When comparing multiple job offers, start by focusing in on your career priorities, then compare pay rates and benefit packages for each position.
- Evaluate your career priorities. Consider which job offer best matches your values and career goals. Do you want to live in a particular city? Do you want a more flexible work schedule that allows you to travel or pursue other interests? Consider which job fits best with your career aspirations. To decide what’s most valuable to you in a job offer:
- Rank your career priorities using the Job Offer Decision Worksheet.
- Review each job with your career priorities in mind.
- Make a list of the pros and cons of each job.
- Compare pay rates. Salary is a key component of any job offer. To evaluate a salary offered by an employer, you’ll need to compare it to salary offers for similar positions in your field. You also will want to factor in cost-of-living expenses for the city where each job is based.
- When comparing pay rates associated with multiple job offers, you will want to consider:
- The specific job responsibilities tied to the pay rate
- The number of hours an employer expects you to work each week, and whether the job pays overtime, grants comp time, or provides some other compensation for extra hours worked
- The salary review process of each employer
- When comparing pay rates associated with multiple job offers, you will want to consider:
- Compare benefit packages. Pay is not the only thing to consider in a job offer. Some employers may try to compensate for a lower base salary with a rich benefits package.
- When reviewing job offers, consider each company’s employee health plan, retirement plan, vacation and sick-day policies, and other benefits.
- Some employers also may offer flexible hours, telecommuting, employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, or other perks.