Once your job interview is over and you’ve been offered the job, the questions shouldn’t stop there. After you receive a job offer, it’s important that you ask the right questions about the job, salary, benefits, corporate culture and other lingering questions you may have had before and did not feel comfortable asking. This is your final chance to get to know the organization you will be joining before officially signing up. If you have any doubts about the job, now is the time to ask questions. Further questions on salary, commuting and benefits will help you figure out if this is the right job for you. Here are some questions to help you navigate the initial hiring process once you’ve received a job offer.
The first question you should ask is to get the job offer in writing. As US News states, this is most important because it will outline all of the guidelines and details pertaining to your salary and benefits. It is likely that the employer will give it in writing, but they may not hand it to you as early as you need it. This will also inform you of other things like job relocation and commuting stipends, your vacation days and other important information that may not be on your mind at the moment of your job offer, but will be once you start working.
Ask about how many people have held the position you are taking. In fact, this is a great interview question to ask during your job interview. This will give you a sense of whether you’re entering a workplace that has a high turnover rate or not. If the person that held the job before had it for less than a year then it may be a sign that this organization goes through a lot of reassignments. It could also be that the person that held your position before was promoted and that’s why they need to fill the position. This offers a more positive prospective knowing that you have the potential to move up in the organization later down the road. If it’s possible, you can ask to speak to the person that once held your position. That way, you get to know more about the roles and responsibilities you’ll be undertaking.
Ask if the organization is going through any changes if they haven’t informed you of them already. Big changes could mean that they are considering relocating due to a need for more office space or a change of management. The changes vary, but knowing what’s happening to the organization before you enter will save you the time of worrying once you’re hired. If you feel that too many big changes are going on, like they’re thinking of laying off other employees in other departments, than you may want to reconsider your position since it may be in jeopardy later down the road. The more informed you are before you take the job offer, the better off you will be.
Also, be sure to ask when they need your response by. Your new employer may want you to work as soon as possible, therefore giving you little time to mull over your decision. Other employers may be more considerate of the big decision that you have to make and give you time to think it through. Knowing when they need your final decision will prevent you from deciding too early or too late.
Finally, ask any lingering questions you may have about the job or company. Ask any questions on corporate culture that you may not have been able to ask earlier and ask any questions that you have after looking over the job offer. Don’t feel like you’re being annoying by asking too many seemingly straightforward questions because when it comes down to it, this is about your career and it should be taken very seriously.
What other questions would you ask to be sure you are comfortable with your job offer? Let us know in the comments section below!
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