How to Choose Between Multiple OffersMarch 20th, 2007
The goal of a successful job hunt is to find employment. An ideal job hunt may result in a few different employment options to choose from. Such a situation can cause an unexpected amount of stress for some people. When faced with multiple offers, you have the opportunity to choose the position that will not only meet your immediate needs, but also further your long term career goals.
We know, it is a “high class problem” to have. Keep in mind, it is not always what you say yes to that is important — you also have to know when to say no as well. Here is a small guide to help you compare options and determine which of your opportunities is right for you!
How to Choose Between Multiple Offers
Determine your goals and priorities
Regardless of where you are in your career, it is important to occasionally reassess your career goals and aspirations. Outlining these goals will help you prioritize needs and requirements. This will help you assess the various opportunities that will, or have already, come your way.
When determining your priorities, consider things such as location, pay, travel, benefits, potential for growth, position longevity, work atmosphere, company culture and time commitments. Also include personal considerations – time with family and friends, stress level, personal goals and even your own morals. Chances are you left your last position feeling under-appreciated or worse, completely unhappy with your surroundings. Take the time to understand your own personal needs to avoid a repeat situation. Life is too short!
Compare offers
After you have determined what is important to you, take each offer and make a list of how it measures up to each of your goals and priorities. If the great paying job happens to be across town, will require more travel and makes it impossible for you to enjoy your family life, maybe you should consider the slightly lower paying job that is across the street. Whatever your priorities, by methodically ranking each position, your options should become more clear.
It’s also important to think back on how each organization handled your interview. Consider their interview process, responsiveness and professionalism — these are all indicators of how they do business. The best predictor of future behavior is the past. If the offer looks great on paper, but something did not sit right with you during the course of your dialog with them, trust your gut instincts. They are probably right.
Seek Advice
It is always a good idea to talk out important career moves with a trusted friend, mentor or your family. Perhaps they will think of something you have missed and offer advice. If you have contacts within the organizations you are considering, contact them as well. If you can be frank, ask them about their benefits, opinion of the company, bosses, and even things such as bonuses and incentives. Just remember to consider any potential bias that they might have.
Respond to the Offers
Contact with a potential employer always depends on the industry, but when it comes to responding to an offer, always err on the side of professional. It is typically expected that you respond in person or via a polite phone call. A formal letter in response to a formal written offer is also appropriate.
When accepting an offer, be enthusiastic and gracious. End with a strong “I look forward to working with you!” When declining an offer, thank them for the opportunity. It is a good idea to compliment their business as well. Depending on your situation, it might also be appropriate to vaguely describe why you are declining. Mention your opportunity elsewhere. If you are comfortable, you can even state the company you have accepted with.
As soon as you have made your decision, let all potential organizations know about it. Generally when receiving an offer, a time frame will be set on your response. It is important to honor this date.
The rules of responding to an offer can all be summed up by the golden rule. Treat your potential organizations in the same manner that you would expect them to treat you. Remain respectful, courteous and never burn bridges. You never know who you might be in contact with again in the future!
Please share your experience and thoughts in our comments below!
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another tip/advice - if you have one offer, but think another might be made in the near future, be very careful with how you position yourself, lest you loose both.
Try to asses the possible offer, based on what you know. If you think it is much better than the offer in hand, ask if you can have a week to decide. Let the possible offer know you have an offer on the table - giving them the chance to weigh in.
My personal experience is that while I really wanted that possible offer to come through, it was weeks before I actually heard from them. And even then they were flaky. By then I had taken the first offer and was completely happy with the decision.
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:13 pm
These are excellent points all of which are at the forefront of my mind while conducting my search. I particularly want to touch on the importance of trusting your instincts, especially when you are getting “advice” from others telling you not to listen to them. People that care about you and want to see you employed soon, may out of concern, encourage you to not turn anything down until offers are made. While this is a pragmatic approach, it can also invite the wrong choices for you to select from. While this kind of advice is useful, I find it’s best balanced by listening to my instincts.
Thanks for the affirming and realistic blog!
Nadine Turner
http://nadineblogs.wordpress.com
March 31st, 2007 at 9:00 am
I am in the difficult position of chosing between two offers and this article has helped. However, every siutation is different and in my case very unique, as both have been from networking associates. I wish I could take them both! They both have pros and cons and I am left going back and forth, weighing each in the balance. I think the advice of ‘go with your gut feeling’ and what was said in the interview really helps me out because I have not really considered this. I think I’ve decided to take the more risky, higher paying position because it’s what my gut is telling me to do.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I have an job offer and now my boss is counter offering me with higher pay.
Actually I can’t make decision on what I want also…what are the criteria to consider?
June 19th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Peggy: The same thing happened to me. I did not regret taking my original job back but now I am ready to leave again. I am in the hard predicament of having two jobs, exactly the same in almost every possible way, the only difference is I have yet to work at one or even see the office, and the other Ive been working at for a while now, while it is alright, its a crappy job.
August 4th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I am in a difficult situation where the company I was working has shutdown, but I have an offer from my previous employer and another from a hot startup, both of them being in the information technology industry.
The startup is offering me more salary, if successful the stock options given will turn into lot of money, the company is started by people who have built successful companies and the job is very easy. However, I feel the job may become boring after some time or throw up unexpected challenges later on. If the business model is disproved by the market, the company will go down the drain.
The other offer is about 25% lower salary with my old employer. It is a large organization, I know lot of people, I know the work, they have promised to promote me in 6 months. But the pay difference is so big that I am hesitating to join there.
It is a very tricky problem. If any of you have gone through the same kind of situation please advice.
October 14th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Jimmy…. Without knowing your personal situation & need for security I’d say go with the start up. Its a once in a lifetime chance & you’ll regret it if you dont. It sounds like your previous employer would probably take you back in the future if it didn’t work out, this could be a safety net, if you need it….
October 29th, 2007 at 10:23 am
I have 2 job offers. I am very confused and don’t know which one I should go for. These 2 job offers offer about the same salary and benefits, but one company is way farther than the other. I have to get up every morning at 5am to catch the train and walk 2 blocks to work. If I drive 35 miles and get stuck in traffic for 1.5 hours everyday, it would cost me a lot more for gas and milage. As for the other job, I just need to drive 15 minutes local then I am there. But the farther company is something that I like to do, as for the closer one, it is something I do but not necessary like to do. My gut feeling is telling me to go for the closer one because it will make my everyday life easier. But I can’t let go the farther one because I think it would be something fun to do in my life. Any advice from anyone?
March 25th, 2008 at 6:25 pm