Considering a Job Offer - Part 1

So you are applying for jobs, doing interviews, writing cover letters, sending resumes, making phone calls, and finally, you get that return call you have been anxiously awaiting, and a job offer has been presented to you. Before you make the rash decision to grab it, there are a few good business practices you may want to consider doing first.

Begin by asking for the job offer in writing, and inquire as to how long before they need to know your final decision. This accomplishes a few things for you. It allows you to see and have in writing some of the details and terms they are offering. It also allows you to give serious consideration. While not a direct comparison, think of it as trying to avoid "buyers remorse" which usually comes from making a rash decision. You will now have a little time to consider the offer. Do not worry about not making an immediate decision, most companies are prepared to give you this time to consider it. They do not want you to make a wrong choice either, as it ends up costing them in clerical time and fees if you do not work out.

After receiving the offer in writing, it is nice to write them a quick note, even an email, to acknowledge the receipt of the offer. Then take a couple days to evaluate and consider all that is on the table before accepting the position.

Here are some tips you may wish to consider during this time:

• If you have not already done so, figure out all of your expenses and daily living needs, to know what will be considered your basic bottom line need, salary wise. This will allow you to know from the start what kind of income range you need to look for in a job. If that range is met in the offer, then check off one requirement.

• What kinds of benefits are being offered, and will they be sufficient to meet your needs? Do they offer a retirement fund, and what are the conditions of it? Are you given paid sick, vacation, or disability time off?

• Take a look at the hours you will be working, and be sure it is a schedule you can easily keep without complications. Lots of issue may need to be considered in this area, especially if you have children. How will your hours complicate or compliment getting the kids to or from school. If you are already highly involved in extra side projects, how will the new job hours impact those areas? When it comes to hours of work, you need to also inquire about overtime. Will it be required? Is it required often? Does it require weekends, or other normal days off? Will you be required to travel? Just try to play out every scenario you can, to see if you think the hours will be an issue that may cause problems down the road with your employment.

Sometimes we may jump on a job out of desperation, only to find out shortly down the road, that there are issues that make the position less desirable, and harder to keep up with. Be sure to consider the location of the job. How long is the commute, and what kind of traffic patterns will you run in to? These factors can add extra time, cost, and potential frustration to your daily routine.

I hope to continue with some more considerations in my next post, so as you continue your job search, start putting these simply tips into practice.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Tech Careers blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.