How to evaluate a job offer
Friday, May 9, 2008 | | |Part 1: salaries, office environment and Corporate Culture
You've spent the last few months has sought to respond to assist the ads, visiting recruiters, and networking. You sent your resume and then a lot of interviews. And now the moment you've been waiting for is here. It is now your turn. You have job offers to consider. During those long days flying the pavement, you do not take a decision that would be difficult. But this is serious business. The work that you are taking now be yours May for a long period to come.
What is the most important consideration? Is it salary, health benefits, or vacation? Or could it be the corporate culture or the length of your trip or? What about your boss and coworkers - who work with them to be pleasant? As you can see, there are a number of factors to take into account and that some are negotiable.
You can try to obtain a higher salary or more vacation time. However, health benefits are often the standard packages. The corporate culture will not change for you and your boss and co-workers do not go anywhere.
Each of us, of course, is different. And what will weigh heavy for some of us is insignificant for the rest of us. A good example of this is a survey I conducted on career planning. I asked the question: "What gives you the most satisfaction at work?" Given a choice three responses, 20% chose "Respect for my boss," 17% said: "The amount of money I make," and 62% said: "I love what I do. "As you can see, while the majority responded to the survey felt that love what they do is the most important thing, there are those whose opinions differ.
The evaluation of the offer
Salary
Even if the money is not what gives you the most satisfaction at work, no one can argue its importance. You need a certain amount of money to pay bills, for example. Most of us also want to make sure we are paid what we should and what is the going rate for jobs similar to ours. It is important to know what others to do related work in the same industry, and in the same geographical region. You can start gathering this information by looking at salary surveys and other professional information. And do not forget, if other aspects of work appeal to you, you can try to negotiate the offer.
The office environment
Each office has a different feel to it. Some feel sort of "dark pin-striped suit" while others feel a little more relaxed. Years ago, I interviewed for an internship in a public relations firm. From the second I set foot in the office, I knew I wanted to work. It was a great bubble gum machine in the corner and colorful pictures hung on walls. A few years later, I interviewed for a job at a large investment bank. The office is the opposite of the one I just described. I have been formally interviewed in a conference room and given a tour of the department, I would be working in. It is bright, but furnished in colors faded. I was offered and accepted the two posts and loved both jobs. As you can see, you can be happy in two totally different environments. You just need to know what environment you want to be unhappy in.
Corporate culture
Defined by Merriam-Webster as "all shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that characterize a society or a society," corporate culture should be an important factor in your decision to accept an offer employment. If you enjoy your time outside the office, a company with a corporate culture that encourages late evening May not be for you. Does the potential employer of philosophy " win at any cost? "Is that your philosophy" always play clean? "This company is not for you. Are you an ardent proponent of animal rights? With your research you learn that one of its subsidiaries do animal testing. Although it will not affect the day to day activities of your work, May it not be a situation where you feel at ease.
You've spent the last few months has sought to respond to assist the ads, visiting recruiters, and networking. You sent your resume and then a lot of interviews. And now the moment you've been waiting for is here. It is now your turn. You have job offers to consider. During those long days flying the pavement, you do not take a decision that would be difficult. But this is serious business. The work that you are taking now be yours May for a long period to come.
What is the most important consideration? Is it salary, health benefits, or vacation? Or could it be the corporate culture or the length of your trip or? What about your boss and coworkers - who work with them to be pleasant? As you can see, there are a number of factors to take into account and that some are negotiable.
You can try to obtain a higher salary or more vacation time. However, health benefits are often the standard packages. The corporate culture will not change for you and your boss and co-workers do not go anywhere.
Each of us, of course, is different. And what will weigh heavy for some of us is insignificant for the rest of us. A good example of this is a survey I conducted on career planning. I asked the question: "What gives you the most satisfaction at work?" Given a choice three responses, 20% chose "Respect for my boss," 17% said: "The amount of money I make," and 62% said: "I love what I do. "As you can see, while the majority responded to the survey felt that love what they do is the most important thing, there are those whose opinions differ.
The evaluation of the offer
Salary
Even if the money is not what gives you the most satisfaction at work, no one can argue its importance. You need a certain amount of money to pay bills, for example. Most of us also want to make sure we are paid what we should and what is the going rate for jobs similar to ours. It is important to know what others to do related work in the same industry, and in the same geographical region. You can start gathering this information by looking at salary surveys and other professional information. And do not forget, if other aspects of work appeal to you, you can try to negotiate the offer.
The office environment
Each office has a different feel to it. Some feel sort of "dark pin-striped suit" while others feel a little more relaxed. Years ago, I interviewed for an internship in a public relations firm. From the second I set foot in the office, I knew I wanted to work. It was a great bubble gum machine in the corner and colorful pictures hung on walls. A few years later, I interviewed for a job at a large investment bank. The office is the opposite of the one I just described. I have been formally interviewed in a conference room and given a tour of the department, I would be working in. It is bright, but furnished in colors faded. I was offered and accepted the two posts and loved both jobs. As you can see, you can be happy in two totally different environments. You just need to know what environment you want to be unhappy in.
Corporate culture
Defined by Merriam-Webster as "all shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that characterize a society or a society," corporate culture should be an important factor in your decision to accept an offer employment. If you enjoy your time outside the office, a company with a corporate culture that encourages late evening May not be for you. Does the potential employer of philosophy " win at any cost? "Is that your philosophy" always play clean? "This company is not for you. Are you an ardent proponent of animal rights? With your research you learn that one of its subsidiaries do animal testing. Although it will not affect the day to day activities of your work, May it not be a situation where you feel at ease.
