17. The job offer
Getting a job offer is excellent news – it’s what you have been working towards. However, just because you get an offer, it doesn’t mean you should say yes. Your interview can be a good indicator of how you are going to be treated in the job. James was extremely pleased to be shortlisted for a job with an accountancy firm. The interview with the HR manager went well but when he met his potential boss, he was rude and offhand.
If you hear people making negative comments about an organization or realize the job is a poor fit, think twice before saying yes. One of the worst things you can do is take a job and within a couple of weeks realize you made the wrong choice. You then have to spend time learning your new job, leaving even less time to restart your job search. Or you may resign and have a problem explaining to a new employer why you left so quickly.
Before you say yes
Send a letter to show your enthusiasm for the job. Remind them why they have chosen you. This letter should summarize your strengths, and outline your key accomplishments and personal contributions.
If the employer’s compensation package has been outlined, say how excited you are and that you would like a couple of days to discuss things with your partner. This gives you a chance to weigh the pros and cons of the job, and to get in touch with any other organizations with which you have outstanding applications.
Gill was very pleased to be offered a job as marketing manager for an international company. It came with a substantial pay rise, international business-class travel and an executive car, and most people she knows would see this as a brilliant job. But when we discussed this job offer she realized that all these things weren’t as important to her as spending time with her new husband and being able to work as a charity fundraiser, her ideal job.
It’s worth taking some time to consider how important the following are to you; you can then compare job offers against these factors.
Before saying yes, ask yourself:
- Is there a high possibility of security of employment?
- Will this job make good use of my abilities, skills and talents?
- Does it suit my personality?
- Am I happy that I will be paid fairly for the work I’ll do?
- Am I happy with the salary/bonus aspect of my compensation package?
- Does the working environment suit my values and personal preferences?
- Will it give me a chance to develop and grow?
- Is the travel-to-work distance acceptable?
- Does my manager have the right approach to bring out the best in me?
- Am I likely to enjoy working with my customers/colleagues?
- What impact will taking this job have on my personal and family life?
- Is there a possibility of promotion (if this is important to you)?
- Are the expectations on me realistic and achievable?
- Why specifically do I want to take this job?
- How well does it match my ideal job?
Finalize the details
Before saying yes, make sure you also know the answers to these questions:
- What is my job title?
- To whom do I report? You could ask to meet the person at this point if you haven’t already.
- Who will report to me?
- Am I clear on the duties expected of me? Do I have a full copy of the job description?
- Are the limits of my authority clearly defined?
- What are the hours of work?
- What are the sick pay entitlements?
- What are the holiday entitlements?
- Will any pre-booked holidays be honoured?
- How long will it take me to get to work and back each day at rush hour, and how much will this cost?
We spend the majority of our time in work, so arrange to talk with other employees to get an inside perspective. These could be your new manager and colleagues.
Saying no
Some people will think it foolish to turn down a job, especially in times of recession or when the job market is stagnant, but if it isn’t providing what is important to you (you are being asked to work too many hours, thus creating a very low hourly wage, or you’re not sure you’ll enjoy the work as much as you’d like), then you may be better off waiting for a job that’s more appealing.
Make sure you have considered everything the job offers, including the salary. It may be better to get 75 per cent of what you ideally want than continue for another six months being unemployed.
If you decide to turn an offer down, do so quickly and send a letter which keeps open the possibility of your getting in touch again in the future. For example:
Thank you for offering me a position as a Marketing Executive with Guardian Consulting. I found our discussions during the interview process very enlightening as to the details of this position, and I appreciate the time you allowed me to consider your offer. I was also able to confirm my initial impressions of Guardian Consulting as an outstanding organization.
However, after considerable thought about my career goals, I’m afraid I must respectfully decline your kind offer. I have chosen to accept an offer from an employer based closer to my home. This was a difficult decision for me, although I believe it is the appropriate one at this point in my career.
I want to thank you for the time and consideration you have given my application. It was a pleasure meeting you and learning more about Guardian Consulting.
Finally
If you accept the job offer, go back to every site where you have uploaded your CV and have it taken off. You won’t want your new boss to see you still have your CV up there; it may make them think you are looking for another job.