How to ask for more time to consider a job offer

How much extra time you can realistically ask for

A standard offer deadline in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia is three to five business days from the date the offer is sent. If you need more time, asking for an additional two to three business days is almost always granted. Asking for more than a week total is possible but carries more risk, especially at smaller companies or in fast-moving hiring cycles.

If you are waiting on a competing offer, be honest about that in general terms. You do not need to name the other company. Saying you are evaluating another opportunity is enough, and it often prompts the employer to move faster or improve their terms rather than withdraw.

• Two to three extra business days: low risk, almost always granted
• Four to five extra business days: reasonable, give a brief reason
• More than five extra business days: higher risk, use only if you have a strong reason such as a competing offer or a family decision that requires travel

The exact script to use

Send this by email, not by phone, so there is a written record and the recruiter can forward it without paraphrasing. Adjust the bracketed parts to fit your situation.

1. Subject: Re: Offer for [Job Title]
2. Hi [Recruiter name], thank you so much for the offer. I am genuinely excited about the role and the team.
3. I want to make sure I give this the careful thought it deserves. Would it be possible to have until [specific date, e.g. Friday 24 October] to give you my decision?
4. Please let me know if that works. I am happy to jump on a quick call if it is easier.
5. Thanks again, [Your name]

What to say if you are waiting on another offer

If a competing offer is the real reason you need more time, you can say so without sounding disloyal. Employers know candidates apply to multiple places. Being transparent often works in your favour because it signals you are in demand.

Use this addition inside the script above, after the second paragraph: 'I am currently in the final stages with one other company and want to be fair to both sides before I commit.' That sentence is honest, professional, and does not oversell your position.

• Do not name the other company unless you are comfortable with that information being shared
• Do not exaggerate the competing offer to pressure the employer
• Do contact the other company the same day and let them know you have an offer in hand and ask where they are in their process

What not to say when asking for more time

A few phrases reliably make recruiters nervous. Avoid them even if they are true.

• Do not say you are unsure about the role or the company. Even if you have doubts, save that conversation for after you have secured the extension.
• Do not mention salary as the reason unless you plan to negotiate. If you want to negotiate, do it in the same message rather than asking for time and then negotiating later.
• Do not apologise excessively. One thank-you is enough. Multiple apologies signal anxiety and can make the recruiter wonder whether you are serious.
• Do not go silent. If you miss the original deadline without sending this message, the employer may assume you have declined.

How to use the extra time well

Once you have the extension, use the days deliberately. Vague thinking rarely leads to a clear decision.

Write down the three things that matter most to you in a job, such as base salary, remote flexibility, or growth into management. Score each offer against those three things. If you only have one offer, score it against your current situation or your minimum acceptable terms.

Talk to one or two people who know the company or the industry. LinkedIn makes it easy to find former employees. A 15-minute call with someone who worked there two years ago is often more useful than reading 50 reviews on a jobs board.

1. List your three non-negotiables and check whether the offer meets them
2. Review the full offer letter, including equity vesting, bonus structure, and any clawback clauses
3. Contact your references and let them know a call may be coming so they are not caught off guard
4. If you have a competing process, contact that employer and ask for a timeline
5. Make your decision by the date you promised, not the night before

What to do if the employer says no

Some employers, particularly in retail, hospitality, or high-volume hiring, will say the deadline is firm. If that happens, you have two options: accept or decline. There is no third option that keeps the offer safe.

Before you decide, ask yourself whether the inflexibility on the deadline reflects how the company operates generally. A recruiter who cannot grant 48 hours on a major life decision may be signalling something about the culture. That is worth factoring into your choice.

If you genuinely cannot decide in time and the employer will not extend, it is better to decline professionally than to accept and resign within weeks. A short, polite decline keeps the relationship intact and leaves the door open for future roles.