Should I turn down a job offer?
I interviewed at two companies this past week. I’ve received a job offer from Company A. The interview with Company B went extremely well.
Company A gave me a verbal offer on Friday afternoon, and gave me the weekend to think about it before we discuss the terms on Monday morning. Here are the details:
Company A
Public Sector Consulting
Pay will most likely be appr. $10K higher than Company B.
Generous health insurance plan
Flex spending
401k
Educational Assistance
Professional Development Programs
1 hour commute
Company B
State University
Low pay
Great benefits
Haven’t heard back, but I just interviewed with them yesterday
15 min. commute
Company B is more aligned with what I want to do in the long term, which is to be an IT Business Analyst. The role for Company A is more administrative, dealing with contracts, reconciliations, invoices. The role for Company B is technical, involving requirements documents, end user support, etc. What should I do?
It sounds like Company B offers work that you would find stimulating. Money is important, but you might be bored with the work at Company A.
So it depends which is more important to you right now. If B takes you further along your career path, you may be able to move on from B in 2 years to a higher-paying job in the same industry.
Is there perhaps a Company C you can approach, in the same field as B, which is offering a salary closer to A’s?
I would not accept A’s offer and then renege (go back) on it. It’s a small world and it’s well-known that that will quickly earn someone a bad reputation. Networking is the best way to get good jobs, so you want to protect your rep.
A useful approach is to make a List of everything you want in a job. Where it is (how long commute), what the office environment is like, benefits, pay, kind of work, etc. etc. It’s amazing how you’ll find something that lines up with your list. The first step is being clear on what you want and having the courage to reject things that aren’t that. Or to identify something that’s a very close stepping stone to it.
Good luck and let me know if you have other questions. 
Huggacast 87: Roadside Assistance
