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After putting in the time and going through the interview process, which can seem grueling at times, you’ve managed to get not one but multiple job offers. Congratulations! Take a moment to feel good about that — you’ve earned it! 

But then you need to make a decision. You can only do one job at a time, so which one will it be?
There are several factors to consider before making this big choice. Here are a few things to consider when weighing multiple job offers before deciding which one to pick. 

  • Start with pay. The biggest question, the one with the most immediate consideration, is how much the jobs pay. With each offer you’ve received a salary quote. They might be identical; they might be slightly different or they might be separated by a rather large amount. This is a great place to start, but don’t jump to conclusions: What are the other parts of your pay? How do the benefits measure up — do you qualify for health insurance coverage and, if so, is your policy fully covered or do you have to contribute? If so, how much? What about a retirement fund? Are you eligible? Does your employer contribute? Do you have to work there for a certain amount of time before you can contribute or before your employer contribution is safe? What about time off — vacation, sick time, etc? All of these benefits and perks should factor into your decision. Your salary isn’t the only way in which a company pays you for your time. 
  • Think about the culture. When you interviewed at the company, what did the faces and attitudes of your would-be coworkers tell you? Were they happy to be there or did they look disinterested? Were you warmly welcomed by everyone or did some people seem quiet and hesitant to talk? Take a look at the company’s website and social media profiles. Are they active in talking about a healthy, diverse, energized and active workforce? Did anyone talk about opportunities for fun and bonding with your coworkers? Is there a positive culture, in which people are accepted and encouraged to share their personal stories and backgrounds? Or did it seem more selective — a company with no discernable culture means everyone, from management on down the line, looks at the workplace as a job, nothing more. 
  • Consider the managers. During one of your interviews with each company, you likely met your would-be manager. How did they respond to you? Did they ask you interesting, thoughtful questions? Did you feel comfortable with them? Did they try to make you feel welcomed, like they were excited to work with you and have you on their team? What did your first impression tell you about them? There are plenty of websites that offer employer reviews — take a little time and see if these managers have been reviewed there and what people say. 
  • Negotiate. Be transparent and let each company know you have multiple offers you’re weighing. See how they respond — companies that are seriously interested in having you join their team will respect the position you’re in and will try to win you over. Companies that see you as just another body will either respond coldly or won’t try to persuade you to join them. In either case, use this as leverage: can they match or exceed the salary offered by the other company? Can they offer more in terms of benefits, time off, more flexibility, etc? Use this to your advantage while also getting a sense of how the company treats employees. 
  • Listen to your gut. The bottom line is, you should take the job that feels the best for you. Write down a pro and con list for each company and see how things settle out. One might be a clear winner over the other. Consider commute time, flexibility for remote work or modified hours, pay, schedule, benefits, culture, etc., before coming to a decision. 

 

This is an exciting time for you! It’s rare that we have companies vying for us to join their team and competing to win us as employees. Enjoy the moment and then take some time to consider what’s best for you. 

If you find that neither offer will give you what you really need to feel comfortable and financially stable, know that you can say no and keep considering your options. You might want to work with a staffing agency, like Davis Staffing, to help find other job opportunities! We work with companies to find great candidates to fit their open roles and we might be able to find something that’s just perfect for you. Call Davis Staffing today and let’s discuss it further.