Got a Job Offer. Should I Accept?

by Rob Kincaid

Today I heard from an excellent prior student whom I believed would get an offer from just about any company they interviewed with. Bright. Motivated. Articulate. Knowledgable. Thoughtful. A+ student.

The student said, "My internship experience was great...I learned a lot and was impressed by their rigorous training program, earning potential, and company culture...and walked away with an offer for full-time employment post-grad! I can see myself working there, but I'd like to be cautious and smart about my decision. What questions should I be asking before accepting? And what would you do in my situation?"

Here's what I suggested:

"Good to hear from you. Congratulations! Not surprising to hear you received an offer. As we discussed last semester, I expected you would. Every company would be delighted to have someone with your skills and disposition.

Remember: Pick your spot, find out where you want to be, and make a plan to get there. And keep this in mind: there are hundreds of companies looking to hire talented people like you.

A few thoughts:

Be sure to interview with a variety of companies before making a decision, not just the company where you had an internship. And consider an additional internship, or micro-internship, informational interview, or job shadow if you can.

Explore the full range of opportunities available to you from different companies: cultures, values, leadership approaches, and growth potential. You owe this to yourself.?

Remember, most every company is hiring; companies are hungry for talent. The supply-demand dynamics are on your side.?It's a buyers' market for today's job seekers.

Signing up for a full time position with the first company where you intern – without exploring others – could be a bit similar to getting engaged after a first date.

Ask yourself, "What's most important to me? What kind of information do you need that I don't already have? How will I make my decision? Have I fully explored what's available? What other companies would I like to know more about?

The question you asked "what would you do?" suggests to me that you might be reluctant to accept the first offer. And that's good.

Enlightened companies with people-first cultures will understand (and find desirable) that talented recruits have an abundance of options and will very likely respect that you'd want to fully explore other companies before deciding.

Find the best place for you, one that you feel really good about, where the stated values and mission are matched by actions that are inclusive and purposeful, where people are valued, where you'll be able to engage in meaningful work and make an impact.

Look for a career start where you'll be supported by leadership that provides professional growth opportunities to help fuel your success. Pay attention to your instincts, as your gut feeling reveals valuable data. Best of luck..."