How To Decide Between Two Job Offers
Every job applicant hopes to be successful and called or emailed back at the end of the interviewing process. However, some are faced with the welcomed problem of getting more than one job offer. This leaves them with the critical decision of deciding or choosing which job offer to accept. More often than not, such persons are worried and perturbed by the likely consequences, pros, and cons of choosing or accepting a particular job offer over the other. Therefore, this article is focused, centered on, and serves as a guideline to successful applicants faced with the dilemma of deciding or choosing between two job offers.
Choosing Between Two Jobs
Below are things to consider when choosing between two jobs;
- Research the workplace and offer
- Consider your Career Path and Goals
- Salary and personal satisfaction
- Culture of Workplace
- Intuition and guts
- Career Advancement and Progression
- Work and Life Balance
- Research the Workplace: Although, it appears cumbersome, carrying out extensive research about the two companies is essential. This will enable the individual to make the right decision. The history of the companies involved, their past and present achievements, as well as the nature of staffing, are some of the things to research. Additionally, talking to past and current employees of the company if possible, will give an insight into the modes of operation of the organization. Also, additional research will provide information on the company’s reputation and rating in its industry and sector.
- Consider your Career Path and Goal: Every individual is expected to have dreams, visions, and career goals. During the interview process, applicants often strive to prove to hiring managers that they are the best fit for the role and that the firm or company will benefit immensely from hiring them. When presented with two job offers, however, it is vital and paramount to ascertain how each prospective job aligns or fits in with your career goals. You should not just accept an offer because it appears enticing, your career goals should be put into consideration when deciding between two job offers. You should always go for the job offer that is in line with your career path. Relatively, it is essential to look beyond the perks and potential benefits and focus more on how relevant the job offer is to your career.
- Salary in relation to Personal Satisfaction: Of course, salary, wages, and remuneration have and will always be a key component of every job offer. A question that often comes to mind when presented with two job offers is, which job pays more? More often than not, applicants are faced with the temptation of going for a job that pays more. It is vital to compare both salaries and look out for added benefits such as health insurance, housing allowance, car allowance, paid time off (study allowance), travel allowance, hazard allowance, to mention but a few. However, you should not make your judgment or make a decision based on salary alone, personal satisfaction is essential and paramount. So, when faced with a situation where one job offer pays higher than the offer you really like, you will need to decide whether a higher salary can compensate for being in a job and working environment you aren’t comfortable in. Clearly, you will have more funds and money to spend outside work, but will a higher salary make up for over 30 or more hours spent weekly in a job you find boring, unsatisfying, uninspiring, and non-motivating? Therefore, it is recommended that you base your decision when presented with the dilemma of choosing between two job offers not just on the salary, but on the offer that aligns with your values. Subsequently, if one job offer’s salary is too low insufficient enough for you to support yourself, you should probably go for the offer with the higher salary. However, if both salaries on offer are fair and sufficient enough to meet your needs, you might be better off choosing the offer that gives you personal satisfaction.
- Culture of the Workplace: Workplace culture is another paramount factor to consider when choosing between two job offers. During the hiring or interview process, most recruitment agencies or prospective employers assess how each applicant fits in culturally to their firm, organization, or workplace. Culture fit shouldn’t be a one-sided thing; hence, it is vital that you assess, dissect, evaluate and ascertain if each of the offers is a good fit for you. It is important to choose an offer or organization that provides serenity, ambience, and comfortability, which will enhance your output. Working in a toxic and conflict-dominated environment on a daily basis can be tiring, cumbersome, and counter-productive. Even if an organization’s goals and visions ignite the passion in you, you will surely lose interest if the culture and working environment are uncomfortable and don’t make you happy. In contrast, working for an organization that provides an ambient environment and whose culture makes you feel valued and treasured will definitely ignite your passion in you. You can make inquiries about the workplace culture of each of the job offers from past or current employees; figure out what suits you best, be it independence, teamwork, new challenges, or flexibility, and make a decision. You should always enjoy going to work every day not the other way round.
- Career Advancement and Progression: Earlier on, we talked about choosing an organization that aligns with your chosen career goals. However, career progression is also important when choosing between two job offers. An organization might suit your chosen career perfectly, with no opportunities and avenues for long-term progression and advancement. Therefore, when presented with two job offers, you go for the one that avails the opportunity for further study (Paid study leave) and other career advancement incentives. Also, go for a job that will enable you to learn new skills that are essential for your career growth. You don’t want to be stuck in a job for years without actually growing career-wise.
- Work and Life Balance: Striking a balance between your professional (work) and personal life is paramount when choosing between two job offers. Although sacrifices are essential for professional growth, personal life is an essential component of an individual. Hence, it is vital you consider how each job offer gives you the opportunity to have a life outside work. You may want to consider things like; how many hours you spend days at work? Will you be required to work overtime regularly? Your commute to and from work, Holiday period, amongst others. Consider what impact each job offer will have on your requirements and needs, and make the right choice.
- Intuition and Guts: Once you’ve researched and put the aforementioned factors into consideration, it is crucial to fall back on your gut feeling and intuition. Ask your inner self questions like; which job offer excites me more? What is my gut telling me to do? Does my list favor one job over the other? Trust yourself to make the right decision. Family and friends might persuade you to go against your gut and choose a particular job offer because of its prestige or remuneration. Don’t bulge, stand firm, trust your intuition and go for the job that ticks all the boxes for you.
