How to decide between two job offers

It might sound like the dream, but having two job offers on the table can make for a hard decision. Here are some crucial things to consider if you’re struggling to decide.

Don’t keep them waiting

Companies expect the candidates to use the interview process to decide whether or not they are interested in the role. Some companies can give candidates up to a week to make a decision, but if you wait too long, they may doubt your decision-making skills. At worse, the company could rescind the offer if you make them wait too long.

Think long-term

“One of the main reasons people change roles is to advance their career, so when deciding on your next move your long-term career ambitions should be an important consideration,” says Dipen Kunwar, associate director at Robert Walters Japan. As he explains, every career decision a candidate makes will ultimately impact on their long-term career ambitions, which means it’s all the more important to make the right choices. “Long-term ambitions should act as an end goal, and whichever job choice you make now, it should move you further down the road towards that end goal.”

Be careful of ‘push’ factors

“When considering each role, ask yourself whether it would fulfil the reasons you decided to look for a new job in the first place,” suggests Dipen. Any candidate will likely experience ‘push factors’ driving them away from their current role, he says, but if the new job on offer doesn’t address these issues you could be left feeling unfulfilled and wondering if it was all worth it. 

Assess the work/life balance

Take the impact on your work/life balance into consideration. Is the ability to work flexibly, or work from home, important to you? How will the commute impact your daily life? Also take any company perks into consideration, especially if they can help balance out any worries you may have.

Consider the culture fit

While it’s important to consider the financial benefits of the jobs, you should also think about how you’ll fit in the company’s culture. You can get a good idea of whether or not you’ll be a good fit by asking ex-employees or friends who may know the business. Compare it with past work environments to see if it’ll be a good fit for you.

Reflect on the interview

“The interview process is where the magic happens, offering you the best chance to gain a good understanding of how the company operates on a personal level,” says Dipen. However, while candidates might not be able to build a completely accurate picture of the job through an interview, it should give them an idea of what to expect. “From a good interview, you’ll be able to imagine what a regular working day would be like and be able to gauge the company’s workplace culture which will enhance your decision-making process.”

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,” warns Dipen. A role could offer other, non-monetary perks such as increased responsibility or greater exposure,” he says. “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

Changing jobs is a stressful and risky venture. Carefully considering your options is important, but you don’t want to be overly cautious. By doing research and asking informed questions during the interview process, you should be able to make the right decision for you. Consider everything, identify the offer that most excites you, and take a leap of faith!