Try not to choose between two or more job offers on the basis of salary alone. Many graduates regret being lured by attractive salaries into roles that are too demanding, not developmental or just plain boring.

When considering an offer you should ask yourself the following:

• What opportunities are there for promotion, transfer, development and training, attending conferences?
• Is further study encouraged and supported through study leave provisions or refunds of fees?
• How well will you be able to relate to your supervisor and colleagues?
• Do you sense there will be mutual respect?
• Is there an internal mentoring program?
• Will you be able to cope with the workplace culture? Is it individualistic or team-based, structured or disorganised, competitive or cooperative?
• Is the organisation democratic or authoritarian? Will being new or at the bottom of the organisational structure allow you to take part in the planning process or in voicing your opinions? If so, what processes are in place to ensure 'bottom up' communication is sought and valued?
• Are there other fringe benefits or incentives, eg performance bonuses, commissions, car or telephone expenses, gym membership, childcare, health insurance, etc?
• What are facilities are provided, eg parking, childcare, canteen, gym?
• Are there opportunities to travel for work?
• Are the organisation's values compatible with yours, eg prestige, value of product or service, social conscience, environmental considerations, etc?
• What are the provisions for taking leave, flexible work hours, working from home and time off?
• How long will it take you to get to work each day? Is it accessible by public transport? Is parking available?

Making the Decision
If after asking the questions above, you are still not able to decide, you may want to draw up a table listing in order the factors that are most important to you. Then, give each offer a rating out of 100 for each factor. The following is an example:

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