You might have been badly in need of a paycheck to survive the bad economy or meet the inflation. But if you have no such compulsions, you should not grab any offer that comes your way. Here are some guidelines to make a well-balanced decision:
Attention to job description
Scrutinize the job requirements and the responsibilities you are supposed to take up. The important aspect to be considered before you accept the job is to whom you are reporting; and as such you ask yourself following questions:
- Do you feel comfortable with the duties of the position?
- Will your decisions be questioned?
- Are you getting the position proportionate to your experience?
- Are you prepared to sacrifice your lifestyle to meet the demands of the job? Can you undertake frequent travelling, commute for longer hours, and cope up with rigid working hours?
Evaluation of the company
Examine the company and its work environs and see whether you can feel comfortable. If you like a conservative set of working hours and established corporate processes, an informal work atmosphere is not your cup of tea. Find out the working style of your would be boss and colleagues. If you think there will be personality clash, think twice before accepting job. An atmosphere of unending differences and opinion conflicts will affect your efficiency and production.
Scrutinize the compensation package
Does the salary package offered is comparable to what you are already getting and what are your peers with qualifications and skills comparable to yours earn? Forget not to study the benefits you may get. Are the perks attractive? Attractive benefits and perks may surpass the basic salary offer.
If you are offered to telecommute even if you are required to work long hours, you may accept the offer as you will have time to attend to your personal needs. If an offer doesn't meet a benefit such as tuition reimbursement for a professional certification you want, you don't lose anything to bargain for it.
Find out growth opportunities
There is no point in landing a position that gets you stuck with no further growth. The offer may be good for the short term. If you are holding a position without any growth will tell on your health. You will be robbed of peace of mind.
Know whether you can hope for growth. Also find out whether your predecessors moved up with the company. If you get negative answers to these questions, you should seek your luck somewhere else.
After taking all these aspects into consideration, decide whether to accept the offer or spurn it or negotiate a better package. If you are still not in a position to decide, go with your gut feeling. If something is amiss, put penetrative questions to the recruiting manager before taking any decision. Taking a responsible position isn't a small accomplishment in anybody's career. Take a decision that works out well for you career.
