How to Decide Between Multiple Job Offers

You’ve sent out a million resumes, gone on a thousand job interviews, and all your hard work has paid off. You have a job offer.

But wait, there’s more!

You have multiple job offers. You’re in demand. That’s great news but it also complicates your life.

How do you know which job offer to accept?

Consider these factors to aid in making the best decision for your career.

Goals. What do you want to accomplish in your career? What skills do you need to get there? The clearer you are on the answer to those two questions, the clearer you can be about which job better matches your career goals. When you have multiple job offers you have the luxury of thinking beyond your short-term needs and consider the best long-term fit for you.

Location. You obviously want to factor in the location of the jobs and the distance you would need to travel. If you enjoy a long commute this might not be an issue, but if you prefer to spend more time at home or with your family, this might be a consideration, along with factoring in transportation costs.

Related to location is the question of travel. Will you need to travel for one job but not another? How often will you need to be away for work? You might love to travel and see this as a great opportunity or you might have small children at home and want to avoid frequent time away.

Work environment. Each work place has its own unique work environment or style. You need to determine the work environment of your potential employer and see if this fits with you. Do you like to dress casually but would need to wear a suit? Have you heard that your immediate supervisor likes to micromanage? Is the team or company welcoming of new employees? You’ll want to try to answer these questions and determine what situation works best for your work style, personality, and career plans.

Salary. You will most likely be concerned with how much money you make and, though it might not be the most important factor to you, it can make the decision easier if most other considerations are equal. However, don’t just think about the money you see in your paycheck. Pay attention to the benefits offered. Will you have a 401K? What are the details of your health plan? You also want to factor in continuous learning and ask if your new company provides you with a budget to attend training sessions.

Opportunity. This factor might be difficult to assess but it’s important to determine if there is a clear career path at a potential employer. You don’t want to accept a job that provides an immediate dead-end, with limited chance for promotion, and will require you to move elsewhere to advance in your career.

There are definitely other considerations to make when choosing a job, and some factors will have more personal importance than others, but these five can serve as a starting point to make a good decision on the job offer you accept.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: How to Answer "What Did Your Last Job Pay?"

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• How to Answer "What Did Your Last Job Pay?": "You don't have to give up your past or current salary information to anyone during your job search, but in order to keep those details to yourself you'll need to be prepared."

• 3 Necessary Follow-Ups to Get the Job: "Here are some key things you need to do to keep your job search up to date and moving forward."

• 25 Best Habits to Have in Life: "The early morning hours are a time for peaceful reflection and ample productivity, where the world is still and asleep, allowing you to focus wholeheartedly on your long-term goals."

• The Stage in the Hiring Process When Job Seekers Have the Most Leverage: "Regardless, there’s generally a sense of urgency somewhere in the organization for the position to be filled. Someone is in pain because you’re not there yet."
• 10 Reasons Why Every Office Needs Plants and Flowers: "Although it is not the first thing that most people think of when looking for ways to improve efficiency and the quality of their work, plants can actually help to improve productivity levels."

4 Reasons to Avoid Taking that Promotion Now

You have an opportunity for a promotion and so, of course, you should take it, right? Well, not so fast. There might be several reasons why it's not best to take that promotion at this time.

Let's consider 4 reasons why it's best to avoid taking a promotion now.

1. Stress. That job might sound great on paper and you might like the new title and salary but are you prepared for the additional stress and demands that it will make? If not, you might consider staying out.

2. New colleagues/boss. Let's face it, some teams and areas in a company have a better reputation
than others. Some teams are social and everyone gets along and hangs out together after work. If that's you and you move to a new position with colleagues who barely speak to one another are you going to feel comfortable? Or maybe the new team or supervisor is known for negativity. That might not be a situation you want to put yourself in.

3. Travel. In many companies a move up the ladder requires more significant work travel. Now if you're someone who likes to get away than this might be ideal. But what if you have young children at home or simply prefer to stay around town? The added travel just might bring unwanted stress and anxiety that is not offset by the exciting new career possibilities.

4. New title and increased salary. If the only appeal of the promotion is the opportunity for more income or a more significant title than this might not be the promotion for you.

