3 Things to consider before accepting an offer

Do we only exchange our time and skills for the employer’s money? What else do we get in exchange? What is it for a professional in changing jobs and why do people do it?

I had the opportunity to meet thousands of candidates throughout my 15 years career in recruitment. While some of them chose to speak with me out of prospective curiosity, others were actively hunting for work. Since I've been working with IT professionals for the past seven years, I can tell that even if this job market is hotter than some others, candidates' methods for selecting their next employer aren't all that different.

"There is plenty of fish in the sea", they often answer when asked why they agreed to talk about new opportunities. When people say this, they typically imply they are curious about the income level and additional bonuses and benefits a new employer could offer in addition to their existing range.

I've always thought that this kind of strategy has some trickery or misjudgment.?

Of course, there always has to be a reasonable amount associated with the professional's time or output. And if your current income is less than what would be expected given your level of competence it's time to find a new suitable job.

Finding out this reasonable amount is not particularly difficult at first glance because the job market is open, you can easily find information about companies online, and there is a "professional circle" of individuals who work in your industry and would be happy to share this information. If you possess special knowledge and abilities, you will likely determine your labor value. However, there are likely others in the market with the same skill, but the more qualified you are, the fewer chances you have to over or under-evaluate yourself.???

Perhaps, though, there is something else besides money that motivates us to accept or reject a new offer. There are universal attractions that the majority of experts discuss, yet occasionally it may be something more personal like location, family, or health conditions.

First of all, there are the interviewing participants. The way they speak to you, the questions they ask, the value they offer in exchange for your time, and the kind of feedback and recognition they give you. The most fruitful interviews are those that best convey to candidates how pleasant working with these experts will make them feel. There have been instances where applicants who weren't actively looking for employment began to show more interest after speaking with our tech leads because they observed the level of respect, communication, and expertise they desired in the workplace. I've seen that almost all middle + applicants recognize the importance of these factors. The first thing that our colleagues usually mention when asked about UpTeam’s unique selling point is the people who work here, and the support and trust they offer.

Another aspect that candidates consider when discussing a new job and what piques their interest is Opportunity. When a SW developer tells me that they want new challenges, that they want to grow as professionals, that they want to test new tools, that they want to become a SW architect or a leader, it all revolves around Opportunity. For example, we can provide you the opportunity to try out real-world design and delegate lead work to you. When starting a new job, the chance to try something new or apply all of your skills to relevant duties and become a better professional can be more significant than a salary increase.

Last but not least, there is the Idea. Some employees want to work on a fascinating product, while others want to work in a values-based organization or be a part of something noticeable and unique - it's all about the Idea. When a person decides to work for a well-known company, they are choosing the idea that the organization promotes or is recognized for. This is the most tricky reason to shift jobs.

Ideas, as we all know, are not tangible. They are the easiest to sell and the most difficult to verify. When it comes to marketing ideas, I'm quite careful. I prefer talking about facts and allowing the candidate to decide if those facts build a story in which they want to participate. Consider People and Opportunities before adopting an Idea.

Everything is important. I think our happiness at work increases with how carefully we choose. So, make an educated choice.