Have verbal offer and just got an interview with another company

[Anonymous]

I have a verbal offer with a company but no official paperwork yet (HR person left town for vacation - I was told it would come this week). I just got a call for an interview at another company. Of course I am going to move forward with the 2nd one, and I am not going to "count my chickens before they hatch" since I still don't have anything in writing from the first one, but I was wondering if asked whether I am interviewing with other places or not (which it seems many places do ask), if I should tell company #2 that I have a verbal offer (or maybe even a written offer at that point?) - what are the pros and cons of that? On one hand it would show i am desirable, but on the other would they think that I am unlikely to say yes to them at this point or would ask for too much money and just move to the next person instead? Also, if I do get an offer how much time would I have to sign and get back to them, since of course I would like to see how far things with this 2nd company would go.

[Anonymous]

Verbal offers aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Don't mention them.

If you DO get a written offer do mention it to company #2 as that will clear their minds regarding hiring you (it might make them decide against you but who cares as you do have a real offer in hand.)

IME you typically have a couple days to reply in the affirmative to a real job offer.