What on earth do you do now?
Many people at this stage might simply say "yes" to the first real opportunity and be done with the whole business of hunting for a job. However, you should bear in mind that upon receiving that offer, you are, for once, in a position to negotiate.
It is at this point, for instance, that you can begin asking pertinent questions about salary, benefits, and promotions. You should make sure that you understand all of your boss's expectations, and that your boss is aware of what you feel you are truly worth as an employee. In short, it's time for each side to make clear its intentions. That's how good working relationships start.
Obviously, you're going to have to avoid hitting your prospective employer with a rapid fire series of "60 Minutes" style questions.
Be sure that you know, at least in broad terms, the answers to questions like these: What is the firm's review and evaluation process? What are the benefits being offered? Is an advanced degree necessary for advancement to top positions? What is the last person who held this position doing currently? Who is the formal supervisor? Is this person different than the actual supervisor? What are the firm's hours of operation? When is the busy season? Does the firm have any immediate expansion plans?
Evaluating Offers
Sometimes people work so hard to get a job offer that they miss the fact that they don't really want the job. Strange but true.
Suppose, for instance, that you, Abigail Hunter, have been developing leads in the shoelace industry in order to find a job in management. You have, as we may recall, excellent sales experience, but limited shoelace exposure. In developing your leads, you've made many contacts, and along the way, you've met Roger Retread, the sales manager at Amazing Lace, the third largest shoelace manufacturer in the country. He likes your credentials, your meeting goes very well, and you feel confident he may steer you toward the management position you're after, either at Amazing Lace or elsewhere within the industry. Then Mr. Retread surprises you.
He offers you his top sales job in the most lucrative territory in the country.
Suppose you were to throw your earlier desire to move into management out the window. Then what was the point of all your work conducting chi? But suppose you tell Roger the job's not for you. Are you sure you won't lose any sleep over taking a pass on that kind of opportunity?
It's a tricky situation, not least because there are very few things more disruptive to your psyche than accepting a job that you hadn't planned on. Vilify? Because there's no better way to get someone to offer you the job, which you do want and can't take without shooting your resume full of holes.
Make no mistake. All job offers deserve careful evaluation. Even the most unlikely position can hold potential you might not immediately acknowledge. But the point is, you have to choose to take advantage of that opportunity.
So. What are the best techniques for evaluating offers? One approach is to resort to the time tested "pros and cons" list. Take a sheet of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle. On the left, writes "PRO;" on the right, "CON." Now ask yourself some questions. For instance, what are the positive aspects of the job? Which elements would challenge you or give you the greatest pleasure? Write these points down on the left hand side. Then ask yourself what parts of the job would deviate from your "ideal." Are there any potential personality problems with any coworkers you've met so for? Is the location less than perfect? Write down any of these items on the right hand side of the sheet.
If a great many negative points arise from this process, be careful not to make a hasty acceptance. Ask yourself some questions: Does this job really meet my needs? Do I have a good opportunity for advancement? How is this job different from my present situation?
You may even want to go back to your contacts, mentors, or other advisors and ask for some objective opinions. Often, you will learn about some exciting (or nightmarish) new aspects of the position you may have overlooked.
Your contacts might also be able to give you salary estimates and ranges that will help you determine whether or not you should accept the salary you've been offered or prepare a counteroffer.
Finally, take a moment to evaluate your future boss.
If at all possible, take the time to talk to the last person who held the position you've been offered. He or she will have the freshest insight into the dynamics of the working relationship you'll inherit. As you listen to any accounts of former (or current) employees, keep in mind that their points of view, by definition, will not be objective. You'll have to closely evaluate the person making the comments, as well as your potential boss.
If you don't have the opportunity to talk with the person whose shoes you may fill, you'll have to rely on your own instincts. If you feel unsure about the personality, integrity, and/or sincerity of the person you'll be working for, thinks twice about accepting the job.
Why should you be so careful on this point? Ask anyone who's ever quit or been fired faro a post because of personality problems with a supervisor. You can be working for the number one company in the industry, in the greatest city, for a fantastic salary and still be miserable if your boss is a jerk.
Ideally, you want a boss who cares for you as a person, and who would like to see you advance and prosper. While this may not be possible in every case, you should still be on the lookout for the kind of relationship that allows your good performance to benefit your boss nearly as much as it does you. If, however, your boss is threatened by potential and intelligence in general and yours in particular you're going to have problems. And, in all likelihood, you're going to have no one to turn to for help.
