How to choose between multiple job offers

So you’re in the fortunate position of having multiple offers on the table, and now you need to make the tough decision of which opportunity is right for you.

Now it’s so important to make sure you take the time to make the right decision and be very considered in your approach. But don’t take too long as you may end up alienating and frustrating your prospective employers.

Below are 5 tips on how you can make the right decision.

Compare your offers

Take the time to compare your offers. You need to make sure you have all the information available to you in order to make the right decision.

• What are the company benefits for each role?
• What are the company’s working hours, and do they fit in with your lifestyle?
• Does the organisation have a flexible working policy?
• Do the duties and responsibilities fulfil your goals and aspirations?

Some of these things may not have as much weight as others, but they are all things that need to be taken into consideration, when making your decision.

Write a list.

Weigh up the pros and cons, and make side-by-side comparisons.

Compare apples with apples.

Is the company a good fit for you in the long term?

This is one thing that often gets overlooked, especially when people are so focused on what is right in front of them. If you’re in it for the long haul, you need to be thinking two or three years ahead and asking yourself whether you can still see yourself being happy with this company?

• Does it have good opportunities and prospects for growth?
• Does the company have a good reputation? It’s amazing what a Google Search and Glassdoor can tell you.
• What is the culture or the organisation like? Usually, an interview process can tell you a great deal about what is to come.

All important factors that should never be overlooked.

Compare your prospective interviewers.

Many talent acquisition reports cite that poor leadership and management is the top reason that people left their last role.

• How did you get on with your manager throughout the interview process? Were they approachable? Can you see yourself getting on with them long term?
• Whether you build a rapport with them or not is really key and could be an indicator of what’s to come.
• Were they open when responding to your questions?
• How was their body language? Was it open and welcoming?

Now you are going to spend a great deal of time with your prospective manager and other people within your organisation, so you need to make sure the fit is right for you.

Trust your intuition

I’m a firm believer that if it doesn’t feel right, there is a good reason.

So you need to trust your gut and intuition before making your decision.

Were there any red flags throughout the process?

Don’t be blinded by money, especially if something doesn’t sit right with you regarding the company, the culture or the role itself.

If it’s there, it is there for a reason!

Thank and turn down other offers with grace and respect.

After taking the time to think through your decision, you have finally accepted the right role. Now it is important to thank and turn the other offers down with grace and respect.

Remember that networks in our space are really small, and you’ll never know when you’ll brush shoulders with people again.

You might also find yourself on the market sometime in the future and might want to knock on the door regarding other opportunities.

Keep the door half open by being courteous and respectful.

Final tip

Don’t take too long making your decision. Offers can be retracted if you labour too long over your decision.