How To Accept a Job Offer
So you finally made it through your interview. All the stress and worry is over and paid off! You know you did amazing and now you’re almost at the end of process.
First off, similar to checking to make sure your resume has been received, you should do a follow up to the interview. Again, don’t waste time; be prompt and courteous of how busy people can be. But make sure to thank the people who took the time to interview you and express how much you hope to work with them in the future.
Now because we know you’re an amazing candidate we are going to discuss both accepting and declining offers. Generally you accept the job offer when you either got all of your terms met with the initial offer or you negotiated to the terms you wanted. This is an interesting aspect of the job application process. This is the point where the tables have turned; the potential employer has now expressed interest and wants YOU! This is when to ask about wages, benefits, vacation time, and any other aspects of the offer you are concerned with. You never have to accept their offer at face value; it never hurts to see what else you can get, when done properly. You never want to lose the job before you get it. But you should have terms you feel must be met in order for you to accept the offer. If you’re lucky enough that their first offer meets or surpasses your terms then by all means accept! But you should feel within your rights to try and negotiate to getting the terms you want. Remember your brag bank here, pull out some of your skills and unique points to justify your terms.
Once you have agreed to terms and you are verbally agreeing to accept the offer make sure to get a written offer as well. Take the written offer to a lawyer or your employment agency and have them read it over. Make sure everything you agreed on is in the contract before you sign anything. Always double check, and make certain you understand what everything in the contract means. Many times there can be legal jargon that you may need clarification on. Don’t feel back about asking questions and going over your contract in detail, this could save you a lot of problems in the future.
Now the other side of the coin, declining the offer. Some times during the interview process you realise that this job isn’t right for you. Whether it’s the actual job, or the feeling you’re getting from the potential employer. If you don’t feel sure about the job, feel free to politely decline. You should also consider declining an offer if they cannot meet enough of your terms, and negotiations to meet those terms fail. After negotiations you may wish to ask for 24 hours to consider the offer. Take some time and see if you feel comfortable with the offer they have given you. Possibly talking it over with a partner or family can help you make up your mind about the offer.
When you have decided to decline an offer you can do so in person or via phone or email. In general you would like to continue to communicate in the preference of the employer. Remember no matter that you are declining the offer you still want to maintain a good relationship with the employer. Make the reason you are not accepting the offer clear but thank them for their time and possibly show an interest in working with them in the future. Many times you may interview for one position in a company which may not be a perfect fit. But if you leave the interview process positive the employer will look fondly on you and hopefully call on you in the future if something more appropriate opens up.
Next week we look at the top 10 things that will prevent you from getting the job.
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