Congratulations, you’ve just gotten a job offer! If you’ve been waiting a long time for the offer, it may be tempting to sign on the dotted line right away, but remember to stay prudent and evaluate your interest and possible progression before proceeding. Taking up the offer without putting much thought into it can lead to regret later on.
Here are five questions you should ask yourself before accepting a job offer:
1. Are the working hours suitable?
What are your working hours like? Is it the usual Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, or perhaps something different? Will you be expected to carry out shift work, or work weekends and public holidays? Will your working hours stay consistent throughout the year, or will it vary for this position? Consider whether your needs will be met. If work life balance is important to you, will this job offer allow you the flexibility to pursue your passion after working hours?
Make sure that your job will allow you to get what you need and want before you accept it and find yourself stuck in that position. If your working hours fit perfectly into your schedule without having you sacrifice any serious goals, it might be the green light to go ahead.
2. What are the relevant skills and expertise I need to do well in the job?
Improving your resume can help you get more job offers, but in order to progress you will need to acquire new skills. Consider if your job offer allows you to demonstrate the relevant skills and expertise you require to perform well in the position.
Hard skills are your qualifications required to do the job, including administrative skills, computer skills, or customer service skills. On top of hard skills, there are also your people skills such as communication skills, interpersonal skills and other qualities that will allow you to be successful in the company. These are often referred to as soft skills and they are just as important in any workplace.
3. Will this role challenge me? Will I advance my career working here?
Do you have the opportunity to grow in this position, and further hone the skills you have already developed? Does it require experiences from your previous jobs? With every job offer, make sure that you are slowly climbing up the career ladder and not staying stagnant. Don’t waste your time just trying to earn a paycheck.
Challenge yourself with a position that requires your skills and help you grow further as a professional, with the possibility of advancing your career. Do you see a future in that company? Be informed about its career progression and whether there are opportunities for promotion. The last thing you want is to be trapped in a job that does not reward you for your hard work.
4. Does the company offer the salary and benefits I’m looking for?
Let’s be realistic — your job offer has to be able to support your lifestyle and needs. Even if you have been offered your dream job, it would not make sense to accept one that will not be able to feed your family or cover your mortgage. As such, it’s imperative that you assess your compensation package, including the benefits, bonuses, medical coverage and most importantly, your base salary.
With a comprehensive understanding of your pay package, you will be able to better make an informed decision.
5. Is the company culture a good fit for me?
You can learn a lot from the company’s working environment. During your interview, observe the office space, including the office layout and the atmosphere.
If you thrive in a demanding environment, send your resume to fast-paced organisations that challenge your work ethic. On the other hand, if you perform better in mellow surroundings, it might be ideal for you to apply to smaller scale companies with more casual dress codes.
Before accepting an offer,do your due diligence and check out Glassdoor for opinions from the company’s employees. Alternatively, you can even try to connect with the company’s employees via LinkedIn to better understand the company culture and evaluate if you would be a good fit.
Take time to find a job that is truly a good fit
Accepting a new job offer is a huge step in your career, so make sure you feel good about your decision.
While the hiring manager can share with you more about the job description, the ultimate decision lies with you to evaluate if the position is aligned with your goals. When in doubt, don’t be scared to request for several days to think about the offer. Once you’ve gone through the five crucial questions, you can accept a job offer with greater confidence.
Remember to not just take up any job offer that comes your way.A wrong decision could have you back on the job hunt a few months down the road.
