It’s always a great feeling to receive a job offer for a position you’re interested in. However, it can be an even better feeling when multiple job offers are on the table. This is the case as long as you know how to compare them effectively. So, how can you choose which job offer to accept when there are multiple to consider? Start by using these criteria…
Look at Salaries Side-by-Side
Research average salaries in your area to determine how different offers compare. One way to do this is by finding a free online salary calculator like salary.com that can help gauge the offers you receive. This is a great tool to figure out if the offers are competitive with the position in your geography.
Compare Benefits and Perks
From healthcare to PTO, 401Ks to leave policies, prioritize your needs and determine if the offers fit. Are you someone who likes having the opportunity to earn bonus compensation? Check to see if this is part of the company’s financial structure. Do you have a job that includes a lot of travel? A company car, cell phone, or mileage reimbursement are things you might want as part of your offer.
Examine Company Culture
If you want to work in an environment that promotes collaboration, figure out the difference between the companies you’re evaluating. Most likely, this isn’t something you’ll be able to determine looking at a job offer. Instead, you should ask the hiring manager or person you interviewed with about the culture within an organization. And when you are going through the actual interview process, be aware of the atmosphere as best you can.
Consider Growth Opportunities
If you’re just starting out or are at the beginning half of your career, consider whether or not you can grow accordingly within a company. A financially stable company will most likely be able to offer the advancement you want at a quicker pace. And this doesn’t mean just following a path to promotion or receiving a raise. It would also help if you verified that a company offers professional development opportunities. Do they invest in their employees?
Evaluate Job Flexibility
With the takeoff of remote work in recent years, think about if that is something important to you. If so, make sure the companies you’re evaluating offer that. If you will be traveling into the office, consider what your commute will look like. Will you be driving your car, taking the bus, or jumping on the subway? Longer commutes can make for more travel time and possibly higher costs.
Compare What a “Typical Day” is Like
When you’re interviewing or even after receiving an offer, ask the hiring manager to describe a typical day for the role you’re considering. This will give you an idea of how you will spend your time, how you will use your skills, and if you’ll be performing responsibilities that fall within your interests and skillset.
Listen to Your Gut
We all have an intuitive feeling when it comes to making decisions in our lives. Most of the time, it’s just a matter of actually listening to it and acting on it. Think about the people you communicated with throughout the interview process. How did you get along with them? How was their attitude while at work? These are all things to consider when determining if you should take a job.
If you have job offers from multiple companies, you might feel some pressure to make a decision and respond promptly. Take the time you need and factor in the essential things to you. If a company is pressing you on time, they might not be the right fit.
What do you compare when fielding multiple job offers? Join the conversation on LinkedIn and check out Avoiding Information Overload at New Job.
