Wouldn't it be great if your job search would allow you to see into the future before making a decision? Well it doesn't work that way. You're going to be made offers all at different times. And you won't know what the future may have held for you. This is a direct bi-product of not only the pattern of interviews you go out on, but also the wide variance in the length of the process within these different companies. Here's some advice...
- Interview until you have accepted a position. Yes, that means you should go out to a brand new first round right after you left a final interview. You just never know which one work out or how quickly all these companies will move on you to make an offer.
- Be clear with every company you meet with that you have other interview activity and make sure they know what stage you are in with those other places (be subtle here, not cocky). Knowing that you are actively interviewing and in demand will speed up the company's process (not to mention, make you even more attractive due to this competition)
- During any final round, ask them what their time frame is to make a verbal offer. That way you can begin predicting when things might happen.
- Be smart and massage the dates of these requested interviews to your advantage. Push a final interview up or back by a day or two (if you can do this) to sync things up with another company at a different stage.
- If you receive an offer, find out when they need an answer. Be honest if you are waiting on this to find out about another company. They will usually understand this.
Whatever you do though...don't accept a job if there's a chance you may go back on your word. This causes problems for a lot of people and will certainly not be good for your reputation if you have to rescind your acceptance.