So, you got an offer. Now what?
Congratulations! After all of your hard work, potentially numerous rejections and frustrations, you’ve finally received a job offer. It’s so tempting to accept the job on the spot. After all, you may have been at this for a while and someone values you and your job skills enough to want you on their team. However, it’s important to step back and assess whether this truly is the right job for you. Here are six steps that can help you make your decision of accepting a job offer:
Ask for some time to consider the offer. Most employers will not expect an immediate answer. You can respond by saying something like this: “This sounds like a great opportunity and I appreciate the offer. May I have a little time to think about it and discuss with my family? I will get back to you within two days if that’s okay with you.” Notice that this demonstrates your enthusiasm and appreciation, and also includes a time frame for your response.
Review the salary and benefits. You should know by now what your “bottom line” salary needs to be. If the offer is well below your range, it may be time to negotiate a higher salary. However, keep in mind that a generous benefits package can make up for a lower salary, so be sure to review their benefits program carefully to see how it complements the salary. If you don’t have that information, now is the time to ask for it!
Evaluate the manager as well as the expected role and responsibilities. Remember the saying, “People leave bosses, not jobs.” Make sure the person you will be reporting directly to be someone you’ll be comfortable working with. Also, it’s important to have as clearly defined role as possible. If you can get this in writing as part of the job offer, that’s even better.
Consider the work environment. For example, if the environment appears formal and you prefer a more relaxed, informal environment, this might not be a good fit for you. If necessary, ask for a tour of the department or the names of two or three potential co-workers that you can visit with. In addition, get to know as much as you can about the department you will be working in, including the goals and vision.
Look at the job itself. Be honest with yourself. If the job doesn’t play to your strengths or it’s quite a stretch, you’ll struggle and could be setting yourself up for failure. Also consider how the job fits with your overall career goals or whether it would be a good stepping stone to moving into a job that does align more with your career path.
Listen to your intuition. If something just doesn’t feel right, pay attention.
Taking these steps will help you determine if this is the job for you. And remember, if you do end up accepting a job offer, be sure to ask for the offer in writing. That way, you can avoid any misunderstandings that might arise in the future, or if the person you are working with leaves the company.
Michele Brant is a Senior Consultant with The Frontier Group, a , an outplacement and career coaching firm with offices in Atlanta and Charlotte.
