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Firstly, congratulations on receiving two job offers for great positions!
It might sound like a dream, but having two job offers on the table often calls for a dilemma and for some, may be a hard decision!
Some companies may give you up to a week to make your decision, although this will largely depend on the length and structure of their recruitment process. During the interview process you should have built up a good idea of whether you’re interested in the role, so a slow response could reflect badly on your decision-making skills and could even see the job offer withdrawn entirely.
Consider the culture fit
A company’s culture is critically important when deciding which offer to accept because you need to be sure you’ll enjoy going into work every day. What constitutes a good culture fit largely depends on the individual, so candidates should take clues and insight wherever they can to assess if the workplace is right for them. Your job interviews are usually the first place to get a clue about what the culture is truly like. But this is where your investigation and discussions with employees will give you the real story. Spend as much time on this as you can because it will have a huge impact on your day-to-day work-life.
Don’t get blinded by salary
While salary is obviously an important consideration in any job offer and should fairly reflect the level of work expected, it shouldn’t be the only factor determining whether you accept or reject an offer. A role could offer other, non-monetary perks such as increased responsibility or greater exposure. If you want to make a decision unbiased by salary, ignore the financial package and focus instead on what excites you about the two offers.
Trust your gut
If you’ve asked the right questions in the interview and researched both the companies and the specific roles on offer, you should be well-placed to make a sensible, informed decision on which job you should take. However, he notes that taking on a new role is never without its risks, regardless of how much thought has gone into the move. Being risk-averse isn’t a bad quality when looking to change jobs, but at some point, you may just have to trust your gut and take that leap of faith!
Make a comparison chart
Make a chart to create a visual representation of how the jobs and employers compare to one another. By listing each benefit side-by-side, you will be able to see patterns for which is the overall better fit. Write out the pros and cons of each aspect of employment if you are still stuck between similar offers. In addition to each of the financial offer elements listed previously, include any details that influence your daily experience or job satisfaction, such as:
Job description
General work environment
Office amenities
Office ergonomics
Commute
Location
Paths for advancement
Size of company
Company reputation
Values and mission statement
Networking opportunities
Evaluate your co-workers
The people you work with have a large influence on your productivity at work and how much you enjoy your job. Review the interactions you had with the hiring managers at each company and envision yourself working with their style of leadership and personality. If you met any other people that you would work closely with, think about how you would approach collaborating with them. Evaluating the level of teamwork and support in each company is a great way to make a choice between offers with similar benefits and compensation.
Compare your two prospective managers
Have you ever heard that people quit managers, not companies? Your direct manager has a big impact on your experience at work.
A bad manager could make you lose motivation or even want to quit. But a good manager will motivate you, as well as help you learn and grow. Your manager might even serve as a mentor figure, guiding you on your professional development. When choosing between two jobs, learn about your potential new managers.
Trust your intuition
Once you’ve done your research and made your lists, step back and check in with your inner voice. Ask yourself:
Are my lists pushing me toward one job or the other?
Which job excites me?
What are my instincts telling me to do?