How to Choose Between Multiple Job Offers

You’re in the market for a new job, so you tentatively put out some feelers by sending your resume to a few recruiters, or apply for some jobs directly.

Before you know it, you’re staring at three or four job offers wondering what to do: do you stay put? Do you accept the one with the most money? Do you follow an area of passion? And how do you compare these?

This is a situation I see happen every week, for many candidates. Particularly working in government policy, program and procurement, the local talent shortage places quality candidates in exceptionally high demand.

If you find yourself in this predicament, it’s important not to act hastily. You should consider all your options carefully before committing.

To make a well-considered decision, here are 5 questions you can ask to help you think about your options:

1. How interesting would the work be to you?

With 9 out of 10 workers saying purpose matters more than money, it’s likely that the subject matter of the work you’ll be doing every day is a key factor in your decision.

Consider why you applied for a new role in the first place. Are you bored with your current job? Are you keen to break into a new sector, or get involved with an exciting project?

If so, the area of work, job description and conversations you have with potential employers should provide enough insight to help you determine if you would feel engaged in the role.

2. Is the pay competitive?

While money may not be your main motivator, it’s certainly something worth considering.

Determine how your top 3 options stack up in terms of pay rates. But be wary of trying to re-negotiate your salary after an offer has been accepted, as this can make you appear unprofessional.

3. How long is the role for?

Some people love short term contracts because it offers a taste for an area of work, or the opportunity to work on a particular project. There are also some contracts that may have the potential for permanency. What works for you really depends on your longer term goals.

This is where working with a recruiter can help eliminate poor matches upfront. A good recruiter will always dig deeper to find out why the role is on offer, and whether the role will align with what you’re looking for.

For example, if it’s to cover maternity leave, it’s unlikely you’ll get an extension or a permanent offer. Where an organisation is hiring due to high demand or a new project, the potential for permanency is much higher. This contextual information is key.

4. What is the culture like?

Research also shows that culture matters to employees. In fact, 88% of employees believe a distinct workplace culture is crucial to business success.

Take time to research the employer and their values to see if they resonate with your own. You should also get an insight into the culture during your interview, such as mentions of flexible workplace arrangements, team collaboration, and so on.

You can also learn more about an organisation’s culture by asking around. Canberra is a close knit community, so it’s worth reaching out to people for feedback on how they find working there.

5. Is the location convenient?

While some people are more than happy to drive from Yass to Braddon every day, others prefer a workplace that’s no more than 10 minutes up the road.

Consider the proximity of the organisation to your home, how long the commute could take each day, and whether you get access to parking.

While not necessarily a deal breaker, you may find this final element makes all the difference when choosing between your favourite offers.

Avoid the stress

The stress associated with choosing between multiple job offers can be avoided by engaging with a recruiter before you send out CVs or change your LinkedIn status to “open to work”.

You will find that this approach takes the stress away: the targeted job search based on your wish list should result in few, but extremely competitive, offers that align with your goals.

Consider all aspects of an offer before making a decision, and not just what’s on the surface. This will be key to achieving your long term career goals and happiness at work.