How to decide between 2 job offers

If you are reading this article, congratulations! It’s a fantastic position to be in having two job offers on the table. However, the complication now is what one to choose. As you’re reading this we can assume that both offers are looking fairly equal, so how will you decide?

Deciding between two job offers isn’t a simple process, and it’s tempting to be swayed by a bigger salary or maybe the other company is a bigger brand, but, it’s worth stopping and looking at the bigger picture as hopefully, you will be in this position for the foreseeable future.

King Recruit has created a guide on how to consider all factors to make an informed decision.

Firstly let’s make sure you have the complete information about the offer, having just a salary offer for both positions isn’t enough for a fair side by side comparison.

Salary and bonus
Benefits Package – holiday, time in lieu, flexible working, cycle to work schemes, private health and dental etc
Notice period
Hours of work
Commuting Time – and how easy is the commute
Growth Opportunities
Company Values
Other perks
Company Reputation
Overall Impression
Your colleagues and direct reporting line

Salary

Your remuneration will ultimately be one of your biggest factors for consideration. You need to ensure that the salary is happily one you will accept, which will fit your personal budget and cover expenses. Ensure you take into account any additional costs in accepting the position such as travel or expenses that won’t necessarily be paid back straight away.

Benefits and other Perks

Some employers will offer a bonus or work-based incentive scheme to motivate their employees to hit certain targets. Remember these bonuses may not be guaranteed so don’t make this a deciding factor when looking at the monetary value of a role.

Holiday allowance, flexible working or working from home are all factors to consider. Especially if the role is further away or requires more travel than the other. The right choice will boost your work-life balance.

Some locations may offer benefits onsite such as free parking, onsite gym and childcare services.

Other perks on offer could be discounted experiences or tickets for events. Some employers offer discounts on fashion brands, electricals or general shopping through cashback schemes.

Each individual is different, so one benefit may not benefit another, decide which is relevant to you.

For example, one company might have excellent maternity and paternity leave policies, as well as onsite childcare, but that might not be relevant to you at all. A car-sharing scheme is great, but it doesn’t matter much if you take the bus to work.

Culture and Team Members

We spend most of waking hours at work, so it makes sense to want to work in an environment in which you are comfortable. Choosing a corporate culture is different for every individual. Some may prefer a hot-desking modern office, whereas others prefer a traditional cubicle set up in their office environment.

Does the company offer an inclusive culture where employees can freely voice opinions and ideas or is it predominantly management-led? Do they hold activities such as charity days, summer parties or Christmas events, is that important to you?

To figure out the culture have a look at the Companies social media profiles and look at reviews from employees.

Negotiation

Imagine if the first Company you saw you liked the most, however, the offer is not as attractive as the second Company.

Think about what it would take for you to take the first Companies job offer. With 2 offers on the table and looking at the positives of the competing offer can you give you a great perspective for negotiation on what you want.

Go with your gut instinct

Throughout interviews, meeting with members of staff and location tours, you get a gut feeling. Was it a positive one? Were there any factors that put you off? Did your interview last into the evening and was the office still full of workers? Did you get a positive vibe from your potential employers, were they welcoming and friendly and give an impression that you would want to work for them? Or was there a red flag when your boss was checking emails or taking calls throughout the interview process?

Don’t underestimate your gut feeling, if something tells you it isn’t right it probably isn’t.

Turn down the losing offer with grace

Congratulations on making your decision. Before you celebrate make sure you take the time to turn down the other offer.

Thank the employer for their offer and interest and ensure the door is kept open for any future opportunities. You never know when you may be searching for a role and want to explore opportunities they have to offer.

Contact us

For CV advice or advice on any aspect of the job application process, please contact one of our friendly team at King Recruit on 01392 790725.

How to decide between 2 job offers