Evaluating Job Offers

Assess everything – not just salary – before you accept an offer.

Evaluating Job Offers

Congratulations! Now what?

Evaluating your offer goes beyond the salary (although that’s important too!) Here are some questions to ask yourself to make a sound decision.

Keep Reading to Learn:

  • Questions to ask yourself before you accept a job offer
  • Options to consider when you don’t have many options

Questions to Ask

The Position

  • In your gut, are you looking forward to doing this job?
  • Will you get to use your best skills?
  • Is the level of responsibility right for you?
  • How will you be trained?

Organization and People

  • How long has the organization existed?
  • Is it financially sound? Check the financial condition. Look online for financial statements, annual reports, and recent news. 
  • Do you support their primary activity/product/service? Are your values in line with theirs? 
  • Will you expect to work well with your supervisor and the prospective co-workers you met?
  • Where will you work? What will your space be like? Is it a physically pleasant environment? 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

  • Does it have diverse employees? 
  • Is supportive of its diverse employees?
  • Can you easily find a clear Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statement that celebrates and encourages difference? 
  • Are there DEI training opportunities, and are they an expected part of the professional development process? 
  • Are there affinity groups for diverse employees and allies? 

The Offer

  • Is the salary in line with similar positions at similar-sized organizations?
  • What types of salary increases or bonuses are offered?  Merit or cost-of-living?
  • How often will you be evaluated? 
  • If receiving commissions, would the smallest commission meet your minimum living expenses? 
  • How much paid time off does the offer include?
  • Does the benefits package give you adequate health coverage? 
  • Does the employer contribute to a retirement fund? Is there tuition reimbursement? Stock options?  

Personal Lifestyle

  • Will taking this job require you to make any major changes to your life, like really early or late start times? Working weekends? More than 40 hours a week? Travel? 
  • Can you manage the commute in all seasons? 
  • Will taking this position in any way have a negative effect on your personal/social life, or your physical/mental health? 

Career Impact

  • How does this job fit with your overall career goals, and where you want to be in 5 years?
  • Is it a logical stepping-stone?
  • Will it provide skills and background that will be helpful in moving forward? 
  • Are you interested enough in the industry that you want to learn and grow in it? 
  • What is the career ladder like? Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization? 

Tough Decisions

Ideally you would be thrilled with the answers to the above questions in every area of your job offer evaluation. But realistically, that may not always be the case. Then it’s important to ask yourself some tough questions: 

  • Do I have other offers on the table? 
  • What is the economy and unemployment rate like right now? 
  • Am I likely to get a better offer? 
  • What are my current financial needs? 
  • Can this job be a steppingstone along my path, even if it isn’t my dream job?