Deciding between multiple job offers is a decision that you might have to make at some point in your career. This is an exciting scenario but a difficult one, as you will have to decide which position is right for you. There are many factors to consider, but ultimately the right job to choose is the job that you feel most excited about and will boost your satisfaction the most. This decision is not always as straight forward as it seems and there are many factors to consider.
Your enthusiasm for the tasks of role
The reality is, despite all the factors that influence your enjoyment of job, your contentment will largely be determined by how stimulated you are by the everyday responsibilities of the position. If you do not enjoy the work, it is unlikely that other factors such as good coworkers and compensation will be enough to keep you satisfied long term. You’ll need to evaluate whether you are enthusiastic about the job itself and use this information when making your decision. No one wants to stay in a job they do not enjoy.
Career Goals
Another factor to evaluate is which of the jobs is more aligned with your long-term career goals. If this is something that is important to you, you will want to consider which position gets you closer to where you want to be. If one of the positions gets you further from your goal, it may not be the right choice for you.
Values
The values of the company are important to think about. Ask yourself if the company is aligned with what is important to you. If the position undermines a value that is important to you, it is not likely that you will be too enthusiastic about your employer which is a recipe for dissatisfaction at work. If you and the company differ on fundamental values, you will likely be unhappy at that role.
Company Culture
Decide whether or not the organization’s culture will be a good fit for you. This includes things like dress code, expectations, work habits, work locations and other norms, as well as the co-workers and management that you will be working with. You should consider the caliber of people that you will be working with and what you can learn from them. You are likely to be more satisfied in a company with colleagues that you are inspired by and are proud to be working with.
Salary
This might seem like a simple factor to consider-which one pays more? Salary is important, but if a position that pays less is more aligned with your goals and values you will have to evaluate if the increase in salary is enough to be worth it. At the end of the day, a higher salary is not likely to give you a happiness boost that exceeds the satisfaction you will get from a career that you find to be fulfilling and enjoyable. Looking long term rather than short term is valuable in this respect. A company might pay less now but provide you with valuable skills that will help boost your earning potential long term, rather than paying you more for a position that allows for less growth.
The right job for you is ultimately the job that will make you the happiest, whatever that means for you. By reflecting on what is important for you in a position, you can assess and chose the position that ranks the highest on those key factors. If salary is most important, choose based on that, and so on, but make sure that you are choosing based on factors that will bring you satisfaction in the long term.
If you are a candidate that is considering making a career change, contact Mike Houston at [email protected]
