Here’s What to Know Before You Accept an Offer.
After all that hard work, applications and interviews, you’ve landed a promising job offer. Before you jump and say “Yes!” take time to review your experience and what you know about the role to decipher if it’s the right move for you.
While you likely researched the company during the application and interviewing process, it’s wise to revisit your notes and audit the entire situation. Consider every aspect of the company, your new role and its impact on your life. Here is how you can start:
Research the company’s reputation
Visit Glassdoor and see what other employees have to say about the company. Check it out on Better Business Bureau and read customer reviews. Even a quick search on Google will likely bring up any red flags or controversial issues within the company. Take the time to ask friends and community members what they think about the company and how they do business. Find out what other employees say about the company. If there’s a high turnover rate or negative reports, find out why and how it could impact you.
Think about the role in detail
Is this a job you truly want to do every day? Is it a step in the right direction for your career goals? Consider the opportunities that will come with the role, whether you’ll have the chance to gain new skills, manage others, or take advantage of professional development opportunities. You may not be able to check all of these off your list, but think about what’s important in the next phase of your career. Not every new role is an obvious step up on the career ladder, but make sure you’re moving in the right direction and not taking a step backwards.
Don’t forget about pay and benefits. If you are excited about the role, but feel you aren’t offered a fair compensation, prepare to negotiate. Remember that it’s not always about the salary and explore your offered health care, time off and other benefits.
Consider your daily life
Map out your commute and parking or public transit options. If the new workday is different than you’re used to, plan out how it will impact your day-to-day. Consider other people and responsibilities in your life, such as children, a spouse and even pets. Can you maintain your ideal work-life balance? Even if these details don’t change your mind about the job, you should be able to picture your new daily life and feel good about it.
Think, too, about the timeline of your start date. Do you have enough time to give notice at your current job? Give yourself time to tie up loose ends before starting a new job as well as enough time for your boss to make internal adjustments to accommodate the transition. Typically, the protocol is to give your current employer a two week notice before leaving.
Go with your gut
While it’s not the sole indicator in your decision, pay attention to your gut reaction. If you’re excited and ready to start right away, that’s a good sign. If you’re relieved to have an offer, any offer, you should spend more time on the other factors mentioned above to avoid realizing the first week or even the first day that the job wasn’t the right fit. While not every situation allows you to be picky, an initial gut response to an offer says a lot about the situation.
There are many factors to contemplate when you receive a job offer. Rank what’s most important, do your research, and take a day or two to sit with the decision. You can always weigh the pros and cons with someone you trust, such as a mentor, a recruiter or your spouse. There is no rule that says you must take any offer that comes your way. By researching the company and all your options in full, you’ll know you made the best decision.