HOW TO EVALUATE AND ACCEPT A JOB OFFER
After working hard to submit job applications, resumes, and interviewing with various companies, the greatest reward is receiving a job offer. All during your job search, you have presented yourself as a professional and organized candidate, and the hard work does not end with an offer. There are a few things to keep in mind and steps you will need to take to evaluate and decide whether or not to accept the offer.
If the employer calls and offers you a position, you make you decision on the spot or you can ask for time to consider the offer. You can ask if the salary and other terms of hire are negotiable. If they answer is yes, you can ask if is possible to consider you for the job at the salary you propose. If you need time to consider the offer, ask how long you have to think about the offer and get back to them with an answer. Do not take too long to consider the opportunity.
Ask for the contact information of who you can call or email within the company if you have questions about benefits, retirement plans, etc. Do not forget the basic details such as asking where and when you will be reporting for your first day of work.
If you have received a verbal offer, you can ask if a written offer will be provided or request an offer in writing. Read a written offer thoroughly and completely.
When considering an offer, be sure that you have all the information you need about the job opportunity to include: hours, medical and dental insurance, benefits, training time, vacation time, sick leave, etc. Ask who you would be reporting to and all the job responsibilities and expectations.
If you receive multiple offers, write down the salary, commission, job responsibilities, location, benefits, travel requirements, retirement plans, career advance opportunities, etc., and then compare notes on each. Highlight the things that are most important to you. It may be the pay or perhaps the fact that it requires less travel than another. This job may have the working hours you desire, but another may be directly in the field that you most enjoy working in.
Is the pay enough to meet your needs or is it typical of jobs in this field? If you need wage information about other similar jobs or in the same industry, you can visit NMDWS at www.dws.state.nm.us, and look for “Wage Information-Estimate Delivery System” under the “Labor Market Information” heading for wages by occupational group.
You can accept the offer verbally in person or over the phone. Even if you accept the position over the phone, sending a formal written acceptance letter by mail or email is a good idea. You can restate the terms of your hire, including: title of position, salary, start date, and where you will be working. At the end of the letter, let the employer know that you are looking forward to the opportunity and a future career with the company.
If you chose to decline the offer because you have multiple offers or you have the ability to turn down a job that is not quite right for you, be sure to be gracious and professional. Networking is important even when you are turning a job down because you never know when you may cross paths with the person who interviewed you or when another opportunity will open up with that company.