PhD/PsyD Tips for considering multiple job offers

[ndlek21]

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I searched the forums and couldn't find anything super relevant. Long story short, I have two job offers that seem fantastic. I have to make a decision by late next week. Offer A is at the institution where I am completing my postdoc fellowship...fairly prestigious and I have great relationships with the faculty here. The funding for the position was just approved 1.5 months ago so this was only recently put on my radar but my training director seems really committed to keeping me. Offer B is far away at another very prestigious institution. My interviews there (all over Zoom) were wonderful. I really got the sense that I would fit in well. Both positions are really exciting to me and strike a good clinical/research/teaching balance. The salaries are vastly different (almost 20k different) but cost of living is similar. Offer A (lower salary, my training institution) is in a more desirable location (in terms of climate, proximity to friends, and better for partner's commute).

Another few caveats here: my partner's commute would be worse if I went with Offer B and he has a strong preference toward staying and going with Offer A. I am also pregnant and would need to move across the country 3-4 months after delivering our first child. That, in addition to just starting in a brand new place and feeling like I need to prove myself while also adjusting to parenthood, is a little scary to me. I think if Offer B were closer I would definitely accept. But I also have a lot of worries about turning down an offer from the spot I am completing fellowship. They have been amazing and I don't want these relationships to turn sour -- in fact, I'd rather leave the doors open for future collaboration and early career mentorship, if possible.

Anyone with experience navigating these issues -- I'd really appreciate your insight!

 

[cara susanna]

At this stage, I actually recommend prioritizing geographical location because, if you hate the job, at least you won't hate where you live. I learned this after I accepted an offer for what I thought was my dream job (spoiler alert: it was not) in a place I didn't really want to live and ended up being miserable.

 

[summerbabe]

But I also have a lot of worries about turning down an offer from the spot I am completing fellowship. They have been amazing and I don't want these relationships to turn sour -- in fact, I'd rather leave the doors open for future collaboration and early career mentorship, if possible.

As long as you are professional and clear, this shouldn't be a concern. And if they cared about your development as a trainee, they should understand the need to take other opportunities. I know people who have turned down offers and then returned later on good terms.

Where relationships may be damaged are situations like taking an offer and then reneging later because you found something better.

The salaries are vastly different (almost 20k different) but cost of living is similar. Offer A (lower salary, my training institution) is in a more desirable location (in terms of climate, proximity to friends, and better for partner's commute).

Would you have opportunities for raises at Site A, like after you're licensed or with additional tenure or would you be stuck at that paygrade? Is the funding indefinite or could it fall through in the future?

Everything from postdoc will be a big jump financially but depending on how long you'd potentially stay there, that could be a pretty big hit to your early career earnings, especially with a baby on the way.

Another few caveats here: my partner's commute would be worse if I went with Offer B and he has a strong preference toward staying and going with Offer A.

Did your partner make sacrifices with relocation or less ideal jobs while you were in grad school/training?

 

[AcceptingUncertainty]

Sounds like you can negotiate a higher salary at option A based on what option B is offering. If not, perhaps negotiate a higher portion of more desirable work activities at option A.

 

[Sanman]

Sounds like you can negotiate a higher salary at option A based on what option B is offering. If not, perhaps negotiate a higher portion of more desirable work activities at option A.

Has this been tried given the fact that you seem to be leaning toward option A?

 

[ndlek21]

Would you have opportunities for raises at Site A, like after you're licensed or with additional tenure or would you be stuck at that paygrade? Is the funding indefinite or could it fall through in the future?

Everything from postdoc will be a big jump financially but depending on how long you'd potentially stay there, that could be a pretty big hit to your early career earnings, especially with a baby on the way.

I am already licensed in the state of Site A, so this is my actual salary. There are annual bonuses that vary a lot, but nothing guaranteed. Funding is indefinite.

To speak to some of the other questions in the replies, I have not attempted to negotiate yet but that is my plan. I don't think I can get a number close to Site B, but it's worth a try, particularly if it could put other negotiables on the table (type of work, schedule flexibility given the new baby, etc.)...

But yes, I do think I'd be sacrificing a lot of early career earning potential at Site A.. I think I'd need to consider whether the other factors, like location, type of work, the pre-existing relationships and comfort level navigating the institution/health system, not needing to move, etc. outweigh this loss of earnings. It's so hard to quantify! And it's hard to turn down the number Site B is offering, especially because it seems like a great position.

Did your partner make sacrifices with relocation or less ideal jobs while you were in grad school/training?

We did long-distance, as he also was earning a PhD (different field) and I actually followed him to this region (where Site A is located) after internship.

 

[ndlek21]

At this stage, I actually recommend prioritizing geographical location because, if you hate the job, at least you won't hate where you live. I learned this after I accepted an offer for what I thought was my dream job (spoiler alert: it was not) in a place I didn't really want to live and ended up being miserable.

I definitely appreciate this perspective! Unfortunately, given the late stage of my pregnancy plus the pandemic I can't even travel to Site B to get any sense of what it might be like to live there. I have mixed feelings about it. It sounds like you knew going in that the location of your job would not be an ideal place to live? Or was this something that you figured out later on?

 

[cara susanna]

I definitely appreciate this perspective! Unfortunately, given the late stage of my pregnancy plus the pandemic I can't even travel to Site B to get any sense of what it might be like to live there. I have mixed feelings about it. It sounds like you knew going in that the location of your job would not be an ideal place to live? Or was this something that you figured out later on?

Basically, it was a place I had no desire to live but it sounded like it had a lot of perks (and a lot of people would love to live there). I'd only been there on vacation before back when I was a kid, and then when I interviewed for the position. I didn't realize how much I'd hate it until I moved there. It was also pretty far from both my partner's and my families and we had no real connections there.