So you have multiple job offers…now what? How do you choose the right company? While salary and benefits are critical components of your decision, there are many other factors you should consider before accepting a job offer.
Company Culture and Values – Did you that know a common reason employees leave their employers is a mismatch in culture? If you are a laid-back person, you will probably not enjoy a more structured work environment. If you enjoy tackling ambiguous challenges, you will probably not enjoy working for a company that has rigid processes. Does the employer encourage and support work/life balance? Make sure your values match with the employer. An employee in the wrong culture is not good for the company or the employee.
Company Stability – Does the company have a plan for the future to continue to grow and thrive? Is it going to be around in 5 years? Assess your personal risk tolerance for a company’s stability and confirm that it is in line with the company’s future plans.
The Job – The job and the day-to day- activities associated with it itself is an important factor. Will you feel satisfied with the level of personal contribution the position allows? Will the position offer you the opportunity to experience various aspects of the company or industry?
Company Size – Do you have aspirations of working for a large company? There are pros and cons to working for a large company versus a smaller company. Large companies potentially offer higher salaries or better benefit packages, but you may get lost in the number of employees. If you want to be in a position to have your voice heard or want to experience various parts of the company, you may want to consider a smaller company.
Total Compensation Package – When comparing job offers, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Where a company may offer a lower base salary, they may make up for it in other areas such as retirement, 401K match, benefits, bonuses, etc. Be sure to know what the total compensation package includes.
