Q: I have received two excellent job offers from two competing companies in the same industry. One is a company that has been in business for many years, and has offered a generous compensation package including a high base salary, and the other is a fairly new company that is offering a more incentive laden package that may give me an opportunity to earn about 30% more, but there are no guarantees and the base is much lower. My friends and family tell me to go with the new company because of the risk/reward, but my heart is set on working for the company that has been around longer? I don’t want to be a fool and take the wrong job; what do you suggest?
A: The heart and the mind can certainly cause a conflict of interest in your mind. While you certainly want to take advice of those who support you, you really have to look beyond the compensation and decide on the job that will give you the most joy in going to work every day.
The stability a long-established company brings can certainly bring comfort. Depending on how much faith you have in the opinions of others, that certainly is something to consider in your choice.
Do a pluses and minuses inventory of both companies, and determine which of the factors you look at (stability, pay, incentives, long-term potential, etc) seem most important to you, and you will make the decision that is best for you.
