Many candidates, consider a common tactic: bluffing about having another offer to force a faster decision.

It seems like a smart strategy—if a company believes you have competing offers, won’t they rush to lock you in? Won’t they be more eager to secure you before their competitors do?

The truth is: this strategy often backfires. And in today’s hiring climate, it can actually work against you more than ever before.

The Hiring Process Is Not Designed to Be Rushed

No matter how talented you are, you are not the only factor in an employer’s decision-making process. Most companies have a structured hiring system—one that includes multiple decision-makers, approvals, and sometimes bureaucratic hurdles.

When you try to rush the process with a bluff, you’re fighting against an internal system that isn’t built for speed. Rather than making exceptions, many companies will choose to reject you outright rather than disrupt their hiring flow.

Why? 

Hiring isn’t just about picking the “best” candidate—it’s also about internal politics, budgeting, and risk management. If a company isn't 100% ready to extend an offer, and you push them prematurely, the easiest option for them is to simply say:

"Thanks, but we’ll pass."

They’d rather reject you than make a rushed, potentially risky decision—especially in larger organizations where approvals take time.

How Bluffing Can Work Against You

If you tell an employer that you have another offer, two things can happen:

1. They call your bluff. Hiring managers have seen this tactic before. If they sense insincerity, your credibility takes a hit.
2. They believe you—but it doesn’t help you. Instead of rushing to extend an offer, they might simply move on, unwilling to compete for someone they feel isn’t fully committed to their process.

Employers don’t like being strong-armed into decisions. If they feel rushed or manipulated, they will likely remove you from consideration, even if you were a top candidate.

Companies Would Rather Reject Than Compete

A common misconception among candidates is that companies will fight for you if they think you’re in demand.

The reality? Many would rather walk away than engage in a bidding war.

Even if they were planning to move forward with you, a sudden urgency on your part could make them rethink:

• “Why are they in such a rush? Are they just using us for leverage?”
• “If we rush an offer, will they leave just as quickly for the next opportunity?”
• “If they’re so set on another company, are we just their backup plan?”

Employers don’t like feeling like a second choice. If they feel pressured, they may reject you not because you weren’t a good fit—but because they want to avoid playing games.

What If You Really Are Interviewing Elsewhere?

If you truly have another offer, that’s different. You don’t need to bluff—just be honest and strategic. Instead of pressuring, phrase it like this:

👉 “I’m very interested in this opportunity, but I do have another offer with a deadline approaching. I wanted to check if you have an estimated timeline for next steps?”

This keeps it professional and puts the ball in their court—without forcing them into a rushed decision.

The Best Way to Get an Offer Fast? 

If a company truly wants you, they will move quickly. Not because you pressured them, but because they recognize your value.

Instead of using artificial urgency, focus on:

✔ Being the best candidate for the role
✔ Building strong relationships with interviewers
✔ Following up strategically (without forcing their hand)
✔ Demonstrating why they should make you an offer—on their own terms

Job searching is frustrating. The waiting game is hard. But bluffing about an offer to speed things up is more likely to hurt you than help you.

If you push too hard, too soon, you might be cutting off a real opportunity.

Instead of trying to force the process, trust that if an employer truly wants you, they’ll make the right move—without needing to be pressured into it.