Searching for a job takes a lot more than a few interviews and an offer. In fact, you might get several offers at once, or one that you’re not sold on. It’s why, before making a decision, you need to step back and assess what’s important to you. Even if it’s a great opportunity, if it’s not a fit, you won’t be happy there. To ensure that doesn’t happen to you, here are a few areas to focus on.
The job responsibilities.
First and foremost, you want to like what you’re doing each day. So make sure when you get an offer, the tasks you’re responsible for sound interesting and engaging. Even if the position pays a lot or offers a prestigious title, don’t accept it if you don’t think the actual work is a match for you.
The compensation.
On the flip side, you might get an offer that’s perfect on paper…except for the salary. If it sounds like an excellent opportunity but doesn’t meet your salary requirements, consider negotiating. If the potential employer is not open to meeting your needs, then look elsewhere for opportunities. It’s not worth being underpaid, even if the position sounds ideal.
The leadership and team.
During the interview process, you hopefully got some insight into who you’d be working for and the team you’d be on. Make sure you listen to any gut instincts in this area. If you met your potential new boss, for instance, and didn’t connect, then it’s a factor to consider when weighing the offer.
The location.
Where the company is located might seem like an afterthought. But if you suddenly have an hour commute when you used to have a 10-minute one, it’s going to be stressful. Make sure you consider the location when thinking about an offer, as well as the length of the commute, the traffic you’ll have to deal with, and how this will impact your quality of life.
The opportunities for training and advancement.
If this next role is just a stepping stone to your ultimate goal, you’ll want an employer who offers room to grow and opportunities to learn. During the interviewing process, make sure you’re asking about this and getting into specific details about advancement at the company.
The culture.
The culture of a company is like its personality. If you don’t mesh with it, you’re not going to feel like a part of the team. It’s why asking questions pertaining to cultural fit is so important when you’re interviewing. This will help ensure the offer you do accept is with an organization that’s going to embrace and empower you.
If a potential employer doesn’t check these boxes, then don’t be afraid to turn down the offer. Do so as soon as you’ve made your decision, so they’re able to move onto another candidate.
Need more help with your job search?
At ResumeSpice, our professional career coaches can serve as a sounding board and advocate for you. We can help you transition into a new career or move up in your current one. Whatever your goals, we’ll focus your attention, so you can take your career to a whole new height. If you’re ready to learn more, call 832.930.7378 or contact us online.
