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Oh, happy day! A job offer just rolled in and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted. Right?
A job is a long-term commitment that should not be entered lightly. It’s in your best interests to do some due diligence and really weigh all the different factors that make up a new job. Before signing on the dotted line, here some questions you may want to ask.
What is the true value of your compensation package? In the absence of a formal written offer that breaks down the various components of an offer, you’ll want to find out 1) the salary, 2) benefits, 3) 401K plans, 4) bonus structures, 5) vacation/sick time policies, 6) parking, 7) travel, and 8) other incentives. Look beyond the salary at the entire financial web the new job will bring. Be sure to research salary ranges on a validated compensation site (such as Payscale.com) for your job title and geography to ensure the offer is equitable and that you are being treated fairly.
What is the reputation of the company? This may require some homework, but the more you know about where you are going the more informed your decision will be. Does the company have reputation as a springboard for rising stars, or as a vanguard of seasoned veterans? Think about how the company fits into your overall career plan. Ask around – you can probably find somebody you know who’s worked there or knows somebody who has. And be cautious about what you read in reviews online on sites like Glassdoor.com; you’ll get a sampling of people’s feedback, but not necessarily a representative data set – take what you see with a grain of salt.
Do you want to do this job day-to-day? It’s difficult to predict what the routine of a new job will be until you’re doing it, but make all possible efforts to understand what your day-to-day duties will be. It’s possible to go through an interview process and field an offer for a job without knowing much beyond the job title. Or perhaps the job is at a prestigious company or firm, and you were so blinded by the firm’s reputation that you neglected to focus on the duties. You spend more time awake at work than anywhere else, make sure it’s not an unwelcome grind.
Are you sure you want to deal with the commute? You’ve got to get there somehow, and it may take a while. Your monthly gas bill may double, as could your tolls and parking fees. If your offer comes with a serious commute, map it out, and give sober consideration to how it may affect your work-life. The worst commute can kill the enjoyment of even the best job.
Are you willing to relocate? Some people will move in flash for a new job, but before you start packing ask yourself, “Where do I want to wake up every day?” Maybe you want to be close to family, or you’re the big city type. Maybe you’ve always wanted to live on the coast, or go place to place. Whatever your thing is, if possible, stick to it. If the relocation satisfies that primary question, keep in mind that smaller towns with a lower cost structure may allow a higher standard of living, but may have fewer professional options in the future; and let’s say you end up taking that position in a one-company town and the job fizzles out, you’ll likely need to move again. Conversely, a big city has more opportunities and tends to be more culturally vibrant, but tends to be much more expensive.
What is the career growth and personal development potential? No, growth and personal development doesn’t pay the bills like say, your salary, but that allow for internal upward mobility and/or professional development can be intangible investments that pay dividends. A high-paying job without room to move may be less valuable than a job that pays less but creates the potential for greater accomplishments. Take a candid look at where the job may take you, your skills, and your ambitions.
Philip Roufail contributed to this article.
Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.
