Choosing between offers

[Alezia]

What are the criterias you would weigh against when choosing between two job offers? I'm just trying to see that I'm covering all bases.

[FreedomRing]

As I've been in this position many times, what helps me with job decisions are:

 

1) the working conditions/atmosphere(if it was a office job, things such as, would I have my own office/desk/cubicle..privacy is BIG to me, as well as my "own working area")

 

2) personality of my direct supervisor or whomever I would be reporting to majority of the time--could I see myself working for them for hrs throughout the day...I usually went my interview "vibes" when making this judgement call)

 

3) Upward mobility options

 

4) Company turnover stats..

 

5) Company benefits..

[Clementine orange]

^^^^^ good advice

 

I would also add

1.) ease/difficulty of commute

2.) what kind of people already work there

3.) $$$ (of course)

4.) proximity to ammendities (restaurants, gym, shopping, errands you can do at lunch)

[Alezia]

How did you assess #3?

The company benefits would be the same (they are both government jobs), salary is a minimal difference (around 3-4K difference a year)

[Alezia]

^^^^^ good advice

 

I would also add

1.) ease/difficulty of commute

2.) what kind of people already work there

3.) $$$ (of course)

4.) proximity to ammendities (restaurants, gym, shopping, errands you can do at lunch)

 

Thank god for pointing out #4. I had never thought about it.. and one of the places is very 'remote'. I would have a car though but still =\.

[Casey13]

Financial aspect, scope of work, commute to work (location), company history, company reputation, possibility for advancement, gut feeling

[McLovin oo7]

What are the criterias you would weigh against when choosing between two job offers? I'm just trying to see that I'm covering all bases.

 

What jobs we are taking about here? Depending upon the jobs, there could be different criteria.

[FreedomRing]

A few ways to assess upward mobility is by asking your supervisor, exactly what the process is for moving up, i.e. their process on raises/promotions..what do they consist of?

 

If your supervisor has been there for a few years, you could ask about their own personal track record within the company, or you could ask other employees their perspectives on upward mobility within that particular dept...

[FreedomRing]

Also, working hours.

 

May seem minute..but these days, I find myself asking the potential employer how flexible they are with working hours. For example, don't know if you have a family or what not, or are going to school, but these types of issues, may effect your typical core working hours, and should you need to come in late, or come in early(outside of the "core business hrs") you may want to know their take on things like this. Will they be flexible or lenient with this? Would it not be a big deal, as long as you get your committed hrs in.. or are they more rigid and expect certain working hours to remain stable....will depend on whatever your personal situation is, but I find this is something I like to get squared away BEFORE I sign an offer letter.

[COtuner]

Spot on with most of the comments.

 

For me, right now, I look at:

 

1. Career development opportunities

2. Other jobs within the company if something goes south (do they lay off or help you find a new role)

3. education / tuition reimbursement

4. interaction within your industry - you don't want to be learning only company internal stuff

5. commute

6. flextime or work from home chances if offered (defense dept rarely allows this though)

7. social atmosphere - is it just you and a cube or do people get to know one another?

 

There's a lot more, but they involve relocation since I almost always move out of state or cross country when changing jobs

[Alezia]

Thanks for all your answers guys. I think the fact that it's two government jobs, thereforee they need to use almost the same standards when it comes for promotions, benefits, work times etc... it makes it easier.

 

I work in the IT field =) And both of them are using current technology that I like.

[Anotherday]

Take the one which feels more "right" to you. That is very important.

 

Oh, and be very grateful you have two jobs to pick between. A lot of people don't even have one these days.