The Flipside of Hiring Talent: Deciding Between Two Job Offers

culled from:profilesinternational.com

Here’s a fun scenario: you’ve been asked the interview questions, shaken hands, and have received a job offer. Then another, more attractive company, offers you the same job (you lucky person you). It seems lucky, until you realize that both jobs are pretty much exactly what you want. While hiring talent is tricky, the acceptance process can be worse. Is a bird in the hand really worth two in the bush? Evaluate your options, according to keppiecareers.com.
First—assuming you haven’t accepted a job and signed a non-compete—you can explore any position you want.
That being said, you should inform the second party that you are considering multiple offers. If you want to interview for other positions, ask the organization who has offered you the sure thing to give you more time to consider. But remember, companies can revoke their offer at any time, so it’s a gamble requesting more time to think. The most important thing to keep in mind if you already have one job offer; is it worth potentially losing? Consider the reward—and the loss—and choose wisely. Think carefully, just like you did when you were answering those interview questions.
Second, assess your standing while the role is still in play. Are you the best possible job fit, or are they looking for someone to squeeze into the position because they can’t find anyone else right now? Are you going to be a long-term candidate who will fit the company culture? Is the company going to be too small or big to fit your goals? Is this job right for you? Consider these questions before signing to a position.
Finally—when accepting a job—consider how much of a risk you are willing to take for the new position. Keep in mind that that it’s your best bet to continue interviewing with company number two only if company number one is willing to raise the stakes to keep you, assuming you are a high-performing, high-potential employee. If one company is willing to hire you, after upping the ante, then it’s best to finalize with that organization before you lose both altogether. Those hiring talent have a business to run, so don’t get too confident that they should or will sit on their hands, waiting for you to make up your mind.
The most important thing to remember in this lucrative process is, even if you are the best job fit and most qualified for the job, a gamble is always a gamble. The risk is yours to take