8 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING A JOB OFFER

by: Remie Longbrake | published: September 10, 2023

Before accepting a job offer you should spend some time carefully considering the exact specifications on the offer itself, and your own thoughts and reflections on your interviews and the company. Also, how your offer compares to other offers you may have already received or expect to receive in coming days and weeks.

If you have been lucky enough to receive an offer from a top-scale firm, your job offer should include many additional benefits apart from training and salary (such as gym, pension, insurance, time off, etc).

Many smaller firms may not be able to offer you so many benefits or such a high salary, although they may be able to offer other kinds of attractive extras, such as 25 to 30 days’ of personal days/vacation (compared to most top firms’ offers of 20 days).

Although there may be a great deal of differences between job offers, do not let things like salaries and special benefits (such as gym access) affect your decision too much. Remember that enjoying the job, liking the people you will be working with and having a good feeling for the firm you will be working for are all very important and will affect you far more than financial factors, such as an extra $1,000 a year salary.

1. Start Date

Before accepting a job offer consider if the proposed start date is suitable. If you would prefer to push back your start date by six to twelve weeks, in order to spend some time travelling or taking a class related to your new job or spending time pursuing another activity, you should ask your prospective employer if this would be possible.

Often employers are able to delay your start date, particularly if the position you have been interviewing for is a graduate scheme with a large annual candidate intake.

2. Salary

Consider if the salary offered in your job offer contract is suitable. If you think you are worth more, or that the salary offered is particularly low, you should contact your employer to discuss the potential for the figure to be increased.

Although it is not common for offered salaries for structured graduate schemes to be increased, smaller firms are often open to salary negotiations, especially if they are particularly keen on a candidate.

3. Training

Consider whether your company will pay for your exams, your books and any other additional costs or expenses associated with vocational training. You should check the details of your job offer regarding exam fees – it is possible that you will have to pay for any exam fees, which can add up.

It is also worth investigating what happens if you fail an exam more than once. Many employers will fire trainees who fail multiple exams and may even ask them to pay back their training costs if this happens, so it is important to know where you stand.

Before accepting an offer, you should also check whether you are tied to the company for a certain period of time after you are qualified or not. Some employers require employees to pay back training fees if they leave their job within a certain period of time after completing training, for example.

4. Time off

Most larger employers offer 20 days’ time off to new graduate trainees. Smaller employers
may offer more time off but don’t count on it. Some employers offer trainees the chance to buy more time off (by accepting a lower salary).

You should also be aware of whether or not you will be required to work on bank holidays and other holiday periods during your employment, before you accept an offer. Also ask about specific religious holidays if they apply to you. Find out exactly where you stand before signing a contract.

5. Retirement

Pensions used to be more common for most all businesses, however, these days unless you work for the government or a large employer, most likely a pension will not be available for you. Hopefully, your employer will at least offer a 401(k) or similar along with a matching contribution of some sort.

6. Health Insurance

Let’s face it, health insurance is pricey. You want an employer who is going to help reduce the cost of this for you and your family. Outside of your expected salary, health insurance is likely going to be the number one priority to consider. Even if you’re healthy, insurance is important so know what you’re getting and the benefits offered and ask if you’re current doctors are in the network and local hospitals.

7. Gym Membership

Benefits such as gym membership are certainly not the most important part of your job offer, but it is useful to check exactly where you stand and what’s on offer before accepting a job offer. Free gym membership could save you over $400 a year or more, and a healthy employee is beneficial to both you and your employer.

8. Culture

Ask about the culture and work environment. Can you get a feel for your new colleagues and work management. Is there a culture for growth and success? Do colleagues tend to keep to themselves after work? What happens day to day? Try to find these answers out before accepting a new job. You’ll find yourself more likely to be happy in your new role and ready to hit the ground running.

All the best!