Congratulations! You received a return offer from your summer internship. That's fantastic news! Except that they want you to decide in just a couple of weeks if you're going to take the offer or not and you are really interested in exploring other options. What to do?This scenario happens frequently. And actually, the timing of any job offer is rarely perfect. There's always more information you'd like to have before you have to make such an important decision. There are a couple of tips we have for making the best decision you can:
Request more time to make a decision:
The UVA Career Center recommends that employers give students until October 30 or 3 weeks (whichever gives you more time) to decide on an offer. However, this is a recommendation and not a rule.
You can ask the employer to give you until Oct. 30 as the Career Center recommends. You can do this by email or phone and it's great to first let them know that you're excited about the offer but want to make the best decision you can.
If you are in the process of applying with other companies, you can let them know that you have another offer with an upcoming deadline and ask if there is any way to speed up the process on their end.
If you have questions about how to do this, please make an appointment through Handshake with a career services advisor to discuss.
If you cannot get more time to respond:
Make the best decision you can. Again, the timing will never be perfect - you'll always feel like you'd like more information.
Withdraw your applications that are in progress.
If you decide to accept the position, don't keep wondering “what if”. Own your decision, don't look back and get excited about your future career.
If you decide to decline an offer to pursue other options:
Know that the Engineering Career Center is here to help you through the process. We will work with you in any way we can to help you find the right opportunity. It can be scary to decline an offer without another option available, but sometimes that is the right decision.
Decline your offer without burning any bridges. You may feel like the company has forced you into a difficult decision, but being polite and professional in declining the offer can leave the door open for future job and networking opportunities.
Want more help making career decisions (or any decisions)? Here are two great podcasts that can help you with the decision making process whether you're choosing a job or internship or choosing what to eat for lunch:
NPR: Hidden Brain - Decide Already!
Ted Radio Hour - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
We also have an "Executive in Residence", Bob Bremer, who has years of corporate experience evaluating and negotiating offers from the other side of the desk. He is available by appointment (through Handshake events) every other Friday starting Sept. 11th.