What to Do If You Receive Multiple Job Offers?

Many job seekers go through weeks of resume building, callbacks and job interviews in pursuit of that elusive job offer. But what happens when you receive multiple job offers at once? While this seems like a dream come true, it can pose many challenges. Consider the following tips to help you decide between multiple offers while landing the best possible deal.

First off, make sure that what you are dealing with are concrete offers. If you haven't actually received a formal offer letter, you may not be the chosen candidate just yet. Once a company is sure about you, they will have no issue with sharing the details of the offer with you. Once you're sure that you have more than one job offer to choose from, consider the following factors.

Finances

It may be tempting to choose the job that offers a higher salary, but it's not always just about the money. Consider the health insurance, retirement plan, bonuses, commissions and other financial perks of each job.

Work-Life Balance

Think about what each job is asking of you. One job may have better or more flexible hours or a shorter commute. Another may require you to travel much of the time or be available on nights, weekends or holidays for overtime. These things can have a major impact on your social and family life, so it's important to think about how much of your time you're willing to devote to your career.

Perks

Besides money and benefits packages, one job may offer additional extras for its employees, such as an on-site gym or day care center, free lunch or coffee, or a carpooling program. These types of perks are often just as valuable to employee morale as a healthy salary, so keep them in mind as you make your decision.

Company Culture

All the money and perks in the world mean little if you hate your workplace. Be sure that for every job offer you receive, you thoroughly research the company culture. Do this by reading employer reviews at sites such as GlassDoor, and reaching out to any professional or personal contacts that may know some insider information about the company. Ask the following questions: Is the company formal and professional or casual and laid-back? Are workdays structured, or are employees allowed to work on their own schedules? Is fraternization frowned upon or encouraged?

Gut Feeling

After considering all the pros and cons of each job offer, ask yourself which job speaks to you the most. If the idea of passing up a particular offer makes you shudder with disappointment, then that job may be the one for you, regardless of perks. No matter which job you choose, there will be pros and cons, so it's important to go with your strongest instinct. If you still have trouble choosing, enlist the help of your spouse or a trusted friend or family member.

In today's competitive job market, receiving more than one job offer is every job seeker's dream. Choosing between those offers, however, takes plenty of thorough consideration. Carefully go through each of the comparison steps outlined here to help determine which job offer is the right opportunity for you.

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