You may have several opportunities floating around, and suddenly your first offer arrives. If it's your ideal position, the 95% good-fit, you accept the offer, negotiate compensation and go on down the road.

Many times, though, the first offer isn't the best, or the one you actually want. If you have other opportunities brewing, this is the time to apply subtle pressure to bring them to closure. It's important to remember that the pressure you use must be understated, and not pushy, or you may drive employers away.

This method has worked several times for my candidates. In one case, the candidate was told that senior leadership of the second company, the one he really wanted, couldn't meet with him for two weeks. When he used this approach, they changed their minds overnight, and he was on a plane to Chicago to interview the following day.

In the case below, Conrad ended up as a regional manager for Starbucks.