Dear Bob ...I'm in a bit of a pickle -- I've just received an offer from one place, and they want me to start on Monday. However, I've got another interview on Tuesday morning with a place that I like better, and I'd rather work there (better pay, better benefits, better match for my skills and where I want to go career-wise, etc). But they haven't made me an offer yet, and if they don't, I also don't want to lo Dear Bob …I’m in a bit of a pickle — I’ve just received an offer from one place, and they want me to start on Monday. However, I’ve got another interview on Tuesday morning with a place that I like better, and I’d rather work there (better pay, better benefits, better match for my skills and where I want to go career-wise, etc). But they haven’t made me an offer yet, and if they don’t, I also don’t want to lose out on this one.How should I handle this? Would it be wise for me to explain all this to the recruiter who has made me this offer, or is there a better way to deal with it? Thank you in advance for any advice you are able to give. – Drowning in insurmountable opportunityDear Drowning …When you say you don’t want to lose out on the offer you have, I’m interpreting that to mean the job, company, offer, benefits and so on are acceptable to you … not that you’ll take anything right now rather than waiting for a good opportunity. Assuming that’s the case:The best approach I can think of would be to tell the folks who made you an offer that the earliest you can start with them is two weeks from Monday due to previous obligations (if they push hard, that lets you back off to one week from Monday).Tuesday, if you still think you’d prefer the other company after your interview, let them know you have an offer on the table, and that while you don’t want to be pushy, you have to either turn them down or start work with them within a week or two. If the better company comes through, you call the first one, let them know what happened (another company made you an offer you simply couldn’t refuse), thank them for their offer. Apologize for having to change your decision, recognizing that they had put effort into their recruiting process, wish them well, and say good-bye.On the other hand, if the only thing the current offer has going for it is that it would provide gainful employment … if it’s a job you’d hate, a career dead-end, and a salary that would cause you to move into a studio apartment in a bad section of town … then let the company know that after thinking things over you can’t accept their offer.Under those circumstances, be prepared to let them know what they’d need to add to make the situation work for you. You never know – they might be interested enough to offer it. – BobPowered by ScribeFire. Technology Industry