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In the current Australian job market, candidates can often find themselves with several offers on the table. This is particularly true in the booming HR industry, where skilled professionals are in high demand.

If you have the right match of skills and experience to find yourself in this position, or even if you’re simply trying to determine whether a specific role is a good fit for you, it can be a challenge evaluating a job offer.

Here, we explore the factors that will help inform your decision to ensure you’re able to identify the best job opportunity for your future.

The Entire Package

While the salary is obviously an important consideration when choosing a job, you really want to look at the overall package the company is offering. Take your time to look over the contract thoroughly and assess any bonuses on offer for achieving targets and KPIs. Evaluate the achievability of the proposed targets and their potential impact on your yearly salary.

Lastly, look at things that will affect your lifestyle, including paid leave, RDOs and elements not covered by the package, such as daily commute time. Remember that while an attractive salary package is important, it doesn’t need to come at the cost of a healthy work/life balance.

Work/Life Balance

When comparing job offers, the work/life balance on offer can often be the deciding factor. Flexible working hours and the option to work from home can be extremely enticing, particularly if you have a young family or other personal commitment.

Companies that prioritise work/life balance for their employees generally have increased productivity, reduced levels of workplace stress and a healthy company culture, so job offers that provide this are well worth considering.

Company Culture

Be sure to look at the potential employer’s company culture and whether you will find it an enjoyable, engaging place to work. Company culture is essentially the personality of a company, and like any good relationship, you want to make sure you are a good match.

An employer’s company culture encompasses a variety of elements, including the work environment, company mission and values, and expectations of employees. While some candidates may favour a structured, professional culture, others will prefer a more down-to-earth approach.

Think carefully about whether the culture you see will be one in which you can ultimately thrive. A great place to start is looking at the company’s social media and “meet the team” pages as well as read what others have to say on review sites such as Glassdoor and Trust Pilot.

On the day of the interview, try and get a gauge of the workplace culture by observing the office layout, the attitudes of the team members and the dress sense within the office. Remember to ask questions about the management style, level of collaboration between teams and work social events during the interview itself – this is a great way to get more insight into the culture straight from the source.

Will the Role Challenge You?

Determining if the role will challenge you can be a great indicator of whether the career opportunity will have longevity. Jobs that offer you opportunities to learn new skills and methodologies will ultimately keep you engaged, positive and allow you to grow both personally and professionally.

This is particularly important if you are ambitious and wish to grow and progress in your HR career. Companies that encourage upskilling and professional development are more likely to invest in their employees and support their ongoing growth.

Future Prospects

When weighing up various job opportunities, you should reflect upon where you see your career heading in the future. Having room to grow and progress within a role will keep you motivated and engaged, so this should be a key factor.

If you have strong career aspirations, be sure to express this to your potential employers during the interview – this will help you get a gauge of future opportunities and avoid getting stuck in a career rut. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their internal promotions and hiring practices. Making sure there is space at the company for career progression will increase your likelihood of career satisfaction in the long-term.

Summary

While having several job offers on the table is a fantastic position to find yourself in, deciding on the ‘one’ can be a daunting process. Utilising the above checklist for assessing a job offer will help you make the decision with confidence to pick the right fit job for you.

If you’re a candidate in the HR industry and on the hunt for your next career move, contact one of our recruitment specialists at Tandem Partners today.