Landing a job offer means the hard part is over. All those application submissions, research, and follow-up calls finally paid off.
But, before you take that new job, it’s in your best interest to make sure the grass will be greener on the other side.
Your stress isn’t over just yet. You now have to make the crucial decision if you’re actually going to accept the position they’re offering.
Are you sure it’s the right job for you? Should you keep looking for something even better? What if you have two appealing job offers?
Weighing out the numerous pros and cons can be frustrating. Here are the most important aspects you should keep in mind while you’re making your new career decision.
1. People
Truthfully, you’re number one consideration shouldn’t be about your salary, but rather the people you’ll be working with and working for.
You’ll be surrounded every day by your co-workers, your team, and your boss. These people are critical factors for both your job success as well as your overall happiness.
Yes, it’s difficult to judge people in such a short amount of time. But, how did they specifically treat you during your interview?
Were they genuinely pleasant and friendly? Did they get back to you in a timely manner? Can you see yourself working with this particular group of people?
How you answer these questions will probably be a reflection of how your superiors and co-workers will treat you as a part of their staff.
For instance, if you interview with a company and they take several weeks to call you back after a brief five-minute interview, they’re likely not the kind of people you ideally want to work with, even if they make you an outstanding offer in terms of salary and benefits. Consider how well you’ll ultimately ‘fit in’ with the team before taking the job.
2. Work Environment
Consider the difference between working for a company, a non-profit, a startup, or an agency.
They’re all very diverse environments. Which one will you best thrive in? If you desire a more fast-paced environment that offers something new every day, a startup or agency may be a good fit for you.
But, if you like to work more on your own and thrive on competition and structure, you may be more successful following the corporate path.
Another important aspect to consider is the actual physical location. A lack of lunch options or a long commute can affect your attitude at work. Is there anything worse than going to a job every day that makes you miserable?
Sadly, many people are unsatisfied with their work environment and then take their unhappiness home to their families. Think carefully about the work environment of the job offer you’re considering taking.
3. money
When considering a new position, or comparing two or more, the most tempting feature is to simply go for the money.
However, that’s usually not the best approach. All the money in the world won’t make you happy if you hate your job. Your salary is only a small part of your overall happiness at your job.
What salary can you honestly live with? On the other hand, what amount would potentially make a position irresistible?
Keep those two numbers in the back of your mind while making your decision. And always, negotiate for a higher salary. Remember, you’re worth it.
4. benefits
Having the ideal benefits package is something important to consider. If an organization offers its staff a number of perks like flexible spending plans, retirement, health, and dental insurance, it probably indicates that they’re highly competitive and doing financially well.
However, if a company doesn’t offer you a benefits package at all, it may be because they’re struggling to make ends meet as a company or just because they’re still small and growing.
Even if a benefits package isn’t your top priority, it’s still something you’ll want to consider. In most cases, a lack of employee benefits means the company isn’t very successful.
5. stability
Many companies can impress you with their current profits or long work history, but do your part and research their hiring activities and recent successes. Has the company been operating on a steady basis in spite of the volatile economic climate?
If the answer is yes, then you’re probably looking at a fairly stable job. But if they’ve had problems keeping people steadily employed (think layoffs), then you could be taking a job that could potentially be gone in a year or less.
6. listen to your gut
After looking at all the pros and cons of the position, take the necessary time to listen to what your gut feelings are telling you.
What’s that little voice in your head saying? Often, people say when buying a home that you’ll know it’s the right one when you walk in just by how you feel.
That’s called intuition. The same applies to taking a new job offer. Did you leave your interview feeling ‘good’ about the job or ‘bad’? Trust that feeling.
Whether you end up taking the job offer or rejecting it, it’s always a good idea to inform the company about your ultimate decision in writing. In either case, be courteous and get straight to the point.