Even in this tight job market, you might find yourself fielding more than one job offer at the same time and having to choose. Or, you might get offered a job that you’re just not interested in accepting. Especially if you’re unemployed, it might seem foolish to pass up a job, but here are five factors to consider when evaluating the offer:
1. Is the company stable?
When you do your homework on prospective employers, you have to dig a little to find out relevant facts that might affect your future employment. Is the company’s stock price plummeting? Are there rumors of a merger? Both of these things may mean that layoffs are on the horizon. The position you’ve been offered might not exist within the year. You’ll need to gather all of the facts and calculate your risks. If you still want to accept the position, see whether the employer can give you an employment contract.
2. Are their turnover rates high?
Every company experiences turnover, but a high rate is a red flag. See what you can find out before accepting an offer. Maybe there was poor management in place previously, but they’ve now left. And pay attention during the hiring process—if your interviewers keep referring to people who have left the company, you may want to take the hint.
3. Is the money the ‘wow’ factor?
If money is the biggest influence in your decision to accept a new job, winning out over whether or not you’ll feel comfortable, challenged or appreciated at the new company, think twice. Money can’t buy you on-the-job happiness or professional fulfillment. It may not even guarantee career advancement.
4. Would your work-life balance be out of kilter?
Yes, there are times in your career when you have to put in long hours and sacrifice parts of your personal life – often at the beginning of your career, or when you’re transitioning to a new one. But, if you’re at the stage where you have a family and personal obligations, a job that requires you to put in 70-80 hours a week will probably be a poor choice.
5. Do they have a good reputation?
If you choose to work at a company that has suffered through a major corporate scandal or has a poor public reputation for any other reason, it may look bad on your resume. When you’re doing your homework, assess any potential employer’s standing within its industry. Ask members of your network or even an executive recruiter for their opinions. You may decide that it’s better to be a top salesperson at a respected organization than VP of Sales at a dubious one.
If you have any questions on employment or how to assess a job offer, contact us at High Profile. We’re happy to share our expertise!