Think About This Before Accepting That Job

You crafted an impeccable resume, impressed the interview panel and received a call from the hiring manager with a job offer. Before you immediately say "yes," it's acceptable to take a day to consider the offer of employment. Think about these six factors before you accept employment from any job offer.

1. Commute and Travel

A stressful daily commute can make your dream job much less satisfying, and a job that requires a great deal of travel may not be feasible for a professional with young children. Before you accept the job offer, do some research about what transportation methods are available for your commute, including buses, carpools and subways, and ask the employer openly how much travel is required for the position. If you plan to drive to work, do a test run on a weekday during rush hour to get a feel for traffic patterns, delays and congestion areas.

2. Salary and Benefits

Make sure the salary of the new position meets your financial needs, and consider any cost obligations that come with the new job, including parking fees, travel expenses or clothing costs. Consider the benefits that add value in addition to the salary. It may be beneficial to take a small pay cut if the new position comes with perks that are valuable to your family, such as exceptional medical insurance or on-site child care.

3. Work/Life Balance

A healthy work/life balance is important to any professional, whether you're raising a family or single with an active social life. Consider factors such as vacation time, sick leave, flexible work schedules, overtime hours and job stress, all of which affect your home life.

4. Co-Workers

Your relationship with your co-workers can affect your job performance and job satisfaction, so it helps to know about other employees in the organization. Before accepting the job offer, ask to meet some of the company's employees or inquire about the various personalities in the office. Find out how the organization promotes employee camaraderie by asking about holiday parties and work-sponsored events.

5. Company Culture

It's important to feel comfortable in your surroundings at work. Check out the potential employer's website to get a sense of the company culture, and take a look at social media to find out if the organization's posts and tweets jive with this perception. Network with some of the company's existing employees on LinkedIn to hear first-hand experiences from an insider.

6. Advancement Opportunities

If you accept a job offer before considering career advancement opportunities, you may find yourself on the job hunt sooner than you expect. Find out whether the company prefers to promote employees from within or hire outsiders. Ask whether the organization offers training programs, and decide how this position ties in with your own career goals.

The decision to change careers is a big one, so it's completely understandable that you want to think things over before you accept employment. When faced with a job offer, thinking about factors such as commute time, salary and opportunities for advancement can help you weigh your options and make an informed, thoughtful decision that best suits your situation.

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