Evaluating Job Offers

Although employers allow you a few days to contemplate a job offer, these few days are crucial in order to completely evaluate a potential new job. Careful consideration needs to be taken when deciding whether or not to accept a job offer. Researching the position and job market to make sure you have all the facts will strongly impact your decision and ability to receive the best job offer available.
One of the first, and often most, considered aspects of a job is the monetary compensation. This part of the job is often negotiable if you are able to present a credible argument. Knowing your worth and comparable salaries, based on geographical location and the current job market, will make it that much easier to ensure fair compensation. Check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site to evaluate your potential self-value.

While many employee benefit packages are standard, there are some compensation features that can be discussed. While health coverage may not be negotiable, paid time off or vacation time can provide for some leverage in your deal-making process. For some job seekers additional vacation time is more valuable and can be offered in lieu of a higher salary. You need to weigh the importance of these factors when finalizing the terms of your employment.

The actual office environment should also be high on your list of considerations. While money and benefits may seem more important at first, the corporate culture should play just as big a role. You will be spending most of your time at work with your boss and coworkers. If you do not get along with them, it can make for long, miserable work days. Also, the work ethic of the company should be in line with your own ideals.

Accepting a new job means enhancing your career. Make sure you are enthusiastic about your new job. Your day-to-day work should interest you and make good use of your skills.

Finally, whether planning to accept or decline a job offer, it is important to do so as professionally as possible. In order to maintain a sense of professionalism, when accepting a job offer, first call the contact at the company and inform them of your decision. This is the time when to ask questions pertaining to your start date, etc. Then, as a formality, send a letter of acceptance (send a hard copy or e-mail based on the company’s preference).

If you choose to decline a job offer, then a call the employer is necessary. There is no need to go into an elaborate explanation. It is sufficient to simply state that after careful consideration, you do not feel that this job would be a good fit. Do not forget to also send a letter of declination. Make sure to keep the letter positive. It is beneficial to your career to remain on good terms with previous and potential employers because you never know when you may cross paths again.