When it comes to the more important decisions in life, choosing whether or not to accept an offer of a new job is right up there. After all, for most us, our work has a major influence on our overall quality of life, as it’s where we spend the larger portion of our waking hours and where we generate the income we need to live on. This, of course, means that it’s crucial to take the time to fully evaluate any offer of a new job, to be sure of making the right decision.
More Than Money Matters
It’s not enough to simply look at the salary on offer. Of course, the pay that you will be taking home is a major consideration whenever you are contemplating accepting a job, but if you base your decision on money alone, you could end up paying for your choice in other ways. Instead of focusing on the salary, take a look at the other benefits that are on offer, too: these may include perks such as a pension plan or private health insurance, or advantages such as remote and flexible working, or more convenient working hours.
In the long run, these aspects may well prove more worthwhile than a higher salary. However, be sure, too, that you aren’t blinded by the prospect of working for a dream employer and accept a salary offer that is less than you deserve. If you haven’t changed jobs for a while, research the employment market for your role or industry to ensure that you are paid what you are worth.
Other Factors To Focus On
It’s vital, too, to carefully assess the working culture and the management styles of your new place of work. A good working environment is essential for a happy, healthy professional life, whereas a pressurised, unsupportive workplace culture can lead to issues such as lack of motivation, stress and even mental health issues. Try and speak to current staff to get a feel for the kind of corporate culture you might expect should you join the organisation.
If you are ambitious, then choosing the job which will offer you the best scope for career development can be a smart move. Ask about training opportunities, the kind of projects that you will be working on, and whether they have an ethos of nurturing in-house talent for future leadership roles.
Your Individual Needs
There are many personal factors to consider, too. For many of us, domestic responsibilities are a key area for consideration, with care-giving duties for children or ageing relatives meaning that choosing an understanding employer is a must. Find out how flexible and understanding the new workplace will be, should your personal life need to take priority.
Take a realistic view of other considerations that will accompany a new job, too, such as commuting time, parking or travel costs, extra childcare expenses or the requirement to regularly work away from home. It may be that the new role is just not a feasible option, in practical terms. This can be disappointing to accept, particularly if the job on offer is an exciting opportunity, but recognising your limits will ultimately save you a great deal of stress and difficulty down the line.
