After weeks upon weeks of tireless searching, impeccably crafted cover letters, and meticulously written applications, the breakthrough moment has – at last – arrived. The email containing a job offer is now sitting in your inbox, patiently waiting for you to receive it with explosive delight. The culmination of weeks of zealous pursuit and crawling through the elbow has led to this moment.
But wait – you catch yourself – you must take certain measures before stepping forward to take hold of the holy grail. Snapping yourself out of the haze of being seduced by the perceived fruits of your labor, you remind yourself that you must know something beforehand.
“Is this the right job?”
Of course, this one largely depends on whether this job offer was sent via a referral (or a completely cold email) or whether it’s an employer’s response to your application. Assuming it’s the former, the first thing you’ll want to know is who’s offering you the job. For example, if the company is known for a type of culture that you might not necessarily align with, it might be a good idea to reconsider accepting that offer. And figure out whether they’ve got a good reputation; you certainly don’t want to mingle in an atmosphere that’s inconducive to the well-being of its employees.
Ideally, you’ll want to ask this question with a number already in mind. Because if you don’t know what you want, then you’re not going to know what’s right for you, right? With that in mind, always be sure that you’re very comfortable with the pay being offered. If you’re feeling so much as queasy about the number before you, then it’s probably a good sign it’s not the right one.
Note: you do this, of course, whilst staying realistic. You don’t need to stick to a specific figure, but you must have a ballpark in mind that is backed up by research.
Also, take note that the base salary might not be what you want, but with added bonuses – which you’ll also want to ask the hiring manager about – it might prove a pleasant surprise for you to realize that it’s well above what you originally had in mind.
Even with the good pay and reputable company secured, you want to make sure that you’re not staying at a nest that clips its members’ wings. I’m all for jumping at opportunities, but I also advocate playing the long game. If you’re going in knowing that there’s no room for career advancement, you’re doing yourself a great disservice. Find a place that endorses growth, not inhibits it.
Work is a huge part of life (just calculate how many hours of your life you’re going to spend working), but I wouldn’t want to be spending more time than necessary getting and going from there. Now I’m not going to tell you what’s “right” and what’s “wrong” because everyone’s situation is different; it all depends on what feels good to the person as they take all factors into account. Weigh your options and see how spending that specific amount of time commuting is going to affect the rest of your day.
Naturally, I’ve left the best for last. And by “best,” I don’t really mean best, I mean the one most important and personal to you.
But no, don’t ask the employer that. Ask yourself.
Because believe you me, if you commit to something, spend 40+ hours per week doing it, and end up not enjoying it… then what are you even doing? Seriously. That’s, like, the worst possible thing you could ever do. And even worse if you go in knowing that it’s not your thing. Just think about it. All those hours of your life going into something you don’t even enjoy.
Personally, I would think long and hard before taking even the best-paying job if I know I’m not going to have a good time. But hey, that’s just me dropping my two cents; your opinion is what ultimately matters here. Really, though, don’t fall into the trap of working a job that you don’t particularly feel thrilled about because “that’s what it’s supposed to be like.” Wrong. That’s just what most of us were taught. My advice? Don’t take it if you don’t like it. Simple as that.
Why it’s important that you ask questions
As you can probably tell, I’m a little passionate about the concept of doing something because you “want to” and not because you “have to.” And that includes a job.
So, ask the right questions. Know exactly what your new role will entail. Be clear with your expectations and ask that your employer be the same as theirs. In the interview, ask questions of your own. Don’t be the only vetted party. In fact, apply this concept to every part of life (and not just work): How do I feel about this?
Want more career-related timeless pieces of wisdom? Check out Bayt’s blog here.
