Thread: How Much Time to Make Big Career Decisions?

Tonight is the big night when LeBron James will announce on national TV (ESPN) where he's signing his next big contract. He's been a free agent officially since July 1 (but effectively since the season ended) and has heard offers from the NJ Nets, NY Knicks, LA Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and his current team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He's probably been considering the decision for months or even years because he knew he would be a free agent after 2010, but the decision-making importance only ramped up recently. The rumors for years were that he would go to New York.

As it relates to our lives, how long do you give yourself to make decisions about important career/life moves? If you get a job offer, how much time is sensible to ask for to decide? For me, if an offer comes mid-week, it makes sense to say, "Let me sleep on it and I'll call you tomorrow." If it comes on a Friday, or maybe even a Thursday afternoon, I think it's all right to say, "Give me the weekend to think on it and I'll call you first thing Monday." I would think the "Let me talk it over with my family" has to be important, too, especially in self-storage.

Then again, maybe in a weak job market you don't give yourself this time because you don't want that offer rescinded. It probably depends on the situation, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Sometimes you don't have any choice in the decision ......

Life changing moves can happen suddenly and without warning, while others can linger and fester for months or even years.

If it is something as simple as a job offer - a day or two to think things over might be acceptable, but in this job market you may want to jump quicker.

The biggest problem is when you are dealing with family health issues and need to make a change for that --- that can really turn your world upside down. Hope no one every has to go through that one!

A responsible career decision requires some time and thought, at least for me. One time, I made a hasty choice, only to realize later than a lot of questions had been left unanswered. A chance to step back, bounce it off your spouse/partner/whomever since the decision will impact that person as well, weigh the pros and cons, and all that is vital, if only for giving you the chance to ask yourself one more time if this opportunity is really the right one. Even if you already know that it is, nothing wrong with a second look just to be sure.

If an offer is going to be rescinded for lack of an instant answer, that should be a red flag. What is the company hoping you don't ask or don't consider? A day or so is reasonable, especially if you and the person making the offer can agree on a deadline for your answer. But that's just me...

I am glad LeBron is taking his time announcing he is coming to the Golden State Warriors

As far as us making a move. When we decided to make the move to the storage industry after being offered a position, it took about 2 or 3 days. We did have a peace about making the move and we haven't regretted the move at all. If it would be time again to move, I think at least 2 or 3 days is what I should take.

Ron

Funny you mentioned LeBron James, I just saw a very interesting looking trailer for a documentary about him and some other now famous NBA players when they were young, I THINK it might've been called, "It's not just a game"....
Anyway, back to the topic at hand; when offered my position in self-storage, I was nervously anticipating and hoping for the offer, so for this situation, no I did not have to think about it, actually did not have to for any of my prior offers b/c every job that I've interviewed for and been offered I've really thought out before the process. Now if you're someone like some of my family members who are very high-up in the executive/corporate "food-chain" , they definetley consider offers for a while b/c there is a lot at stake and they have a huge amount of experience and bargaining power.

Originally Posted by finallyfoundit

Funny you mentioned LeBron James, I just saw a very interesting looking trailer for a documentary about him and some other now famous NBA players when they were young, I THINK it might've been called, "It's not just a game"....
Anyway, back to the topic at hand; when offered my position in self-storage, I was nervously anticipating and hoping for the offer, so for this situation, no I did not have to think about it, actually did not have to for any of my prior offers b/c every job that I've interviewed for and been offered I've really thought out before the process. Now if you're someone like some of my family members who are very high-up in the executive/corporate "food-chain" , they definetley consider offers for a while b/c there is a lot at stake and they have a huge amount of experience and bargaining power.

That film you're referencing is "More Than a Game," and the DVD is now sitting out on my curb next to my garbage if anyone wants it.

As a lifelong Cleveland Cavaliers fan, I have removed all LeBron gear and merchandise from my home as he decided to leave the Cavs and go play for the Miami Heat next year.

It's not that he left; it's that he needed to drag out the process and have a hour-long special on TV to really stick it to Cleveland. He deserves every ounce of ire he gets.

Yeah, a little bitter this morning haha.

Sometimes in the final moments before making a major career decision or other decision at one of life’s crossroads – it all comes down to trusting your gut and heart and not your mind.

MisterJim444

Mr. Jim,

I hate to say it, but I couldn't disagree with you more. I realize it's not a popular viewpoint, but I find the mind to be a wonderful decision maker. To each their own though.

Originally Posted by MisterJim444

Sometimes in the final moments before making a major career decision or other decision at one of life’s crossroads – it all comes down to trusting your gut and heart and not your mind.

MisterJim444

Could not agree more

Mel, we're never going to agree on an issue, are we?