10 crucial things to consider before accepting a job offer

It’s important to review what a job role has to offer you beyond face value. Here is a list of crucial things you should consider before accepting that job offer:

1. Workplace culture

Not many candidates realize how important work culture is to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Some workplaces promote the “hustle” or “daily grind” mindset. Other companies advocate for strict boundaries between personal and professional settings.

There is no one “correct” workplace culture, but there is one that is the best fit for you, your lifestyle, and your career. While these details may not be stipulated in your contract or mentioned during your job offer, you can definitely ask your recruiter about it or check their employer branding pages.
 

2. Salary

The first thing candidates consider when given a job offer is usually the salary. 

If you want to find the benchmark salary for what someone in your position and field should be earning, do your research. 

You can search online at jobs board and graduate platforms, or even ask former upperclassmen from your university who are already working in the same industry you want to work in.

Although salary is an important factor when accepting a job offer, it’s not everything. When assessing an offered salary, it’s usually reviewed alongside other important considerations.
 

3. Benefits

Besides your salary, financial benefits are usually included in job offers. These supplementary benefits can provide substantial value beyond your monthly paycheck.

Most companies provide employees with coverage or resources for health insurance. It’s also important to note the number of sick leaves, vacation leaves, and holidays you’re provided—assess whether these are reasonable for your lifestyle.

Other benefits may not be necessities but are nice to have. For instance, if your work requires you to be connected via the internet or mobile, they may even offer to pay for your network bills. They may even offer a commuting allowance if you have to come into the office every day.

4. Working hours

Another important thing to consider before accepting a job offer is your working hours. Is it an 8 AM to 5 PM schedule, or are the hours flexible? Will the nature of your job require you to work overtime or on the weekends? 

Not only should you consider the number of hours spent working in a day, but also how much each hour is worth. Before being won over by an attractive salary, make sure you know how much work you’ll need to do to earn it. 

5. Tracking productivity

Now that work-from-home and hybrid work setups are more common, companies use different approaches to track work hours and productivity.

Some companies may ask employees to log their work hours in a Google sheet. Other employers may direct employees to stay on a Zoom call for the duration of their work hours. There are even companies that require employees to install software that tracks keystrokes or takes screenshots of your computer.

While these may not seem important to consider, the ways companies track productivity can affect your overall attitude towards work. 

Before accepting any job offer, consider if these companies’ productivity tracking methods align with your work style and preferences.

6. Potential for growth

Before signing off on a job offer, think about what the company can offer you in terms of your growth potential.

Does the company offer training programs or learning resources? Are there tailor-made growth development plans? How often can your supervisor schedule 1-on-1 meetings with you regarding your overall progress?

An employer’s view on training and development can speak volumes about how much they want to see their employees grow as professionals. 

7. Responsibilities

When reviewing the job offer, it’s always a good idea to revisit the job description—the list of responsibilities you’re expected to carry out daily as an employee.

Before you accept the offer, carefully consider whether your potential responsibilities challenge you and interest you. 

Imagine your weekly to-do list. Think about whether you would enjoy completing your daily tasks while producing quality work.

8. Relevant work experience

While this may be your first job offer, it may not be your last. For the sake of your career growth, you should be open to the idea that this job may not be permanent. 

You don’t know where you’ll be in the next year—maybe you’ll receive future job offers from other companies, or even branch out to other lines of work.

With this in mind, the best thing you can do is find a job that aligns with your dream job. Accept a job offer that is somewhat related to your desired career path. Rack up relevant work experience which will make it easier for you to excel in your industry.

9. Current circumstances

One of the most important things to consider before accepting a job offer is your current circumstances.

What is your motivation behind finding a job? Are you trying to dip your toes in work that interests you? Can you afford to experiment with your career path? Are you paying for rent and personal expenses?

There is no perfect job, but there is a job that suits what you are looking for in your current circumstances.

10. Employee reviews and testimonials

Still unsure about accepting the job offer? One of the best ways to find out what your potential employer is like is to hear from the employees themselves.

Many platforms offer employee reviews and testimonial pages wherein candidates can read what former and current employees have to say about working there.

Other platforms even provide detailed profiles and personal accounts from the application process, to the onboarding process, to day-to-day life at work. 

Conclusion

While receiving a job offer can be exciting, accepting or declining it is a serious decision that can dictate your career path. Carefully consider what you are looking for in a worthwhile job. 

Haven’t found a worthwhile job yet? There are many amazing job opportunities at Prosple that equip you with everything you would need to know–from job descriptions, to benefits, to graduate profiles, to reviews.