Have you ever updated your resume, held an exhaustive job search, nailed your interviews and then had multiple job offers on the table?  #Firstworld problems, right? On the one hand, it’s great.  Companies want you and now the ball is in your court to decide what you want to do.  On the flip side, you need to choose.  This choice is not usually easy and feels exhausting, overwhelming and full of pressure to make the “right” decision.

Before you drive yourself into a tail spin Inc. suggests five things job seekers should think about before accepting a job:

• Salary and compensation
• Career growth opportunities
• Work-life balance
• Location/commute
• Company culture and values

So, instead of thinking through all possible scenarios within each role, let’s work together through these five things to see where each company stands.

Salary and Compensation

While the take home pay can be important, you also need to think about the full compensation package.  According to Inc, 64% of millennials would take $40,000 for a job they love versus $100,000 for a job they find boring.

Ask yourself these questions about each position:

• Looking at their offer (salary, benefits, vacation), are they comparable or is there one that stands out as the clear leader?
• Can you creatively negotiate the terms of your compensation package?
• Does your salary match up with industry average?

Career Growth Opportunities

• During the interview, did anyone mention any professional development they participated in?
• Is there a direct line from your role to a promotion?
• Does your supervisor appear to be a coach and a mentor?
• Have other employees been promoted? If so, how long did it take and why?
• If you are not interested in a promotion in your area, is there growth in other departments within the company?

Work-life balance

This is something that may be a little hard to judge on the surface but with a little digging you should be able to identify the work/life balance. 

• Check out the company’s HR website to see if there are any policies for flexible schedules
• Is there are clear start and end to the work day?
• During the interview, did anyone discuss the general or lack of vacation days and ease of using them?
• Will you be required to have a company phone or laptop that you take home with you every night?

Location and commute

• How long is the commute door-to-door?
• Is the company’s location close to other places you like to visit (restaurants, family, your home, errands)?
• Is there more than one way to get to the office from your house (car, train, bus, etc.)?
• What is the cost of your commute including parking, transportation, tolls, gas, etc?

Company culture and values

• Did you get a good “vibe” from the employees that were interviewing you?
• How did the office itself feel? Warm and welcoming or a little stuffy?
• What is the vision and mission of the organization? Is it in line with your purpose and passions?
• Did you get the impression that it is a newer staff or that people have stayed at the company for a while?
• Do coworkers hang out after work?

I know there are a lot of questions for multiple job offers but they are targeted to the five evaluation areas: salary and compensation, career growth opportunities, work-life balance, location/commute, company culture and values.  Take some time and compare your answers and think about which of these areas are most important to you. 

If the salary is lower but you are given more time off, is that something you are OK with?  What if there are no growth opportunities but you can walk to work? There is no right or wrong answer, it is about the right fit for you.  Just lay it all on the table, so you know why you are making that decision.

Are you going through this process right now?  Where you feeling a little stuck?