Did You Ask These Questions Before Accepting A Job Offer? You Should.
You are almost at the end of the finish line. Months of waiting, scouring through job postings left and right, and several interviews have led to this moment. The company says they are interested and want to go a step further. But unlike The Godfather, this is an offer you can refuse. How? And it starts with asking yourself questions before accepting the.
Now, you may think to yourself, “Shouldn’t I feel lucky that I got the call or the email?” After all, job searching is difficult and you have finally reached the summit. But sometimes, the offer can blind you long enough to make you regret a decision once you have said yes.
With this, we take a look at the most common questions you can ask before you move forward with signing that contract.
Also read: Top 10 Tricky Job Interview Questions—Plus, Ways to Answer Them!
What are the questions you can ask?
It is important to note that you must be able to understand the job requirements in the industry you are in. Some industries abide by the 9-to-5 pattern, but other industries (e.g. tourism, food and beverage) adhere to maximizing the day through shifts.
So what will make you accept a job offer? Ultimately, it boils down to your priorities but there are non-negotiables you have to stomach once you say yes to a certain industry.
1. Do I actually want to do the job?
In the heat of the search, you sometimes overlook the complete scope of work like the way you click AGREE on Terms and Conditions. The position you want is in your hands, but you may have skipped over a few responsibilities that were actually critical. Do you want to make monthly reports on online KPIs? Is interacting with influencers something you are okay with?
Other than that, you also have to check your job offer contract versus the job posting you saw. Some companies do have the audacity to add more work versus what you saw, so it is best to double check before signing off to more responsibilities than you would like.
2. Am I open to going to an office?
The world may have opened its doors once again, but the working ways have shifted in the past years. Some companies have revisited on-site work and others have switched to total WFH. The rest have opened themselves up to the possibilities of a hybrid office system, where employees do both on-site and WFH the whole week.
If you are someone who wants to separate their work and home life, go for the office work. But if you wish to WFH or do the hybrid option, check in with the company if they are open to doing that. It may throw you off that you have to spend again for a commute and bear the traffic going to your office.
3. Does the job’s nature and the company values reflect my own?
Professionals value a company that values their people, and more so involving the community, the environment, and other social issues. If you think your belief system aligns with theirs, take it as a huge sign to say yes.
You can spot this in their Mission-Vision and core values, usually shared during orientation. But you can check with the company representative or do a quick browse online to see what their belief systems are. If you have a friend who works there, you can gauge through their own experiences too.
4. Is there a possibility for career growth in this role?
Climbing the corporate ladder requires two things: your willingness and the company’s support. One cannot work without the other. If you are looking for a long-term future with the company, part of that will be ascending to a new role. Some companies favor their internal talents over external talents, but there are others who glean over that and choose to look outside.
If you feel like there is no clear path for you to grow beyond what you are now, then revisit. But otherwise, take it and make sure you drive this success home. This can also be an aspect to check if your company values its people too.
5. Is the compensation worth my effort?
One of the ways to get recognized for your work is not only through verbal praise. Monetary rewards also come into play. In this case, we talk about your salary. We have several tips on how to negotiate your way to fair pay during the interview stage. This is something you cannot overlook or you may be blindly saying yes without knowing what you are going to get.
The best way to gauge fair pay is to measure it by industry standards. Does it live up to what the industry offers, or is it too low? If the company is not willing to negotiate to standard or above, it may be time to bid goodbye.
Also read: Know Your Career Worth! How To Compute Salary in the Philippines
6. What is the team like?
Company culture does not stop at the website or a verbal recital. It must also seep through its people, and the best way to see this come to life is through the team you will work with. Most likely, you can find this out during your interview with your future boss. You can ask about direct reports, the number of teammates you will have, the workflow, and the type of tasks you have to do.
It is paramount to place a huge importance on this because they will be the family you will have.
7. What benefits do I have?
We all know that monetary rewards are not the only things we should expect. We should also look at the benefits and perks we have as employees. Take note of things like incentives (for sales positions), vacation leaves, sick leaves, company discounts, and the like. Most importantly, look at their HMO or health insurance package. Nowadays, health is an expensive priority, and having a good package can help wean off the excess spending.
Also make sure to ask when you can avail of these benefits. Some companies allow immediate use, but others make their new hires go through a probationary period.
8. Will this new job address the issues I had with my old job?
We talk about not burning bridges with our old companies, but sometimes forgiving and forgetting do not need to correlate. Take note of the old issues that were not addressed during your previous work experience and discuss these concerns with the new company.
Examples could be, “What is your take on calling during vacation leaves?” or “Is leaving the office at 6pm expected?” Knowing what you want in a job should already come first, and asking the right questions can lead you to accept or decline depending on what you want.
In the same vein, give your new company a chance too. Do not enter the company like you left your last. It is a new start, after all, and you must be willing to start anew.
9. What is the company’s health policy like?
Not only did we highlight the importance of health insurance, but we should also look at a company’s health policy. Returning to the office (RTO) can also trigger our paranoia and anxiety, including interacting with different people. In this case, does the company respect sick leaves? Do they have COVID-19 benefits? Will they cover the expenses for a RT-PCR or antigen test?
A good company values its people’s well-being. Not only do they treasure the physical aspect, but also care for their behavioral, mental, and emotional states too.
10. What does my gut feeling say about this?
Ultimately, we can rely on ourselves to get a feel of the offer. If a positive feeling comes in response, then it is good to move forward. But if you feel that there are red flags in hiding, then you can decline or ponder some more, ask more questions. What is your inner voice daring to say about this offer? You are the one in charge, after all, and no one can say otherwise.
Also read: What To Do If I Don’t Hear From An Employer? 5 Practical Tips
#SEEKBetter With Your New Job
Getting a job offer can rile your fires in the right way. But like any major decision in your life, you are required to look before you leap into a Better Jon.. Career moves are huge, and it is best not to say YOLO to this. It can define you in the short and long run.
Good luck!
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