How do I professionally and politely ask for more time to think about a job offer? Company A offered me the job, but I’m in the interview process with Company B. How do I ask Company A for more time before deciding without telling them it’s because I’m in the interview process with Company B?
Also, what is an acceptable time frame to ask for an extension? 1 week?

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This of course is situational. Just realize that if you tell company A that you are interviewing with company B and want to wait , you are showing them that you were not really that vested in their position. Imagine that you are dating a girl and ask her to wait a bit while you check out another girl just to make sure you're not more interested in the other one… Probably wouldn't go over very well.

Alternately you can accept the first position and continue interviewing with company B. If company B gives you an offer and you really want to go with them, you can then go back to company A and explain the situation. Honesty is the best policy here. If company A gives you a sign on bonus you will have to return that money if you have it before you have the offer from company B. Check your contract carefully. Good Luck.

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We give 5 business days for candidates to make a decision on a written offer. This is non-negotiable.

Better to accept company A offer than rely on offers from companies you are not certain that you will receive.

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I think there's a 3 tier approach to this:

1) Problem identification
2) Extension request
3) Late stage switch

1) For the initial job offer - ask when the latest is that you can give a response - maybe you won't need an extension in the first place and that can avoid the awkward conversation

2) If they state the deadline is too soon for you - request a simple extension. Either keep it vague or come up with a legit reason as for why you need more time e.g. I am currently assessing this offer in line with my living circumstances and need a bit more time to work out particulars

3) Accept the offer initially and keep interviewing for company B - if they also send you an offer, ask to resign from your initial offer - this is probably not a good move as it can obviously affect your long term status in the industry as noncommittal but if push comes to shove you can weight up the pro's and cons

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Your question doesn't provide enough information to provide a response. I think you might be counting your chickens before they hatch here.

1. How close is company b to making a decision?
2. Can you reach out to them to notify them that you're under a timeline to see if they can move you through the process more quickly?
3. Why do you prefer company b over company a?

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