The Offer Is In – Now Ask Yourself This

Job applicants spend a lot of time answering questions during interviews. Good job applicants spend time asking questions during interviews as well. Really good job applicants, however, don’t stop asking questions even after they have received an offer. While it’s easy to get excited because “they want me”, thinking things through carefully can help protect you from making what could turn out to be a poor career move. Here are a few questions you need to ask before you accept a new position.

Professional Questions

The secret to most successful people is simple: they love what they do, and they want to be good at it. Ask yourself:

• Is this job in line with my professional and personal goals?
• Will this job increase my personal and professional satisfaction?
• Can I learn new skills and technologies at this job?
• Does this company value and support continuing professional education or formal mentoring?

Financial Questions

While money does not equal happiness, it certainly comes in handy. Professionals want to be paid what they are worth, though it is important to bear in mind that not all compensation comes in the form of a paycheck. Ask yourself:

• Does this job pay more, or is at least comparable to my current position?
• Does it pay enough for me to meet my financial obligations?
• Is the salary being offered considered low, average or high for my area?
• Are the benefits being offered (signing bonus, medical/dental, 401K, vacation and paid time off, etc.) enough to balance out a lower salary offer?

Environmental Questions

The attitudes and values of the company and its employees can have a profound impact on your day-to-day job satisfaction and overall professional achievements. So can the physical environment you work in, including how long it takes for you to get to and from the office. Ask yourself:

• Do I fit into this company’s corporate culture?
• Do I think I can respect and gain the respect of the person I will be reporting to?
• Do I believe in what this company does or makes?
• Is the commute reasonable and manageable for the long-term?

Whether you choose to accept a job or not, you must promptly inform the employer. This should be done in writing, though you may also telephone first, if you wish. Obviously you want to make a good impression if you are accepting, but it is equally important to be gracious and polite when declining an offer. In today’s fluid job environment, people move around frequently, and you never know where that hiring manager may turn up next!

For more advice on successfully navigating the hiring process, contact the recruiting professionals at Triumph Services today. Our strategic staffing specialists have been helping people successfully find or fill a variety of IT positions for over 15 years.