I'm in a position where I have interviewed with two companies twice each. I think I am in a favorable position to get an offer from both. Company A is my preference, but Company B is also preferred over my current company.

I am questioning whether to tell one or both companies that I am interviewing with others. Part of this would be a consideration of professional courtesy. The other is for timing and negotiation purposes.

I know I need to complete one more interview with Company A. That can't happen until next week at the earliest.

Company B told me that they're interviewing 1 more candidate this week.

My concern primarily comes down to whether Company B will make an offer before Company A. If so, I don't know how long I could/should delay in responding with the hope of getting and offer from A. I'd hate to wait too long and lose Company B, only to find out A didn't offer.

I'm thinking that I will tell Company A now that I'm interviewing and that they're my preference, should they make an offer. My hope is they'll try to make a decision quicker if they do actually like me. I plan to hold off on telling B until one of them makes an offer.

I don't intend to use either offer to leverage higher compensation unless A is below B. A is fully remote while B is in office 3-4 days per week, so I'd take that trade-off for similar pay.

Thoughts?

I don't tell either company anything unless you need to stall for time or leverage.

Wait until you have an offer in hand before you mention you're interviewing elsewhere, if you need to stall or try to negotiate.

I think you should tell them.

If they're a good company they'll move faster to get you interviewed knowing they may have to compete with another company, and if they are too slow you may get away. And they will likely give you a better offer if they decide they want to extend one.

The biggest benefit is that it will help you get both offers at the same time. So you don't have a response deadline from the faster moving company before getting the offer from the slower one.

Why hide it? You don't gain anything keeping it a secret. Just don't come across like you're too good for them or only interviewing for leverage. Companies understand you may be interviewing with others. If they want you they will move faster so they can get an offer in front of you before you decide to go somewhere else.

Last time I was looking for a job I was interviewing with 4 companies. When I accepted an offer 2 of them still wanted me to come in for the final interview round to try and sell me and to entertain their offer, knowing I already accepted another one. If you're in demand I don't think it hurts if they know your interviewing other companies.

When we start getting close to making offers on a candidate, we often ask if there are any other competing offers we need to know about. That's mostly for a timing basis, we can push through getting an offer and compensation package out quicker if we're on a timeline.


Don't tell them they're your preference, that gives them power they don't need. Once you have an offer and a response due date, let the other company know so they can get moving if they want to.