𝗔 “𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲” 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱.

One of the questions I get from candidates is how to manage multiple opportunities moving at different speeds.

Congratulations! You have more than one company interested.
Now it gets tricky.

If you’re further along with one company but still interviewing with another — start with honesty. Tell the recruiter:

“I’ve already committed to final interviews at another company. Out of respect, I’d like to complete those, but I want to be clear — this role is my first choice.
Could we align timing so I can give you a confident answer by [date]?”

You can buy time gracefully.

If you already have an offer in hand and the company you really want is moving more slowly, tell them. Give them the opportunity to accelerate their process.

And pay attention to what happens next.

If they can accelerate, you’re a contender.

If they can’t, that might be your answer.

But here’s my Bird-in-the-Hand Rule:

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If you’ve got a real offer from a company you like and another company is obviously dragging? Take the real offer.

A “maybe” never pays the mortgage.

Don’t gamble a sure thing on “We’re still figuring out schedules.”

Take the bird. A dream job isn’t a dream job if it doesn’t materialize.

And if you’re fortunate enough to actually have two offers?
Don’t play ping-pong with them.

Choose the company you actually want. If you need more money to get to yes, ask for it.

“If you can get me to $250K, I’ll sign.”
(I have chosen your company. I’m negotiating what I need to say yes.)

What I would not do is:
“Company Z offered me $250K. I need you to beat it.”

You’re telling me that your decision is based on money only. I’m not negotiating against ghosts. As a recruiter, I’ll go to bat for the first conversation. But I’m not going back to my client and telling them your decision comes down to who pays more.

Multiple opportunities are a great problem to have. Just don’t lose the real one chasing the maybe one.

I’m Jean Mobilia with Mobilia Search.