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So I finished an internship with a company and they want me back after I grad. I was recently offered me a position that is awaiting my response. No deadline given yet, but it will be filled for the spring. But I've also recently attended our school's annual career fair and now awaiting for some interviews. I think my current company is great but I don't want to accept the offer without seeing all the possibilities first and I think it might help with salary negotiation.

Am I being reasonable? What's a good way to express this to my boss to wait as long as possible for me? I feel like I'm being a bit rude, and I also need my boss's reference.

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  • Its all depends on how close are you with your boss. Some ex boss are really supportive. So they them-self would guide you well and give some good hints in which industry to pursuit. But, this might be a risky move if you want to re-enter back the company. As you have created an impression of not putting them on the top spot and you looked you had no choice but have to join them. But a good boss will put a side personal feelings and be professional. Commented Jan 30, 2015 at 8:28
  • What's going on with your current company, do you have an offer in hand from them for an extended stay with them? Commented Jan 30, 2015 at 12:44
  • Obligatory link to Joel on Software Commented Jan 30, 2015 at 17:12

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Am I being reasonable?

It's very reasonable to want to gather all your offers before making a decision. Sometimes that approach is viable, sometimes not.

What's a good way to express this to my boss to wait as long as possible for me?

Hopefully, you already have a good relationship with your boss.

Go to her/him and say something like "Hey, boss. This is a really difficult decision for me, and I want to make sure I get this right, career-wise. I've really enjoyed working with you, and I really appreciate the offer. I think you can understand that I'd like to wait a bit before giving you my answer. Can I get back to you in X weeks?"

Often, that will work. Employers of interns know how this end game plays out. They clearly like you, and would like your commitment to join them.

Sometimes your current employer will just be trying to add you into the mix after a successful internship. They will expand their headcount to include you, should you accept.

But other times, they have you earmarked to fill a position that must be filled at a particular point in time (in order to complete a project, or start a new one, etc). If that is the case, they may need an answer sooner than later, so that they can pursue other candidates in the event that you decline their offer. You might have to make a difficult decision with incomplete information - so it goes in the working world.

With interns I've hired, I have encountered both situations. Some interns have accepted my offers, others have declined. If they were good workers, they always got great recommendations anyway.

A quick discussion with your boss should get things moving in the right direction one way or another, and will likely get you your desired positive recommendation in either case.

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  • I don't know why but I could tell you were answering this question before I saw your name as the answeree :)
    – Jonast92
    Commented Jan 30, 2015 at 14:09

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