How to Choose Between Two Jobs

Firstly, being presented with two job offers is a huge achievement, and one you should take great pride in. Don’t be afraid to gloat a little, it’s good for the skin! However, now comes your decision - which job are you going to accept? To enable surety in your choice, you must weigh up the pros and cons, consider all factors surrounding both opportunities, all while assessing which role ticks the most boxes for you both professionally, and personally. 

Choosing between two jobs seldom makes for an easy decision, but it’s vitally important to make sure you accept the most suitable role for you. 

In this article, we will guide you on how to efficiently choose between two jobs.

Read on to discover: 

• Aspects to consider when you received two job offers at the same time
• Key deciding factors when reviewing job offers
• How to decline the not-taken job offer
  
  

Aspects to consider when you received two job offers at the same time

During the interview process, your main focus is centred around proving to the interviewer that you’re the top candidate for the job. You articulate answers and eloquently provide interview questions to exemplify yourself to the company, helping them to visualise you as an invaluable member of their team. However, once you have two job offers on the table, it’s down to you to make an informed decision and decide which offer aligns best with your long-term career goals. 

During your decision-making process it is key to dedicate important consideration towards factors such as:

• Development opportunities: Take time to consider both development and training opportunities. Which job will provide you with the space to progress and learn, whilst using your preceding knowledge? Do they have a set career development plan, or an opportunity to go on training, or learn from more senior colleagues? 
  
  
• Work tools: Consider what tools you need to excel in your job. For example, if you’re searching for a job where their tech and lab infrastructure is important, look out for which job has the newest/ most up to date equipment, as this could help develop your skills.
  
  
• Work life balance: Pay attention to how present colleagues describe their work life balance at the companies. Use sites such as Glassdoor, to read up on employee experiences. One job may offer more of an equal balance between the two, meaning they understand home life is equally as important as your career.
  
  
• Work culture: It is crucially important to feel motivated and valued by your co-workers. Be sure to analyse the work culture of both organisations, within your team and the wider business, to make sure the business is the right culture fit for you. What are their company values? How do they represent them in real life? What are their business priorities from environment to sustainability to DE&I, for example. 

• Work location: In current times as a job seeker, candidates are often presented with the opportunity of working from home. This has become a trend to look out for in job searches, as we move forward in a post-covid world. Whilst remote working is on the rise, lots of roles offer hybrid working, and some still remain office based. It’s important to assess what will work best for you. 

Key deciding factors when reviewing job offers

While there is a myriad of reasons why professionals decide to search for a new job, the intention often remains the same - career advancement. Therefore, when deciding on which offer to accept, there are several key deciding factors to take into consideration. We have narrowed down those deemed most important to reflect upon:

• Long-term career: Your career ambitions should reflect your career goals, choosing the right role within the best-suited company is crucial. Each career decision you make should be made with the intention of moving you one step closer towards your goal destination.
• Salary: Money is important, however not at the cost of it being the sole reason to accepting a role. When debating between two job offers, it’s important to take into consideration the salary for each, as if your role change is down to the need for progression, you ought to anticipate a salary increase as you move up the career ladder. However, accepting a job merely for the cheque may leave you feeling unfulfilled later down the line if the company itself is not right for you. 
  
  
• Day to day: What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like? Take some time to jot down notes on a typical day in your role, for each company. Assess what you may like and dislike about each one. Consider aspects such as: your daily commute, workplace interactions, travelling, daily projects and variety etc…
  
  
• Gut instinct: Once you have studied both companies, and researched the role offered on both sides, take confidence in knowing your decision will be assuredly reliable. Once you have all the information and have taken the time to weigh up both job offers, it’s time to make your final decision. Trust your gut. You know yourself and your goals better than anybody, so you must trust yourself and allow your intuition to lead you to the role that is best suited for you. 

How to decline the not-taken job offer

Once you’ve reached your decision, contact the winning employer to let them know you gratefully accept. Then, be sure to let your current employer know of your departure at the first appropriate opportunity, by handing in your notice. Be sure to thank them for your time with their company, and everything the role provided you with. This indicates respect and allows you to begin your notice period as soon as possible. You can then contact the non-taken offer, also thanking them for their time, and the opportunity, but respectfully decline their offer

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