To accept or not accept, that is the question

So you’ve been to your interview "Good luck and don't f*** it up!" ” You nailed it, you’ve followed up after your interview and now you’re waiting feedback. Now what?... If the role and company still tickles your pickle, this is your time to research the company and ask yourself is the company really is somewhere that aligns with your values and you can see yourself working.

Let’s say for this articles sake it’s just a one round interview process. Two scenarios here people… Offer or No Offer. Let’s go with the not so good news first ..

Not having an offer sucks but be resilient, it’s not the end of the world. This one just wasn’t meant to be and that’s OK. The one thing I would recommend is to always ask for feedback. Use your feedback to make changes to your CV (check out "Is your resume 2020 ready?") ,your style of interview, the information you share, the stories and examples you provide and the questions you ask within the interview.

You got the offer YAYYYY. Congratulations!! This is fab news! They will 99% of the time ask for references at this stage. Make sure they are two from recent projects / managers you have directly reported too, not from 1900 in your first job out of high school.

Your reference come back all fine and dandy and you have your offer letter from HR / Hiring manager, you’ve gone through it and everything is good, you signed and now you need to hand your notice in. Be honest and tell your manager the reasons for leaving and that you have accepted another position but prepare for a counter offer.

You got a counter offer and why I think you should never accept a counteroffer

Companies are always keen to hold onto their top employees, so don’t be surprised if you handing your notice is followed by a counteroffer but try and a remember the counteroffer doesn't solve those issues that made you click apply for the role in the first place. A pay rise is usually offered in a counter offer but ask yourself why this wasn’t given to you at you last review and why it takes them till you leaving to offer this to you.

Anecdotally in the recruitment world 80% of job seekers who accept a counter offer go on to leave their job within six months

Thank them for the time they have worked with you. Discuss your notice period and agree on a final day with the company. Keep the entire process – from handing you notice in through to your final day, as professional and positive as possible. Don’t burn bridges. I REPEAT. DO. NOT. BURN. YOUR. BRIDGES !!!

If I can help or answer any questions please reach out.

Stay safe and keep smiling.

ST