How to Choose Between Two Job Offers

What should you consider when choosing between two job offers?

To help you choose between two job offers, we asked CEOs and hiring managers for their best advice. From considering work-life balance to examining total compensation packages, here are several tips that may guide you when deciding between two job offers.

Here are 11 ways to choose between two jobs:

1. Consider Work-Life Balance

The trick to choosing between two jobs is to select the one that suits you best, while keeping it cool with the company you turn down. How to choose the right option? It’s not as complicated as you might think. One crucial aspect to consider before choosing your dream job is work-life. Keeping such a balance will let you develop both your professional skills and personal interests. No one enjoys staying in the office after hours and compromising personal life. When you are sure that the job you’re considering will allow you to focus on your family, friends, or even your dog after work, then this job is for you to take. Remember to send thanks and words of appreciation to the other company you turn down.

Ewelina Melon, Tidio

2. Evaluate Each Company’s Level of Collaboration and Support

Assess your colleagues. I believe that the people you work with have a significant impact on your productivity and enjoyment at work. Examine your interactions with each company’s hiring managers and imagine yourself working with their leadership style and attitude. If you meet any other persons with whom you would like to be a chevalier, consider how you would be a chevalier with them. Evaluating each company’s level of collaboration and assistance is a wonderful approach to choose between offers with similar benefits and remuneration.

Gerrid Smith, Joy Organics

3. Discuss Compensation

Discuss compensation. If one job appeals to you more than the other but the other offers a greater benefits package, I recommend negotiating your compensation. Consider what advantages or adjustments you’d need to accept each offer, then contact the recruiting manager to address any non-negotiable items. Employers are frequently prepared to give a good candidate additional benefits. This is especially true if they are aware that you are being pursued by another organization.

Edward Mellett, Wikijob

4. Identify Your Priorities

If you’re still considering both offers, that means neither one is the obvious choice—either neither is a completely perfect match, or both satisfy your basic needs from a job and workplace. At this point, it’s time to identify which aspects of the job are the most important to support your ideal lifestyle and long-term career goals, and which position is the most likely to satisfy your needs on those specific points. Identify your top 4-5 needs from a workplace then rank them in order of most to least important, and compare the two offers through the lens of each. Once you go through this process, it will be much easier to hone in on the offer that’s the best fit for you.

Jon Hill, The Energists

5. Choose the Job That Will Teach You Most

Assess which job will provide you with the most valuable training and skills. While income and benefits should obviously play a large part in your decision, it’s important to remember that jobs are also a form of training, too. In order to become a more skilled employee, and ultimately garner higher wages, you need to continue to learn and and grow–so looking for jobs that will teach and push the most is a great practice.

Rob Bartlett, WTFast

6. Consider the One That Offers More Flexibility

Flexibility. When you are given similar salary amount offers it is helpful to compare the offers based on the flexibility of the role. Will the company allow you to take off days easily? Are you able to make up work hours? Is the schedule a strict 9 to 5 or is the company flexible about when the job gets done? Does the role require specific hours that you can not deviate from? If you are a parent it might be helpful to consider if the company is the type of organization that will let you take time to go see your children’s functions, take them to appointments etc.

Liz Hogan, Find My Profession

7. Look at Their Mission and Vision Statements

Your personal values should help you make critical decisions when choosing between two job offers. Do your values match the fundamental beliefs of the organization and its leaders? Finding an organization that appreciates your skills, expertise AND aligns with your values can feel like a game changer. Get that match made ins heaven and you’ll be happier, more productive, and stay with the organization longer.

Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, Formula Swiss

8. Compare Company Cultures

Company culture is highly overlooked when considering multiple job offers. Company culture can refer to a number of different things, such as the company’s values and mission, the way employees are treated, and the work/life balance. If you are looking for a job that aligns with your own personal values, then it is important to consider the company’s culture before making a decision. If one company is paying $5k more for the position, but they have a terrible company culture, is the extra money really worth not enjoying your time working there? Probably not.

Chris Lewandowski, Princess Dental Staffing

9. Weigh the Growth Opportunities

Your job is only a stepping stone in the quest to build a career that matters, so taking a long hard look at the growth opportunities both jobs offer you is a good way to choose the right one. Not all jobs are great at providing employees with the chance to grow within the organization. If you’re looking at a dead-end position that does not offer you the opportunities you seek to carve out a great career, the decision is a no-brainer. In fact, let go of the position even if it looks better than the other offer you have in hand, the one that may not look as great today but sets the stage for you to achieve your long-term career goals. Always remember that you are in this for the long haul.

Konstantin Kuligin, K5 Mortgage

10. Select One That Aligns with Your Long-Term Goals

When you have two exceptional job offers on the table, there are many important things to consider such as pay, benefits, growth potential, and more. But the most important thing to look at while choosing a new job is whether it aligns with your long-term goals. Evaluate the opportunities it presents and whether these will challenge you in the right ways. This can direct you down the right career path and help you become adept at skills that will ensure that you excel at your dream job. After all, the right job is the one that takes you one step closer to achieving your goals.

Chris Roth, Highline Wellness

11. Examine Total Compensation Packages

Certainly when evaluating two positions for future employment salary is important but not everything! When exploring different offers be sure to look at the total comp packages IE: health benefits, retirement package, PTO policy, maternity/paternity. You’ll be surprised how important those are as you progress your career. Also, do your research on the culture and what people in the department you are looking to join have to say about the company and leadership. General reviews are great but reviews and conversations about the role and environment that directly relate to you are extremely valuable! Just like the employer taking their time to research you the candidate, be sure to do the same about the company. Your well-being and mental health are worth more than any salary!

Andrew Aziz, Breeze Unlimited

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