Hearing back from a job you applied for can be an exciting journey. Whether you’re starting your career or looking for new opportunities, a difficult decision may be upon you once you obtain a job offer. Considering the average job attracts 250 resumes and only around 2% of applicants are called in for an interview, a job offer is an accomplishment in itself. However, there are several factors to consider before making deciding to accept or decline. We’ve broken these down into two key areas:

1. Evaluate the job

• Gather the facts. To make an informed decision, you must gather all of the facts. Consider the job duties you'll be responsible for, its core objectives, and the company culture. Will it add tools to your tool belt?  Will you be in a better position professionally in five years to progress closer to your dream job? Will you enjoy the people you work with? You will spend many hours with your team, so be sure you will connect well with them.
• Don’t let a small pay bump steer your decision. If you don’t like the answers to the previous questions, there may not be any reason to evaluate the offer further. If you're not going to be happy in this job, you'll likely find yourself in the position of seeking out new employment again.

2. Evaluate the offer

• Is the offer fair and competitive in terms of your background and experience? Is it fair compared to the work you'll be asked to complete? If you need help with this answer, a recruiter specializing in your area can assist with determining this.
• Evaluate the entire compensation package - not just the salary. What do the benefits look like? Are there opportunities to earn bonuses, and how real are they? What will your work-life balance look like? Will there be more flexibility in your schedule? Are there any other perks in regard to your commute, salary review, and average salary increases? What are these perks worth to you, and how do they compare to your current benefits?

If you go through this two-part process and feel all of the boxes are checked, it makes sense to accept the offer. However, please be cautious when it comes to counteroffers. Statistically, these offers rarely work out. In fact, approximately 80% of candidates that accept a counteroffer end up leaving their job within six months. This number increases to 90% within the twelve-month mark.

Before you accept a new job offer, be sure to address all of the areas discussed above. It has to be the right fit for you and your career-driven goals. After all, Steve Jobs said it best, "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work -- and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking, and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

If you have any questions, please contact us. Our recruiters would be happy to assist you in your career journey. You can learn more about our services for candidates or review our list of current opportunities.