MAKING INFORMED CAREER DECISIONS
As a career coach, I have worked with hundreds of clients (I guarantee results) to help them decide whether to accept a job offer or choose between multiple offers. Regardless of your situation, you should think carefully before you make a decision.
You have received a job offer. You are thrilled. You have worked very hard to make this happen. You have spent hours honing your resume and digital presence. You have done many mock interviews that you have videoed and reviewed. You have completed several rounds of interviews. You have even survived the “sanity check” meeting with the CEO/VP/Director or whomever. You have been validated and are flattered that you are chosen in this challenging environment.
You may even be in the enviable situation of having more than one offer and needing to choose one.
It is very tempting to grab it. However, you need to stop and think. Accepting an opportunity that is not “right” for you is a mistake. If there isn’t a cultural fit, you will be miserable. If the role does not present exciting challenges, you will be bored. If the role does not offer opportunities to grow professionally and personally, you will be no further ahead than when you started. You will become angry and resentful if the compensation does not market value for your skills and experience. You do not want to find yourself terminated or leaving on your own volition. The former will raise questions about your skills and knowledge, and the latter about your judgement.
Here are some things you might want to add to your decision criteria:
14 Questions to Ask Before You Accept the Job
You have worked very hard on your job search. You developed a compelling Personal Value Proposition; identified target industries and organizations; networked your way into your targets; had many informational meetings; went through several rounds of interviews and finally got a job offer.
Before you accept the offer ask yourself these questions:
COMPANY
1. Does the organization have a clear Vision and Mission that inspires me?
2. Do its Values align with mine?
3. How successful has the organization been? Has it achieved its key goals?
4. Do the opportunities, issues/challenges facing the organization interest and appeal to me?
5. Is the leadership team talented? Has the organization recently attracted strong talent?
ROLE
6. Does the job itself offer interesting challenges?
7. Where could this job lead? Is this a logical step in my career development?
8. How will I benefit from this experience in terms of my professional and personal growth?
9. Will this be highly marketable experience? How will it add to my perception in the market?
10. What are my colleagues like? Are they a talented/fun group?
11. Will I be able to work with my boss? Do I respect and admire him or her?
COMPENSATION
12. Is the compensation appropriate for the scope and expectations of the role? Is it at “market value?
Other
13. Is there respect for lifestyle and acceptable pace and stress level?
14. What else is important to me?