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Things to consider before accepting a job offer

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Matt Darvill Blog, Tips, Recruitment...

It’s really difficult to get a job offer, so if you’re currently reading this pondering over an opportunity, then congratulations! It’s no mean feat to get through all the application stages to land that offer. In most cases, accepting the offer is not something you should do lightly, it’s usually perfectly acceptable to ask your prospective employer for a couple of days to mull it over, to make sure you’ve considered it fully.

You might be wondering what you should be thinking about, you know the role and have met the team? Well, there are a whole host of things to consider to ensure you’ll be truly happy in your new role.

Go back over the role

Reassess the job description, and your potential roles and responsibilities. Make sure it’s exactly what you anticipated, and that your day to day expectations of the role aligns with the offer letter.

Do the expected office hours work with your schedule? How will your performance be appraised? Ensure you consider these different aspects of the role itself, and you feel that you’ll produce your best work under these conditions.

Work Out Your Commute

Commuting is one of the most important aspects to consider. Would you be able to walk, or use public transport? If you do need to drive, what is the best route to get there? Your day can be extended by an hour or more if traffic is much worse than you are used to, so make sure it’s a commitment you’re happy to make. It could be useful to do something of a test run if you don’t know the area, so that you know how long it will take. Nobody wants to be late on the first day after all!

Salary

Clearly, a big factor when considering a job offer is the salary and benefits package. Do some research to make sure that similar positions in the area are paid at the same rate. One main thing to check is if you’ll need a season ticket or to pay for car parking if you weren’t previously. This could leave you spending more, even with a pay rise.

Working Environment

Something to consider when selecting your new workplace is the layout of the office, and where you will spend most of your time. Will you have a designated desk, or will people tend to meet in other parts of the office. Make sure the culture fits and aligns with you. Have a look at the social media pages to get an idea of what working there might be like, before you the plunge.

Ask Yourself

It’s exciting to get a job offer, but make sure the role excites you as well. Think about the role from a long term perspective, try to take a job that you can see yourself staying in for a few years. Making sure you have the intention to commit to it for that long will help you to think positively, and settle in quicker.

Asking yourself these questions will give you a much better idea of whether the job is right for you. It’s important to consider as much as you can, and make a note of the pros and cons, ensuring you only take a role you’re sure is right for you.