Before accepting a promotion consider the factors described above to help make a decision that is the best for your career now and into the future.

5 Keys to Career Happiness

Are you happy with your career? Unfortunately, many of us spend a great deal of time and energy

complaining about our job or our boss to anyone who will listen.

Instead of complaining let's consider 5 keys to job satisfaction and career happiness.

1. Your work is meaningful. The company you work for and the position you fill helps to bring value to the world. In other words, your work is not unethical or promotes products or services that do harm.

2. You have work-life balance. The job you do allows you time to relax with family, engage with your hobbies, and does not cause you to be in a constant state of stress.

3. You are fairly compensated. This is obvious but you'll feel better about your work if you feel that you are valued and paid appropriately for the value you bring to your job.

4. You have valuable relationships at work. Many long-lasting friendships start as co-worker relationships. It's much easier to enjoy your job if you enjoy those you work with.

5. You have opportunities to advance and develop your skills. It's easy to feel stuck in a job or career if we see no opportunity to advance or move up. A satisfying job allows you to continually grow, learn, and develop.

Consider these keys to help evaluate your current situation and determine whether it's time to change your job or change your attitude.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• 7 Quiet Career Truths That Speak Volumes: "The answer won’t always be there and it won’t be black and white – Sometimes in your career, you will find that you don’t have the answer you are looking for."

• How to Bring Up Salary on a Job Interview: "The more you stand for yourself in the job search process, the more employers will respect and value you."                                                      
• Put the Kibosh on Your Procrastinating Ways: "Disorganization is one of the top causes of procrastination, so eliminate this excuse by cleaning your desk or your computer files at least once a month."


• The Workplace Toolkit--5 Essentials You Need to Succeed: "In our attention-challenged society, you can make an impression at work by being someone who practices discipline. Can you tune out the noise of the many office distractions to stay focused on what matters the most in your job?"


• Want to Know What Really Makes You Happy? Try Tracking It: "Throughout our careers and lives, the big decisions we have to make usually lead back to a single, overriding concern: What really makes me happy?" 

Calculating the Return on Your College Investment

College costs continue to rise above the rate of inflation, and many people are beginning to wonder at what point they really get a return on their investment. In the article “Money Matters: Can You Truly Calculate the Return on the College Investment?” Jeff Selingo, editor at large of The Chronicle of Higher Education, takes a closer look (Selingo, Jeff. LinkedIn.com. 11/30/12).

Many economic tools assess the value of higher education, and most make it clear that, in general, a college education does pay off. Varied sources estimate that the difference in lifetime earnings for college versus high school graduates can range from $250,000 to $1 million.

Some states are attempting to go a step further by calculating the return on investment of specific majors and specific colleges. Currently, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia are providing data on average wages earned for graduates within particular majors at their state colleges and universities.

Using this Data

This state-specific data could be a useful tool. For example, a student who’s interested in studying business and considering two colleges in Virginia can start by comparing the difference in tuition at both colleges. Next, he/she could compare each college’s student graduate database for average wages earned by business majors. The results could show one college’s degree leading to a bigger financial payoff after graduation, and that could influence the student’s decision on which college to attend.

Considering Shifts in the Economy

When reviewing results, keep the data in perspective. Remember, the economic outlook is always changing. This could mean that the ten highest paying majors this year may not be the same in future years. Plus, some programs offered today weren’t around ten years ago, thereby yielding little or no data for comparing these programs.

Remember the Limitations of the Data

At this point, only Colorado, Nevada, and Texas are expected to join Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia in using student graduate databases. Also, students need to consider that these databases may not have information about graduates who are self-employed or who left the state.

However, even with limited data, this trend is pointing to one more college search tool that may be helpful for students in the future.

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: How to Negotiate a Salary

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video you'll gain valuable tips to negotiate a salary:

Negotiating is a Business Matter

One of the challenges to negotiating a raise or salary for a new job is approaching it strictly as a business transaction.   In some cases, emotions come into play out of concern for jeopardizing an existing professional relationship or job opportunity, or simply out of a fear of being denied.   Although the emotional side is understandable, the fact is, you need to be your own career advocate and sell your value.     


