Career challenge: How do you decide between two good job offers?

If you find yourself at a crossroads after receiving two competing job offers, you know that choosing the best opportunity for your unique needs can be a challenge.

While compensation may be your favorite, job experts recommend considering each job offer as a whole — including salary, benefits, corporate benefits and health and wellness programs.

In addition, commuting time and other lifestyle factors are important issues.

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Here are some helpful tips to consider when deciding between two different job offers.

It is important to consider the entire job package

While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for making this big career decision, it’s best to take a personal approach, advise career experts

Choosing between two job offers can be challenging, so a personal approach is best, career specialists recommend. (iStock/iStock)

“Candidates need to identify their personal priorities when weighing two job offers,” Mark Berry, senior human resources specialist at Insperity, a leading human resources provider, told FOX Business.

To make the right decision, candidates should step back and set aside both offers to focus first on the factors most important to them in their next role, said Berry, who is based in San Francisco.

“Employee candidates should also remember that their current job is still an option, so any decision between two job offers is a three-part decision between leaving their current role or one of two unexplored paths on them,” Berry also suggested.

The best factors to consider when weighing the options

1. Prioritize a high quality of life as a key aspect of choosing the right job.

Candidates need to imagine their ideal work day and then imagine their experience in each role being considered, Berry said.

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“Factors that affect quality of life include typical work hours, commute, amount of travel required and whether it’s a hybrid, remote or in-person role,” he explained.

Before considering competing job offers, think about what’s most important to you in your next role, according to job experts. (iStock/iStock)

Also, ensure that regular travel fits in with personal and family obligations.

“Otherwise, a need for extensive travel could be a good reason to reject one offer in favor of one that requires less,” he emphasized.

2. Account for out-of-pocket expenses.

Travel, long commutes and the cost of clothing to meet the new dress code requirements — as well as wardrobe maintenance — can create significant out-of-pocket expenses for candidates, Berry said.

“Candidates should ask their recruiter for details on the monthly cost of health insurance and additional family members.”

Additionally, if travel is a large part of a job being considered, candidates must confirm that their employer will adequately reimburse out-of-pocket travel expenses in a timely manner, Berry said.

3. Set salary expectations.

“Calculate the minimum amount of compensation needed to support a desired lifestyle and don’t accept any offer below those numbers,” Berry suggested.

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“No positive factor can overcome a compensation package that does not allow candidates to support their basic needs,” he added.

There are other factors than salary to consider when considering a job offer, according to career experts. (Istock/iStock)

If you feel tempted to accept a lower compensation package for other reasons, Berry said it’s best to calculate expenses such as mortgage, retirement savings and other needs to get a bare minimum to accept in salary.

“If the salary offered does not cover basic costs, candidates should enter into negotiations, using their competitive offer as leverage,” he said.

4. Understand the benefits package and any cost sharing.

“In some cases, a lower salary may beat out a similar higher offer if the first offer pays for a larger percentage of the employee’s health care costs,” Berry said.

“While a free gym membership can feel rewarding, few perks outweigh big factors like salary, health benefits or work environment.”

While some companies provide a full breakdown of benefits in their job offer, not all recruiting teams will include this information, he said.

“Candidates should ask their recruiter for details on the monthly cost of health insurance and additional family members,” Berry noted.

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“Then, factor in the potential cost of cover when considering salary, so that offers can be directly compared,” he continued.

5. Ask about additional benefits.

While making sure you have all the information on the points outlined above, Berry said people shouldn’t overemphasize their importance.

A job offer could include benefits such as a gym membership, noted a San Francisco-based employment specialist. (iStock / iStock)

“One offer might include less common perks like gym memberships, mental health programs or cell phone stipends,” Berry said.

“These benefits may be attractive to some candidates,” he continued.

“However, candidates should generally ignore these benefits when choosing between two offers, given that the monetary value may not be as high as a significant amount.”

“Choose ‘you’ first, and the rest will follow suit.”

He added, “While a free gym membership can feel rewarding, some benefits will outweigh major factors such as salary, health benefits or work environment.”

Is the bonus structure also something to consider?

You should ask questions about a potential company’s bonus structure before accepting a role, seek expert advice.

Jâlie Cohen, group senior vice president and global head of talent at The Adecco Group, said “bonus” is often used vaguely.

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However, candidates should have a basic understanding of how much is required to receive a bonus, how likely they are to be received and how large they usually are, explained Cohen, who is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. .

“You can have all the money in the world, but if a job is at risk for a holistic well-being, it will not be a good fit in the long run,” said one Florida global talent executive. (iStock/iStock)

“Ask your prospective employer for the payout over the previous three years,” Cohen said, noting that it is “key” that you understand “the way the bonus is calculated and how you can contribute to the payout at target.”

It is important to ensure that the salary being discussed is a “base salary” as opposed to an inflated amount including potential. bonus or commission — and be sure to remember that bonuses are taxed at higher rates than ordinary income, Cohen said.

How to rationalize a better lifestyle over more money?

While salary is one piece of the pay for the job offer, it’s important that candidates don’t see this as the only consideration, Cohen said.

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“You can have all the money in the world, but if your holistic well-being is at risk of your job, it’s not going to be a good fit in the long run,” she said.

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“My advice is to make a decision as a whole person,” Cohen said.

“The ‘whole package’ isn’t right if it doesn’t support your goals, values ​​and overall well-being. Choose ‘you’ first, and the rest will follow.”