Have you a job offer is on the table and are eager to say yes? It may sound like the perfect job for you, however, there are a few things you should consider before making this life-changing decision. Here are 5 things to consider before you say yes to a job offer.
1. What is the salary?
This may sound like an obvious one to point out however a lot of people are unsure of the exact salary they will be getting when accepting a new job. Does the job offer opportunities for salary increases over time? Or is it on a pay scale where incremental increases are built into your contract? Some salary remunerations consist of high contributions to health insurance, pensions or income protections that aren’t always clear from the outset. Additionally, examine the bonus structure in place and know the details of any targets that built in.
2. Will the job fit your lifestyle?
We often hear about employers assessing candidates based on their potential “fit” within an organization. However, candidates should also assess an organization to ensure it will fit their lifestyle. Look into the company culture, turnover of staff and reputation in the market. Investigate if they encourage an open workplace with opportunity for creativity and innovation. Also, examine other factors that could affect your lifestyle by taking the job. Such as the length of your daily commute or the availability of flexible working practices. Assessing the fit of a role is a personal decision that will differ from one individual to the next.
3. Is there an opportunity for development?
This is something we often don’t give much thought to when accepting a job offer. However, it may be something that will affect our future prospects and opportunity for promotion. Investigate if the organization is invested in developing their employees. The ideal job is one that challenges you, stretches your abilities and helps you to acquire new skills. If you can, find out if the company has a mentoring programme in place. Ask them if they encourage and provide opportunities for continuous learning through training or education programmes. These are all factors that will help you to achieve success in your job and help you progress in your career.
4. Are there opportunities for advancement?
Something important to look for before saying yes to a job offer is ‘does the company have clear opportunities for advancement?’ If you have ambitions to climb the career ladder, progress to management and become a leader then knowing this will have an impact on your decision. You can ask your future employer this question while at the offer stage. Also, speak to anyone you may know in the company and do some research on LinkedIn. Ideally, the role will allow you to grow into a higher one and provide you with continuous opportunities. Ultimately you want to work somewhere that aligns with your career aspirations.
5. How is the company performing?
The job offer you received may be the definition of your perfect role. The salary and benefits package is attractive. It may fit with your lifestyle and offer clear opportunities for advancement and development. However, how financially stable are they? Do some digging into their financial position. A lot of this information is freely available through simple online searches however you can also source information from public filings and reports. Read any quarterly financial reports available all the way through. You should look at their three-five year trends in revenue or sales figures, their operating profit margins and get a feel for how they intend to grow their revenue.
Also, look at the company’s plans for the future. Are they planning to expand into another market, launch a new product line or grow their physical or online stores? These are all important factors to consider before joining a new employee.