| It sounds like every job hunter's dream: not only are | | | | the culture of the company? Is it family-friendly, or do |
| you offered one job, but you're offered multiple jobs-at | | | | they pressure employees to work 12-hour days? The |
| the same time! But this dream can be a nightmare if | | | | best way to find out about things like this-which |
| you can't decide which one is right for you and are | | | | typically aren't in the employee manual-is to talk to |
| paralyzed at the thought of missing out on something | | | | others who work there. Ask your interviewer if you |
| great if you choose wrong. | | | | can speak to a few potential co-workers. If the |
| · Evaluate what's most important to you. This | | | | answer is "no," they may have something to hide. |
| sounds easy until you actually try to do it. Too many | | | | · Listen to your spouse. Sure, you're the one |
| people tell themselves that short work hours or a job | | | | who has to do the job every day, but your spouse's |
| within walking distance is their top priority, when really | | | | opinion should count for a lot. If you're thinking about |
| it's something entirely different.Is it the position itself? | | | | accepting the position with a long commute, your |
| Meaning, have you always dreamt of being an editor, | | | | spouse may object (and rightfully so) to the prospect |
| and the position has finally been offered? Or maybe | | | | of being responsible for childcare from morning 'til night |
| it's important to you to be home by 5 p.m. every night | | | | while you're on the road. Or he may lobby for you to |
| so you can spend time with your family. Perhaps | | | | accept the highest paying offer because it could lead |
| money is what drives you or the cache that comes | | | | to you both being able to retire early and travel. It's still |
| with working for a certain company. Be brutally honest | | | | your decision, but realize that if your spouse has valid |
| with yourself, even if your answer isn't something you | | | | concerns that you're not listening to, you could be |
| want to broadcast to others. | | | | setting them up for resentment down the road and |
| · Thoroughly investigate the whole package. | | | | yourself up for a tense family dynamic. |
| You need to be able to compare apples to apples. | | | | · Go after what you want. You're probably not |
| This means that you need to have full knowledge of | | | | deciding between two or three absolutely perfect jobs. |
| your complete employment package: benefits, | | | | You're probably deciding between "perfect except |
| vacation time, sick leave, education reimbursements, | | | | for..." jobs. There's usually at least one detail that you |
| etc. Just because they both offer health insurance | | | | wish were different, and when you have the security |
| doesn't mean that it's equal. One may have a | | | | and freedom of multiple job offers in your lap, you |
| significantly higher deductible or not include your | | | | may feel braver about negotiating for something |
| chronically sick child's specialist in its list of doctors. | | | | better. If you're drawn to the job "perfect except for" |
| Also, if you're torn between a job one mile away from | | | | too little vacation time, ask for an extra week or two. If |
| home and one 30 minutes away-but are leaning | | | | you're drawn to the job "perfect except for" the |
| toward the more distant job because it pays | | | | salary, which you'd like to be about $5,000 higher, ask if |
| better-take some time to figure out the true cost. How | | | | the starting pay is flexible. The worst they can say is |
| much more would you spend on gas? On wear and | | | | no, and that won't hurt as badly if you have other |
| tear to your car? Would you have to pay more in | | | | options. |
| childcare because you'll need babysitters longer? Go | | | | · Maintain a solid relationship with the |
| apples to apples in everything. | | | | companies that you turn down. Always be |
| · Make sure you understand the job itself. It's | | | | professional, even when turning down a position. Thank |
| hard to know exactly what you're getting into until you | | | | them for their time and interest in you, compliment the |
| begin working for a company, but there are ways to | | | | company and your interviewer, and tell them that you |
| get a fairly complete picture. Make sure you know | | | | would love to work for them at some point in the |
| things like whether travel is involved. If it's not involved | | | | future. The work world can be unsteady, and you |
| right now, is there a chance that could change in the | | | | could come knocking on their door again sooner than |
| future? What is the path to promotion? How does the | | | | you think; you want that door to remain ajar just in |
| company feel about promotion from within? What is | | | | case. |