Getting a job offer is an exciting prospect and to most candidates, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But the question is, what questions should you ask before you accept a job offer?
If you are a young professional, you have a lot going for you: you are open to change and you embrace challenges. You might be valuing mental wellness over profits and salary, and you'd rather have a fulfilling job than one that isn't meaningful to you.
A study revealed that 15% of young adults in Africa aged between 18-35 years old undergo career change, or are planning to make a move in the next two years. This is as a result of low pay, lack of job security, lack of structure in their lives, and other working conditions that might not be ideal for them at this point in their career.
But what is the difference between the job you had three months ago, and the new one that you want to jump into right now? Are you making the right decision by accepting a new job offer? If one of the reasons you are quitting your current job is low pay, have you negotiated for better pay?
The art of negotiation is a key part of getting a better and fair deal. For example, if you are offered a salary that is less than what you are making in your current role, consider counter-offering them instead of declining the job. This will allow you to protect yourself from low compensation and make sure that your new employer knows exactly what they'll be getting from you.
The best way to know whether to accept a job offer, counter a job offer, or decline a job offer is by asking the right questions. Here are examples of questions you can ask:
What is the work environment like? Is it a place you want to work?
The work environment is one of the most important factors you should consider before accepting a new job offer. An ideal place of work should respect your unique strengths, support your career goals and offer opportunities to grow.
If you'll be working with other people, it's important to ask about how they get along with each other. This will give you a glimpse into the company culture. If there are too many cliques or if people don't talk openly, then maybe this isn't the right place for you.
How many hours will I be expected to work? Is there flexibility in my schedule?
You should also consider if there's enough flexibility in terms of hours and workloads.
If this is not clear from the job description, ask your recruiter during the interview and find out how many hours they expect for each day at work. Most companies will tell you how many hours you’ll be working per week before you start working there but if they don't, then find out from employees who work there. It’s also important to find out if the company allows employees to work remotely or not.
Will I be paid more than minimum wage? How much, exactly, will I make?
If the company is a good fit, then you will want to figure out how much money they are willing to offer. This will help you decide if it's worth making the move and also help you understand what kind of salary range they expect.
Before you accept a job offer, you should ask the employer to provide you with the job description, salary, and benefits information in writing. If you're applying for a position that doesn't require a written job description, ask for a list of key responsibilities and duties.
The salary — even if it's just an estimate — will help you gauge what kind of income potential your new position has. If you're offered less than what was promised, ask why.
What are the employer's expectations?
There are many things to consider when accepting a new job offer. One of the most important factors is the company's expectations. The employer may have a set of specific goals that they want you to achieve. If this is the case, make sure you ask exactly what those goals are and how they affect your life as an employee.
In most cases, the employer's expectations of you as a professional is to work in a team environment, while still being able to work independently. They also want you to be able to communicate effectively with other employees and clients.
In addition to these core responsibilities, some employers may have additional requirements for job candidates depending on the role.
Leadership qualities may also be important to employers in many instances.
Are there career growth opportunities in the company?
You may be tempted to accept a job offer because of a good salary offer, work environment or you're just too excited about getting a new role. But before you give in to the temptation of accepting an offer too quickly, take a moment to assess whether there is room for growth and advancement in the company. This will be determined by the nature of the job, the role and the company. If you feel there is room for growth and advancement in your current role, then you can accept the job offer without any hesitation.
However, if you feel that there are no opportunities for growth, then it would be better to decline the offer and look for another job opportunity.
How much time will I get off?
When considering a new job, one of the first things you should know about is the company's policy on vacation and time off.
For many companies, vacation policies are simple:
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You get two weeks' vacation after your first year of employment, and then an additional week each year after that. Some companies offer other types of paid leave for employees who have children or other family needs.
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You should also ask about paid time off for sick days, or personal care leave — leave taken because an employee is taking care of an ill family member, or caring for an ill parent or spouse.
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If you have children and want them to be able to attend school during the day while you work, ask whether the company has flexible work hours that accommodate childcare needs.
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Is there a family leave policy? If so, what kind of leave is available? Is it unpaid or paid? Are there any requirements associated with taking leave? What happens if someone else in your department needs to take parental leave at the same time as you? Companies often offer flexible hours for parents with young children; however, it's important for employees who take these kinds of leaves to determine what their specific responsibilities will be when they return from maternity/paternity leave and make sure those responsibilities are clearly defined.
There's no doubt that getting a job is tough, but it is important to be able to evaluate whether or not a particular position is right for you before you accept a job offer. It's not just about knowing the right answers—it's also about asking the right questions.
