How to Evaluate a Job Offer

The job market is slim right now, but some folks seem to have found their niches. How do you evaluate a job offer? In this article, Linda offers some tips on how to evaluate that job offer to learn whether or not it is right for you.

You're Right for the Job, but is the Job Right for YOU?

During your research, both before and after you apply for a job, consider the following:

Does the organization's business or activity match your own interests and beliefs? For instance, as soon as you learned about Quora through the ad above, did that company's mission turn you on or off?

How will the size of the organization affect you? It's a trade off. Larger firms can offer a greater variety of training programs and career paths and better employee benefits than do small firms. Jobs in small firms may offer broader authority and responsibility, a closer working relationship with top management, and a chance to clearly see your contribution to the success of the organization. Quora, for instance, offers this responsibility quite succinctly in their job offers.

Should you work for a relatively new organization or one that is well established? Some people really enjoy working for new companies, even with the risk that those companies may fail. As you get older, however, you may like to lack of risk that comes with a regular paycheck to put the kiddies through college.

The job. If you are addicted to freelance work, don't think about applying for a 9-5 job. That's why you quit the 9-5 in the first place – because you couldn't tolerate it (or, it couldn't tolerate you). But, if you're determined to take that job because freelance work is slim, then consider the following:

• Where is the job located?

• Does the work match your interests and make good use of your skills?

• How important is the job to the company or organization?

• What will the hours be?

• How long do most people who enter this job stay with the company?

A good job offers you opportunities to learn new skills, increase your earnings, and rise to positions of greater authority, responsibility, and prestige. Quora does this in an interesting way – basically, they are offering a promotion to any engineer and product designer who feels dissatisfied with their current positions.

The employer should give you some idea of promotion possibilities within the organization, and Quora does this as they explain the next step on the career ladder include becoming a Google Fellow or a V.P.

Salaries and Benefits

When an employer makes a job offer, information about earnings and benefits are usually included – even as early as in the ad for the position. This offer usually determines who will apply as well as the degree desired, etc. You want to see the salary in the ad, because you will want to research to determine if the offer is fair. If you choose to negotiate for higher pay and better benefits, objective research will help you strengthen your case.

If you are considering the salary and benefits for a job in another geographic area, make allowances for differences in the cost of living, which may be significantly higher in a large metropolitan area than in a smaller city, town, or rural area. You can use tools such Payscale or Salary.com to determine if the pay scale is normal for any given area.

This next note is very important, especially when you see an ad like Quorum's, where you are expected to be devoted to your job...what is that company's policy regarding overtime? Depending on the job, you may or may not be exempt from laws requiring the employer to compensate you for overtime. Find out how many hours you will be expected to work each week and whether you receive overtime pay or compensatory time off for working more than the specified number of hours in a week.

Also take into account that the starting salary is just that – the start. Your salary should be reviewed on a regular basis; many organizations do it every year. How much can you expect to earn after 1, 2, or 3 or more years? An employer may be unable to be specific about the amount of pay if it includes commissions and bonuses.

Benefits also can add a lot to your base pay, but they vary widely. Find out exactly what the benefit package includes and how much of the cost you must bear.

The Aggressive Employer

At some point in your career, no matter if it's straight  out of college or about two decades in, someone may tap you on your shoulder and ask you why you're not working for so-and-so instead of slaving away for this-and-that. This question may come as a surprise to you, but – depending upon your situation – it may also be quite flattering. At the same time, it could spell the end of working with a long-term job that offers all you need in the way of salary increases, benefits and more.

No matter how aggressive these employers become, stay polite...but also keep your distance so you can learn more about that business and so you can make a well-thought out decision. An offer often is much more than a salary, so if you haven't already, you might identify and rank your values. What areas can you sacrifice? Some areas you may want to consider:

1.Stress level

2.Hours

3.Prestige

4.Personal growth

5.Supervisory Style

6.Work Environment

7.Location

8.Stability

9.Family goals