How to Choose Among Multiple Job Offers?

Congratulations on getting a job offer! Double congratulations on getting two job offers! It is difficult to find a good job in today’s troubled economy, but you have converted an even rare possibility into a reality. Kudos to you! However, once all the initial excitement subsides and both the hiring managers start pestering you to share your final decision, that’s when it starts to sink in that you are indeed, caught in a tight spot. Most people would suggest going with the offer that pays more, but more money doesn’t guarantee that the job is the best fit for you. Therefore, it is important to analyze the job offers deeply before taking a call.

If you are in a similar situation or know somebody who is going through it, this article lists down some tips to help make the best decision. Here, take a look:

Understand your priorities

You should be absolutely clear about what you are looking for in a new job. Setting priorities have a lot to do with where you currently are in life and what you want for yourself in the future. Your top priority right now could be a good salary with great perks or to acquire new skills and experience or to secure a higher position. Once you are clear on this, evaluating each job offer against your priorities will come easy. However, do keep in mind that evaluating a job offer solely on the salary is not always a good idea. Being happy about what you do every day at work is equally important to avoid disappointments later. That’s why it is crucial to–

Consider possibilities for growth

There is a quote which says ‘Sometimes we have to lose something precious to gain something priceless’. It might be a good idea to ponder over this while evaluating job offers. Let’s say that one job offers a lot of money and that’s the only highlight which appeals to you. On the other hand, there is a second offer that does not pay as much as the first offer but comes with immense opportunities to learn new skills and advance your career. In the long run, more money won’t make you as happy as not having to do the same kind of work year after year. Talk to the hiring managers and understand what career path each opportunity has to offer to make a wiser decision.

Also Read: Here’s the Secret to How You Can Accelerate Your Career Progression

Evaluate the non-financial aspects

Money isn’t everything and that’s why companies go an extra mile to attract top talent to join their team. They understand how much professionals appreciate a flexible work culture and accordingly offer various perks. Consider the non-financial benefits each job offers such as flexible work timings, work from home option, casual dress code, daily commute to work, etc. These perks cannot be converted into cash but may mean something to you as far as freedom at work is concerned. Additionally, you may also want to know about the appraisal policy followed by each company. Do they review performance once a year, twice a year or more than that? Do they offer a bonus? If yes, how is it calculated? All these aspects should be clear to you before you choose the offer for yourself.

Did you like the people?

It is impossible to get to know a person fully in just one meeting. However, there is a reason why first impressions are considered important. As a job candidate, do your best to impress the employers in the first meeting. Sometimes you succeed while sometimes you don’t. First impressions act as the basis for what our gut feeling tries to communicate to us. During the interview process, you must have interacted with your prospective colleagues and boss. Go back and think about how was the experience for you. You will be spending a big chunk of your day with your colleagues and the boss. Do you see yourself happily working with them? If the answer is yes for one of the offers, you know where to go.

Dig deep into the company culture

If you couldn’t gather much about the people and the company culture in general within the limited interaction you had during the interview process, turn to the Internet for help. The Internet is full of forums and resources from where you can gather all the information about your prospective employers. You can reach out to people who are currently working or have worked with the organization to give a peek into how things work in the company. Compare the culture of each company you are looking at and see which one gels perfectly with your expectations to make the right decision.

Despite the confusion and anxiety, having multiple job offers is a great accomplishment and you should try to take the best from the given opportunities. Follow the tips shared above to evaluate each job offer and don’t be afraid to eliminate the ones that just don’t feel right for you.

All the best!

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