You Got a Job Offer! Now What?
- Does the salary or hourly rate work for me?
Not a lot of us are taking a job out of the goodness of our hearts. As Queen Rihanna said: “Pay me what you owe me.” If you aren’t making bank just yet, you should be getting some useful professional experience that could help down the line.After you’ve negotiated a salary or hourly pay rate, do your research. If you’re an hourly employee, find out how many hours you can expect to work per week. And if you’re a salaried employee, find out how much work is expected to be done outside of the 9 to 5, and if you’re eligible for overtime pay. - What about the benefits?
The phrase “401k” or “healthcare premium” may mean little to you, but they’re important benefits that can add up to a lot of money. It’s worth finding out exactly what benefits are available to you. Many companies offer retirement plans, health insurance, and sick leave. Others could take their benefit package to the next level, offering tuition reimbursement, staff lunches, or even pet insurance. This could account for thousands of additional dollars coming your way, just not in the form of a paycheck. - Can I grow professionally at this job?
You need to know if the job you accept will help you get to the next rung of your career ladder. Even if you’re not sure what you want to do when you grow up, a job that allows you to list some new skills on your resume can be a step in the right direction.Before you accept an offer, find out if there are opportunities for advancement within the company – or if you’ll need to leave at some point to take that next step. You should also find out if promotions are common or if it takes years to grow into a higher-level position. Those promotions may be worth the wait, but you want to have a general idea of what to expect. - Is this workplace unionized?
If your potential workplace is unionized, you may have no option but to join. (If you don’t know what a union is, we’ve got an explainer for you here.). That means you may have to pay dues to the union and follow its rules. Unions can also determine things like salary and benefits. You’ll want to know how much it costs to join the union (initiation fees) and how much it costs to stay in the union (monthly dues) since these costs could come right out of your paycheck. - Can I expect a raise or bonus?
It’s worth asking if your potential employer has some type of incentive program such as annual raises, bonuses, profit-sharing, or signing bonuses.These opportunities can add up, but they’re all very different. Bonuses, for example, are taxed at a higher rate than your typical salary. Additionally, it’s important to understand how these raises or bonuses are allocated. Some workplaces decide raises and bonuses strictly based on merit while others may have a set track or need to be negotiated by a union. - What is the culture like at this workplace?
You’re going to want to get a good feel for the vibe of the workplace before you start. Is this a suits-only space or is the dress code much more relaxed? Can I bring my pet to work? Are my coworkers mostly my age or are they all boomers?You may also want to consider the company’s reputation. Is the company known for having a cut-throat environment where failure isn’t an option? Does the job have such low expectations that you’ll be bored all day if you accept it? You’ll want to make sure the energy level of the workplace is what you want. - Does this job fit my current lifestyle?
Some jobs may seem great on paper, but can take a real toll on your daily routine.If you’re more of a “don’t talk to me before I’ve had my coffee” person, you may not want that donut shop job that requires you to get to work at four in the morning. If you love living in your current neighborhood and your commute would be one hour each way, you may want to look elsewhere. Maybe that new commute is the perfect excuse to catch up on all those podcasts you’ve been meaning to listen to. But maybe not. - The answer is yes. Now what?First of all, congrats on the new job! But there are still a few details you should figure out.
When do you start? What time should you show up on the first day? Who should you meet with when you get there? These questions will all help reduce the stress of the first day.
Additionally, there may be some other information your employer needs from you including your government identification cards and your direct deposit information. It can make everyone’s life easier if you have that information when you start.
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TL;DR
Applying for jobs is stressful, but don’t rush into the wrong one just because you got an offer. Get as much information as possible so you know the job is right for you:- Are you comfortable with your pay?
- Are there any benefits?
- Will you have the chance to grow into a larger role or get promoted?
- Does the workplace have a union?
- Is there a raise or bonus schedule?
- Do your coworkers seem like people you’d want to spend time with?
- Will you have to make any big life changes?