benefits that could bring your offer more in line with theirs? I am enthusiastic about the role at [Company A] and would love to make this work.”

Employers expect negotiation, especially if you bring it up politely and professionally. Just remember, negotiation isn’t always about salary—maybe you’re happy with the pay but would prefer more vacation days or the ability to work remotely. Focus on the aspects of the offer that are most important to you.

4. Make Your Decision and Respond

After negotiation and thorough consideration, it’s time to make your decision. Be gracious in accepting one offer and respectful when declining the other. Here's what to say:

Accepting an Offer:

“Thank you so much for offering me the position at [Company Name]. After careful consideration, I am thrilled to accept the offer and am excited to join the team. I am looking forward to contributing to the company's success and am eager to get started. Please let me know if there are any next steps I should be aware of or any paperwork to complete. Once again, thank you for this opportunity.”

Declining an Offer:

“Thank you very much for offering me the opportunity to join [Company Name]. After careful consideration, I have decided to accept another offer that aligns more closely with my current career goals and personal preferences. This was not an easy decision, as I was genuinely excited about the role and the team at [Company Name]. I truly appreciate your time and consideration, and I hope our paths cross again in the future.”

5. Reflect on the Process

After everything is settled, take a moment to reflect. How did you handle the situation? Did you maintain professionalism throughout? Did you successfully negotiate a better deal for yourself? Learning from this experience will help you in future job searches and negotiations. Even if it feels a bit awkward at first, managing multiple offers with confidence is a skill that can be developed.

Conclusion

Having two job offers is an excellent situation, but knowing what to say at every step ensures that you make the right decision and leave all parties with a positive impression. Whether you're buying time, negotiating for better terms, or ultimately accepting one offer and declining another, clear, professional communication is key.

Navigating multiple job offers doesn’t have to be stressful. Approach the situation with confidence, ask thoughtful questions, negotiate when appropriate, and always express gratitude. By handling the process professionally, you will not only land the right job for yourself but also build lasting positive relationships within your professional network.