The Job Offer
Four Topics To Consider | What
If I'm Still Waiting? | Before
Accepting a New Job |
What If I
Don't Want The Job? | What If I Am
Considering Relocating?
Congratulations! You made it through the interview process
and the hiring manager has decided that you're the right
person for the job. Now, you must decide if this is the
right job for you.
Four Topics to Consider
Job Duties
- What are the job duties and responsibilities?
- Are they realistic and exciting?
- Is the work challenging to you?
- Is there variety in the work?
- How is there opportunity for growth?
Work Environment
- Do you like your physical work environment?
- Do you feel comfortable with your future supervisor
and fellow employees?
- Is your supervisor likely to be a good mentor?
- Do your values and lifestyle correspond with the values
and culture of the organization?
Organization
- What is the organization's reputation?
- Is the organization growing or downsizing?
Compensation
- What is the compensation package?
- Does the salary meet your financial needs and obligations?
- If the salary is low, are there opportunities for significant
responsibilities and advancement?
- What is the benefits package offered?
(Be aware that some smaller employers offer creative benefits to attract
good employees: stock options, transportation costs, meals, flextime, telecommuting,
etc.)
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What If I'm Still
Waiting?
On average, a company will allow 1 - 2 weeks for you to
evaluate and sign an offer. Depending on the position,
size of company and the job market, this time frame may
be negotiable. Come into the Career Center for a Drop-In
Career Counseling appointment to discuss the offer you've
received and how to negotiate with the employer if you
need more than 2 weeks to make a decision.
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Before Accepting
a New Job
Questions you ask during the job interview can help you
to determine whether this job might be a fit for you. A
selection of questions are listed below.
- How long have you worked here?
- What do you like best about working here? Least?
- Could you show me where this job fits into your
organizational structure?
- What characteristics do you most like to find
in people doing this job?
- What do you consider ideal experience for this
job?
- What is the largest single problem facing your
staff right now?
- What is unusually demanding in the job that I
should know about?
- What is a typical day on the job like?
- Tell me about the people I will be primarily
interfacing with on a regular basis.
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- What are the major results you would like to
see me produce?
- How is my performance evaluated? What is the
advancement potential?
- Are all openings posted for employees first,
or are they often filled from the outside?
- Are then cases of lateral moves or promotion
through reassignment or transfer?
- What is the company policy on hiring friends
and relatives?
- What kind of employee development training programs
do you have?
- How do I compare with other candidates you are
considering for this job?
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What If I Don't Want
This Job?
Consider the employer's side. They've determined that
you're the candidate that they want, they've made you an
offer, and they're waiting for your response. They cannot
make another offer until you've turned their offer down.
Each day you wait to decline an offer is another day that
the employer loses ground with other potential candidates.
Determine whether or not you want the position, and then
call the employer to verbally decline the position or write
a brief, concise letter releasing the position.
Important Tip: ALWAYS get an offer in
writing. A formal offer should include: salary, job title,
start date, eligibility for benefits, and signature from
company representative.
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What If I'm Considering
Relocating?
Consult a relocation calculator. Did you know that a salary
of $32,395 in Austin, Texas can buy as much as, and is
equivalent to, a salary of $47,038 in San Francisco? JobStar.org and Salary.com have
a large collection of salary surveys and cost of living
formulas to compare salaries in different geographic locations.
They also have information about salary negotiations.
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