How to pick the right job?
<div class="user-question">I'm applying for my first entry level job & as I'm starting to get responses back, I'm wondering how do I pick the right job offer for me?</div>
Hey! My name is Kristina and I'm a part of the Frich team as a personal finance expert. I'm so proud of you for the work you're putting into your career journey! So today I'll walk you through my Guide on Choosing the Right Job Offer for entry level jobs.
Choosing the right job offer
You got the job offer(s)! Congratulations! Now the next step is to choose the right job offer for you. Deciding between job offers can feel like you're standing at a major crossroads. Each path leads to different experiences and opportunities. So, let's walk through some of the pros and cons of different job aspects like salary, prestige, and personal satisfaction. Plus, I'll share a bit about my own journey working at a place like Goldman Sachs (and how it affected me mentally lmao) and how it opened doors for me.
Salary vs. hourly commitment
First up, let’s talk money. When you're looking at job offers, it’s tempting to just look at the salary and get starry-eyed. But, remember to consider the hours you’re expected to work. If you’re salaried, calculate how much you’d be making per hour. You might be surprised to find that a hefty salary divided by the crazy hours can end up feeling like minimum wage.
For instance, if Job A offers $70,000 a year but expects you to work 70 hours a week, and Job B offers $50,000 but with a 40-hour week, the per-hour breakdown puts Job A at about $19 per hour and Job B at roughly $24 per hour. That’s a huge difference in your daily grind and work-life balance.
But you should also look at the trajectory of the job. If you know your bonus is going to be 50% of your salary and you're going to get a $20k raise, then working for $19 per hour for the first year can be doable.
Prestige vs. personal satisfaction
Now, let’s talk prestige - something a lot of us get hung up on. Working for a big-name company can open a lot of doors later on. I mean, look at me. My stint at Goldman wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. To be honest, I kind of hated it there. The culture wasn’t for me, and the workload was intense. I felt like I was barely scraping by, despite the fancy name on my resume.
But here’s the thing: now, whenever I apply for new jobs, that name - Goldman Sachs - gets me interviews. It’s like a golden ticket. But remember, it’s not just about getting your foot in the door somewhere down the line. You have to weigh whether it's worth it if you're miserable every day you're there.
If you're torn between a prestigious job that might make you miserable and a lesser-known company where you'd be happier, think about what matters most to you right now. Can you handle a few years at a high-pressure job if it means more opportunities later? Or would you prefer something that fits your lifestyle and values even if it doesn't scream "success" on a resume?
For me, working at Goldman taught me a lot about what I don’t want in a job. It was tough, and honestly, it was not good for me at the time. However, it did help build my resume and opened up opportunities that wouldn’t have been there otherwise. That’s something you can’t easily dismiss.
What's best for you?
In the end, choosing the right job offer is about balancing these elements.
Think about how much weight you give to salary, hours, prestige, and personal happiness. No one else can make this call for you - it’s all about what you value most in your life and career right now. So, take your time, weigh your options, and go with a choice that feels right for your goals and well-being. Remember, it’s not just about building a career; it’s also about building a life you want to live.
Found this valuable? Here are some more deep dives from the Frich team 🤝
✅ Your guide to negotiating bills
✅ Is finding my dream job unrealistic?
✅ How are people getting entry level jobs rn??
Congratulations, this is such an exciting time for you!
Kristina