The first questions to ask yourself:  Do you believe in and have you identified the value you bring to a particular job and employer?   If you’re not confident or aware of this value, then you certainly can’t sell it to an employer.  To help identify your value, list your professional accomplishments, and if at all possible, quantify these by identifying related cost savings, increased revenue, increased efficiency, or other quantifiable measures.  If you haven’t done so recently, be sure to research current salary information for your particular occupation and industry to determine a salary figure that is realistic and reasonable for your field.   

Before you present a salary request, factor in your experience, skills, and education, plus any information you may have about the employer and the employer’s salary structure.  Make sure to have an acceptable salary range in mind, including the minimum you consider acceptable.  It may also be a good idea to pad the salary number you propose, even upwards of 15 percent, to allow room to negotiate.   A salary request should always be presented professionally and in a non-confrontational manner.  Regardless of whether the employer accepts your request, you should respond respectfully.  In cases where you are turned down for a raise by a current employer, ask for feedback on the employer’s decision and whether you can take steps to increase your earning potential in the future.  For job opportunities with a new employer, ask about future opportunities for increasing your income, such as merit increases, bonuses, or commissions.  


Lastly, don’t be afraid to be creative; consider negotiating benefits like vacation time or a flexible schedule. 

Job Criteria to Ponder

Each year, assorted organizations create and publish lists of best and worst jobs across industries. For example, U.S. News & World Report recently released its Best Jobs of 2012 rankings.  At best, lists like these can be informative and provide general occupational details, such as median salary, education, and training requirements. At a minimum, these lists can spark awareness about criteria to consider when choosing a college major or an occupation. Whether you’re drawn to checking out best job lists or not, the following are a few things to consider when pursuing an occupation or particular job.  

Projected job growth and median salary:   Projected job growth is the estimated change in the number of jobs that will be available within a given time period.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupation projections over a 10-year period; the most current report represents 2010–2020 data.  The BLS publishes these employment projections as well as median salary figures for specific occupations on its website and in its Occupational Outlook Handbook.  The current BLS data can also be accessed within the Gale Career Transitions portal product. 

Physical demands, risks, hazards, and environmental conditions:  Before pursuing an occupation or particular job, you should consider special job requirements and conditions. Take into account the physical effort required to perform a given job as well as hazards or risks as they relate to an occupation.  Will you be working in life-threatening situations—think police officer—or exposed to chemicals and toxins that can be detrimental to your health?  Other environmental conditions to consider include noise, lighting, temperature, and the overall condition of the space in which you will be working.  

Quality of life:  Many aspects of the job can impact your work-life balance and overall quality of life.  These vary in importance depending on the individual, but some things to think about include job security, financial stability, work hours, flexible work arrangements, challenge, and stress. 

All of this is only part of the equation.  To find the right occupation and job requires a holistic approach that includes assessing your interests, values, and skills and then matching these to your education, training, and relevant work experience.   With a thorough approach and careful preparation, you should be well on your way to finding the right job for you. 

Tips for Requesting a Raise During a Recession

Most people who are employed right now are simply thankful to have that job. Asking for a pay raise is most likely the last thing on their mind. However, if you don't ask for a raise, you will almost certainly not get one. You need to find a balance between being sensitive to the company's financial state and asking to be compensated for your value. Here are some strategies you can employ when asking for a raise - no matter the state of the economy.

Assess your worth
Conduct some initial research that identifies what someone in your geographic location, with your education and experience levels, and in your industry should be making. Use sites such as www.salary.com and www.glassdoor.com to conduct this research. If you discover in your research that you are earning below industry standard wages, then you should proceed with the process. If not, go back to being thankful for your job and prepare yourself to make a case during your next annual review.

List your achievements
Remember when you wrote your resume and you documented measurable accomplishments for each position? This step is very similar. Evaluate the key contributions you have made to the company. Whenever possible, quantify the value in percentages or dollars that these achievements have brought the company.

