Don’t struggle with the pressure of choosing the right job. Here is a 7-step guide to help narrow down your list of multiple job offers!
Job hunting in itself is draining. So, I can imagine the excitement of receiving multiple job offers. However, after you are done doing your victory dance, the anxiety is likely to set in. What should I do? Which job should I choose? Am I making the right decision? Why me, Lord?
Keep calm and bask in the glory of your multiple job offers. Once you are done, try to figure out how you will compare the multiple job offers and make an informed choice. Below is a guide that will help you walk through every step of the decision process. We are rooting for you!
Seven steps to narrowing down your list of multiple job offers
1. Express your enthusiasm without saying “Yes.”
Now that you have received multiple job offers, you need to respond enthusiastically and show appreciation for the job offers. Be sure to hold off on saying “yes” at that time. Instead, ask for some time to respond with your final decision. Alternatively, you can ask when the employer wants to know your decision. Do not accept the offer on the spot, especially if you have other attractive options. For example, below is a sample response to an email job offer.
“Dear XXXXXXX,
I trust you are well and keeping safe.
Thank you for your email. I am excited to receive the offer. I believe this position is a good fit for me at this point in my career.
Kindly let me know when you need to know my official decision.
If acceptable to you, I will give this my utmost attention and get back to you by Friday, 13th.
Best regards,
XXXXXXXXXX”
2. Research each job
Get out your notebook and pen. It would be best if you learned everything about each job opportunity. The information that you get will be used to compare the multiple job offers. Use the internet and if this is not enough, turn to your prospective employer. However, you need to do this carefully. Please don’t give your prospective employer the idea that you don’t value their job offer.
3. Develop a decision strategy
Your strategy should be detailed enough to help you gauge each job offer. You might want to start by listing down all the factors you value most in a job. The values should include the benefits, preferred salary, career advancement opportunities, work/life balance, flexibility, stress factors, and learning potential.
Once you know what you value, create a weight scale to measure which values are more important than the others. Your ranking could run from 1-10 or 1-3. It all depends on you. Assign each factor a number that shows how much satisfaction each job offer gives you. Once you are done gauging all the jobs, compare the totals and use this to narrow down your list of multiple job offers.
4. Evaluate the company culture
Since you are not yet a part of the company, gauging the company culture will be slightly inaccurate. You can try to look through their social media company pages or company website.
Now that you have narrowed down the list of multiple job offers, research whether you will be a good fit for the company. Other than the benefits, salary, and growth, can the company's team positively impact your success and your mental health? Watch for any red flags in the previous meetings with the employer, emails, or company brand.
5. Align the multiple job offers with your growth potential
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I know you are used to getting asked this question in interviews, but now you have to ask yourself. It would be best if you grew upwards and linearly. Apart from the job's proportional opportunities, will your new working environment challenge you to be better? Will you be able to learn and step out of your comfort zone? Take risks instead of going for a comfortable and obvious path.
6. Align the multiple job offers with your core values
What attracts you to a job opportunity? And what keeps you engaged? The answers to these questions will help you determine if you are making the right decision. Your core values will guide your actions, decisions, and behaviours. You will feel more fulfilled when your core values align with your personal and organizational perspective.
7. Gauge your excitement
Which of the multiple job offers is most exciting? Even though making decisions based on emotions is not a good idea, your excitement should still get some acknowledgement. If you are not excited from the get-go, you will not likely succeed when you pick that job.
Conclusion
Whatever decision you make, act promptly. Reach out to the hiring manager and thank them for the job offer, even if you have to decline it. Don’t burn bridges. You still have time to negotiate your terms before you accept your offer.
Now that you have narrowed down your list of multiple job offers, we wish you success and hope you enjoy your new position.
