You’ve been offered a new job that seems promising, but you’re not sure if it’s the right move for your career. How do you evaluate the pros and cons of accepting or declining the offer? Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision.
The salary is not the only factor to consider when comparing job offers. You also need to look at the benefits package, which may include health insurance, retirement plan, vacation time, bonuses, stock options, and other perks. How do these benefits align with your needs and goals? Are they competitive with the market and your current employer? Do they offer flexibility and security for your future?
Also the most important factors to consider are: Care and Safety, career growth plans, training and development opportunities and involvement in decision making.
The culture of a company can have a huge impact on your satisfaction and performance at work. You want to find a place where you fit in, share the values, and enjoy the atmosphere. How do you get a sense of the culture before you join? You can research the company online, read reviews, ask questions during the interview, and reach out to current or former employees. You can also visit the office, observe the interactions, and notice the vibe.
Online reviews can be incredibly helpful, but on occasion misleading.. whether the review is positive or negative, you cannot possibly know the circumstances and context of that person’s journey within the business. I like to use reviews as one of my questions during interview Eg. “There seems to be a common theme on XYZ platform, with reviews talking about poor management - what is the company doing to tackle that problem or fix that perspective?” or “I’ve read that you have brilliant engagement incentives, can you tell me more about them?”
Another important aspect of a job offer is the potential for growth and development. You want to work for a company that invests in your skills, challenges you to learn, and supports your career advancement. How do you know if a company offers these opportunities? You can ask about the training programs, mentoring schemes, feedback systems, and promotion paths. You can also look at the company’s vision, mission, and goals, and see how they align with yours.
Are there any success stories for people that have joined the business at the same/similar level role as you? How did they achieve it?
A job offer is not only about what you get, but also what you give. You want to work for a company that makes a positive difference in the world, and that values your contributions and ideas. How do you measure the impact of a company and your role? You can look at the company’s social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical standards. You can also consider how your work will affect your customers, colleagues, and community.
We can never be 100% sure when changing jobs if we've made the right decision. To some extent, it's always a bit of a gamble, and taking the risk and stepping outside of our comfort zone is what makes it exciting and rewarding in the end. However, to try to minimize the risk, during the interview stages, try to identify with relevant stakeholders how they typically welcome and support new ideas. Seek recent success stories and carefully verify them. Conduct a thorough reference check and ask questions to help you analyze and evaluate. If there's no evidence of others making a positive impact, why do you think you will in this organization?
No job offer is perfect, and you will likely have to make some trade-offs between different factors. For example, you may have to choose between a higher salary and a longer commute, or between a more prestigious company and a less flexible schedule. How do you balance these trade-offs? You need to prioritize what matters most to you, and weigh the costs and benefits of each option. You also need to be realistic about your expectations and limitations.
After you’ve done your research and analysis, you may still feel uncertain about the job offer. That’s when you need to trust your intuition and listen to your gut. How do you feel about the company, the people, and the role? Do you feel excited, curious, and motivated? Or do you feel anxious, bored, and frustrated? Your intuition can help you sense if the job offer is a good fit for you, or if something is off.
If you are facing a tough decision, I would always consider writing a Pro’s & Con’s list to add a visual to your thoughts. Don’t simplify this enough to focus on which column has the highest quantity, but which column outweigh’s the other in terms of your priorities? If your biggest driver is to find a more suitable culture, a slight drop in salary and further commute may not sway your decision