When looking for a job, you don’t just apply to one place with the assurance that you will land a job in this organization, except you know a recruiter or a business owner in person. If you are like many other job seekers, you will send your resume to a number of companies hoping that at least one will offer you a job. Thus, congratulations! You have job offers! Now, this is something you probably are not expecting. All you need is a job but now you have offers and you have to choose. Making this decision can be a bit difficult, especially if the two companies have a lot in common and they resonate with your career goal. When you find yourself in this position, the following steps will help you make the right decision.
Evaluate All Job Offers Carefully
When it comes to evaluating job offers, you have to approach them logically. Sometimes, the highest bidder does not always guarantee the perfect career path for you. First and foremost, weigh two options. You have probably carried out a due diligence research on the two companies before your interview but at this stage, you have to go beyond the public profile. You have to look a little deeper. Thanks to the available resources, this task is a bit easier. To know more about an organization and its work environment, you can do the following:
- Check the company’s Glassdoor profile
- Discuss with current employees of the company
- Search LinkedIn for former employees and talk to them
- Take any of these people to lunch to discuss further. You can learn a lot about an organization over lunch with a former or current employee of the company
It is important to note that salary is not the best yardstick for choosing a job. It may be great but if the organization’s values and culture don’t blend with yours, you can reconsider. You must be ready to answer affirmatively that you can work in a company for the next ten to twenty years of your life before you settle with it. For emphasis, the salary and benefit package may be great but when you spread your salary across hours of work and the stress involved in your job, will the salary still be worth it in the long run?
Analyze and Ask Questions about the Offer
To do this, the first thing is to write out your needs about your new career prospect. The next step is to use the intelligence you have gathered so far about the two companies to evaluate them focusing on the needs you have listed. Top questions that you need to ask should focus on what really matters to you, and what you value more: a high pay or an environment that allows you showcase your full potential. Answering these questions may be the deal breaker for you. Remember to listen to your heart. If you have doubt at any point, ask questions. If it means calling up the company to ask, then go ahead and do this. However, you should be careful about the questions. Asking about possibility of a salary raise even before you start a job is not a wise thing to do. However, you can wonder about the culture of the organization, your job role, and your manager. You may also ask about the health insurance available in the company, as well as retirement options. You should ask a lot of questions to be able to make an informed decision.
Make Your Decision
Once you have the offer in front of you, the most logical next step is to accept or decline it. However, don’t be in a hurry to choose. There is a third option that you can use to finalize your choice. If you are taking up a professional job role, you are expected to negotiate. Well, if it is a role of help desk, you may not want to be too pushy because there are many job seekers waiting to get a job role. However, if your salary range is within the six figures range, you might want to consider making a logical counter offer. Make your counter offer reasonable but consider the total package before doing so. It doesn’t mean they will accept, but when your prospective employer shows signs of irritation at your reasonable request, you may want to pause and think again.
Should You Take a Job You Don’t Like?
The answer to this is not straightforward as it depends on a lot of things. The first question you need to consider is the path that the job leads. Will it take you to your career goal? For instance, if you discover that the work environment is highly demanding, with the expectation exceeding the compensation, meanwhile, the company is a prestigious player in the industry. You may want to think twice. One thing, working in such an organization will look great on your resume, and you will learn how to handle pressure at work. These two factors can significantly enhance your marketability when you are ready to move. However, before you make a final decision, think of what matters to you the most. Make decisions on what is best for you per time, and when you cannot cope with it, move on and find a better alternative.
When Is Time to Move?
When it is time to move on, you would like to do that. You shouldn’t burn bridges. You definitely will not want to leave a bad impression on your co-workers and employer, irrespective of your past relationship with them. Therefore, the best thing is to give your employer a reasonable notice. Try to be generous and consider what the company will do to find a replacement for you.
