By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
EP 3134 Getting a spoken word job feels like a victory, but it’s not the finish line yet. The film explores why verbal promises lack legal protection and explains why you should continue your job search until you sign a written contract.
Timestamp
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0:00 – The excitement of an oral proposal: is it the finish line?
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0:56 – Explaining the “14-day wait” and why it creates risks for candidates.
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1:47 – Oral vs. written: Compare lack of protection to an “occupational safety net.”
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3:13 – The Golden Rule: Why You Must Continue the interview There is good news though.
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4:01 – A four-step proactive strategy for professionally handling verbal offer offers.
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5:01 – Final takeaway: Become your career’s No. 1 advocate.
How to become an irresistible employee
Okay, let’s get right to the point. Imagine you’ve been through a million interviews, you absolutely nailed the last one, and then your phone rings. It was HR, and they had shocking news.
But the question is, is this really the finish line? Today we’re going to talk about that super nervous moment when you get the opportunity to do oral work, and why the next thing you do is, well, that’s everything. It’s a true quote, you know, it sounds familiar to a lot of us, and you get that sense of pure excitement, that feeling that all your hard work is finally paying off. You hear these magic words, you’ve been chosen, and you’re like, yeah, this job is mine, this is a big moment.
That’s a big problem, isn’t it? Your first reaction is to breathe a sigh of relief, maybe open something bubbly, and immediately stop your job search. But wait, is that really the smartest play here? Let’s really dig into it. Oh, that phone call was pure adrenaline.
This is complete validation. It means they want you. But let’s be very clear about what you actually receive.
This is a promise. This is an expression of their intentions. That’s a fantastic sign, but it’s not the same as a locked-in, confirmed job.
Well, this is where things get interesting. The good news is usually followed by this: we will receive your official offer letter, but this may take around 14 days. And this? This is where the little seeds of uncertainty begin to be planted.
14 days. Think about it. That’s two whole weeks.
They might just call it organizing paperwork, but for you, it’s two weeks of complete limbo. Honestly, anything can happen these two weeks. The waiting period comes with risks.
This brings us to the heart of the matter. There is a huge difference between a verbal quote and a written quote. You have to understand, it’s basically just a conversation.
another? This is your career safety net. I mean, look at this side by side. Oral quote? This is a conversation.
It is almost never legally binding. But a written quote? That’s an official document. This is their true commitment to you.
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That’s why we say one gives you zero protection, while the other is your shield. This sentence is right here and it says everything you need to know. Unless you have that official document, salary, start date, all benefits, everything confirmed in black and white, you have absolutely no security.
It’s a harsh truth, but it’s the reality you have to face. So, knowing all this, what’s your plan? Well, the best strategy is actually the exact opposite of what your gut tells you to do. I understand, this feels completely counterintuitive, but it is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself in this situation.
Okay, so you’re in the waiting game and you’ve received a very promising verbal offer, but nothing is guaranteed yet. So what’s your next step? I mean, do you just wait, sit by your phone, refresh your email every five minutes, and basically put your entire career on hold? This is a passive approach and, honestly, a huge gamble. It puts all the power in their hands, not yours.
This is the most direct and powerful advice I can give you. You must continue the interview. Seriously.
Don’t pause your job search. Don’t cancel other interviews you have scheduled. You move on like nothing has changed until you sign the contract.
Now listen, this is not a sign of negativity or disloyalty to the company that just called you. not at all. It’s about being strategic.
Think of it as your job search shield. You take initiative to ensure that no matter what happens, you are in a good position. Right here.
This is your new thinking. This is the logic you need to follow in your life. If another potential employer asks you if you’re still interviewing, your answer is yes.
Why? Because you are right. A verbal promise is not an offer. This sentence should become your mantra.
This is the script, plain and simple. Step 1. Confirm their call. Thank them.
Tell them you’re excited. Step 2: Go back to looking for a job immediately. Step 3: Definitely go to other interviews.
Step 4. You can’t stop anything until you sign a written contract. So why is this strategy so effective? Because verbal quotes are simply not guaranteed. Something happened.
Budgets were cut. Priorities change. Key people change their minds.
Heck, even written offers sometimes get canceled. By continuing to interview, you keep all your options open, which puts you in the best possible position. You are not desperate, you are in need.
If you take one thing away from all of this, it’s this. This is the golden rule of job hunting. An offer is not considered real until it is written and signed by both parties.
You don’t have the job until you have a legally binding document. So, yes, celebrate the good news on the phone, but don’t stop until the ink is dry. This leaves us with just one last thing to consider.
At the end of the day, a company will always look out for its own best interests. So who is the number one person responsible for protecting your career, your finances and your future? The answer is simple. It’s you.
always.
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire big game hunter Jeff Altman to provide no-BS career advice around the world because he’s done so much in people’s careers Easier. These matters may involve job hunting, Recruit more effectively, manage and lead better, career transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,100 episodes.
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