Identify the specialized skills you bring to the table. Are you fulfilling multiple roles that would require you to be replaced by multiple individuals? Is there room to propose a promotion within the organization because of the way you have performed? Do you have any customer, client, peer, or supervisor compliments that relate to your performance? If you are having trouble answering these questions and gathering evidentiary data of why you deserve a raise, you will have a very difficult time making a case for that raise.

Make your case
When you get the opportunity to speak with your supervisor to request a raise, you must tread carefully. You do not want to come across as though you are threatening to leave, and you don't want to appear pushy or angry. When asking for a raise, do not make it personal. Your boss does not want to hear about your personal financial struggles. You are simply there to present the facts (backed with data) of the value you bring versus the compensation you are receiving.

Be ready for the fact that your boss may acknowledge the validity of your claim, but be unable to meet your requests at the current time. This is a good opportunity to negotiate for other reimbursements such as an upgrade in title or responsibilities (which should come with a raise), increased vacation time, or even a written agreement to increase your salary at a time that you can both agree to.

Tips for Answering the Salary Question in an Interview

Whether they are asking the question when calling you to schedule the interview or asking you in the interview, your answer to the dreaded salary question can define your success in negotiating your annual salary - and possibly your success in landing the position. The key strategy when planning how to answer the question about salary is advance preparation. Here are some tips that can help you prepare for and field this question successfully.

• Become acquainted with sites, such as www.salary.com, that provide a range of salaries that you can expect in your local area. Generate a personal salary report and keep it with your job search records so you can easily access the information.
• When discussing salary, the most important rule is "the first person to name a number loses." Try to avoid naming your exact number with the following strategy. When asked how much you would like to make, ask the hiring manager to provide you with additional information about the job or ask them to give you an idea of where your range of experience should fit in their company's salary range.
• If you have to name a number, instead of telling the interviewer how much you would like to make, quote your sources. For example, if you have done your research on www.salary.com, you may say something like this, "Prior to applying for this position, I did some research on salary.com. They state that this type of position in (insert your city) should make between (offer them the entire salary range)." Most importantly, you then need to ask "How does that compare with what you are paying?"
• Be advised, you may not get what salary.com says you will get based on your years of experience, it is known to be a bit high. However, it is better to start with a higher number and negotiate lower. It is very difficult to negotiate upward.
• Be aware of non-verbal cues when you state your salary range from salary.com. Try to get a sense from the interviewer's non-verbal communication as to how receptive they are to your numbers.
• Never be afraid to negotiate salary. It is expected from you in the job search process. If you don't negotiate salary, most likely you are leaving money on the table.

How Companies Evaluate a Salary Range

Have you ever wondered how companies determine a salary or pay range for a particular job? Or why a salary for the same job title varies from company to company?

For starters, companies in the United States must adhere to various Federal employment laws and regulations instituted by the U.S. Department of Labor. For those interested in researching these, go to http://www.dol.gov/. In addition to governmental guidelines, companies consider other criteria when evaluating salary ranges.

Placing the Focus on Job Description, Not Title

It is a common misconception that a job title and accompanying salary at one company should translate similarly at other companies. In real life, salaries can vary significantly between companies. For example, a marketing and sales director could draw an annual salary from $50,000 to $150,000 or higher. The main reason for a variance like this is that the job responsibilities can be considerably different at each company. Therefore, when companies evaluate a salary range, they focus on the job description that details the work responsibilities and functions—not the title.

Other Factors Companies Consider

In general and simplified, owners and/or managers set salary ranges based on how they value the job and how much the company can afford. The goal is to attract top job candidates while minimizing overhead expenses.

Every company goes through a process in setting salaries; typically, the larger the organization, the more extensive the process of classifying jobs and evaluating how they interrelate. Below are a few key factors that many companies consider when setting salary ranges.

• Level of education, expertise, skill, and experience required to perform the job
• What the market is willing to bear, particularly local and regional markets
• The size of the talent pool; for example, is the market flooded with qualified people?
• Competitive and industry standards for the same or similar job functions
• The benefits package: salary is often just one part of that package. For example, in addition to salary, a company may offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health care, a 401k program, vacation time, flexible work arrangements, and other appealing benefits.