Before accepting an offer, it pays to put some thought and consideration into what led you to your job hunt in the first place. Here are three things to consider before accepting an offer –
1. Have you given yourself enough time to respond?
Firstly, let us say there is never a need to respond straight away. Before accepting, ask yourself whether you’ve taken adequate time to evaluate it.
By taking a step back, you give yourself the opportunity to reflect on what brought you to your job hunt in the first place. It also gives you the chance to evaluate the offer and company properly as well as reach out to your network or support system for advice. This is particularly important if you have a specific career objective in mind.
Over the years we’ve seen a number of companies offer candidates while they’re still in the interview, even requesting them to sign a contract then and there, or let them know their answer by the following day. A scenario like this puts a lot of pressure on a candidate, but that doesn’t mean the employer isn’t expecting a little pushback.
You’re entirely within your right to ask for more time to evaluate the offer. And we highly recommended that you do to avoid ending up in a role that doesn’t serve your immediate or future goals.
2. Does this job tick all of the boxes?
Consider your career goals – What are they? And will this role help you to achieve them?
Write down what your goals are and what you’re looking to gain from your next position at the beginning of your job search. That way, when an offer comes along, you can appraise whether it ticks all of the boxes.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of an offer and put your rose coloured glasses on when evaluating it. Having a list of tangible and non-tangible benefits that you’re looking for already written down will help to keep your focus on what’s important to you in the offer process.
3. Have you asked all of the questions needed to make an informed decision?
Making a well-informed decision without all of the information is difficult. And asking questions of a potential employer can provide a lot of clarity to your understanding of the role and whether it’s right for you.
There’s a lot of information to absorb at an interview, and the process can be overwhelming, particularly when nerves are at play. A good employer understands that and will be happy to have another conversation with you to clear up any queries or concerns you may have. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Treat your job hunt as a marathon, not a sprint!
Securing the right opportunity can take time, and if you’re serious about your career progression, remembering the bigger picture is important. So, take a step back, ask questions and evaluate the offer and what you want in your next role before accepting.
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