6 Things to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer
Congratulations, you’ve got a job offer! But hold your horses. Before you charge head on into that new position it’s important to really think about the offer. Here are our suggestions for the 6 things you need to consider before accepting a job offer.
1. Does the salary add up?
Firstly, is the salary listed on your contract and documents the same as you were offered? Secondly, are you happy with the amount? Are you satisfied that the pay you’ll receive is fair for your skill set and experience? How does your salary compare to others in the same role and industry? Be sure to do a little market research to ensure you’re being paid a reasonable amount.
2. Will the location work for you?
No matter how good a role, there’s no point accepting a job offer in Cardiff if you live in Liverpool! (But we’re sure you weren’t planning on doing that anyway!) If you’re already spending 40 hours a week at work, adding an extra 3 a day commuting is far less than ideal. Be realistic and consider whether or not the job’s location is going to work for you in the long run. In today's climate, with remote working becoming the norm for many professionals, location may be less of an issue when it comes to deciding whether the job is for you.
3. Is there any career progression?
It’s all very good if the job you’ve been offered is exactly what you want at the moment, but what about the future? Whether or not you have the opportunity to grow and progress within a business is an important thing to know before you accept a job offer. We recommend asking your potential employer prior to accepting.
4. Do you understand exactly what you’ll be doing?
Sometimes, job titles and buzzwords in job adverts can leave you a little unsure on what you’ll actually be doing on a day-to-day basis. It is incredibly important that you do understand exactly what your job entails before accepting an offer so that there are no unpleasant surprises when you start.
5. Will you like the work culture?
As previously mentioned, you’ll most likely be spending 40 hours a week at this new job, so it’s important that the companies’ culture meets your values. Does the company promote a good work/life balance? Do they agree with your environmental or social values? Essentially, will this be a company that you enjoy working for?
6. How does the new job compare to your current one?
This is relatively simple. If the job you’re being offered doesn’t have as good a role, salary or satisfaction level as your current one, then why are you considering it at all? Although change is good, sometimes it’s not always smart. Have a think about why you want to leave your current job before settling on the next one.
Still not sure whether or not to accept that offer? Here are 7 warning signs that mean you should reject it!
