How to Evaluate Job Offer Like a Pro?

All of us experience this moment when you're between staying in a bad job or moving to a new job.

Once starting your job search journey, there will be no place for feelings or emotional considerations. It becomes a matter of time to accept your perfect job offer and join another company.

Suppose you're not seriously searching for a new opportunity and suddenly find the opportunity knocking on your door from a big company that invites you to attend the interview. You've passed the interview and receive your unexpected job offer.

A job offer as a result of a long job hunting, in a way, is a bit easier to manage than an unasked job offer (i.e., when you were not seriously looking for a job). In this case, it cannot be easy to chooses between a great new opportunity and your current job (where you are also satisfied).

What to evaluate before accepting a job offer?

Compensation

Although money shouldn't be your single driving factor while accepting a job offer, it is one of the top two or three requirements (will you get a job with a lower salary?).

Indeed, your job offer will include your details about your salary range and compensations. Before going to the interview, research the current pay scales in your market. Although this may take some time and effort, it will help you decide and know your value. If you haven't done this before the interview, do it before signing the contract.

Before judging the job offer's compensations, you have to take the following points into your consideration:

The compensations are illogically high: this may be satisfying to you, but if the job offer is considerably more than the actual salary (more than 25%), it's an alarm. This is where the research will benefit (salary surveys and reviews). Try to reach someone working in the same field to get more information about salary ranges.  

Salary rise is too low – Lower salaries in the job offer reflect the challenges of getting a new job. If you are receiving a job offer (without being seriously looking for a new job), there is a reasonable amount of chance. Less than a 10% raise could be a sign of a problem.

Potential growth- your future salary for your new work should have fair promising prospects. Ask questions about annual bonuses or pay increases. You should also know whether you'll receive what you deserve or not. If you currently receive at the peak of your range, the likelihood of substantially higher raises would be much lower.

Variable benefits – you can also consider some variable compensation, such as incentives, holiday payments, and sales bonuses, where acceptable.

Career Growth

The opportunity for progression should be one of the questions you posed in the interview. The company size, position, promotions, and size of your department all play a significant role in determining potential development.

Daily performance feedback also often plays a vital role. If you forget to ask these questions during the interview, ask while negotiating the job offer. Every step before signing will bear its fruits after that.

Corporate Organization

If you don't understand the organizational structure during the interview, ask for more details about it. You need to understand clearly:

Who will be your direct manager? Is specialized in the same field? How many managers will you have? Whom is your boss reporting to?

Who's working with you: how many employees are in the company? Does the team face any problems that you should solve?

Expectations

Ask the question, "After one year at work, when the company will say that I've stuck to all the rules, met all the deadlines, and have surpassed all goals? And How will it appreciate me? 

Draw a comprehensive image of the company's plans, your responsibilities, and what challenges you'll face.

Job Security

Why the previous employee in your role left the company?

If he has been promoted, this will be a good sign that this company offers growth chances, but if he ultimately left the company, you've to know why (i.e., did he resigned or terminated?)

Utilize your network connections to know more about the company's job security levels and how good its structure is.

Benefits

make sure you thoroughly know the advantages. Though not explicitly "compensation," the magnitude of the advantages given (or any shortages of what you already have) will have a significant effect on your net income. You should consider medical insurance, flight allowance, education allowance, sick leave days, and work flexibility out of the office.

Compare with your current job

Create a list of everything you hate about your current job and every advantage you're going to get with the new position. Be realistic, and your list of advantages and disadvantages will help you make this challenging decision.

Counter Job Offer

Your current company may want to retain your talent by offering a counter offer. This offer is an excellent sign that the company knows your value and doesn't want to lose your qualifications.

Although we should take risks at some point, it's not always greener on the other side. So, try to inform your company about your reasons to leave (is it for a higher salary? Is it for a higher position?) the company may raise your salary or promote you.

Wall your career, guard your income and mind your mind while evaluating a new job offer.