Ask Yourself These 8 Questions Before You Accept a Job Offer

Good news! If you are in need of a new job, you have plenty of options to choose from.

You may have already put yourself out there on certain job recruiting sites, and you may have already gotten a job offer if not several. You may be tempted to just take it for the sake of work, but do you want to settle like that?

Do not accept a job offer without giving it thought. Before you say "yes," take some time to ask yourself these eight questions.

1. What Do Past Employees Say?

Look into the history of the company, and see if there are any online reviews. While online reviews should not be taken as the end all be all, it's a bit of a red flag if a company with a high turnover rate has a two-star overall rating. This may indicate a toxic or unpleasant work environment, and you don't want to walk into that.

2. Will This Job Fulfill My Long-Term Goals?

It's tempting, and sometimes necessary, to settle into a temporary gig until you can get to something better. However, that can become a bad pattern that results in a rollercoaster resume. 

You should look for a career that matches your passions and skillset. Also, the job should have plenty of opportunities for development and advancement. Seek a job you'll want to stay with for the long haul.

3. Is There A Good Benefits Package?

Pay is not the only option to consider. Health insurance and other insurances are costly, and you should seek a company that will offer health, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a retirement plan. Also, you should receive at least a week's paid vacation after no more than one year.

A company that offers no benefits is a red flag indicating the company isn't worth your time or labor.

4. What Will My Schedule Look Like?

Most jobs are nine to five shifts with 40 hours a week, but some jobs require excessive overtime. Overworking one's self is known to be detrimental to one's health. Don't accept a job that offers no work-life balance.

5. How Does This Manager Seem?

A good manager is one who is respectful, inspiring, and supportive. While it's tough to say what to expect, did you at least get a good first impression during the interview? A manager's true colors can stick out when they are laying out expectations, and you should decide if those colors match with yours.

6. What Is The Commute Like?

If this is not a remote working option, you will have to commute to work. Consider the time you lose from your day on a long commute, and consider gas prices as well as wear and tear on your car. If you’re going to have a long commute, you better make sure the job is worth it.

7. Is There An Onboarding Program?

The best way to get an overall impression of a job is through an onboarding or probationary period. This allows you and the employer to see if you and the company are the right fit. This is useful in getting an all-around feel to see if this is the company you want to commit to.

8. What Does This Job Entail?

This is almost certainly the most important question to ask. What will your job duties be, and do they match your experience, education, passions, or skills at all? If the answer is no, it’s probably not a good fit.

Accept Or Deny A Job Offer Wisely

These eight questions will prove useful in helping you to accept or decline a job offer. These questions touch on important matters, and those matters should be considered wisely.

If you’re still on an active job search, take a look at our postings. You should be able to find something matching your skills and interests.