How to handle a job offer that you're not ready to accept on the spot?

I had an interview last Wednesday for new job. I was told I would get a call in a few days, however I have not received a call yet. If I do receive a call getting offered a position how can I let them know I would get back to them without turning them off?

I'm not saying that I wont ultimately excepted the offer however I want to see what the offer is and think about it before officially accepting

Message edited 6/27/2016 9:39:18 PM.

Re: How to handle a job offer that you're not ready to accept on the spot?

There's nothing wrong with that. I've never accepted a job offer on the spot (even if I knew I was taking it).

I would just say when they call with the offer, thank you very much for the consideration and you'd like to think about and can you get back to them? I'm sure they will say that's fine and give you a date to let them know by (that is what has happened with me).

My current job when I was offered I said what I wrote above. The next day I called back and said how excited I was, but was there any negotiating the salary at all. How I would love to come work there but I really was looking for X amount. They said let me get back to you. 2 days later they came back. Didn't exactly come to where I wanted but came up from the initial offer. Looking back 8 years later, that was my largest increase so I'm glad I asked

Re: How to handle a job offer that you're not ready to accept on the spot?

Thanks!!

I'm just "nervous" b/c I wasn't really looking, heard about an opening in the same field. My boss knows someone with clout there and I asked my boss to see if it was in his dept or get more info (she is retiring on Thursday & we have a fabulous relationship).

She talked to him last Mon and he asked to have me email my resume, which I did Tues morning. I was called later that morning to come in for interview on Wed and when leaving I was told, "I'll call to you in a few days". They called my references Wed afternoon . . .

Nothing yet.

I don't NEED the job, but it would be MUCH closer to home (4 miles vs 26 miles each way).

Re: How to handle a job offer that you're not ready to accept on the spot?

This is totally normal - you should never accept a job on the spot. It's makes you seem too eager and then there will be no room to negotiate the salary or benefits. Simply thank them for the offer and for considering you for the position and tell them that you'd like to take some time to think it over and discuss the offer with your husband and family, and ask them if you can call them back with a response.

Best of Luck!!

Message edited 6/28/2016 9:15:29 AM.