Making your decision
Choosing which job to accept is really a lot like the process
you went through to select a college. You should make a grid
showing the factors that will affect your decision. These could
include salary, location, benefits, type of work, work colleagues,
work environment, type of industry, opportunities for advancement,
potential to travel, need to relocate and anything else that
matters to you. Mark the items as "musts" and "wants" to
differentiate what you can't live without and what would simply be
nice to have. This list will give you a more objective way of
comparing different job offers.
If you've received an offer or two but you aren't through
interviewing with other prospective employers, be sure to explain
that to the firms that have offered you a job. Call the person who
offered you the job and politely explain that you are excited about
the offer on the table but you want to be thoughtful about this
very important decision and have not finished your exploration of
options yet. Ask how long they can wait for an answer and honor
their request.
Comparing salaries and benefits
Though it may sound strange, the highest salary isn't always the best offer. For instance, a lower salary in a smaller city could actually net you more than a higher salary in a large city. Considering offers from different cities? Here are some factors to consider. In addition to salary, benefits can add quite a bit to your bottom line. In fact, benefits can be worth as much as 30% of your salary. Here are some benefits to consider:
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Should you negotiate your salary or say yes to the offer on the
table? While there are many points about an offer that can be
negotiated (position, responsibilities, vacation, benefits, start
date, etc.), salary is usually the primary issue. Salary
negotiation can be very risky. Any counter offer that you make can
invalidate the original offer...it is possible that the offer could
be rescinded. It is well to remember that companies may have a very
tight schedule for entry level offers. If you have extraordinary
educational or work experience, you may be able to stretch the
upper limit slightly. If not, they may be able to offer an
alternative in the way of bonuses, guaranteed overtime, etc.
When discussing salary, talk in terms of what you're hoping for,
rather than what you expect. Talk about those extraordinary
educational or work experiences that you have to offer the company.
NEVER talk about your personal needs, bills or budgets.
In the end you may only be able to negotiate a promise of future
salary increases or bonuses. If so, be sure that you get it in
writing. If you have any questions at all about negotiating your
offer, see a Career Services professional.
