What Should You Do If You Get Multiple Job Offers?

Getting a job isn’t easy. Talented individuals may have to wait years before they can successfully apply for a position in their field of choice. And around 40% of college graduates are so eager to be employed anywhere that they’ll take a job that doesn’t require a degree. However, every once in a while, professionals are faced with a different sort of problem. Namely, what should you do if you get multiple job offers at one time? How should you compare the two? How should you respond? And how can you be certain you pick the right opportunity to pursue?

Applying to Multiple Jobs at Once

It makes a lot of sense to apply to multiple jobs at once when you’re looking for a new challenge. If you’re fortunate enough to reach the interview stage with more than one company, though, it’s best to inform your potential employers that you’re interviewing elsewhere at the same time. This is a courteous way to let them know that you’re considering all of your options.

Choosing Between Job Offers

Each job offer comes with pros and cons, and, at the end of the day, only you can decide which is more appealing to you. If you’re struggling to pick between jobs, consider making a list of priorities including salary, benefits, job responsibilities, and location. Still, it’s okay to choose one job over another for completely subjective reasons. If you’ve always wanted to work in a lab and use sophisticated equipment like cell culture inserts, for instance, then you shouldn’t feel bad about passing on another position to follow your dream.

Negotiating

Say you get two job offers –– one from “company A” and one from “company B.” You’d rather work for company A, but company B is offering you a higher base salary and more vacation time. In such a scenario, you can and should negotiate with company A and let them know what their competition is offering you. In most instances, businesses will revise their offer in order to sign talented professionals. Remember, a company that isn’t willing to negotiate with you now is unlikely to negotiate with you later.

Be Honest and Transparent

Once you’ve arrived at a decision, it’s important to notify all parties involved –– including the company you’ve decided to turn down. Though telling someone that you’re taking a job elsewhere can be awkward, it’s something you should do all the same. Ghosting on an employer can tarnish your reputation. Plus, you may also have to work with that employer at some point down the line. Given those facts, take the time to thank the employer for their time and explain that you’ve chosen to go in another direction. This may not be easy, but it’s the right thing to do.