How long to wait for response to job offer?

[Anonymous]

After receiving a job offer, how long is reasonable to wait before giving an answer?

Parents, how long would you wait before going to your second choice?

[Anonymous]

When I make an offer, if it's not accepted immediately, we will set a mutually agreeable deadline. I would not be concerned if it was up to one week that the candidate needed to decide. Beyond that, I would not wait, even for Mary Poppins…

If you didn't set a date, that makes it pretty awkward now. If I didn't hear within 4 business days, I would contact and ask for a decision or to know when one would be expected. Again, I wouldn't go beyond 7 calendar days from the first offer.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't wait that long. A few days at most. Too much time and you decide to decline, my number 2 choice would probably have moved on then I have to start over. I'd wait three days at most.

[Anonymous]

If I make you an offer and you don't want to accept immediately you should say something like "Thank you so much. Would it be ok if I took a day to think about it?"

If you ask for longer than 2 days I will assume I am not your first choice in a position and I will move on (or at least hedge my bets by continuing to interview.)

[Anonymous]

I would say ideally it is best to accept upon being offered.

However, if you are not 100% sure you want the job, waiting a day or two shouldn't be an issue for families if they really want you.

But you might leave an impression that you are holding out for a better offer and that may not sit well with them even though you are entitled to do what is best for you.

I say do not wait over two business days.

[Anonymous]

I always either say no or yes pending seeing a completed contract. Until the contract is signed by all adults living in the house (I live-in, and I want everyone on the same page!), I'm not employed. On the other hand, I only require 2 days before traveling, and I usually have 2-5 families that are serious, so it usually comes down to who offers first.

[Anonymous]

Typically before I have made an offer, I have a top 2 or 3 choices lined up--each of whom would be a fit.

If I didn't get an accept within 24 hours of making the offer (in writing) to my top choice, it would make me question whether nanny really wanted job and was waiting for another and therefore a risk to my overall need to get a nanny hired.

I'd probably move on to choice #2 at that point.