Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
How to pick one job over another
How do you choose between two outstanding job offers? In an economy weighed down with layoffs, it's easy to shrug off questions like these.
But despite the recession, people are still landing jobs. In February 2009, for instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a high number of lost jobs: 699,000. They also stated that 4.36 million people were hired for new positions in the same 28-day period.
There is a lesson in these statistics: Don't let unemployment figures worry you. People land new positions every day. Be one of them.
Let's return to the issue of deciding between two positions. Your choice influences all aspects of your life, including your finances and overall happiness. And it's a tough choice, because you can't possibly know about the challenges and rewards of a particular job until you roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Most of the time (unless you work for tips or commission), you'll know your starting salary before your first day. You'll also have a general idea of your health plan, benefits and the distance of your daily commute. These known factors will help with your decision-making process, but they won't provide all of the facts that you need to make a completely informed choice.
Look at this example: Recently, you interviewed with two organizations for sales manager positions. The initial company (we'll call it Company A) offered $100,000 per year, with decent benefits. The second organization (Company B) offered $90,000 per year with comparable benefits, but a 30-minute shorter commute. If these were the only factors in the mix, your decision would be straightforward. Evaluate your priorities and accept the position that seems like a better fit.
Most career choices are not this easy. There are details that you won't know ahead of time, such as the overall culture of the workplace. The skills and attitudes of your prospective coworkers. Safety issues. Ergonomics. Diversity policies. Client lists. Budget cuts. The list goes on.
Let's imagine that in your interview with Company A, the manager boasted about the team-oriented setting, saying that the closely knit staff works together on all projects. In reality, the business may be extremely competitive, and the manager might not realize it (or want you to know about it).
Since it's almost impossible to make a fully knowledgeable job decision, I suggest that you follow these guidelines:
Request a written copy of each job offer.
Make a list of all known information for both positions. Include details about company size, position title, salary, benefits and length of commute.
Replay your interviews in your mind. What were your impressions? Did you overhear staff members complaining in the background? Was the air stuffy? Be honest about your experience.
Review your options with a clear, logical mind.
Make a logical decision.
Wait, you aren't finished yet! Sit down and ask yourself how you feel about your logical choice: Excited? Scared?
Focus on emotions for a moment and ask yourself one more time: Which job is a better fit?
You can analyze every detail. Develop a list of pros and cons. But when it comes down to it, you have to reflect on everything, including the logical and not-so-logical factors -- the known and unknown. If you still can't decide, go with your heart.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
But despite the recession, people are still landing jobs. In February 2009, for instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a high number of lost jobs: 699,000. They also stated that 4.36 million people were hired for new positions in the same 28-day period.
There is a lesson in these statistics: Don't let unemployment figures worry you. People land new positions every day. Be one of them.
Let's return to the issue of deciding between two positions. Your choice influences all aspects of your life, including your finances and overall happiness. And it's a tough choice, because you can't possibly know about the challenges and rewards of a particular job until you roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Most of the time (unless you work for tips or commission), you'll know your starting salary before your first day. You'll also have a general idea of your health plan, benefits and the distance of your daily commute. These known factors will help with your decision-making process, but they won't provide all of the facts that you need to make a completely informed choice.
Look at this example: Recently, you interviewed with two organizations for sales manager positions. The initial company (we'll call it Company A) offered $100,000 per year, with decent benefits. The second organization (Company B) offered $90,000 per year with comparable benefits, but a 30-minute shorter commute. If these were the only factors in the mix, your decision would be straightforward. Evaluate your priorities and accept the position that seems like a better fit.
Most career choices are not this easy. There are details that you won't know ahead of time, such as the overall culture of the workplace. The skills and attitudes of your prospective coworkers. Safety issues. Ergonomics. Diversity policies. Client lists. Budget cuts. The list goes on.
Let's imagine that in your interview with Company A, the manager boasted about the team-oriented setting, saying that the closely knit staff works together on all projects. In reality, the business may be extremely competitive, and the manager might not realize it (or want you to know about it).
Since it's almost impossible to make a fully knowledgeable job decision, I suggest that you follow these guidelines:
Make a list of all known information for both positions. Include details about company size, position title, salary, benefits and length of commute.
Replay your interviews in your mind. What were your impressions? Did you overhear staff members complaining in the background? Was the air stuffy? Be honest about your experience.
Review your options with a clear, logical mind.
Make a logical decision.
Wait, you aren't finished yet! Sit down and ask yourself how you feel about your logical choice: Excited? Scared?
Focus on emotions for a moment and ask yourself one more time: Which job is a better fit?
You can analyze every detail. Develop a list of pros and cons. But when it comes down to it, you have to reflect on everything, including the logical and not-so-logical factors -- the known and unknown. If you still can't decide, go with your heart.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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