What to check while accepting an offer...secret unveiled

Love is blind. Once one falls in love, everything else takes a back seat. At this juncture, one is ready to commit unconditionally. Many a times, one is not able to recognize even visible dangers.

Same happens when one receives a new offer letter. There are 7 parameters one must check to avoid blind turns of the career and take an informed decision. But before that, one must….

Decide - What is important in Life?

The most important aspect of any job change exercise is to clearly articulate expectations from life and career. Each individual is different and so are aspirations and purpose. Clarity of goal helps in taking the right career decision. This acts as baseline for evaluating the parameters

1. Money 

This is one of the fundamental needs. In many cases this money is the deciding factor. However money loses its shine beyond a threshold level. Each individual has a different threshold level. Beyond threshold, other factors become the deciding factors.

2. Social Image 

Social image is a combination of two elements – (i) Brand of the organization and (ii) Designation of the individual. The preferential treatment given to the visiting card is the measure of Social Image.

3. CSR (Constraints, Security & Risk)

CSR consists of elements which are contractual in nature. That is why it is very important to read the offer contract before signing it blindly.

3.1 Constraints 

There can be multiple constraints appearing in the offer letter. Some of the popular constraints one must keep a vigilant eye on are

1. Restrictions on joining the competition after separation. One never knows when the next love at first sight will happen.
2. Restrictions on Publishing articles, speaking on public forums, speaking to media
   
3. Restrictions on Ownership of copyrights / patents
4. Restrictions on Buyback of Notice period
5. Service Agreements attached one time payments at joining
6. Arbitration court for any potential disputes is located in an accessible city

3.2 Security

 Do check security elements like notice period and Insurance. Notice period is a double edge sword as it behaves the same for employer and employee. Carefully check whether

1. Notice period is lengthy enough to cover the risk.
2. Notice period is linked to Base pay or Gross pay.
3. One needs to check whether Insurance coverage is sufficient for unforeseen circumstances. Do check whether it is possible to enhance the coverage by paying some additional premium
   

3.3 Risk 

 One must check the financial health of the organization as well as the past trends of retrenchment / reorganization to understand the risk involved with the position offered. One must not be roaming around with a broken heart soon after falling in love.

4. Time commitment  

 Time commitment not only comprises hours spent at work but also hours spent while travelling to work. Also one should not calculate hours written in policy, one should find out realistic figures from existing employees before making a commitment.

5. Potential for Growth 

 Check whether job offers any potential for growth in the near term or midterm. Growth could be increase in salary, designation, benefits, positioning and scope of work. These questions are best answered by interviewers during the interview.

 6. Freedom

Freedom determines work satisfaction. Freedom is not opposite of constraints. In this context Freedom has a different meaning all together. Here are the 5Ps of Freedom at work

1. Policies – Policies define the fabric of the organization. Basic policies like flexible work hours, dress code, internal job postings reflect the progressiveness of organization.
2. Power Equations – All organizations have power equations. Important is to understand whether these power equations affect free flow of information.
3. Positioning inside the organization – positioning defines decibels of voice in the organization. This depends on individual as well.
   
4. Pixels of job –How minutely job is defined. Essentially whether job is a set of activities OR responsibilities
5. Panache of supervisor – Finally it boils down to working style of supervisor. 

7. Learning & Accomplishments

 Check whether job has certain aspects that will enhance learning or domain expertise. It is important to visualize that after spending two years with the organization, whether one will be able to add new skill sets or accomplishments to the CV. Do clarify key goals (future accomplishments) for the position with the interviewers.

Here is the Summary 

Evaluate offer on priorities of life and take a decision whether to accept the offer.

This is Author's personal view point and is not influenced by any person or organization.  Image Credit to Fernandez, Fritis Ahlefeldt, brewhinper.getva.biz, logosconcarne.com, clker.com, venturebeat.com