Once you’ve made it through the interview process and have been offered a job (or maybe even more than one job); it’s time for you to consider and review the offer on the table. But how do you go through the process and make sure that this is the right job and the right terms for you?
Below are some items you may want to review as you deliberate whether or not to accept an offer.
Is this the job you want?
It is important that you consider both at a high level and down to the details, if you want to do this work. Break the job down:
- Is the day-to-day of the job agreeable to you?
- Did you connect well with your future manager?
- Do you like the type of company you’ll be working for?
- Will your skills and talents be used well and even be developed?
Many people dive straight into benefits, salary, location—all important elements—but it is important at this stage in your job search to revisit the basic question, “Do I want this job?” You can eliminate choosing a position that is a poor fit for both you and the employer if you consider this question carefully and honestly.
There might be a promise of a promotion or another position in the future, sometimes an employer will even entice an overqualified candidate with the vague promise of a higher position that will be open or available to them at a later date. However, it is important to consider the role that is currently on the table. Any promises of future promotions are nice to hear, but aren’t written in stone. Talk to current employees if you can and maybe check out websites that review the employer’s hiring practices to find out how often they promote from within, but know that the only offer on the table is the one in writing.
Does it meet my non-negotiables?
Before you start looking for work it is important to do an inventory of what you ideally want in a job and organize each item in a prioritized list. A few categories these requirements might fall into are; not that important, nice to have, non-negotiable or required. Each position you apply to will have elements that fall into each of these categories or “buckets.” Ideally the position you choose will have the most of your “non-negotiables” and “nice-to-haves” of any jobs you are considering. Examples of things you might want to consider in this area are things such as:
- What is my ideal commute time?
- Is there potential from flextime or telecommuting?
- What vacation or personal time is available?
- What is the salary?
- What is the physical workspace like?
- What type of boss do I want?
- What type of company do I want to work for?
There is no end to the types of requirements and preferences you might have concerning the environment and terms of your next job. Each person will have unique preferences and will value each of these preferences at different levels of importance. Take the time to know what you prefer and what elements are a priority to you. Developing this matrix will make it much easier to judge whether or not a job fulfills what you want out of your next role and lessens the possibility of choosing an ill-fitting job.
Does it advance your career?
If you view your career as an arc, does this position build you towards that next part of your career? Here are some questions to consider:
- Does this company use modern technology and systems?
Will they keep my skill set current and relevant to today’s workforce? A company that clings to old processes and systems might be more comfortable, but they could hurt your chances of securing a role in the future. - How does this employer view employee professional development?
Do they have any programs in place, money budgeted, or perks that are focused on expanding your skill set? Does the employer invest in employees by providing in-house training, tuition assistance, paid memberships for professional associations and conferences? Consider each of these types of programs carefully not only for the dollar value of the program, but the impact it could make on your abilities and future earning potential. - Is this a lateral move or a step up?
Is this move simply a change of company or location, or is it a step up in terms of responsibility, autonomy, title, and compensation? If it is a step ahead for you, consider if it is enough of a promotion to stretch your skills and help you grow in your profession. Also consider if the work being offered is just too far outside of your comfort zone. Is the employer prepared to support you through the transition as you face a steep learning curve. or do they have a sink-or-swim attitude? It’s not enough to consider the perks of the step ahead, you also need to have a plan in place (or understand the employer’s plan) of how you will meet your new challenges and acclimate to your new role.
Is there room for growth within the role?
Earlier we mentioned that an employer might mention other positions your current role might lead to. But there’s another type of growth that can occur at a company, and that is the ability to develop within your current role, to grow in responsibilities and autonomy while you are still in your current position. Is this possible in the position you will be taking and is this a consideration that is important to you?
What is the full value of the salary and benefits?
When comparing job offers, it is important to consider the full value of your benefits package. Some more common items you may want to consider here are:
- Am I eligible for any bonuses, overtime or tips in addition to my normal salary?
- What is the cost of my health insurance premiums?
- What type of health coverage will I receive?
- What is my deductible?
- What is my out-of-pocket maximum?
- What tax benefits can I glean by using the company’s 401K and FSA programs?
- Does the employer match my 401K contribution?
Are there any hidden benefits?
In addition to the standard considerations there may be additional benefits to consider such as:
- What is the value of tuition assistance for yourself, spouse and/or dependents?
- What is the cost you’ll save if the employer offers daycare?
- Does my employer have any discount programs offered through third parties? For example, some large employers may have negotiated discounts with car rental companies, hotels, mass transit, phone carriers, banks, and more. Savings you can realize by participating in these programs can add up quickly, so they are important to take into consideration.
- Does the employer have a wellness program or incentives in place for healthy habits like joining a gym, committing to not smoking, or joining a smoking-cessation program?
Consider carefully all of the programs and perks that you are likely to participate in and where they fall among your priorities and how they will impact you financially.
By reviewing all of the details of an offer, your compensation, benefits, and comparing them to your priorities, you increase the odds of finding a position that is truly a good match for you. Careful evaluation and knowing yourself and your needs will make the difference between finding a job “for now” versus a career you are excited about.