It is so exciting the day that the recruiter calls you to offer you about a job. You feel so excited all day. You’ve been noticed and sought out for your expertise. And because you are actively managing your career, you always take the interview even if you are happy where you are. Taking that first call or phone screen is always a good idea. The benefits are endless. You get to practice telling your best work stories and you can get immediate feedback on them to continually hone in on that accomplishment-based narrative that makes you stand out. And now, you’ve been asked to progress in the process and have been extended an offer. Here’s where you should pause. Related:The Waiting Game: Surviving Job Offer Anxiety This might be the hardest thing to do. But, it is so important to take a little time to process the offer you’ve been given. Despite the frequency in which we are all changing jobs these days, leaving one job to join another company is still a big step. You spend a lot of time at work and with your co-workers. You not only make money at your current role, but you also know the ins and outs of the company. You know where you fit for the most part. And while jumping ship on some days sounds glorious, you never know if there’s a better boat your stepping onto or if you’ll end up with no inner tube in the deep end of the ocean. So, when that job offer comes in, you need to do a little soul searching before you accept the job offer on the phone right away. Here are some tips for doing that:
1. Take stock
If you want to take the job, it’s important to know why. So, I always ask myself a series of questions to be sure I am doing this for the right reasons. I usually ask myself:- Why am I looking to change?
- Is it better money?
- Shorter commute?
- Looking for more growth opportunities?
- Am I no longer challenged or appreciated at my current job?
- Am I not satisfied with my job?
2. Look harder
Don’t jump until you have a really good sense of who your next employer or more importantly manager will be. Did you interview them fearlessly? Look back at your notes. Was there anything that made you question who might be your new manager? The jobs that I’ve taken that I’ve regretted are when I have ignored my gut about the manager. It is a 100% fail rate on my part. And do not under any circumstances convince yourself that the manager will change. There is a good chance they were on their best behavior for you and if they weren’t? Um, no!3. Determine your fit
What are you best at? How can this company help you hone in on those skills? What makes you happy at work, will you get opportunities to do work that addresses those passions? Do you know what the culture is of the company? How do they live it? Are there examples you could point to in the interview process that validates the company living the culture in the interview? These will help you assess your fit into the company. Culture is not the words on their website, but how they actually behave at work, in meetings and even in interviews.4. Step away from the bark
Talk to the people most important in your life about the opportunity and your current situation. These people know you really well, but they also have the gift of distance from the day-to-day life you lead at work. You are frankly too close to the bark of the tree to make this all on your own. You need some outside perspective to help inform your decision. If, after all these things, you determine that it is worth it… by all means, call that recruiter and take the job. If you aren’t sure, talk to your recruiter about what it would take to make the offer a no-brainer. If you see this is a no for any reason, call that recruiter and graciously bow out. Tell them how honored you are to have received their offer, but, this is not the right fit for you right now. But, keep honing your best work stories. Keep taking those calls.Related Posts
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