When receiving a job offer especially for a job we have been longing for we tend not to look into much detail about the offer that has been placed in front of us. This is very necessary in order to avoid misunderstanding of what is expected of you, what you expect from them and lastly to create a happy long term career with the company.
Here are a few things to consider when you get a job offer:
The Team
The people you will be working with is hugely important. Admittedly, it can be difficult to judge simply from the interview so ask yourself these questions: Were they friendly? Did they introduce you to other members of the team? How efficiently did they handle the interview process with you?
The Workplace
The environment you’ll be in is just as essential to consider as the people you’ll be spending each day alongside. Is it a ‘healthy’ place for you to be? I’m not necessarily talking dirty dungeons and it all depends on our individual tastes but if your surroundings make you miserable it’s hardly going to motivate you each day.
The Package
Obviously we all want to take home a good wage each month so it’s vital to negotiate a salary to match your worth to the firm from the offset – else you could find yourself feeling undervalued in the months ahead. Beside the money, it’s also worth considering the other benefits your would-be new employer is offering. Pension schemes, healthcare and other perks can add overall value to your life and wellbeing.
Your future
Unlike the jobs our parents and grandparents took, a role with a single company is rarely for life these days and it’s not uncommon for people to a consider career change at some point. That said job hopping or periods out of work can lead to feeling deflated and miserable so when accepting a job offer, consider the stability it offers. How long might you like to work for the employer? Will there be opportunities to develop and move into other roles? How well is the firm itself and/or the industry doing?
Once you’ve taken time to think through these four aspects the best advice I can give you is to go with your gut. Weigh up the pros and cons and trust your instincts.
Great post! It is so easy to get carried away with excitement, especially when it is your first job offer but we need to step back and consider the long term, too.