Juggling multiple offers

When two written offers land, you finally have the leverage batching applications was for. Use it without ghosting anyone.

Decide your walk-away before you ask. If you prefer company A at a slightly lower number, say so. Ultimatums only work if you will walk.

Walking through two written offers

1. Spreadsheet TC year 1 and years 2–4 (sign-on, vest cliffs, expected refreshers). See compensation components.
2. Score non-comp: team quality, scope, manager, on-call load, commute/remote, mission.
3. Tell your first-choice company you have another offer and what would make accepting easy — concrete number or level.
4. Tell the backup company you are deciding soon and remain interested; do not ghost.

Use deadlines honestly. If company A expires Friday and company B's onsite is next Wednesday, ask A for an extension citing a late-stage process. Many will grant 3–7 days; some will not.

Good employers often extend a few days so you can finish another loop. Abuse of endless delays burns relationships. You do not need to share the other company's name or full letter; you can share a total if asked. Never fabricate offers.

Common mistakes

• Ghosting the backup. Recruiters talk.
• Endless delay requests. Relationships burn.
• Picking on base alone after you already know TC and non-comp differ.

Check yourself

A expires Friday. B's onsite is Wednesday. What do you ask A?

An extension of a few days, citing a late-stage process. Many grant 3–7 days; some will not. Know your walk-away first.

You have two written numbers. What two sheets do you fill before you talk?

TC year 1 and years 2–4, plus a non-comp score: team, scope, manager, on-call, location, mission.

Key takeaways

• Spreadsheet TC across years, then score non-comp.
• Tell first choice a concrete number or level; tell backup you are deciding soon.
• Ask for short, honest extensions. Do not ghost.
• Never fabricate a competing offer.

Further learning

Next, close cleanly: accepting and declining offers.