Requesting extension of deadline to accept or decline job offer

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Requesting an extension of the deadline to accept or decline a job offer

In some cases you may need more time than the employer has allowed to make a decision. What to do:

You may ask for an extension; the employer does not have to grant it.

Make sure you have a concrete reason for asking for an extension. Are you waiting to hear from another employer about an offer, or are you just hoping to get more interviews?

Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for an extension; this looks like you don't think ahead and may indicate that you might behave the same way on the job.

Be tactful and diplomatic in your wording. You may need to explain your reasons to the employer. For example, if you have an upcoming, previously scheduled interview with another employer, you may explain that it is important to you to keep your commitment to the other employer, and that in order to make the best decision, you need to attend the other interview.

For the sake of speed, phone the employer to discuss the situation. For the record, you should follow up with an e-mail or hard copy letter to confirm your request. See sample letter below.

Consult a Career Services advisor if you need assistance with your individual situation.

Sample (below):

Sample 7.1: Request for extension of deadline to accept or decline a job offer

Also see:

Juggling job offers: You've got one, but you want another

Guidelines for job search correspondence

Guidelines for using e-mail in your job search

Acknowledging a job offer

Declining a job offer

Accepting an offer and withdrawing from the job search

Sample 7.1: Request for extension of deadline to accept or decline job offer

(sample of e-mail)

(March 1, 2009)

Dr. Thomas G. Jones
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
2300 Main Street
Portland, OR 90001
tgjonesemailaddress@agency.gov

Dear Dr. Jones:

Thank you for your telephone call and letter that I received yesterday offering me the position of Wildlife Biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am excited about the opportunity this position offers both in terms of job duties and location, and I very much appreciate your confidence in offering me the job.

You asked that I make a decision by next week on March 7. This is an important decision, and unfortunately I do not have all the information I need in order to make this decision by that date. To confirm our phone conversation of this afternoon, I am asking you to consider whether it would be possible for me to supply you with my decision by March 28. I would very much appreciate such an extension, and assure you that I will be able to make a firm decision by that date.

Thank you very much for your consideration of my request.

Sincerely,
Hannah Lenke
Wildlife Science & Biology double-major, Virginia Tech
343 Jefferson Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 555-8754
HannahLenke@vt.edu

(signature block below name in e-mail; at top of page on hard copy)