Finding yourself with multiple job offers can feel like both a blessing and a curse. Here's how to make the perfect decision for you.
Getting word that you’ve been offered a job often makes it feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. That’s true—unless you’re in the fortunate position to have gotten several job offers, and now face the daunting task of deciding which one’s best for you.
While never easy to do, the tips below should help you feel less stressed and successfully choose a job you love.
How to Choose Between Two Job Offers
1. Make Sure the Offer Is Actually an Offer
Some people think they’ve been offered a job after hearing a verbal offer of at the end of an interview. In some cases, that declaration is enough to make you feel secure, but it’s always better to see a signed contract before you feel confident that the job is yours.
If an employer won’t give you details of a proposed job in writing, treat that as a red flag and strongly consider leaving that particular job offer off your list of options.
2. Examine the Financial Benefits
While it’s true that life isn’t just about money, making enough of it to live comfortably is definitely a plus.
When you’re weighing job offers, carefully consider the amount you’ll earn as a salary, plus other factors such as 401(k) plans that could eventually help you have enough money to support yourself after leaving the workforce. Or perhaps, one job might pay a little less, but is within walking distance of your home (saving you fuel and car maintenance costs), and another one has a higher pay rate but demands an hour-long commute each day. These are all important considerations as you weigh your options.
(Don't forget: you should also consider negotiating your salary during the offer phase.)
3. Determine How It Will Affect Your Personal Life
Do some of the job offers you’re considering require you to work at odd hours, travel frequently, or agree to other things that could adversely affect the relationships you have with a significant other, relatives, and friends? If so, those are important things to think about privately and bring up in conversations with the people who’ll most likely be affected if you take a certain job offer over another.
4. Choose a Job That Lets You Use Your Skills
It’s very fulfilling to be involved in a career that allows you to regularly capitalize on your strengths, gifts, and insight. When possible, try to go with a job that makes you feel valued and puts you in a position to shine.
It’s also worthwhile to give priority to any option that gives you an opportunity to continue your education. When a company emphasizes the worth of allowing employees to continue learning and evolving, that suggests the organization’s leadership really cares about helping employees feel equipped for the future and recognizes those workers as true assets to the business.
5. Do Your Research + Gain Insider Information
Genuine feedback from people who aren’t directly involved in which job you choose could be very helpful in allowing you to nail down your decision. Ask around within the groups of people you know and see if you can uncover information that would not easily be found online or in other publicly available forums.
Details like turnover rate, why this particular job is open, and how workers truly feel about giving their time and efforts toward the organization could help answer some of your questions.
6. Consider the Other Benefits
Many companies offer gym memberships to encourage their employees to stay healthy. Others have on-site counselors that assist with mental health needs, and others sometimes hold social events to help employees expand their circles of friends beyond interactions within the office. These unique benefits and perks may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but when you feel healthy, you’re more likely to do your best at work.
7. Go With Your Gut
It’s all fine and good to carefully consider practical factors like those mentioned above, but don’t discount the feeling that’s deep in your gut. More than likely, you’ve picked up on cues that are unconsciously impacting how you feel about certain job offers.
If you make a habit of listening to your intuition, it won't often steer you wrong.
Choosing from several job offers isn’t simple, but it’s doable. Taking your time and prioritizing the factors that matter most to you goes a long way.
