You receive a call from the Hiring Manager and she has great news: the job is yours! The hard part is over, right? Not necessarily.
When there’s a job offer on the table, it can be very hard to determine if making the move is the right step for you. So, how to know if you should take the offer or walk away?
Let’s ask some questions and find out.
1. Does It Correspond to Your Values?
Everyone is driven by their values, that core set of principles that we try to live our lives by. If your top 3 values are family, financial stability and success, and the offer is prestigious and pays well, you will probably be happy to take it. But if your top 3 values are freedom, modesty, and peace, then a fast-paced environment with a steady 9-5 job won’t cut it for you.
Why is it so important for a job to appeal to your values? Because you’re going to spend a lot of time doing it. If it’s something that you’re not getting enough out of, you’re going to end up resenting it. So why start in the first place?
Choose a job that fulfills your needs and where you won’t feel like you’re just working. You will actually feel like you’re making a difference for yourself and others.
2. Do You Like the Working Environment?
A lot of people think that a job that pays well is enough to make them happy. But they couldn’t be further from the truth. If you have to relocate to another country and you really don’t want to, then refuse the offer.
If the Hiring Manager shows you around the office and you don’t like the way people talk to each other or you have this weird “wrong” feeling in your gut, listen to it. Sometimes you see more than you know. Trust yourself.
3. Do You Like What’s Written in Your Contract?
Your contract is too important NOT to read thoroughly. If you need time to consider your decision or you want to discuss it with a lawyer, tell them that you’d like a copy of it. Then go home and read it carefully.
If you don’t like something, negotiate it. If the job is the right one for you, then they’ll consider your terms. Even if they refuse to change their mind about something, at least you won’t be sorry you never asked.
4. Do You Have a Steady Job Now?
Headhunting is now becoming one of the best ways to recruit quality employees. If you’re already working for another company and the new company offers to pay you more, there are two ways to approach the situation:
1. If you like the company you’re in and you don’t believe that a change is needed, politely decline the offer but tell them that you’ll keep in touch. Then go to your boss and ask for a raise. That’s right, you deserve it.
2. If you want to accept the offer, tell them that you need to think about it because you’re happy with your current job. Then try to renegotiate the terms and make them better than the ones you have in your current job. If they’re open to making some changes, take the job.
I hope this helps you out. This is just an example of how a coach can begin to guide you through the process. Of course, there are lots of different job offers, career situations, etc. And the specifics can be crucial when you make a decision like this.
Still not sure what to do? Come say “Hi” and we’ll work something out.
Simply yours,
