Got an Offer? 4 Things to Do Before You Take the Job: Congratulations! You’ve been offered a shiny new job and everything feels completely exhilarating.
You might have been fighting your way out of a toxic work situation or even battling unemployment for ages, but that doesn’t mean you should be singing anything and taking the plunge before making careful considerations. Even if you’re desperate or the position might be your dream job, there are four important things to do before saying “yes”.
Run Over Your Contract
Table of Contents
The first and most important thing you need to check out is what is stipulated in your employment contract.
Make sure you’re clear on the job description and your roles, what your working hours will be and any information there is about time off. Compensation is another big one to look out for, as well as travel requirements and how much the business will cover when it comes to these trips.
If you’re feeling a little out of your depth going through all this info, consider chatting to an employment lawyer who knows labor laws in PA and can assist you with anything you’re unsure about.
Ask Questions
Once you’ve had a look at your contract and seen everything you need to see, you’re allowed to ask questions.
Have a face-to-face conversation with your future employer and get clear on anything you’re uncertain about in your contract, and ask questions about the company culture, how your boss might envision your best possible performance, and whether or not you might be able to meet the team before accepting the offer.
Meet the Team
Getting to know the group of people you’ll be working with is a great idea. You’ll be spending a lot of time together, and it’s important to know whether or not you’ll fit well into the existing dynamic.
If you can’t meet them beforehand, you can at least ask some questions about the leadership style within the group, how many people you’ll be working with and how closely, how work is divided and who you can reach out to for help.
If you’re not much of a team player, this is extra important. However, if you struggle to work with people, you might consider applying for more independent roles.
Scope Out the Work Environment
Another thing to ask your employer is whether or not you could take a look at the working space before you accept. Most people will spend the majority of their day at work, so it is important that you’re comfortable and happy with the space you’ll be in.
Check out things like lighting, noise levels, and whether or not the space is big enough or private enough for your needs.
An additional question to raise before accepting the offer is what the company’s stance on remote work is. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more businesses are encouraging their employees to work from home at least some of the time, so you’ll want to make sure that their model of work aligns with your preferences.
