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Not everyone is fortunate enough to be choosing between two jobs that they want. If this is your situation, then congratulations! Your tireless efforts have paid off. However, once you have finished celebrating, the dilemma begins. How can you be sure to make the right choice?
Here are five important questions that will guide you in that critical decision.
1. How Does Each Job Fit Into Your Career Goals?
Now that you are in the driver’s seat, it’s time to think beyond this job and become somewhat of a visionary about the future. How does each of these offers fit into your career goals?
It’s time to turn the tables a bit by changing the focus from your value to the company to the company’s worth to you. As you review your notes regarding the online speech therapy jobs being offered, pay particular attention to the organizations as a whole and the cultures where you will place yourself, and consider the following:
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Seeing beyond the moment, which job is more aligned with your career goals?
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Do you see more potential for growth in one of the offers?
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Will one of the jobs require you to develop new skills?
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Does one of the positions seem to be more challenging?
Thinking beyond the moment in terms of your long-term goals can give you an entirely new perspective regarding the decision.
2. Salary and Benefits Or Personal Satisfaction?
Initially, the choice of which job to select may be a no-brainer. After all, you are working for money, so why not accept the offer that pays more? Add to that the compensation packages, health care coverage, paid vacations, and 401(k) contributions, and you may be able to save yourself all kinds of time in deciding. Just do the math, and you’ll have your decision in no time.
But it’s not as simple as it seems. You’ve neglected to factor in “the satisfaction quotient.” Don’t forget that paramount to your happiness is job satisfaction. So let’s say that the job that pays more won’t satisfy you as much as the other. Now the decision becomes a bit more complicated, as you need to weigh whether or not higher financial remuneration to do a job you will enjoy less is worth it at the end of the day.
Should you decide that your satisfaction is more important, this might inspire you to negotiate that offer for a higher salary. Remember that both offers are on the table, and it is your choice if you want to accept either of them, so take your time to crack the best deal.
3. Which Boss Do You Want To Work For?
Many disgruntled employees claim that they didn’t leave the company; they left the manager. The person in the company who directly manages your online speech therapy position on a day-to-day basis will have a considerable impact on your experience at work.
Bad managers can drain the enthusiasm and motivation out of employees, even to the point that they want to quit. On the other hand, a good manager will not only inspire and motivate you but will facilitate your growth in the position and perhaps in the company as well. Consider very carefully under whom you will be working.
Before making that fateful decision as to which job to choose, learn as much as you can about your potential new managers. If possible, seek out current employees to speak to about their experiences with the manager to get greater insight as to what to expect.
4. Should You Trust Your Gut?
As you review your notes before making that decision, it’s essential to recall the feelings you had during the interview and the seemingly insignificant details associated with those first interactions. Were there any red flags that you need to consider?
Be careful not to become too analytical. You need to trust your instincts before you make a choice. Sometimes a dynamic that you can’t put your finger on, but intuitively understand, can make the difference between your future happiness and misery!
When it comes to trusting your gut, there are no right or wrong answers. It is entirely subjective. What is problematic to you may be just what another candidate is looking for, and vice versa. Some speech teletherapy jobs allow for more independence, which may suit you just fine, while others may be more structured. Which do you prefer?
Let’s say that, after all, is said and done, you decide to accept a particular offer. You are excited that you finally have the clarity and resolve, and are all ready to make the phone call to accept the job. And then, as you dial the number, a sense of dread comes over you. Pay attention to those feelings and find out what they tell you about your decision.
The bottom line is that you need to trust yourself. Although family and friends may be encouraging you to go against your gut for any number of reasons, keep in mind that you are the one who is going to work there day in and day out.
5. What’s The End Game?
Research has shown that, if you are like most people, you will make your decision in the first minute or so and then spend all kinds of time gathering the information and data to give intellectual support to your intuitive choice.
Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind is to keep things as simple as possible. Don’t suck the life out of yourself with endless details.
Create a short and simple list of your priorities that will keep you focused on those things that you value most. Often, adding layers of complexity adds unnecessary confusion. It may be helpful to consult with someone whose judgment you trust to gain insight and perhaps even a new perspective.
Your ideal outcome of this crucial decision-making process is that you will accept the job offer that is your best fit, while at the same time doesn’t burn any bridges with the second choice in case you need to make a change sometime in the future.
Another, perhaps more creative alternative, is that if the two offers are so close, perhaps you may decide to accept both offers part-time, if possible, and see which one grows and develops to your liking. Besides “keeping your options open,” you may solve that nagging problem of wondering if you made the “right choice” altogether.
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