5 things to consider before accepting a job offer

We’ve covered how to write a stellar CV and how to shine at a job interview; now you’ve landed a job offer. What factors should you take into consideration in the negotiation process? Here are five important things to think about before accepting a job offer.

1 Pay and benefits
Do some research to make sure the salary on offer is comparable to similar positions at other companies. Does it take into account your experience and skills? If the job offer leaves more to be desired, try negotiating. You should also consider benefits in the package; sometimes things like free gym memberships or extra holidays can make up for a lower starting salary. If you can’t negotiate higher pay to begin with, try to secure the opportunity to review your pay when you pass probation.

2 Company culture and values
If you’ve followed our advice on preparing for an interview, you will already know about the culture of the company sending you a job offer. At this stage, you should do a bit more digging to find more information on the business’s culture and values. Is there online feedback from employees? Can you arrange a meeting or telephone conversation with a manager to find out more? You’re considering working at this company, which means spending the majority of your time in the office. You have to be sure it’s the right fit for you.

3 Stability
While you’re doing your research, try to find out if the company suffers from a high turnover rate. Why is the person currently in that position leaving? How is the company performing financially? You don’t want to accept a job offer with a better title and pay if the business is in danger of going under.

4 Support and development
One of the main reasons people quote for leaving a job is lack of support. Before accepting an offer, ask probing questions about whether you’ll be paired with somebody to show you around during your first week or two and to find out if there’s any opportunity training and development. Make it known that you’re interested in advancing in your career – if the company doesn’t respond well to this, perhaps it’s not the right job for you.

5 Personal circumstances
Finally, you need to consider your personal life before accepting a job offer. Does the employer expect you to work long hours if it’s required? Is it worth a longer or more expensive commute if that’s the case? Will the position benefit your work-life balance? Listen to your gut feeling. If it’s telling you to go for it, there’s no reason not to.

Based on an article from FlexJobs. Read the original at bit.ly/2baweHN