As a job seeker, you may have interviewed for many different opportunities without receiving a job offer. As Social Hire mentions, once you do receive that offer it is important that you remain realistic when it comes to what the company is putting on the table.
There are 4 things to consider before responding to a job offer:
1. The Opportunity
What was it that first attracted you to the opportunity? By the time you get to the offer stage, it can sometimes be easy to forget the important things that originally got you excited about the position.
Before you respond or make any decisions on an offer, take some time to think back on your reasoning for pursuing the opportunity. Perhaps it offers more growth and career advancement opportunities than your current position. Don’t lose sight of what got you excited in the early stages of the interview process.
2. Company Culture
Maybe the offer isn’t exactly where you would like it to be, but perhaps there are things that make up for that.
Consider the company culture and how you would fit in with the staff. I have turned down jobs in the past simply because I knew that I would not enjoy working in that particular environment. When you spend 40 plus hours working each week, it is important that you are working in a culture that you agree with and feel good about.
3. Your Qualifications versus Requirements
If the offer is a bit lower than you originally wanted, take some time to consider your current qualifications versus the position requirements.
Maybe the offer is for a management position, but you have limited management experience. Perhaps this is your chance to prove yourself and gain some solid experience. To help yourself feel more comfortable, ask about the timing of performance reviews or salary reviews. Many companies hold annual reviews, while some conduct reviews every 6 months.
4. Salary Range
While salary is important, it is not the most important thing. Take into consideration benefits offered, paid time off, flexible work schedules, and the other things that attracted you to this company. I have taken a lesser paying job before, simply because of the opportunity, culture, or flexible work schedule. For me, each of these items more than made up for the salary difference.
It’s important to remember that salary is not the only part of a job that offers satisfaction. When you take into account other things that the position offers outside of the salary, it can make a huge difference in your happiness and satisfaction with the opportunity.
What are some other things you consider before responding to a job offer? Please share your tips in the comments below.
Image: monkeybusinessimages/BigStock.com
Add comment