Help, I Have Two Job Offers!
by Barbara Reinhold
DEAR COACH: "I have two job offers that are very different from each other and I'm having a hard time choosing between them. I've done the old 'list the pros and cons' thing, but it doesn't seem to be helping. To make matters worse, my family seems to have very strong preferences for one job over the other, and I'm having a hard time tuning out their opinions long enough to figure out what I want for myself. Can you suggest some strategies to help me decide? "THANKS,
DICK
DEAR DICK: You are not alone. As people shift all over the place (the career ladder has been replaced by the career trampoline), it is often hard to figure out what job or situation will best fit your own needs. But I'm glad you are trying to do just that. Following is a tool I often use with my coaching and counseling clients. I call it the "Options Sorter." Here's how to use it: In the left-hand column, make a list of at least 10 things you're really hoping this new job will give you. Some will be specific and simple (i.e., earn more money, have flexible schedule, tuition benefits or training, work closer to home, etc.). Others will be a bit more complex (i.e., enjoying
my coworkers, agreeing with the employer's mission, feeling I'm making a contribution, enjoying the tasks more, interacting with people in a team, using my writing skills, feeling at home in the environment, being able to be myself, being stretched, etc.). Once you have listed the items in the left-hand column, look at the two right-hand columns. There will be one column for Option A and one for Option B. Using a scale of 1 to 10 ("1" being this option doesn't provide much of what I need, and "10" being this option completely fulfills that need.), you can actually score how well each option would enable you to have that quality or situation. Then, add up all the
scores, and a clear pattern showing which one will give you more of what you're looking for should emerge. If you don't have the answers to some of these questions, perhaps you need to call the employers or recruiters back to get some additional information.
MY OWN OPTIONS SORTER CURRENT WANTS/NEEDS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. TOTAL:
OPTION A SCORE A:
OPTION B SCORE B:
Here's another piece of advice, though. It is important not to settle for either of these jobs if neither one fits (perhaps, Dick, that is what your indecision is about.) So, if you don't get an average score of 7 on either one of the jobs, then say, "No thanks," and keep looking. You deserve a really good fit, and it's up to you to be sure you get it. Good luck,
CAREER COACH
