YOUR CAREER TOOL BOX!
WEIGHING YOUR JOB OFFER All of your hard work has accumulated to a job offer – so, what comes next?
Y
ou did it — you submitted the perfect resume, nailed the interview, aced their assessments. And now, your hard work has paid off with a job offer. With all the effort you put into the process, it can feel all the sweeter after weeks or even months to get it. But this is not the end just yet. You still have one last decision to make — whether to accept or decline the offer. While accepting it is a fairly straightforward process, you also need to know what to do in the event that you ultimately decide that the job offer is not for you. After all, to end things between you and the company on a sour note will be detrimental. Whatever your answer is, there are also some things that you need to consider before making that decision:
1. Getting the offer Hiring managers will typically contact successful candidates via email, although other means such as phone calls and text messages may be used. Once you express interest in moving forward, they will then send you a letter of offer. Before you do anything else, be sure to read through the letter carefully. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the hiring manager immediately. In particular, you should look out for these: • The job title • Fixed salary and benefits (this includes monthly allowances or claims) • Variable incentives (such as commissions and bonuses) • Professional development/lifelong learning provisions • Probation period (be sure to pay attention to its length as well as the terms of the probation) • Notice period (the period of time between tendering your resignation and the actual date you leave the company) • Expected hours of work • Annual leave and sick leave entitlements • Company insurance coverage • Start work date Although it can be tempting to just agree to the job offer, it is best to take your time to review it before finalising your decision. Employers will usually give you a few days to consider, and if needed, may agree on extending the deadline if you ask politely. Do not drag it out for too long, though.
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SUTD career guide 2022
