he process of looking for a new job is a full-time job itself. You can spend months applying, writing cover letters, phone screening, and in-person interviews, and nothing, nada. Then out of nowhere, you have two job offers, and you have to decide which one to take. It is all too easy to say, choose the job with the biggest compensation package, but is that really what you should do?
When you have multiple job offers and are determining which job to take, think back to what you were looking for in the first place. Here are some X factors you should take into consideration when deciding between multiple offers.
Growth Potential
What do your growth potential and career path look like at each of the companies? When moving jobs, it is essential to be strategic and match them up to your long-term career plans, if that is to be a Manager/Executive, a high performing individual contributor, or certain experience to launch your own business someday. The money might not be worth it if there is no room to grow and in 12-18 months you are unsatisfied.
Company Culture
It is important here to do your research and find out all that you can about the companies you are deciding between. Most people spend 40+ hours a week at their job, and they need to feel empowered and enjoy where they work. No amount of dollar figure can change that. Find out if the companies mission and values match up to your philosophies and goals. Is this the business and leaders you trust with your career?
Sometimes this will come down to how you remember the interview process, that gut feeling you get about the company. When you walked out of that last interview, did you feel that you could do that day in and day out? Remember you can negotiate your salary, but you are not able to negotiate company culture.
Flexibility and Lifestyle
It is important to understand what is expected of in each role like travel, working hours, tools, etc., and how these things will affect your life outside of work.
Commute times are a big one to take into consideration in big cities like New York, how much time you spend getting to and from work? Is this doable day in and day out? Also, is there a work from home policy or flexibility to work anywhere?
In today's ever-changing gig economy, many employers are allowing more and more work from home professionals. While this may be great for some, others still prefer an office, all these things and more need to be considered as they take away time from family and friends.
It is important not to rush this decision and make sure that you are accepting a job that aligns with who you are, what you want to be doing, and the effect it will have on you personally and professionally.
Let us know what other things you take into consideration when deciding against job offers, and if you have other topics, you have questions on when it comes to the job search and decision-making process.
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