Fielding a job offer:
• offer may come via:
- telephone (very common)
- don’t be caught off guard!
- E-mail
- letter
How should you respond?
• Six steps (from skloverworkingwisdom.com):
1) say “thank you”
- show appreciation...
…even if the offer “stinks”
2) confirm essential details of job offer
- job title
- expected duties
- compensation
Your response (cont’d)
- ask questions!!!
- ask for written confirmation
- Why?
- most people do not remember everything
said to them when they are nervous
- ask about time frame
for reply
Your response (cont’d)
• 3) analyze offer using the 3 Rs
- Responsibilities & resources
- tools to do your job?
- able to use your brain?
- supervise others?
Your response (cont’d)
- Rewards
- salary
- benefits
- health insurance, life insurance,
401(k), vacation, sick leave,
company car, laptop,
cell phone, etc.
Your response (cont’d)
- Risks
- probationary period?
- termination procedures?
- “non-compete” clause?
- certainty of being paid?
Your response (cont’d)
• 4) respond with concerns/requests
- good offer, but….
- hire an assistant?
- earlier vesting of 401(k)?
- higher salary?
- flexible work hours/location?
• JUSTIFY HOW THESE REQUESTS WILL
MAKE YOU A BETTER EMPLOYEE!
Your response (cont’d)
• 5) seal the deal
- thank you (again)
- state you accept the modified offer
- ask when you start
- ask when you do “paperwork” to
formalize offer
Your response (cont’d)
• 6) plan your next negotiation
- honeymoon only lasts so long…
- in 1 year (maybe less) you will have a
performance evaluation
- highlight successes, extra responsibilities
you assumed (keep a weekly “diary”)
- plan what you are going to ask for
Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!
What to “look for” in the first job
• self satisfaction, but…
• …achieve balance in life, especially if
you have a family
• your health is vitally important
• opportunity for advancement/growth?
The first job (cont’d)
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don’t become over-anxious to accept offer
first job probably will not be perfect!
prepare to start at “entry level”
prepare to learn…graduation is not the end
- it is the beginning - of life-long learning
The first job (cont’d)
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prepare to be a bit “scared”…
prepare to “pay dues”
make a mental 3-5 year commitment
“job hopping” vs. “moving up”
Declining the job:
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can be tough, especially in person!
thank him/her for the employment offer
indicate you carefully weighed pros and cons
discuss importance of your being a “good fit”
with the company, its goals, and its
employees
Declining the job (cont’d):
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respectfully decline offer
leave them happy they considered you
don’t burn bridges
leave the door open for future openings with
the company
Declining the job (cont’d):
• be prepared with a written statement…so
you don’t stumble with words
• follow with written confirmation of your
decision