Receiving a new job offer in itself can feel like quite a triumph. Making it through all of the steps required to get to that point can be a feat, and you may feel like at that point you must take the job after all the time invested. However, before signing on board, you should do a final check to make sure the role still seems like a good fit. You may have learned more about the company and position along the process (during interviews and perhaps meeting with your future manager) which may have given you some pause and possible concern. Here are some questions to ask yourself when weighing a job offer…
Is the workload and hours manageable?
Everyone has a different definition of what their idea work-life balance would be. It may depend on where you are in your life, and if you have a lot of responsibilities that take up your time outside of work. Be honest with yourself and if the job is manageable for you with where you are in your life right now.
Do you like the company culture?
During the interview process, you hopefully were able to get a better feeling of what the company culture would look like. If you haven’t already, look at websites like Glassdoor and see what current and previous employees have to say. If given the opportunity, ask about the company culture during the interview process. In an article on Forbes, they write, “There’s a saying that culture will eat a company’s strategy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If the culture is broken, a company cannot succeed no matter what they do. For you to thrive within a company, their culture must match yours. Beyond factors like your compensation and growth opportunities, will you build positive relationships and be happy working there? When assessing the culture, try to move past generic answers or corporate buzzwords to understand the thoughtful steps they’ve taken to create a positive work environment. How do they accommodate employee needs? How do they celebrate their wins and handle their failures? What’s their office structure, and will it suit you? Also note that if employees give wildly different answers about the culture, that company doesn’t have a strong, unified culture.”
Are there good growth opportunities?
When considering a new job, it’s smart to think about what the career trajectory would look like. Do they have a good track record of promoting from within the company? Do they encourage growth and continual learning or would it be a role that would be a dead end with no room for growth? Learn what you can ahead of time and think about what career progression you would like to make and if it’s possible with the company you are considering.
Do you like your future manager?
In the interview process you hopefully met with who will be your manager, should you decide to take the job. Did you get a feel on whether or not you would get along and if you liked their management style? In an article in Harvard Business Review, they write, “Jay recommends having an open conversation with your prospective boss about their management approach and how it aligns with your work style and preferences. ‘You should feel comfortable having this conversation because you’ll need to discuss these things anyway if you decide to take the job,’ she says. ‘If you’re uncomfortable expressing yourself and your needs, it might not be the best place to work.’ Talk to your potential boss about how they see success in the team and what they expect from the people working under them. Ask how they support their employees in growing their skills and moving up in the company. Knowing what they look for in an ideal employee is also helpful. ‘They might say they like employees who work independently and take ownership, or they might say they like people who understand the chain of command,’ she says. ‘It tells you a lot about their management style and how they operate.’”