Congratulations! All the time and effort you’ve spent looking for a job has finally produced the first offer. But if you’re wondering whether you should immediately say yes – think carefully before you do.
It’s a good idea to ask questions before you accept any job offer. Reach out to Liberty Staffing so we can take the weight of the decision off your shoulders. Our experienced team provides personalized assistance to help you through your entire job search. We strive to ensure our matches meet both employee and employer expectations.
Ask the Right Questions Before Accepting a Job Offer
Why? Because the offer itself is a legal contract. Once you accept it, verbally or in writing, you are under contract, which means you’re also agreeing to the terms of the offer as written. At this point, there may be no wiggle room for negotiation.
So before you say yes, you want to make an informed decision. Considering our current job market, you need to understand the role you’ll have at the company. You want to know what is expected from you and what you can expect from the employer. With a thorough understanding of the role, you’ll know how to execute your duties effectively and decide whether the job is the best choice for your career growth.
Ask for the Offer in Writing
The written offer describes what the employer is proposing to you in detail. It should contain key elements such as the job title, an outline of the main job duties and expected performance, the employer’s main address and the location where the job will be performed, the exact salary per year, month, or hourly rate and other compensation (bonuses, overtime), the official start date for work, vacation entitlement and other perks, plus the timing of benefits eligibility, the first performance review, and the frequency of review.
It’s your responsibility to make sure all the details are included and nothing’s missing. If you have questions about the work schedule, number of paid holidays, whether training is available, opportunities for professional development, or whether the employer pays for relocation expenses or has a parental leave policy and a retirement plan, now is the time to ask them.
Ask Yourself What You Really Want
First, make sure you understand the offer as written. Do research online to find out the industry standards for the position. If you’re not sure what certain terms mean, find a blog post or YouTube video that goes more into depth. If you need clarification, ask for it from the employer.
You may have an ideal position, a specific job title, or a salary range in mind for your next career move. Does this written offer meet your minimum requirements for each of these? If not, you can negotiate better terms before accepting. Keep in mind what’s best for you.
In the end, you need to feel comfortable that this offer will allow you what you need to keep your current lifestyle and even improve your circumstances as well as match your expectations for career opportunities and growth.
Ask for a Legal Review of the Offer
Chances are, you’re not a legal expert. An employment lawyer is better equipped to review the offer and identify clauses that are missing or could limit your rights in the future. If you do negotiate agreed changes to the original offer, make sure to get the revised version in writing.
Indications That a Job Offer is a Good One
You may be thrilled to receive that first job offer, but you still have to make a decision about whether to accept it as written, negotiate better terms that work for you, or reject the offer. Here are things to think about when deciding if the offer is good.
The company has a good hiring process. You felt good during the interview and the job application process went smoothly. The interviewers made you feel welcome and provided transparency throughout the process. You learned enough about the company and the culture to help you make a decision. The competitive compensation packages and emphasis on work-life balance keep employees happy, which leads to better productivity. People seem to stay and grow with the company.
The offer raises your compensation. A higher salary often indicates your value as an employee. A total compensation package often includes signing bonuses, stock, and performance perks, making a difference in meeting expectations. You may feel more content and motivated in this role.
The company is stable financially. Their financial reports indicate the company is healthy and growing. They invest in operation improvements and expansions, which help maintain good customer relationships and help employees perform their responsibilities. They’re constantly innovating while keeping up with any financial instabilities it may cause.
The offer matches all or most of your requirements. After considering all of the advantages compared to all of the disadvantages, this offer meets most of your wants and needs for a new, exciting position.
Flags That a Job Offer is Not So Good For You
Here are things to think about when deciding if the offer isn’t the right fit.
The offer and the job don’t match. If the offer package describes something other than the specific description of the job duties, salary, and requirements, ask for written confirmation of correctness or have the discrepancies explained. If either does not meet your requirements, consider not accepting the offer.
The compensation package doesn't meet your needs. If the compensation is much lower than your expectations for the job and the salary is not enough to pay the bills, buy necessities, and afford things you want in life, negotiate a new number, or consider not accepting the offer.
The offer doesn't align with your career goals. You may be interested in a job that pays well, but if you have no opportunity for career development, that may sour you on the offer. Ask if the company offers courses, workshops, networking events, and mentorship opportunities to learn new skills and advance current knowledge. If not, consider not accepting the offer.
The company has issues. Employee turnover rates seem high. Customer reviews are lukewarm. Too many negative employee reviews can mean the company suffers from poor management. Network with current employees to get their insight. If you still feel the company has a bad reputation, consider not accepting the offer.
Southern Ontario's Leading Staffing Agency
Looking for that first job offer? Liberty Staffing Services makes your job search easy, taking the time-consuming frustrations out of the equation. Just upload your resume and meet with our recruiting experts. We’ll do the rest and call you with offers for available positions. It's that easy! Contact Liberty Staffing today.
