How To Choose Between Two Job Offers

​After endless hours filling out job applications, writing cover letters and attending nerve-racking interviews, you’ve finally had two solid job offers – congratulations! The hard work has paid off and your talents are sought after by two different companies.

While this may sound like a dream, you now have the challenge of deciding which one to accept. There are many factors you’ll need to consider, like which option matches up with your preferred working style, the culture that suits you best, and which will help you to achieve your career goals. It’s important to take your time to weigh up both options and consider the value each job offers. Below are our top tips to help you do exactly that!

Find out everything you can about both companies

During your initial research of each company, you may have felt pressured to memorise all the details to impress during the interview. However, this time around, you have the opportunity to take a deeper dive into each company’s website and social media channels without any added pressure. This will allow you to truly evaluate whether the organisation aligns with your values and goals and determine if it’s a place you would enjoy working.

Read their mission statement and ask yourself if it’s something you are or can be passionate about. Find out what their core values are and what they prioritise as a business. Do they prioritise ED&I? Are they advocates for sustainability and reducing environmental impact? If their values align with your own, it’s likely you’ll be a good fit.

Think about your career goals

Having a clear understanding of what your professional goals are is essential when deciding which job to go for. You must know where you want to be and what you need to do to get there. While some people have a detailed career plan that outlines each step towards their objective, others may find it challenging to articulate their vision and determine their path to progress. In such cases, developing a five-year career plan can be extremely beneficial, as it will help you identify your current position and the necessary steps you need to take to reach your desired outcome.

Once you have a clear understanding of this, look at each job and see what the progression looks like in the role and how relevant it is to your goals. Which one puts you on the best road to your ideal career destination?

Ask for another call

As you carry out more research and spend more time thinking about each job, you’ll likely accumulate a list of questions that you didn’t ask at the interviews. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the companies and ask if you can have a quick call to find out more about the role.

They’ll appreciate you taking the initiative and it will help you gain further clarity before making the decision. This is one of the many advantages of working with a trusted recruiter, as they’ll be more than happy to facilitate this process for you.

Picture yourself doing each job

Visualise in detail a typical day for each job, including whether you work remotely or in-office. Consider your morning and evening commute, the tasks you’ll be performing, and the people you’ll be working with. As you think about each day, take note of how you feel.

Afterwards, compare both and determine which one you feel would make the most positive impact to your life, and take note if either made you feel stressed or overwhelmed.​

Consider the company culture

It can be hard knowing if an organisation’s culture is right for you or not. Try to think back to previous roles you’ve had and identify which environments you liked the best. Use that as your starting point, and see which of the two companies comes closest to that.

A great way to find out about a company’s culture is by asking current and previous employees. Browse reviews on websites such as Glassdoor and Indeed, and seek out the profiles of workers on LinkedIn. Send a polite message introducing yourself and inquire about their experience with the company. By reaching out to those who have first-hand knowledge, you can gain a more authentic and comprehensive perspective of the organisation.

Ask yourself why you were looking for a new job in the first place

Think about the reasons why you’re in the job market. Is it because you need a higher salary? Are you looking for a company that will help your career development, or are family-friendly benefits a priority for you?

If you’re just starting your career, the job that offers training and development might be more beneficial than the one with a higher salary. However, if you’re someone with a lot of responsibility outside of work, the job that offers the most stability financially might be the better option. Make a list of your needs and see which job ticks the most boxes.

Don’t rush your decision

Accepting a job is a serious commitment that requires a lot of thought. It’s common for people to take a few days to decide, as this allows enough time to make a comparison list, ask any unanswered questions, and speak to friends and family about the opportunity.

Most employers should understand that you’ll need some time to make your decision. If a company asks you to answer the same day they offer you the job, then it might be a red flag!

Don’t overthink it

It’s important to research each company and carefully consider the pros and cons, but don’t over analyse the decision. Sometimes, spending too much time weighing the options can make the decision feel even more daunting. Trust your instincts and take note of the excitement or passion you feel for each job. If one job stands out as a clear winner, then trust your gut!

Don’t look back!

Regardless of your decision, fully commit to making the most of it. Avoid second-guessing yourself or wondering what could have been.

If you conduct thorough research, ask thoughtful questions, and follow your intuition, you can be confident that whichever decision you make will be the right one for you.

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