Important

When an offer is made to you, request the recruiter to give it to you in writing. Accept the offer only after you have thoroughly analyzed all the components of the offer.

Things to Consider

Thorough Research Like employees, employers too present a sugarcoated view of their company. Therefore, it is necessary for a job seeker to get an insight into the true picture of a company. You can take the help of forums and websites, where former and current employees express their opinion of an organization. Also, a lot of major companies publicly declare their quarterly earnings and annual turnover. Analyzing these parameters can give you some clarity on where your prospective company stands financially. Evaluate Every Aspect When handling multiple job offers, do not just compare the salary component. Job seekers make the mistake of relying on the salary factor too much to make or break an offer. When you have a number of job offers, the salary offered by each company should just be one parameter of judging the offer. You must look at other factors such as:

• Work culture
• Career advancement opportunities
• Office timings
• Leave policy
• Commute time
• Medical coverage

Suitability Once you have weighed all the job offers on these parameters, you need to shortlist those offers which provide the maximum benefits. However, it is also pertinent to mention that the decision to select a job will vary from person to person. For example, a working mom might accept a job offer which pays considerably less, but requires little or no travel, while a woman who is single, or doesn't have family commitments, might be able to take up a position which offers a high salary, but requires extensive traveling and commitment.

Managing Multiple Job Offers

Scenario 1: You are in deliberations with a company, and the recruiter asks you whether you are looking elsewhere as well. Strategy: Interviewees are advised to be open and honest with the HR manager during an interview. Instead of faking it, you can be really honest and tell him that you have interviews scheduled with other companies as well, and your decision will be based upon the offer that suits you the best. Scenario 2: Company X makes you a 'final offer', and expects you to accept it immediately, but you still have interviews lined up with company Y and company Z. Strategy: In such a scenario, telling the recruiter that you want to see what other companies are offering you, should be avoided. But you should not accept the offer out of compulsion, and without even knowing what company Y and company Z have in store for you. In such a case, it is prudent that you buy some time from Company X so as to appear for an interview with the other two companies. There are varied opinions on how you should delay accepting an offer. Some consultants are of the view that you should tell the recruiter that you need to discuss the offer with your family, as your decision will also have an impact on them. At the same time, you can request the other recruiters to expedite the process so that you don't keep company X waiting for too long. Once you get the details of all three offers, you can compare the pros and cons of each, and base your decision on that. Once you have made your decision of choosing the offer, of say, company Z, you should immediately call up the concerned representatives of company X, and tell them that they should no longer look at you as a potential candidate. This is important to do, as you have to remember that you may not be the only candidate who has applied with that company. By not informing them about your decision, you might be holding up the position for someone who desperately needs the job. Scenario 3: You have already 'accepted' an offer of company 1, but a few days later, company 2 makes you a tantalizing offer. Strategy: Most management consultants are of the view that ethically, one should honor the promise that one has made to a company. If you have accepted company 1's offer, it is your responsibility to stand by your decision and join the company, irrespective of how tempting the second offer may seem. However, there is also a vast majority of consultants who believe that this situation should be purely viewed as a business transaction. They opine that individuals should not think twice before accepting the better offer, as companies are out there to do business, and working for a firm which pays you more for your skills is a pragmatic decision. Well, if you really feel that you might not get an opportunity like the one presented by company 2, you should follow your gut feeling and accept the offer. However, you need to effectively communicate to company 1 about why you made a U-turn on your decision. You should also brace up to the fact that you no longer will be able to work with company 1, ever in the future. (Note: If you have signed an offer which has a clause that makes it mandatory for you to work with a company for a stipulated minimum time, dishonoring the agreement can have legal repercussions. Read the offer document carefully to know about this.)