How to Choose a Job Offer in 7 Steps (With Definition)

Updated 25 March 2023

During the job search process, you may get multiple job offers after interviewing with several organisations. Deciding on the job most suitable for you is important to help you progress in your career path and reach your goals. Learning about the key components of a good job offer can help you make an informed decision. In this article, we define what a job offer is and discuss seven steps you can take to choose the job offer that's most suitable and beneficial for you.

What is a job offer?

A job offer is a formal contract that organisations give you when you pass the interview process. A written job offer includes information about the pay, job position, start date and details about your reporting supervisor or manager. The contract can also include details about employee benefits, the number of working hours every week and any other terms that you discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.

After you received and reviewed the job offer, you can make a counteroffer if you want to negotiate for higher pay. You can also make a counteroffer if you received a better offer from another company and want to compare your options. Organisations can then decide to negotiate or accept your counteroffer, depending on their hiring budget. They typically prepare for counteroffers from candidates, especially if you've communicated to the hiring manager during the interview process regarding the offer you're willing to accept. You can usually take around three days to present a counteroffer after you've processed the contract details.

How to choose a job offer

If you're currently searching for a new job, you might be thinking about how to choose a job offer. If you manage to receive multiple job offers from different organisations, you may require some time to compare the contracts and decide which one best meets your needs and goals. Here are seven steps you can take to help you choose the most suitable job offer:

1. Review your long-term goals

The first step is to confirm that the organisations that gave you job offers can help you achieve your long-term career goals. You may have different goals in mind during the interviewing process, and you can now consider which ones are the most important to you. It can help to list out your career goals and check the job scope of the positions that you're applying for. This enables you to streamline the decision-making process since you're aware of what you want to achieve at each organisation. Some career goals that you may have include:

Changing careers

A career change gives you the opportunity to work in a different industry. For instance, you might have the qualifications of an economist but want to accept a position in an investment firm because it aligns with your career goals. If you think that a career change can motivate you to perform better and increase your job fulfilment, then you may choose a job offer in a different industry to challenge yourself.

Getting a promotion

Getting a promotion entails a higher-level position, with better pay and employee benefits. You can get a promotion after years of consistently good performance. For example, an entry-level executive might get a promotion to become a senior executive if the position opens up internally. If the job offer is an internal promotion, ensure that it aligns with your vision for your career and consider if you're confident of performing the job's responsibilities.

Working in a leadership position

If you aspire to attain a managerial position in a company, you can consider if your job offer gives you leadership opportunities. You can discuss this with the hiring manager during the interview process. Check if the company provides the necessary training for the leadership position.

2. Check the national average salary for each job

Check the national average salary for your job offers to determine if the organisation is fairly compensating you for your skills and level of work experience. This information can help you when you're drafting a counteroffer and want to negotiate for a higher salary. You can also research company reviews to see the salary they typically offer to someone in a similar position.

Besides looking at salary figures, it's important to consider the level of job fulfilment you can attain. One job offer may give you a higher salary, but the job responsibilities may not keep you motivated to work hard. It might be better to choose an offer with slightly lower pay but a higher level of job fulfilment to ensure that you enjoy your job.

3. Evaluate the culture of each workplace

Workplace culture is important to help you focus on your responsibilities and motivate you to meet the organisation's goals. Hiring managers assess if you're a good fit for the organisation and team that you're working with. You can conduct a similar assessment by researching the organisation's social media profiles.

This can give you an idea of the type of employee welfare and benefits you can expect while working there. A healthy work environment can help you improve your skills and perform better. It's beneficial to work with people who value your work and encourage healthy competition. You can also research online employee reviews to check overall employee sentiments. Determine if you prefer a collaborative culture or one that offers flexibility with your schedule so that you can pursue other interests.

4. Compare the hiring managers at each organisation

Consider listing the pros and cons of each hiring manager and conducting a cost-benefit analysis. This can help you decide which job offer to choose, since you may work closely with the hiring manager. Choosing a job offer based on the hiring manager ensures that you're comfortable working under their leadership and trust their expertise.

Review the skills and experience each manager possesses, and consider what you hope to learn from them. Some of their skills relate to the industry they work in. They can also display soft skills that you value and want to acquire. A good hiring manager can increase your chances of progression and success at your job.

5. List the daily job responsibilities

List the daily job responsibilities of each offer, including details of the people you may interact and work closely with the most, the working environment and transportation. These factors can affect how motivated you are to produce results and meet organisational goals. Consider creating a comparison chart if you have multiple job offers.

Collect the necessary information to help you decide. It can be helpful to consider what's most important for you in a job. For instance, you may value working with like-minded people in a competitive working environment more than a remote working arrangement. Hence, you might choose a job in an office with a hot-desking arrangement, since you can work closely with your team members on projects.

6. Examine the potential for career advancement

Ask the organisation about potential growth opportunities and job progression during the interview process and when you follow up with them about your offer letter. These opportunities ensure that you're working towards your personal career goals and give you a professional development path.

If you're clear about what you want to achieve in the position, knowing about growth opportunities can help you chart your progress and know what the organisation requires from you. You can also share the types of opportunities you're interested in during the interview process for the hiring manager's consideration.

7. Trust your intuition

After considering the pros and cons of various job offer factors, ask yourself which offer makes you the most excited. Trusting your intuition can help you decide quickly, especially if you're choosing from various similar offers. You can check if your instincts lean towards a particular organisation or position.