How to answer this prospective employers email question?

I recently had an office visit with a mid-sized accounting firm and sent them a thank you email. I received an email back saying "we are very interested so please let me know if you are strongly considering other options". Is he asking this to formulate an offer or something? I AM considering other options and I am thinking that if I say the other companies I am considering (and they are good, well known ones in same industry) then maybe he will raise my offer. Or if I say i am strongly considering other options then maybe he will think im not interested inthe company? What should I say?

thanks.

Answer:
It depends on if you really want this job or if you have had better offers really. If you want this job and are willing to settle for what they are offering I would reply back to them and let them know you are considering other offers but you are very interested in the job they are offering you.
It is probably to understand how much TIME they have the respond. I don't think you want to name drop the other companies, but you should say that you are considering other high calipier companies like their firm. Are you interested in the company? If so, definitely say so, but don't commit that if you get an offer you'll take it or anything like that. It makes taking another offer a lot less clean. Tell them what would an attractive offer would look like to you. Not specifics of salary, but "my goal is to realize an increase in my salary and responsibilities that are more in line with my experience and expertise" should give them a message that you are looking for $$. Good luck.
I think they're wondering how much time they have to pick a final candidate. I got that question at an interview and was honest. If you really want to work for that company, tell them so. But if you need a job fast, tell them you're considering other options.

I didn't think it was quite proper to send a thank you e-mail. Learn something new everyday.
I currently have the same thing happening. I hinted to the company that I would be glad to be closer to home, so if the offers were the same or similar, I would take the position. Truth is I had two offers on the table, and the first offer was better but the second job was closer to home. I said if they could match that I would go with the second offer, so I let them know EVERYTHING that I was getting at the first offer. They are working hard on matching that offer! It's really funny how that works, but they saw me as a heck of a catch, lol!
Dangle him by a string.Tell him there other options that have caught your eye.But also ask him what he has to offer.
It is my opinion that you should respond based on your current desire. I think what he has to decide is how much effort will he make in considering you as a potential employee. Salary negotiations should occur after the job offer.. not before. Trying to 'jockey for a bargaining position' prior to an offer can certainly affect if you get an offer at all. Here's a suggestion for a response:

Greetings,

Thanks for the quick response and the interest in the my job search. Currently I have several options that I considering, however the opportunities and potential for my career do appear to be better at your organization. I would appreciate you keeping my resume' at the forefront of your list of potential empoyees. I am confident that my employement at your organization will be mutually benefitial.

Thanks,
Your Name

This tells him that you are most interested in an offer from him (even if your not) and at the same time hints to the other offers you may have received. Once he makes his selection.. then you can negotiate a salary as you haven't given away anything by the above statement.

Hope this helps and good luck in your job search!

Oh.. SPELL CHECK!

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