After the stress of the job interview, the elation of receiving a job offer can leave you with a tremendous feeling of pride and excitement. However, this excitement can quickly lead to some job seekers accepting a role without properly evaluating it first. Taking a leap of faith can potentially turn into a decision you may later regret. Before you accept any job offer, here are several questions you should ask yourself first.
Do I Want This Role?
Although you are likely to already have an answer to this question, it’s still something you should crucially ask yourself before taking up a new role. If you’re not sure if the role is right fit for you begin by reviewing the state of your career, and ask yourself if this job is something you’re looking for and willing to do. What will your day-to-day look like? What new skills and experiences can the vacancy offer you?
Many of these questions would have been answered during your interview, but it often pays to re-evaluate them so you precisely understand the requirements of the role. Familiarise yourself with key responsibilities, and job specifications, then you can see how you will contribute to the organisation in the long run. Engaging with a Recruiter can help if you ever need to re-confirm any aspect of a role prior to accepting the job offer.
What’s the Employer’s Culture Like?
When it comes to a new job offer there’s still a lot to consider about the role itself. For instance, the overall culture and work environment of your potential new employer may be near the top of your priorities. A study revealed that 56% of employees stay at their current job because they feel connected to the organisation. With that in mind, try and find out as much as you can about the company’s internal culture before you accept a job offer. Failing to do so could result in you being dissatisfied with your new role and environment, and you might be back on the job market before your probation period comes to an end.
Thinking back to your interview can be a great way to evaluate an employer’s culture. Your interview provided you with a great opportunity to gauge what the workplace environment was like. How was everyone dressed? What was the layout of the office like? What was the atmosphere like and did everyone seem happy to be there? From here you can paint a picture of what the culture is like and whether you’d thrive being a part of it. A Recruiter will have detailed knowledge of the employer’s culture and practices, and will know whether you’d be a good fit. Instead of solely choosing an employer who is not right for you, a Recruiter can circumvent this potential issue altogether.
Will This Role Challenge Me?
Irrespective of what stage you are in with your career, being in a role that challenges you is key for your development. These challenges can offer unique opportunities to learn and adapt, and help you progress further towards your career goals and objectives. If you accept a role which does not test you, it’s possible you’ll quickly grow bored and find yourself wanting to move on once again. Additionally, you might have been in a role which hasn’t motivated you to develop and grow for a while. This can have an adverse effect on your ability to secure your next role. Without facing these learning curves, you’ll be less likely to gain new skills and further hone your current ones. There could be the risk of losing out to candidates who had.
Would I have a Good Work/Life Balance?
The modern-day workplace is rapidly changing. One of the most important factors for job-seekers when evaluating new opportunities is the option to work flexibly. If flexible working is important to you, be sure to check whether your potential new job offers flexible working hours, that cater to your needs. A good example would be to check what the expected working hours are with your Recruiter. Then you can decide whether you’ll still have enough time to continue any activities which interest you outside of work.
Contracting for example, can provide you with a number of opportunities that permanent roles may not offer. Working as a contractor can give you the chance to have a great variety of work, and the freedom to choose your own assignments.
Am I Happy with The Salary?
Salary was once one of the first things job-seekers considered when evaluating a job offers. It has since dropped on the list of priorities when it comes to job satisfaction. The real question to ask yourself is; will the rise (or fall) in your annual salary be worth it in the long term? Keep in mind that a change of employer could mean increased travel expenses or relocation costs, which might lead to that salary boost not making too much of a difference.
For roles that aren’t entry level, most employers will be open to negotiating salary. When it comes to this interaction, engaging a Recruiter can be of great benefit to you. Recruiters are prepared to negotiate salary expectations on your behalf, so you can focus on the more important aspects of the job offer.
Summary
There’s a lot to consider when you’re faced with a job offer. The important thing to remember is to not rush it. Take your time and ask yourself the above questions. If you feel you need more advice on a job offer you’ve received, or need some help getting connected to fantastic IT roles, get in touch with one of our specialist IT Recruitment Consultants today.
