In some ways it’s a nice problem to have: deciding between two accounting job offers.
At the same time, it’s stressful. You don’t want to make the wrong decision and it’s certainly natural to feel conflicted. But there are ways to determine whether one company is a better fit or not. Here are three tips for deciding which job will move your career in the right direction.
The 5 Year Plan
It’s tempting to pick the job that meets your immediate needs. But it’s more important to choose a role that lays the foundation for the next one. Unless you are at the senior level of your career, each job should be perceived as a stepping stone that makes you more marketable, enhances your skill set and paves the way for future success. While listening to your gut is a good thing, thinking strategically is even better.
Leadership
While a manager organizes the day-to-day functioning of his or her team, true leaders inspire. Consider how you like to be managed. If you need a manager who offers you flexibility and independence, than it’s critical to select a company that can offer you that. Your manager can inspire you to produce your best work, so ensure that the culture of the organization and its leadership speaks to your core values.
Company Health
If you need to choose between two accounting job offers it’s critical to consider the health of the companies involved. If the company is publicly traded it is relatively easy to research its financial health. If it’s private, consider high levels of staff turnover as a warning sign that the business could be struggling. At the end of the day you need to be part of an organization whose strength and stability offers you opportunities for growth.
Using the three tips outlined above will make choosing between two accounting job offers a much more objective, strategic process, hopefully leading to a career that offers you advancement and satisfaction.
