Dear J.T. & Dale: What’s the best way to handle the following? You go for weeks with no response to your job submittals. Then, you finally get one hit. All appears promising. You are informed that a decision will be made the next week. Meanwhile, you get an offer for a lesser job that wants you to decide immediately. Can you tell them you are awaiting the answer on another position? — Lamar

J.T.: A lot of companies are demanding an answer on the spot. If you say, “Can I get back to you?” you’ll be crossed off the list, because they want someone who is absolutely sure the job is ideal for them.

Dale: That feels so wrong … as though they’re exploiting the paranoia in the economy. Should you get a whiff of that attitude, Lamar, I hope you are in a position to wait for another offer. In fact, you can use a bad offer to get good ones. There is nothing so appealing to employers as a prospect who’s in demand. Call the company you’re waiting on, tell them what’s happened, and it will increase the likelihood of an offer.

J.T.: Yes, call the company and explain. Let them know that working for them is your first choice. They might not be able to give you an answer yet, but at least they’ll give you an idea of when you might hear.

Dale: If they don’t, check with the other places you’ve applied and let them know that you are about to take an offer, but had really hoped to have a chance to talk to them first. That psychological bait is almost irresistible.

J.T.: One other thing — don’t give up on the company that wanted an immediate answer. There may be a good reason they are in a hurry, and that could help you get them to make you a better offer. When they ask for an answer, tell them you are in the middle of interviewing and that there’s another firm of equal interest. Explain that you want to make a smart, informed decision, and that means making sure you are 200 percent confident in your choice. Ask if there is any way they could give you a week to decide. I actually had one client do this, and the firm came back with an offer for more money and a better title. They were so impressed with her professionalism and honesty that they decided to make sure they didn’t lose her.