How to Decide Between Two Equally Great Job Offers

While some job seekers find themselves in a transitionary period of life attempting to gain meaningful employment, a few lucky ones find themselves having the luxury of being in the driver’s seat upon receiving more than one job offer.

If you ever find yourself at a crossroads between two companies you could envision yourself working at, these tips may help make your decision a little easier.

Score Yourself Some Time

Just breathe — not only a sigh of relief, but take some time to breathe and think. Even though you still need to cross the finish line, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Fortunately, you now have the upper hand and it’s OK to let both companies know that you’ll need a few days to think it through and make your decision. If you can, get away or take a break from the routine of life and its distractions so you can focus on the next chapter.

Evaluate Your Experience As A Candidate

Compare your candidate experience with each company. Did one take significantly longer than the other? Did one treat you with more respect and courtesy than the other? Did one communicate better with you than the other? Did one make the interviews a two-way street instead of talking at you? Was one company organized while the other seemed all over the place? Did one company inquire about your own professional goals versus just asking what you could do for the company? If one company checks these boxes and the other doesn’t, consider it a sign of how they would treat you as an employee.

Introspect

Now that you’ve bought yourself some time, ask yourself: What’s most important to you? Not to your parents, your spouse, your friends, etc. You are the one who’s going to end up living with your decision day after day, so it better be one that suits you best. What do YOU want out of your new job: compensation, title, opportunity to travel, growth, mentorship, a shorter commute, greater flexibility/work-life balance, stability? Consider making a list of what’s most important to you in descending order.

Work Through The Information Logically

Now that you’ve made a list of what’s most important to you or a list of pros and cons, you can talk through it out loud to determine which company can better offer you exactly what you’re looking for. Work through all the information at your disposal to make the best decision.

Seek Sage Advice

The wrong thing to do is to ask everyone you know for their opinion on what you should do in this scenario. While all your family and friends have your back, not everyone knows what’s best for you. That’s why it’s important for you to seek wise counsel — ideally from a mentor or someone else in your field who understands the intricacies of your industry and how to climb the corporate ladder.

Regardless of the decision you end up making, stay on excellent terms with the company/recruiter/hiring manager you’re turning down because you never know if your paths will cross in the future.

Deanna Hartley is a prolific writer and editor, having spent the past decade publishing hundreds of print and digital bylines on topics including job search advice, career development, recruitment, HR and human capital management that speak to both job seekers as well as employers/recruiters. Deanna has a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, was formerly a senior editor at award-winning publisher Human Capital Media and a senior copywriter at CareerBuilder. She currently works as a content manager at Aon, a global professional services firm. Her articles providing career advice have appeared in a variety of publications, including Gannett’s network of newspapers, Business Insider and Workforce Magazine.