how to ask for an extension on a job offer

Asking for an extension on a job offer can seem tricky. However, it’s critical to understand how to broach the topic so that you have enough time to ask all of the questions you need to before accepting a job.

Whether you’re considering remote tech jobs at Anywhere or elsewhere, understanding how to proceed is crucial. Here’s what you need to know about how to ask for an extension on a job offer.

Before you worry about how to ask for more time to consider a job offer, it’s important to know how much time you typically have before you need to give your answer.

In many cases, the answer to “How long do you have to accept a job offer?” can vary. That’s why one of the key remote interview tips is to find out about the company’s hiring timeline, including when they’d like the new hire to start.

If the goal is to bring a new employee on board quickly, the hiring manager likely wants a fast decision. While that doesn’t mean you can’t request an extension, doing so sooner rather than later (or even right when they present an offer) is a must. Additionally, they might limit how long you can wait, so it’s best to request the shortest extension possible.

For longer hiring timelines, asking for more time to consider a job offer as soon as possible is still a smart move. However, you might have a slightly larger window to work with, which could give you a few extra days to determine if the offer works for you.

If you need to ask for more time to think about a job offer and are posing the question in an email, use a professional, polite tone. Usually, it’s best to express your appreciation right away. By doing so, you’re showing the hiring manager that you acknowledge the importance of the offer.

When you broach the topic of more time, don’t present it as a demand. Instead, phrase it as a question to allow the hiring manager to share their perspective. With that approach, the hiring manager can inform you of hiring deadlines they’re facing, allowing you to agree to a suitable extension together.

Being specific when you request additional time is critical, as well. For example, don’t ask, “Can I get more time to review the offer and make a decision?” Instead, ask for the precise amount of time you need, such as, “Can I have 48 hours to review the offer and make a decision?”

Whether you provide details regarding why you’d like more time is a personal decision. Depending on your reasoning, explaining could work for or against you. For instance, stating that you need a few days to review the offer in detail before making a decision is generally safe. It’s logical and shows that you’re detail-oriented.

Beyond that, it’s best to close out the message with a request for information about the final deadline for accepting the offer, as well as thanking the hiring manager again. Then, you can sign off.

How to ask for more time to consider a job offer: a sample letter

While the information above tells you how to ask for more time to think about a job offer, having an example makes it simpler. Here’s a how to ask for more time to consider a job offer sample letter that shows a polite, professional way to broach the topic with the hiring manager:

Make sure to customize the email above based on your situation.

When it comes to how to ask for more time to consider a job offer over the phone, the same principles apply as those outlined above. Be polite, professional, and clear when stating how much time you require. Additionally, prepare for an immediate response from the hiring manager.

When you discuss the topic, express your appreciation first and then request additional time. Try saying something like, “Thank you for the job offer. I truly appreciate it. With that in mind, I want to ensure I can review it thoroughly before making a decision. Could you give me 48 hours to review the details?”

After that, listen to the hiring manager’s response to see if they’re able to offer the additional time. If so, thank them for the extension. If the requested time doesn’t work with their deadline, find out how much time is available, and then try to make a decision by then.

Now that you know how to ask for an extension on a job offer, you may wonder if requesting more time is risky. Generally speaking, simply asking for a day or two to go over the proposal is reasonable in the eyes of hiring managers, particularly if the contract is comprehensive.

However, stating that you want more time to interview with other employers or secure a counter offer from your current company is risky. The hiring manager may assume that you see this offer as a backup plan or a way to leverage a raise at your current job. If that happens, the hiring manager may rescind the offer, though that doesn’t always occur.

Requesting more than a couple of days is potentially risky, too. Hiring managers have deadlines to meet, so if your request falls far outside their approved timeline, they may move on to a candidate who will decide sooner. Again, this isn’t universally true, but it’s a possibility.

If you’re wondering whether you should accept a counter offer from your current company, exercising caution is best. At this point, your employer knows you were looking elsewhere, which puts your loyalty and dedication to the company into question.

Accepting a counter offer and staying could make you the first target if workforce reductions are necessary. Additionally, the company may start working to replace you, allowing them to let you go after they secure your replacement. As a result, accepting a counter offer carries its own risks, which is why many career experts recommend turning it down and moving on to the new job.