Before Saying Yes: 10 Key Factors to Evaluate a Job Offer

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You have endured countless interviews and stressful weeks. Now you get the coveted communication that, yes, they want to hire you.

You are both ecstatic and relieved. Can this job search finally be over?

Well, no, it isn't.

Now comes the time to evaluate whether this job, this organization, will allow you to thrive. You may have been thinking about this through the interview process, but now, when you have to decide yes or no, you must take a hard look.

Life is full of tradeoffs. Jobs and organizations are no different. Will the tradeoffs you will need to make work for you?

But I Just Need a Job. I Can't Be Picky

I get it. You have been out of work for a while, and your savings are running out. You are desperate for a job, any job. You still need to evaluate the tradeoffs you are making. Go into the situation with your eyes wide open. Know what will work for you and what is going to be problematic.

Then, you can strategically decide how to address this situation if you have no choice but to accept the offer. If the tradeoffs are unacceptable for you in the long term, then have a plan for continuing to look for something that is a better fit.

Overcompensating for Past Work Issues

Many people enter the job market because some aspect of their present job is not working, be it a micromanaging boss, a long commute, or not being paid market rate.

In pursuit of the "fix," job seekers often focus solely on the job/organization that will be the answer to their problem.

But when doing this, they often forget that a happy work life results from a blend of various job aspects that align with your values and priorities.

Before accepting this offer, do some soul-searching about what worked for you in past jobs and what is now important in your life.

When you make this list, the one item you believe is important for your work success is instead part of a long list that may or may not be possible to have at this employer.

What Should You Consider?

To make it easier for you to make this assessment, I will give you a list of items to consider. This is not an exhaustive list, but it will guide you on what to assess with every job offer.

#1: Job Responsibilities and Tasks

Through the interview process and looking at the job description, you have gotten a good idea about the job responsibilities and duties of the role. But have you thought about whether they are a good fit for you? Ask yourself:

Do the job responsibilities align with your skills and expertise?

Are job tasks aligned with your interests and passions?

Do job responsibilities support your career goals?

Check out: Motivational Skills: What Are They And Their Importance To Career Happiness

#2: Company Culture

In previous generations, company culture was an afterthought. But now we understand that organizations are all different in how they go about their work, and being aligned with the company culture is important to a sense of belonging and motivation. So, assess how YOU would do in this organization's culture.

What exactly is the company culture? Through your interviews, do you have a good sense of what it is?

Is the organization mission-driven? If so, do you believe in the mission?

What are your values? How do they align with the organization? Will they be recognized?

#3: Managerial Style

Your relationship with your manager often determines whether you can succeed within an organization. Your boss will be responsible for providing direction and feedback and may be instrumental in your development for other roles within the organization. So here are some questions to ask yourself as you evaluate whether you can thrive under this manager's leadership.

Do you understand this manager's leadership style, and how well can you work within it? Can you foresee any issues?

How does this manager provide feedback, and what is the substance and frequency you desire?

Is there a history of the manager promoting the advancement of their staff members?

#4 Team Dynamics

Most roles involve working as part of a team. These individuals can make or break your success within an organization. Get good teammates, and it can make coming to work fun. On the other hand, having bad teammates can make getting your work completed challenging and cause you to be stressed and depressed at work.

So, ask yourself these questions.

How does the team handle conflicts? Are they addressed or left to fester?

Are roles and responsibilities well defined?

Is the team collaborative, has open communications, or is possessive of their knowledge and unwilling to help or keep you in the loop?

#5: Career Development Opportunities

Unless you are at the later stages of your career or the job is a filler position while you look for something else, you likely desire something in the area of career development. Knowing what you can expect from this manager/organization is important. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.

Are there clear pathways for career advancement within the organization?

What kind of learning and development programs does the company offer?

Does the organization have a mentorship program?

#6 Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance means different things to different people, but it is safe to say that most workers are looking to work to live, not live to work. Is getting away on vacation without being tethered to your email important? Or maybe you want family-friendly work policies. Whatever it might be, evaluate whether this organization can give you what you need.

How does the organization encourage work-life balance?

How does this manager encourage work-life balance?

Are work-life policies taken seriously, or are there unwritten rules against using them?

#7: Compensation and Benefits

Often, these are some of the first things that job seekers look at when considering a job: what you will be paid and what other benefits come with the job? It is important to look at the salary or hourly rate offered and what else the organization offers to meet your financial and health needs.

Is there an opportunity to earn additional income through bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, stock ownership opportunities, retirement fund matches, etc.?

Are the health benefits comprehensive in terms of coverage and affordability?

Are there other benefits that have value to you that you need, such as access to retirement plans, membership in professional organizations, conference attendance, etc.?

Check out: Like The Job But Hate the Salary Offered. What Should You Do?

#8 Company Reputation

I recently had a client who took a job with an organization only to discover that alleged shady business dealings were happening with the CEO. Many potential clients were wary of working with his new organization, making his job in marketing very challenging. This is an example of why you should understand how the organization is viewed internally and externally.

How is the company perceived in the industry?

What do present and past employees say about the organization's culture?

How does the organization handle ethical practices or social responsibility?

#9: Job Security

Many workers don't believe a layoff can happen to them until it does. Understanding the financial shape of an organization, the history of any layoffs, and how the overall industry is trending can help you determine the risk you take working for this employer.

What is the financial stability and performance of the organization in the last year?

What does employee turnover look like?

What are the organization's long-term plans and strategic goals?

#10 Commute and whether in-office, hybrid, or remote

Many have definite preferences for whether they want to work at an employer location all, some, or none of the time. Also, if a commute is part of your workday, how long will it take, and what will it be like? Understand this before you say yes to any offer.

If promised a remote or hybrid role, is there a chance that the organization will change those terms at a later date?

Is the commute tolerable? Have you checked out what it is like during the times you would be making it?

If you must commute, what are the additional costs?

No job is perfect. Do the positives outweigh the negatives?

Before saying yes to a job offer, evaluating the role, manager, and organization across these ten key criteria is crucial. It is a rare individual whose work happiness is based upon only one of these factors.

Look at all aspects you can safely put in the positive camp, those that are okay but not great, and everything negative. Do the positives outweigh the negatives in terms of importance to you? Can you honestly live with any of the negatives? If you can, accept the offer and enjoy the job. But if not, then saying no may be the wiser choice.

Shelley Piedmont is a Career Coach who focuses on understanding your unique skills, interests, and aspirations and provides personalized coaching to guide you toward roles where you can truly thrive. Whether you are stuck as to what your next career move should be or need help with resumes, LinkedIn profiles, or interview preparation, Shelley is here to help you. Please set up an exploratory call to find out how she can help you reach your career goals.