OCD--Tips for Prioritizing Academics and Decision Making
Lisa Hurst
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Inside Ross
Below is a framework to help students work through the challenges they'll face in the timing situations.
Be Sure the Deadline Exists
In many instances, students have perceived a deadline based on casual comments of expectations from companies when the deadline is not a firm one. Most recruiters desire to have some sense of a student's decision timeframe. They utilize this information to help them schedule their follow-up with the student. Regularly, students presume that the decision date that they discussed has become a hard deadline. Often it has not.
Use the Conflict to Your Advantage
If you do find that you have a deadline that is earlier than you would like it to be, first contact the other (non-deadline) companies that you are pursuing. In a non-threatening way, let them know that you have an offer with a deadline and that you would like to investigate accelerating your candidacy. Even if the company is unable to accelerate their process you've been able to let them know that you have other offers, which can elevate your desirability in their view.
When the company is unable to accelerate their process, contact the company with which you already have the offer. Inquire as to whether you can extend the time frame of your decision. It is important to be careful. If the impression is created that you have another position that you prefer and that is the reason you are asking for the extension, the company is not likely to grant the extension. If, on the other hand, you are able to establish that you need to secure additional facts about the alternate company, they may be willing to grant an extension. In this case, simply make it clear that you have been unable to learn all that you would like to learn about this company and want to do so before making a final decision.
The Soft Decline
If you are unsuccessful in securing the decision extension, you may face the dilemma of whether to decline or to accept the offer. Obviously, an individual should NEVER accept an offer and continue to interview. If you decide, however, to continue to interview after the established decision deadline, then OCD advises what we call a "soft decline" of the first offer.
Be Sure the Deadline Exists
In many instances, students have perceived a deadline based on casual comments of expectations from companies when the deadline is not a firm one. Most recruiters desire to have some sense of a student's decision timeframe. They utilize this information to help them schedule their follow-up with the student. Regularly, students presume that the decision date that they discussed has become a hard deadline. Often it has not.
Use the Conflict to Your Advantage
If you do find that you have a deadline that is earlier than you would like it to be, first contact the other (non-deadline) companies that you are pursuing. In a non-threatening way, let them know that you have an offer with a deadline and that you would like to investigate accelerating your candidacy. Even if the company is unable to accelerate their process you've been able to let them know that you have other offers, which can elevate your desirability in their view.
When the company is unable to accelerate their process, contact the company with which you already have the offer. Inquire as to whether you can extend the time frame of your decision. It is important to be careful. If the impression is created that you have another position that you prefer and that is the reason you are asking for the extension, the company is not likely to grant the extension. If, on the other hand, you are able to establish that you need to secure additional facts about the alternate company, they may be willing to grant an extension. In this case, simply make it clear that you have been unable to learn all that you would like to learn about this company and want to do so before making a final decision.
The Soft Decline
If you are unsuccessful in securing the decision extension, you may face the dilemma of whether to decline or to accept the offer. Obviously, an individual should NEVER accept an offer and continue to interview. If you decide, however, to continue to interview after the established decision deadline, then OCD advises what we call a "soft decline" of the first offer.
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