Before You Say 'Yes' to the job offer: Questions to Ask Yourself (and Your Potential Employer)

Picture this: You've been through the interview process and finally, an offer! The salary makes your eyes widen, the benefits look fantastic, and you're ready to pop the champagne. But then, that tiny voice whispers in the back of your head... "But what if...?"

We've all been there. The excitement of a job offer can make it easy to overlook some crucial questions. I've seen firsthand how asking the right things BEFORE accepting can be the difference between landing a great role and ending up with serious career regrets.

Story time: I talked to one my previous clients last week - he’d interviewed for a job as IT Director at a midsize manufacturing company in Texas. They initially wanted him to work out of a location that was about 2 hours away from his house (4 hours total commute), but because he simply asked if he could perform the role out of a much closer office (just 20 minutes away), he saved over 3 hours a day!

That was what made me think of today’s issue - what should job seekers do before accepting the job offer?

That’s where this checklist comes in - review this list every time you receive an offer to avoid making the wrong decision.

Your Pre-Offer Acceptance Checklist

#1: Personal Fit

Ask yourself: Does this role further my career aspirations?

Does it offer the growth and development opportunities you seek?

Does it give you the kind of assignments that will inspire you to do your best work?

If yes, great! If not, what's your one strategic reason for taking the role? Think long and hard about this.

#2: Work-Life Fit

Evaluate the work culture, typical working hours and time zones, office location/remote work options, and expected workload.

Make sure it fits your idea of a healthy work-life balance. If not, ask yourself what you would need to make it work. Then, ask for it.

In the earlier example, my client asked to switch office locations to be much closer to their home. They were stunned when the company agreed, saving them over3 hours of commuting every single day.

#3: Know Your Notice Period

This is a practical one. If you're in the US and Canada, the custom is to give two weeks' notice. In other countries, check your contract for the specific notice period you must give.

#4: Clarify the Role

Ensure clarity on your title, specific responsibilities, and expectations. Ask what a typical day/week looks like to get a true sense of the work.

You should also inquire about opportunities for growth within this specific role ("What does the growth path look like?"). Avoid accepting a job based on vague promises of future promotions.

#5: Know Your Team and Manager

Throughout your interviews, gather intel about your potential manager's leadership style and the overall team dynamic. Ultimately, these are the people you’ll be working with, so it’s important that there isn’t any major friction.

If possible, request a chat with potential team members beforehand (you can also reach out to people at the company through LinkedIn to get an insiders’ perspective on what it’s like working there).

#6: Company Culture & Values

Research the company's culture and values on platforms like Glassdoor or Blind. (Note: Blind can skew negative, so take reviews with a grain of salt).

Ask for follow-up conversations with your potential manager (or their boss) to ask about specific aspects of the culture that are important to you (like work-life balance, answering emails after work etc.).

#7: Compensation Philosophy

Understanding their overall approach to compensation puts you in a stronger position to negotiate. Ask about salary bands for the role, bonus structures, stock options, or any additional benefits that contribute to your overall financial package.

#8: The Benefits Breakdown

Request a benefits summary and carefully review items like health insurance coverage and premiums, PTO policy, parental leave, 401k matching, and any other perks that are important to you. Assess whether the benefits align with your needs and priorities.

#9: Financial Health Check

Don't just take the company's word for it – do your own research on their financial health.

This is important for startups or companies that have been in the news recently. Look for recent news articles, SEC filings, and financial reports to get a sense of their revenue, profitability, debt levels, and future growth prospects.

A financially healthy company is more likely to be stable in the long run and offer you greater job security. Here are some specific metrics to consider:

• Revenue Growth: Is the company's revenue increasing steadily, or is it stagnant or declining?

• Profitability: Is the company making a profit, or are they operating at a loss?

• Debt Levels: Does the company have a lot of debt, or are they relatively debt-free?

• Future Growth Plans: What are the company's plans for the future? Are they expanding into new markets, or are they planning to downsize?