As a recruiter, it isn’t uncommon for my cybersecurity candidates to end up with three or four job offers. I recently worked with a candidate who was trying to decide between seven! In this in-demand field, how do you work out which job offer to accept?
The key to working out which path will be the best for you starts before you even apply for jobs, and it begins with your need – what is the primary reason you’re considering a change? That answer will vary from person to person, but the most common needs I come across are training/development, progression, work-life balance, flexibility and salary. Once you establish your need, it becomes a lot easier to streamline opportunities.
After outlining which opportunities will be the best for you, there are a few key points I always recommend that candidates consider. Some of these are easy to answer and some may require a little more thought, but establishing them will help you in the long run:
- Will it fulfil your need?
When fielding multiple job offers, you need to consider which one will fulfil the original reason you are looking to leave your current position. If you dislike the lack of progression in your current position, don’t jump into a new role that can’t satisfy your training and development needs. - Is the money worth it?
Money is a factor in nearly every career move, but sometimes the position with the highest salary isn’t the one to take. You could receive an offer for US$130,000 with limited benefits, little progression and poor work-life balance; on the flipside an offer of $120,000 that gives a bonus, flex-working opportunities and increased PTO may be the better option when you add it all up. - Who am I going to be working with?
Team fit is important and shouldn’t be underestimated when deciding which offer to accept. Consider who you’ve interacted with in the process – can you see yourself working well with your potential manager? Who else will you be working with in the organization? If unsure, see if you can arrange a “meet-the-team” or have another conversation with the hiring managers to find out more. - Trust your gut
If you are drawn towards one position, there is probably a reason why. By the end of a process, you should feel happy with what you could be doing, who you could be working with and where you could be with the company long-term. Accepting a new offer is never risk-free, but trust your instinct and make the decision that feels right for you.
Make the most of your processes and speak to as many people as possible. It never hurts to have another call. If you aren’t sure whether to start looking for a new position, I would recommend seeing what’s in the market. You don’t need to rush into a new role or accept an offer, but if something does catch your eye, don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper to make the right decision for you.
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